Electromagnetic guns: description, types

Electromagnetic guns are a common name for installations designed to accelerate objects (objects) with the help of electromagnetic forces. Such devices are called electromagnetic mass accelerators.

Electromagnetic guns are divided into the following types:

1. Railgun - this device is an electrode pulse mass accelerator. The work of this device is the movement of the projectile between two electrodes - the rail - through which the current flows. Thanks to this, electromagnetic guns of this type got their name - railgun. In such devices, the current sources are connected to the rail base, as a result the current flows "after" to the moving object. A magnetic field is created around conductors, over which current flows, it is concentrated behind a moving projectile. As a result, the object, in fact, is a conductor, which is placed in a perpendicular magnetic field created by the rails. According to the laws of physics, the projectile is affected by the force of Lorentz, which is directed in the opposite direction from the place of connection of the rail and accelerates the object.

2. Thompson's electromagnetic guns are induction accelerators of masses. The induction guns are based on the principles of electromagnetic induction. In the coil of the device there is a rapidly increasing current, it causes in space a magnetic field of a variable nature. The winding is wound around a ferrite core, at the end of which there is a conductive ring. Due to the influence of the magnetic flux that pierces the ring, an alternating current occurs . It creates a magnetic field having an opposite direction to the winding direction. The conducting ring with its field repels from the opposite field of the winding and, accelerating, flies off the ferrite rod. The speed and the output power of the ring are directly dependent on the strength of the current pulse.

3. Electromagnetic Gauss gun - magnetic mass accelerator. Named after the mathematician-scientist Karl Gauss, who made a great contribution to the study of the properties of electromagnetism. The main element of the Gauss gun is a solenoid. It is wound on a dielectric tube (trunk). A ferromagnetic object is inserted into one end of the tube. At the moment when an electric current appears in the coil, a magnetic field arises in the solenoid, under the action of which the projectile accelerates (in the direction of the center of the solenoid). At the ends of the charge poles are formed, which are oriented respectively at the poles of the coil, as a result of which, after passing the projectile through the center of the solenoid, it begins to attract in the opposite direction (it is braked). The diagram of the electromagnetic gun is shown in the photo.

Modern science has made significant progress in the study of acceleration and accumulation of energy, as well as the formation of impulses. We can assume that in the near future, mankind will face a new type of weapon - electromagnetic cannons. To develop this technology, huge work is required in all aspects of mass accelerators, including shells and power supply. The most important role will be played by new materials. To implement such a project, powerful and compact sources of electrical energy will be required. And also high-temperature superconductors. Given that recently the work of N. Tesla is very popular, it can be assumed that these technologies can be combined. In this case, we will see electromagnetic guns without energy sources, because it will come directly from the air.