Abstract
A multiple rails magnetic accelerator is presented. By means of an electric discharge, a magnetic field is created which moves an armature along the rails. These rails are made in such way they can stand multiple shoots without eroding. The launcher is configured such that the critical velocity of the armature increases along the axial direction towards the muzzle as it moves through the gun. The rails are separated with a proper electrical insulator and the whole structure can be surrounded by one or more shells to confine the barrel and apply compressive stress. The compressive stresses applied preload the rails and the composite barrel structure to resist overall forces encountered during projectile firing.
Claims
1. A barrel for an electromagnetic projectile launching system, wherein the barrel comprises at least one pair of parallel spaced apart conductor rails, each rail having an end connectable to a different pole of an electric generator, the pair of rails being isolated to each other, wherein the rails are completely made of graphene.
2. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the layer is formed in internal faces of the rails inside a bore.
3. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the rails are twisted.
4. The barrel of claim 3, wherein it comprises a pitch to create a DNA-like structure.
5. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the rails comprise a cooling system embedded therein.
6. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the pair of rails are isolated to each other with an insulator.
7. The barrel of claim 6, wherein the insulator comprises fiberglass or S Glass.
8. The barrel of claim 2, wherein the form of the bore is quadrangular, circular, elliptical, octagonal or hexagonal.
9. The barrel of claim 1, wherein it comprises an armature having the sides in contact with the rails.
10. An electromagnetic projectile adapted to be fit the barrel of claim 1, wherein the projectile is covered with a protective graphene layer.
11. The projectile of claim 10, wherein the shape is quadrangular, circular, elliptical, octagonal or hexagonal.
12. The projectile of claim 11, wherein it comprises a magnetic shielding.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specifications, illustrate an embodiment of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
(2) FIG. 1: It is a schematic representation of the invention with a single pair of rails.
(3) FIG. 2: It is an assembly of copper rails with graphene's protective layer in an open environment.
(4) FIG. 3: It is an assembly of graphene rails in an open environment.
(5) FIG. 4: It is an assembly of copper rails with graphene's protective layer in a closed environment.
(6) FIG. 5: It is an assembly of graphene rails in a closed environment.
(7) FIG. 6: It is a cut of the assembly of a couple of graphene rails in a round bore.
(8) FIG. 7: It is a cut of the assembly of a multiple rail gun with copper and protective graphene layer in a round bore.
(9) FIG. 8: It is an assembly of multiple graphene rails in a round bore.
(10) FIG. 9: It is an assembly with twisted rails.
(11) FIG. 10: It is an armature for open and closed environments EMG.
(12) FIG. 11: It is an armature of cylindrical round head shape with a back chevron part and protective graphene layer.
(13) FIG. 12: It is an armature of cylindrical round head shape with a back chevron part and protective graphene layer where the inner helical magnetic shielding is shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(14) In connection with the figures, several examples of embodiments of the invention are further detailed. The examples are shown simply by a way of illustration and will be regarded not as restrictive of the invention scope.
(15) The present invention is an electromagnetic projectile launching system which uses a plurality of conducting rails assembled in pairs, to accelerate conductive armatures.
(16) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an electromagnetic rail gun. The rail gun of FIG. 1 uses a positive rail 100, a sliding armature 101, and a negative rail 102. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a high current I from a generator (AC or DC) 103 enters the positive rail 100, and is conducted through the sliding armature 101 and negative rail 102 to produce a strong magnetic field which drives the sliding armature 101 forward. Those skilled in the art will know that a plurality of pairs 100-102 can be used with advantage, and here both will appear along the description. In that case, one or more generators 103 can be used to provide the desired amount of energy for the pairs of rails 100-102 used. If only one generator 103 is used, the current will be divided among all the pairs. If more than one generator 103 is used, then the current will go from each generator 103 to each pair of positive 100 and negative 102 rails.
(17) FIG. 2 is an assembly of open multiple copper rails with a graphene protective layer. Positive copper rails 200 receive the high current from one or more generators (not shown in FIG. 2) and conduct it towards the negative rails 201 through the armature (not shown in FIG. 2). Rails are covered on their armature exposed faces 203 with a layer of graphene. Both positive 200 and negative 201 copper rails have a cooling system 204 used to cool down the heat generated by the firing of the EMS. The rails 200-201 are isolated from each other by a compound 205 which can be fiberglass, S Glass, or other type of material able both to tolerate the pressures generated by the firing and to insulate them electrically. The structure is set in a structural framework 206 of which only the bottom part is shown in FIG. 2, but side walls are set in the outer part of the rail system. The purpose of this framework 206 is to reinforce the rail system when firing, as the magnetic fields push the rails 200-201 apart one from the other. The material used for this framework 206 can be aramid fibers, carbon fibers, or other high-performance fibers available in the market to construct solid and robust pressure vessels.
(18) FIG. 3 is an assembly of open multiple graphene rails. As in the case of FIG. 2, positive graphene rails 300 receive the high current from one or more generators (not shown in FIG. 3) and conduct it towards the negative rails 301 through the armature (not shown in FIG. 3). Both positive 300 and negative 301 graphene rails have a cooling system 302 used to cool down the heat generated by the firing of the EMS. The rails 300-301 are isolated from each other by a compound 303 of those available in the market, able both to tolerate the pressures generated by the firing and to insulate them electrically. This type of compound 303 can be of the same material as the one used to isolate 205 the copper rails with the graphene layer 200-201. The whole is set inside a framework 304 similar to the one described above in FIG. 2.
(19) FIG. 4 is an assembly of copper rails 200-201 with graphene's protective layer 203 in a closed environment. The framework 206 used covers all the structure, making a bore of rectangular structure inside which the armature (not shown) slides when fired. As the pressures generated are high, the framework must be of high-performance in order to sustain the stress generated when firing.
(20) FIG. 5 is an assembly of graphene rails in a closed environment with a framework 304 able to sustain the pressures generated. The work of this assembly is similar to that described previously, with the rails 300 and 301 this last one not shown) connected to the generator 103 (not shown) and an armature (not shown) sliding through the rails 300-301.
(21) FIG. 6 is an assembly of a pair of graphene rails 300-301 in a round closed environment with a framework 304 able to sustain the pressures generated. The work of the generator (not shown) slides the armature (not shown) through the rails 300-301. Additional layers 305 can be added, in order to improve the overall performance, as the system could need insulators, over wraps, inner seals. The barrel of such a design is preferred for applications where a payload must be fired. A cooling systems 302 can be used as showed in other configurations and an insulator 303 must be placed between each pair of consecutive rails.
(22) FIG. 7 is a cut of an assembly of a multitude of copper rails 200-201, where they appear coupled in pairs. The positive 200 and the negative 201 rails are protected with a graphene 203 protective cover, leveled with the insulator 205 for a smooth bore. Here only rails for 3 pairs are shown, but it is clear from the spirit of the invention that more or less pairs can be added to it without departing from the original scope.
(23) FIG. 8 shows an assembly of multiple rails in a round bore. Positive 300 and negative 301 rails are paired opposing each other. The generators used 103 (not shown) will provide the required energy for the launch and the cooling system 302 is added. The rails are insulated from each other by a compound 303 similar to those described above
(24) FIG. 9 shows a pair of twisted rails 100 and 102 along with a generator 103. This configuration achieves a greater length in the rails and accuracy. Making helical grooves in the barrel (rifling) imparts a spin to a projectile around its long axis. This spin serves to gyroscopically stabilize the projectile, improving its aerodynamic stability.
(25) FIG. 10 shows a copper-made armature 400 for multiple rails. The faces exposed to the rails are covered with a graphene 401 protective layer for a higher performance of the overall system. This armature 400 can be used from assemblies as those showed in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 and will be part of the payload fired as a sabot or as integral part of the projectile itself depending on the applications.
(26) FIG. 11 is a cut of a schematic view of a round shape armature 500 ended in a chevron shape. The armature 500 is covered by a graphene 501 protective layer.
(27) FIG. 12: It is an armature 500 of cylindrical round head shape with a back chevron part and protective graphene layer 501 where the magnetic shielding is shown. In the chevron shaped part, layers of magnetic shielding 502 can be added as a helical structure to avoid interferences in the electronics inside the payload as explained above.
