Hypervelocity projectile launching system

摘要

A gun system for launching a projectile that forms a component of a two-part payload that also includes a pusher that is separable from the projectile. The system includes a barrel, a source of propellant gas to propel the projectile and the pusher through the barrel, and a retarding coil and an accelerating coil, each having a coil axis parallel to the barrel axis and surrounding a projectile passage through the barrel, the retarding coil being disposed closer to the source of propellant gas than the accelerating coil. The retarding coil is configured to generate electromagnetic energy in response to passage of the pusher when being propelled by propellant gas ignition, and the accelerating coil is configured and coupled to impose an accelerating force on the projectile in response to the electromagnetic energy generated by the retarding coil.

主权项

1. A gun system for launching a projectile that forms a component of a two-part payload that also includes a pusher, said system comprising:
a barrel having a front end and a rear end and delimiting a projectile passage that extends from said rear end to said front end, said barrel being constructed to initially hold the projectile at a location adjacent said rear end and hold the pusher between the projectile and said rear end; a source of propellant gas coupled to said rear end of said barrel such that the propellant gas will propel the projectile and the pusher along in a direction from said rear end toward said front end; and a first retarding coil and a first accelerating coil, each associated with said barrel and each having a coil axis parallel to said longitudinal axis and surrounding said projectile passage, said first retarding coil being disposed at a location between the location where the projectile is initially held and said front end of said barrel and said first accelerating coil being disposed at a location between said first retarding coil and said front end of said barrel, wherein said first retarding coil is configured to generate electromagnetic energy in response to passage of the pusher when being propelled by propellant gas, and said first accelerating coil is configured and coupled to impose an accelerating force on the projectile in response to the electromagnetic energy generated by said first retarding coil.