Thermal analysis of electromagnetic launcher using numerical simulation

Abstract

The electromagnetic launcher is a high energy device which fires the projectile at hypervelocity. It uses high intensity electrical current pulse to accelerate projectile at such high velocity. This paper describes the thermal effects on armature of the electromagnetic launcher due to frictional heat generated between armature and the rails as well as heat generation due to joule heating in the rails. Finite element model is developed to obtain the temperature distribution on armature due to friction using ANSYS commercial software. Also, a numerical code in MATLAB is developed to obtain temperature distribution in the rails due to joule heat. Based on these analyses, it is found that heat generated due to friction plays dominant role. Also, other factors like joule heating at the contact of armature and rail, arcing at contact can increase the temperature and can cause armature to be melt and deposit on rail, which may affect the launcher performance. Research India Publications.