×

Closed loop defined profile current controller for electromagnetic rail gun applications

  • US 7,357,128 B1
  • Filed: 03/17/2005
  • Issued: 04/15/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An electromagnetic rail gun comprising:

  • two gun rails;

    a projectile slidingly engaged between said rails;

    at least one pulsed alternator for generating a pulsed current;

    at least one power converter for applying said generated current to said rails; and

    a closed-loop controller for controlling a muzzle velocity of said projectile, comprising;

    a means for measuring alternator current and alternator voltage;

    a means for calculating an anticipated velocity of said projectile using information about said alternator current and said alternator voltage to calculate electrical and magnetic fields impacting said projectile;

    a means for calculating a rail current that will result in a specified projectile muzzle velocity using information regarding said electrical and magnetic fields; and

    a means for adjusting said gun current, wherein said closed-loop controller does not include a sensor on said rail gun providing information about a speed of said projectile.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×