FEM simulation of electromagnetic forces in the rails of electromagnetic launcher

Abstract

The current flowing in current conducting materials induces the electromagnetic forces. The paper describes the finite element analysis of a linear electromagnetic launcher. The demonstrated distribution of the volume forces presents the results obtained in studying the distribution of forces along the rail during launching. The calculations made with operating of a fixed projectile position shows that the force is distributed non-uniformly along the rail in the case of the rail-armature operation. The simulation results are compared to the solutions obtained using a simplified engineering approach. The main differences in distribution of forces in the rail in the contacting zone between the rail and the armature are discussed