Flying Velocity Characteristics of a Steel Ball by Means of Solenoid Type Electromagnetic Launcher

Abstract

Electromagnetic launchers are classified according their characteristics into high velocity type of more than 10km/s and low velocity type of less than 100m/s.
This paper deals with the theoretical expression of the flying velocity of a steel ball by means of a low velocity type electromagnetic launcher using a solenoid coil. Flying velocity of 54m/s to a steel ball with mass of 0.45g could be obtained in case of the input power of 422 J. In the experiment, reducing the eddy current and the leakage flux of the solenoid coil are considered. The efficiency of the launcher is only 0.73%, because of large copper loss and braking energy of 96%.