Subject:
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How Railguns Actually Work...
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.build.mecha, lugnet.space
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Date:
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Sun, 26 Aug 2001 05:42:41 GMT
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Reply-To:
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crg0194@&AvoidSpam&ccp.com
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Viewed:
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468 times
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Arrgh. I guess I better clear this up for everybody now. Allow the
classic underachiever to explain...
Gauss guns [in general] propell a projectile by electromagnetism. There
are two main types: Coil guns and rail guns.
Coil guns actually have electromagnets in them. The projectile in a
coil gun also has its own coil (kind of like a solenoid without the
piston.) When the device is fired, electricity passes through the
electromagnets of the gun as well as the coil in the projectile (in the
opposite direction) so the fields are in opposition. Hence, they push
against eachother and the coil exits at high speed.
Rail guns on the other hand, have no electromagnets in them at all, to
speak of. They work very simply, by passing high amperage/low voltage
current through two very close metal rails (usually copper) in opposite
directions and through the projectile itself, (usually aluminum.) See
this diagram:
http://www.geocities.com/vrey_oneida/gauss1.jpg
As you probably already know, when electricity passes through a wire, an
electromagnetic field forms in a circle around the direction of the
current. When it goes through the two rails in opposite directions, the
magnetic fields are also in opposition, forcing the projectile out in a
manner very similar to squeezing a pumpkin seed between your fingers
until it shoots across the room. The only reason such a simple device
is so difficult to perfect is because the rails tend to be exploded
outward because the magnetic fields needed are too great. So it's
really a matter of material science. The ones that the navy are working
on have barrels that are something like 20 times the diameter of the
projectile they shoot.
Anyway, I've rambled on long enough. I hope that clears things up for
you all.
--Colin
Geordan Hankinson wrote:
>
> In lugnet.build.mecha, Mladen Pejic writes:
> > In lugnet.build.mecha, Geordan Hankinson writes:
> > > The weapon modules rule! awesome awesome awwesome, did I mention...awesome!
> > > The rail gun is the best, it looks sweet, can anyone in the know please
> > > explain what rail guns shoot and how they fire? I used two huge ones in my
> > > sixlegged mech, but only because the ones Mladen used looked cool, not cuz I
> > > knew what they were (Pathetic I know, I think I've broken that habit now
> > though)
> >
> > Railguns work, basically, by shooting metallic "slugs", via electromagnets, at
> > extremely high speeds.
> >
> > Think of two rails, now imagine that the two rails have electromagnets mounted
> > on them. Now imagine a piece of metal being attracted to the front
> > electromagnets, while being pushed by the rear electromagnets...
>
> Thanks, I get get it now, I knew it had something to do with electromagnets
> but didn't know what they did. I wonder if you could make one of these out
> of lego that actually worked. It might, the bullet would be a magnet, with
> two magnets at either end, one positive one negative (right terms?) it
> *might* work, it would be hard though.
>
> > Errr... Maybe that wasn't the best explanation...
>
> Yeah it was...
> >
> > >
> > > I really like the Kama, Lot's of wingy bits, and it's small, light, • hmmmmmmm...
> > > Do the wings fold down to it's side? Oh this looks perfect for a mech
> > > carrier, Mark/Mladens/whoever else's carrier idea has limitless
> > > possibilities I think.
> >
> > Definitely!
>
> I think that this size of mech would be perfect, It would probably be
> possible to even make a carrier that holds two or three of this size of mech.
> >
> > >
> > > The zweinhander is cool too, I really like the pic of it holding up the
> > > motor bike, very nice, now just put a minifig in the seat of the cycle!
> > >
> > > Very good job with both of your mechs, I look forward to seeing your future
> > > creations!
> >
> > Yeah, excellent work Colin! I really like these small mecha...
> >
> > >
> > > -Geordan-
> >
> > Mladen Pejic, over and out!
> > http://www3.sympatico.ca/mladenpejic/
> >
> > >
> > > In lugnet.build.mecha, Colin R. Gutierrez writes:
> > > > Introducing latest technology...the BA-130 Zweihander:
> > > > http://www.geocities.com/vrey_oneida/zweihander.html
> > > > and the AA-6 Kama:
> > > > http://www.geocities.com/vrey_oneida/kama.html
> > > > Coming soon, two new fighters, three new ground units (wheeled and
> > > > hover) mecha carrier?
> > > > Take care!
> > > > __ __ __ __ __ __
> > > > | |_| |_| |_| | | |_| |
> > > > | | Brick Engineer | |
> > > > | Colin R Gutierrez | __ __ __ __ | 2001 |
> > > > |___________________|| |_| |_| |_| ||_________|
> > > > |_________________________________________________|
> > > > http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Saturn/5559
>
> -Geordan-
--
__ __ __ __ __ __
| |_| |_| |_| | | |_| |
| | Brick Engineer | |
| Colin R Gutierrez | __ __ __ __ | 2001 |
|___________________|| |_| |_| |_| ||_________|
|_________________________________________________|
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Saturn/5559
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