| |
In lugnet.build.mecha, Colin R. Gutierrez writes:
> 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
big-o snippage,
Yup, I get it (for the second time)
Thanks
-Geordan-
|
|
Message is in Reply To:
 | | How Railguns Actually Work...
|
| 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 (...) (25 years ago, 26-Aug-01, to lugnet.build.mecha, lugnet.space)
|
12 Messages in This Thread:
   
- Entire Thread on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
|
|
|
|
