A Comparative Study of the Launching Performance of the Sleeve and Solenoid Projectiles Using a Four-Stage Induction Coilgun

The design and the configuration of a projectile are important criteria in achieving a higher muzzle velocity of the payload in a multistage induction coilgun. The projectile can be either a sleeve-type (ring-shaped projectile) or a solenoid-type (multiturn projectile). The sleeve projectile is of the metallic hollow cylinder type, whereas the solenoid projectile is of the wire wound type. This article analyzes the difference between the launching performance of the sleeve and solenoid projectiles, both made of aluminum. The projectiles are launched using a four-stage induction coilgun. The initial stored energy in each stage’s pulsed power source (PPS) is fixed at 106 J. The sleeve and solenoid projectiles considered in the study have the same length, outer diameter, and mass. The total electric current conduction area is identical for the sleeve and solenoid projectiles. The simulation uses a commercially available finite-element method (FEM)-based tool, ANSYS. The simulation results are experimentally verified with the hardware setup of the four-stage induction coilgun designed and developed at the author’s laboratory. The results show that the solenoid projectile achieves a higher muzzle velocity (
$v_p$
) than the conventional sleeve projectiles. This article investigates and explains the reason for this enhancement in velocity.