Simulation of Dynamic and Electromagnetic Characteristics of a Superconductor Bulk in a Single-Stage Induction Coilgun

Induction coilgun can accelerate a high-temperature superconductor (HTS) projectile to higher velocity than a conventional projectile, because an HTS projectile can generate greater induced current by the premagnetized process and then obtain larger thrust in the launch process. In this paper, a numerical field model for the dynamic and electromagnetic characteristics of a single-stage induction coilgun is established, using the finite-element method. The electromagnetic force, muzzle velocity, and current density distribution of the aluminum projectile and the HTS projectile are studied, respectively. Then, the effect of magnetization on the characteristics of the HTS projectile during the launch process is considered. The result illustrates that magnetization brings a great improvement in the performance of the coilgun due to the higher induced current value in the HTS projectile. In addition, due to the limitation of the full magnetization state, the magnetization of the HTS projectile should be in a suitable range. The simulation work shows the potential of HTS projectile for future induction coilgun application.