Study of Friction Force in Electrodynamic Rail Accelerator: Experiment and Interpretation Using FEM Modelling

Abstract

The paper presents experimental data and a model of an electromagnetic rail accelerator. The model includes an equivalent circuit, magnetic field in the system and movement of the projectile (that is solved separately) which is computed numerically. The main results are compared with our experimental data and friction force during acceleration is evaluated.

Keywords

• electromagnetic rail accelerator
• mathematical model
• numerical analysis
• force effects
• finite element method
• friction force