Big slug for a Rail Gun

[arajca]

The US Navy tests aother use for the rail gun.

Science Faction

(video clip at bottom of page)

[HGjunkie]

Magnets how do they work?!?!?

[Major Lord]

I think they are confusing two different animals here. The Rail Gun is a Homopolar motor that works by passing an enormous current across a pair of rails connected by a projectile ( or sabot, since it has to conduct electricity). I don't know for sure, but I think that the Aircraft launcher is a much more common device, a coil gun, a type of motor using electromagnets.

Major Lord
p.s. Magnets work by magic!

[Al Sayre]

The aircraft launcher works like a mag-lev train.  Basically, a long electric motor with it's stator laid out on a track, and the rotor attached to the shuttle.  As the current passes through the coils of the motor, they change polarity, pushing and pulling the shuttle (rotor) along the track.  Speed is controlled by increasing or decreasing the frequency of the alternating current, power is controlled by varying the voltage and/or current available.

[Senior]

Linear motor.  They have the ability for precision positioning and movement.  Also used in precision assembly, medical operations.
I have articles about the Navy wanting to use this idea for years.
Looks good so far. :clap:

[SarDragon]

"The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" comes to life. It's a 1966 science fiction novel by American writer Robert A. Heinlein.

[cap801]

Magnets how do they work?!?!?

Moving charge.