CAP Talk

Operations => Aviation & Flying Activities => Topic started by: arajca on December 25, 2010, 02:45:44 PM

Title: Big slug for a Rail Gun
Post by: arajca on December 25, 2010, 02:45:44 PM
The US Navy tests aother use for the rail gun.

Science Faction (http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/24/navy-uses-railgun-launch-fighter-jets/#)

(video clip at bottom of page)
Title: Re: Big slug for a Rail Gun
Post by: HGjunkie on December 25, 2010, 03:44:47 PM
Magnets how do they work?!?!?

:P

(http://rlv.zcache.com/magnets_how_do_they_work_tshirt-p235829187121025555t5tr_400.jpg)
Title: Re: Big slug for a Rail Gun
Post by: Major Lord on December 25, 2010, 04:27:08 PM
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!
Title: Re: Big slug for a Rail Gun
Post by: Al Sayre on December 25, 2010, 05:16:40 PM
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.
Title: Re: Big slug for a Rail Gun
Post by: Senior on December 25, 2010, 05:33:04 PM
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:
Title: Re: Big slug for a Rail Gun
Post by: SarDragon on December 25, 2010, 09:04:31 PM
"The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" comes to life. It's a 1966 science fiction novel by American writer Robert A. Heinlein.
Title: Re: Big slug for a Rail Gun
Post by: cap801 on December 26, 2010, 09:55:33 PM
Quote from: HGjunkie on December 25, 2010, 03:44:47 PM
Magnets how do they work?!?!?

:P

(http://rlv.zcache.com/magnets_how_do_they_work_tshirt-p235829187121025555t5tr_400.jpg)

Moving charge.