Toward super capacitor based pulse power for rail guns on naval ships

Julianne V Dickerson, Purdue University

Abstract

For supervisory level power management of a ship's power flows, knowledge of the (pulse) power demands by components such as electromagnetic railguns on the main power bus is necessary. Electromagnetic railguns are a source of ongoing research and development because compared to traditional methods they offer: (i) higher projectile velocities; (ii) increased firing range; and (iii) improved crew safety. Stored electrical energy (for example in capacitor banks) is used to accelerate a projectile to supersonic speeds, which avoids transporting hazardous chemical explosives traditionally used in firing shells. Herein we focus on the development of power management models for future electromagnetic railgun systems. This study requires an understanding of supercapacitor characteristics, railgun dynamics, and simplified pulse power circuits for the excitation of railguns. In this thesis, simulations of high granularity models of a 500 kJ capacitive pulse forming network driving a 2m electromagnetic railgun (a time-varying resistive-inductive load) have been simulated and the results analyzed. The simulated railgun load data was then approximated using optimized curve fitting to function forms consistent with the shape of the data waveforms. Capacitor bank circuit models for the pulse forming network and railgun system were developed using parameter matching to optimize the observed critically damped data shapes. Use of supercapacitors for the necessary dense energy storage is discussed. These capacitor bank circuit models are suitable for implementation in power flow management programs.

Degree

M.S.E.C.E.

Advisors

DeCarlo, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Electrical engineering

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