3D FINITE-ELEMENT MODELING OF CONDUCTING SUPPORT STRUCTURES IN COILGUNS

Modelling of Coilguns has traditionally been performed using mutual in ductance (current filament) techniques. This is a very fast method and works well for theoretical guns. In real Coilguns matters are complic ated by the presence of a support structure for the coils. For a rigid design, stainless steel is often used in preference to composites. Th e system is then no longer axisymmetric and a full 3D model is require d. This paper presents some initial results on the effects of stainles s steel in close proximity to a single coil, using the Finite Element code, MEGA. A comparison between Finite Element models, mutual inducta nce models and experimental results is also given.