Parameter Optimization for Multistage Reluctance Coil Launcher With Residual Energy Recovery and Utilization Mode

Launch efficiency is an important indicator to judge the performance of electromagnetic launchers. The goal of the conventional parameter optimization method for multistage launch is to maximize projectile kinetic energy in each stage acceleration. For reluctance coil launchers with residual recovery and utilization mode, the effect of the launcher parameters on the recovery energy should be considered in addition to the kinetic energy of the projectile. In this article, the feasibility of the model and the correctness of the original model are first verified by a four-stage launching experiment. Then, the influence of the drive coil parameters on the projectile acceleration and energy recovery is analyzed through theoretical analysis. In addition, a drive coil parameter optimization method for multistage reluctance coil launchers with residual energy recovery and utilization mode is proposed. By this method, the coil parameters of the original simulation model are optimized, and the simulation and experimental results before and after optimization are compared. The comparison results show that the optimization method proposed in this article integrates the relationship between projectile velocity and recovery energy, which can significantly improve the overall launch efficiency of the multistage system.