Three-dimensional numerical simulation of multi-physical coupled environment during electromagnetic propulsion

Abstract

Electromagnetic propulsion technology is a new propulsion technology which uses electromagnetic force to push objects into high or ultra-high speed. However, during propulsion, the armature and launch load are affected by harsh multi-physics environment. The coupled effect was often ignored or over idealized in previous numerical simulations, which leads to large errors between simulation and experiment. In this paper, a three-dimensional multi-physics coupling environment simulation model is established. The distribution of electromagnetic field, structure field and temperature field in armature from static to high speed are effectively calculated. Moreover, the coupled effect between physical fields and the influence of key parameters on the simulation results are revealed. In conclusion, this model can reproduce the physical field distribution of armature and rail during electromagnetic propulsion. The time-varying resistance and inductance and the velocity skin effect (VSE) are the key parameters affecting armature movement. This method reveals a feasible path for the simplification of multi-physical model and the mitigation of extreme environment.