Abstract: A current limiting apparatus includes at least two pairs of generally parallel conductive rails each having an initial high conductivity portion and a more resistive portion. A sliding armature conductor is positioned between each pair of rails and makes sliding electrical contact with the rails such that a high fault current flowing through the rails and the associated armature conductor produces forces which propel the armature conductor along the rails thereby increasing the resistance through which current flows. The pairs of rails are geometrically associated such that current flowing in each pair of rails augments the accelerating force on the armature conductor located between the other pair of rails. Additional accelerating force augmenting may be provided by a multiple turn coil located near the high conductivity portions of the rails.

Abstract: Electromagnetic projectile launchers utilize multiple current path armatures in an internally series augmented conductor rail configuration or an internally augmented system connected to multiple power supplies. The current paths include plasmas, conductors or combinations of both. Plasma separation is maintained by trailing insulating plasma dividers extending toward the launcher breech from arc driving faces on a projectile sabot. Arc length and/or plasma volume is reduced by conductive assemblies adjacent to the arc driving faces.

Abstract: Electromagnetic projectile launchers utilize multiple current path armatures in an internally series augmented conductor rail configuration or an internally augmented system connected to multiple power supplies. The current paths include plasmas, conductors or combinations of both. Plasma separation is maintained by trailing insulating plasma dividers extending toward the launcher breech from arc driving faces on a projectile sabot. Arc length and/or plasma volume is reduced by conductive assemblies adjacent to the arc driving faces.

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launcher includes a combination plasma/conductor armature structure which serves to conduct current between a pair of generally parallel conductor rails and to propel a projectile along the rails. A plasma at each end of the conductive element of the armature serves to conduct current between the conductive element and the adjacent conductor rail. A method of launching a projectile in an electromagnetic projectile launcher is provided in which a sliding conductive element conducts current between a pair of generally parallel launching rails until a selected velocity is achieved. At that time, plasmas are generated at each end of the conductive element. These plasmas serve to transfer current between the conductive element and the launcher rails for the remainder of the launch.

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launcher having a pair of conductive rails with a breech and a muzzle end and an impedance electrically connected across the conductive rails adjacent the muzzle end of the conductive rails, and a second impedance in the muzzle end of the rails whereby arcs which commutate the current to the first impedance are confined within the muzzle to substantially suppress any external arc as the projectile exits from the launcher.

Abstract: An elongated armature can be moved rectilinearly but is preferably rotated between a first position in which it bridges the gap between two parallel rails to short circuit a very large DC current applied to one end of the rails and a second position where electrical contact with one rail is interrupted. Interruption of the circuit through the armature generates a massive arc which is driven by electromagnetic forces toward the second ends of the rails. Means are also provided for rapidly increasing the voltage across switch terminals to either more rapidly commutate the current into a secondary circuit and/or to more rapidly cause arc extinction. The switch is particularly useful for projectile launcher systems where the armature can be continuously rotated for burst firing. Preferably, the launcher rails are longitudinal extensions of the switch rails so that the arc initially produced by switch opening or armature rotation can be used directly in arc driving of projectiles.

Abstract: The cylindrical rotor of a switch for switching very large DC currents has a conducting element extending arcuately over a portion of its cylindrical surface and axially therealong. Two stationary brush members extend radially inward toward and axially along and are in sliding electrical contact with the cylindrical rotor surface. An arc chamber formed in the insulation between the brush members and extending arcuately around the rotor from one of the brush members accommodates the massive arc which is drawn as the rotor is rotated from a first position in which the conducting element shorts the brush members and conducts therebetween the very large current applied to the brush members and a second position in which contact between the rotor conducting element and the one brush member is broken. In one embodiment of the invention, the rotor conducting element shorts the second brush member to a third when the rotor is in the second position.

Abstract: A switching system for commutating high DC current from a first to a second pair of conductors comprising a switching armature slidably engaging the first pair of conductors, insulating inserts disposed on the first pair of conductors adjacent the second pair of conductors and means for drawing two series arcs between the armature and the first pair of conductors as the current is commutated to the second pair of conductors.

Abstract: Resistive inserts are disposed in the breech of a projectile launcher to prevent excessive premature heating, to prevent premature movement of the projectile armature, and to prevent welding of the armature to the projectile rails during the period while the current builds up to the launching magnitude.

Abstract: Series resistance is added to the projectile current loop to assure there will be no premature launching or excessive heating of the projectile armature during the energizing cycle.

Abstract: A self-augmented parallel rail electromagnetic projectile launcher with a commutating circuit breaker disposed adjacent the breech.

Abstract: An electromagnetic propulsion power supply system utilizing mutual induction coils as transformers to provide high currents to the projectile rail conductors.

Abstract: A multistage electromagnetic accelerator in which energy is serially induced in stages of parallel rail having serially segmented segments or stages utilizing a high DC current source, circuit breakers, and induction coils with both primary and secondary windings to produce ultra high exit velocity in an armature and projectile which are slidably disposed between the parallel rails.

Abstract: A gas-insulated transmission line includes two transmission line sections each of which are formed of a corrugated outer housing enclosing an inner high-voltage conductor disposed therein, with insulating support means supporting the inner conductor within the outer housing and an insulating gas providing electrical insulation therebetween. The outer housings in each section have smooth end sections at the longitudinal ends thereof which are joined together by joining means which provide for a sealing fixed joint.

Abstract: A gas-insulated transmission line including an elongated outer sheath and a plurality of elongated inner conductors disposed within the outer sheath. An insulating gas electrically insulates the conductors from the sheath, and support means insulatably support the conductors within the sheath. The interior of the outer sheath is separated into a plurality of discrete compartments by walls, with each compartment having disposed therein one of the inner conductors. The compartmentalization of the outer sheath minimizes the possibility of a fault being transferred from one inner conductor to the other conductors.

Abstract: A gas insulated transmission line section wherein an inner conductor at high potential is located within an outer sheath at low potential. An insulating gas is disposed within the outer sheath to electrically insulate the inner conductor from the outer sheath. A support insulator is disposed within the outer sheath, and this support insulator supports the inner conductor in a spaced-apart relationship with the outer sheath. Included is a barrier insulator which also supports the inner conductor within the outer sheath. The barrier insulator substantially fills the cross-sectional area between the inner conductor and the outer sheath so as to prevent substantially all arc products and contamination produced in the unlikely event of a fault from migrating past the barrier insulator. By so preventing the migration of these products, the gas insulated transmission line section is effectively compartmentalized and these products cannot contaminate adjacent transmission line sections.

Abstract: A vertically aligned gas insulated transmission line includes an elongated cylindrical outer sheath with an elongated cylindrical inner conductor disposed within the outer sheath. An insulating gas is disposed within the outer sheath and support means are utilized for supporting and centering the inner conductor within the outer sheath. In one embodiment, the support means comprises a central member with a bore therethrough having a leg member which extends radially outwardly therefrom which is secured to the outer sheath. The inner conductor extends through the bore, and the leg member has an aspect ratio greater than 1. A second embodiment utilizes for support means a conically shaped insulator which, with the inner conductor, forms an angle therebetween which is less than 26.5.degree..

Abstract: A process for converting naturally occurring hydrocarbon fuels into gaseous products characterized by the steps of introducing a hydrocarbon gas into the arc chamber of an arc heater having an operating temperature therein sufficiently high to produce free hydrocarbon radical ions from the hydrocarbon gas, and feeding into the arc chamber naturally occurring coal or oil to produce a stream of gaseous hydrocarbon fuel.