Linear Induction Coilgun with superconducting projectile

In summary, a linear induction coilgun uses copper coils with high AC current at a high frequency. The projectiles traveling inside those coils have a shorted superconducting coil around the outside of it, embedded in the ceramic projectile casing. The gun is in air or in a vacuum, and the superconductor needs very good insulation to avoid warming by the friction heated air. Pre-cooled and transit through the barrel is less than a second.
  • #1
Treva31
48
2
If you have:
A Linear Induction Coilgun, basically like a series of Induction Furnaces, using copper coils with high AC current at a high frequency.
Where the projectile traveling inside those coils has a shorted superconducting coil around the outside of it, embedded in the ceramic projectile casing.

A) Will the projectiles superconducting wire get hot?
I would assume not since there is no resistance.
B) Will metallic components or distilled water inside the projectile (within the superconducting coil) get currents induced in them or get hot?
I would assume not since the superconducting coil is shielding them like a Faraday cage.

See attached image.
 

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  • #2
Assuming this is a made up idealized problem and we're not trying to find new and wonderful ways of hurting each other, the super conductor should expel any applied field, no field no heat. If it is a real question then the superconductor would rapidly quench in the applied field. The resulting fireball would expand rapidly so be sure to duck.
 
  • #3
The OP does not say if the gun is in air or in a vacuum. If air, the superconductor needs very good insulation to avoid warming by the friction heated air.
 
  • #4
Sorry it is in a vacuum.
Pre-cooled and transit through the barrel is less than a second.
 
  • #5
No answers?
Put more simply:

If you induce eddy currents in a superconductor using a strong magnetic field, does the superconductor heat up at all?
 
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  • #6
Or can you not really induce eddy currents due to the Meissner effect??

It would be a Niobium-titanium superconductor by the way, so that is Type II.
 
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  • #7
Treva31 said:
No answers?
Put more simply:

If you induce eddy currents in a superconductor using a strong magnetic field, does the superconductor heat up at all?
Sorry, I didn't realize this was a test. The reply I gave is still correct.
 
  • #8
Treva31 said:
If you induce eddy currents in a superconductor using a strong magnetic field, does the superconductor heat up at all?
The surface of a superconductor is a perfect reflector of magnetic fields. A current will flow on the surface of the superconductor that generates the exactly equal and opposite magnetic field needed to cancel the incident field. So you cannot use a magnetic field to induce a current inside a superconductor, only a current on the surface.
There will be physical forces between the magnet conductor and superconductor resulting from the magnetic field. If movement occurs then electrical energy will be converted to kinetic or potential energy, but not to heat in the superconductor.
Since no energy enters the superconductor it will not be heated. If a superconductor was heated it would become a resistor and the scenario would change instantly.
 
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  • #9
Got it, thanks guys.
 

1. What is a linear induction coilgun?

A linear induction coilgun is an electromagnetic device that accelerates a conductive projectile using a series of coils. When an electric current is passed through the coils, it creates a magnetic field that propels the projectile forward.

2. What makes this coilgun different from others?

This particular coilgun uses a superconducting projectile, which means it has zero resistance to electric current. This allows for higher acceleration and velocity of the projectile, making it more efficient and powerful.

3. How does the superconducting projectile work?

The superconducting projectile is made of a material that can conduct electricity with zero resistance when cooled to extremely low temperatures. This allows it to pass through the electric current in the coilgun without losing any energy, resulting in higher speeds and longer range.

4. What are the potential applications of a linear induction coilgun with a superconducting projectile?

This type of coilgun has potential applications in transportation, such as launching spacecrafts into orbit or propelling high-speed trains. It could also be used in military or defense systems for long-range projectile launching.

5. Are there any drawbacks to using a superconducting projectile?

One potential drawback is the cost of producing and maintaining the materials needed to create a superconducting projectile. Additionally, the projectile needs to be kept at extremely low temperatures for it to function properly, which can be challenging and expensive to maintain in certain environments.

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