Can Solenoids Enhance Railgun Performance?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Waterfox
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    Railgun Solenoid
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of using solenoids as both the rails and projectile in a railgun, exploring the potential advantages and disadvantages of this approach. Participants examine the implications of magnetic fields generated by solenoids in comparison to traditional rail configurations, with a focus on experimental observations and theoretical considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes the idea of using solenoids instead of traditional rails in a railgun, questioning whether this would enhance performance due to stronger magnetic fields.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on the configuration, specifically whether the projectile was inside the solenoid.
  • A participant describes their experimental setup, detailing how they constructed the solenoids and observed attraction between the projectile and the solenoids, suggesting this might differ from traditional railgun behavior.
  • Concerns are raised about the magnetic field outside the solenoid, with a participant noting that it is typically zero, and questioning the nature of the current used in the experiment.
  • One participant confirms that the setup uses a DC current from a Lithium Polymer battery and provides a visual representation of the magnetic poles involved in the configuration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness and mechanics of using solenoids in this context. There is no consensus on whether this approach enhances railgun performance or how the magnetic fields interact in this configuration.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations regarding the understanding of magnetic fields generated by solenoids and the specifics of the current used in the experiments. The discussion includes assumptions about the behavior of magnetic fields in solenoids versus traditional rail setups.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring innovative designs in electromagnetic propulsion systems, hobbyists experimenting with railgun concepts, and those studying the effects of magnetic fields in different configurations.

Waterfox
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I haven't seen any discussion or any mention what so ever of this before so excuse me if it's that's because it's a crazy idea.

What would be the pros and cons of using solenoids as the rails and projectile of a railgun?
Would the stronger magnetic field of the solenoids allow a stronger force to be applied to projectile or is it a simple case of you get the same amount put out than you do put in regardless of being a rail or coil.
I just tried building simple one connected to a battery and it worked, both with a solenoid projectile and ball bearing. (I took vids if you'd like me to post them)
Discussion?
 
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Was your projectile inside the solenoid.
 
No, the rails were replaced with solenoids.
Here are the videos to help you understand:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRZd9-OlZ68

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GYGwN9zHD0

Here is a copy of the description for the first video:
Trying out the idea of using solenoids instead of rails. The side rails and the projectile are both solenoids. I used enameled wire wrapped around some bolts then sanded the outsides to ensure a connection. The battery is a 2S LiPo, I made sure to constantly check it's temperature and it barely got warm.

Some info:
The projectile was attracted to the "rails", this helped to keep the connection.
Adding to this, rails (solenoids) and the projectile (also a solenoid) were all attracted to each other rather than being repelled (I believe this is how a traditional railgun behaves).
 
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Im trying to figure out how this works Because the B field outside the solenoid is zero.
There is a pretty small fringing field. Is this DC current, it looks like it from the video.
 
It's connected to a 7.4v Lithium Polymer battery so it's DC.
Here's how I imagined the magnetic poles, green is the rails, blue is the projectile.
[PLAIN]http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5193/railgunq.jpg
 
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