Augmented EM Propulsion System

Abstract

An electromagnetic missile launcher is disclosed that avoids some of the costs and disadvantages of missile launchers in the prior art. In particular, an embodiment of the present invention uses a pilot accelerator that comprises an electromagnetic booster coil to improve the efficiency of an electromagnetic catapult that throws a missile clear of the launch platform—with sufficient velocity to attain aerodynamic flight—before the missile's engine is ignited.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 an outer coil having a longitudinal axis;    an armature comprising an armature coil that is concentric with said outer coil, wherein the outer diameter of said armature coil is smaller than the inner diameter of said outer coil; and    a pilot accelerator for directing a first force on said armature along said longitudinal axis;    wherein a second force on said armature is based on a mutual inductance of said outer coil and said armature coil; and    wherein said first force accelerates said armature from a rest position toward said outer coil so as to increase said mutual inductance.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pilot accelerator comprises a booster coil that is concentric with said armature coil, and wherein the outer diameter of said booster coil is less than the inner diameter of said outer coil, and further wherein said booster coil is located behind said rest position.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a power system for controlling the flow of electric current through said outer coil, said booster coil, and said armature coil.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pilot accelerator comprises a mechanical-energy storage device.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pilot accelerator comprises a compressed gas system.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pilot accelerator comprises an explosive device.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a missile, wherein said missile and said armature are physically-coupled.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus comprising: 
 an armature for throwing a missile, wherein said armature comprises a first electromagnet;    a guide for propelling said armature, wherein said guide comprises a second electromagnet; and    a pilot accelerator;    wherein a first force on said armature is based on the flow of electric current in said second electromagnet; and    wherein said pilot accelerator exerts a second force on said armature, and wherein said second force accelerates said armature from rest toward said first electromagnet so as to increase the application of said first force on said armature.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said pilot accelerator comprises a third electromagnet and wherein said third electromagnet has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of said second electromagnet.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said third electromagnet has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of said first electromagnet.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said second force is based on the flow of electric current in at least one of said first electromagnet and said third electromagnet.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said pilot accelerator comprises a compressed gas system.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said pilot accelerator comprises an explosive device.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a missile;    an outer coil for applying a first force to an armature for throwing said missile, wherein said outer coil defines a cavity having a cavity diameter, and wherein said first force is based on the flow of electric current in said outer coil;    said armature, wherein said armature comprises a platform and an armature coil that is substantially immovable with respect to said platform, and wherein said armature has a rest position that is at least partially outside said cavity; and    a pilot accelerator for applying a second force on said armature to accelerate said armature from rest toward said outer coil, wherein said pilot accelerator has an outer diameter that is less than said cavity diameter, and wherein said pilot accelerator is fixedly located behind said rest position.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said first force is based on the mutual inductance of said outer coil and said armature coil.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said pilot accelerator comprises a booster coil, and wherein said second force is based on the flow of electric current in said booster coil.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said armature comprises an armature coil, and wherein said second force is based on the mutual inductance of said booster coil and said armature coil.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said armature comprises an armature coil, and wherein said second force is based on the flow of electric current in said armature coil.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said pilot accelerator comprises a compressed gas system.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said pilot accelerator comprises an explosive device.