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Optimal Coil/Core Geometry for Electromagnetic Accelerators

CSEF · 2010 Electronics & Electromagnetics Honorable_mention Award

Mason E. Fordham · Portola (Gaspar de) Middle School, Tarzana, Los Angeles County

Overview

Objectives/Goals This experiment tested the relationship between coil and core length to achieve maximum velocity for electromagnetic accelerator applications. Methods/Materials Force as a function of core position in the coil was characterized by transferring the force on the core to a scale using a wooden plunger. Velocity was calculated from the measured force by approximating the acceleration to be piecewise constant by averaging each pair of adjacent data points. The tests were conducted for three coil lengths and a range of core lengths. Total wire length for each coil was held nearly identical, as was the resulting coil resistance, and therefore current in the coil. Results Overall, the longest core in the longest coil reached the highest calculated velocity of 98 m/s under the assumptions of zero friction and instantaneous current shut off. In the case of the shortest coil, the longest core also produced highest calculated velocity, but velocity vs. core length appeared to be at or near the maximum. Conclusions/Discussion However, for a fixed core length, the data set shows that the optimum coil length is a factor of 1.3 shorter than the core. This relationship will be used to design a multi-stage electromagnetic accelerator.

Summary statement

The purpose of my project was to find the optimal coil/core ratio to maximize velocity in an electromagnetic accelerator.

Help received

My father helped me use the drill press and the hand drill I used in this project and he explained to me how to derive velocity from acceleration. My mother helped me in the assembly of my board.

Awards (1)

  • Honorable Mention

Competition history

  • CSEF 2010 Electronics & Electromagnetics · Entry J0906

Resources

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Source: California Science & Engineering Fair public projects

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