Other

First Solar, Inc.

Von Ardenne Gmbh

George Arthur Proulx

Michael Rivkin

Klaus Schneider

Bernd Teichert

Christoph Kaiser

In various embodiments, a physical vapor deposition tile arrangement is provided. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement may include a plurality of physical vapor deposition tiles arranged next to each other; and a resilient structure configured to press the plurality of physical vapor deposition tiles together.

Physical vapor deposition tile arrangement and physical vapor deposition arrangement

An elongated electromagnetic railgun () adapted to propel a moving armature () through a bore () along the length of the railgun () from its breech end () to its muzzle end (). The railgun () comprises two elongated mechanically rigid electrically conductive barrel sections (), said sections () being spaced apart from each other along the length of the railgun (). Mechanically coupled via a dielectric () to each barrel section () is an elongated current carrying rail () for providing electromagnetic propulsive force to the armature (). The two rails () face each other across an elongated open channel, defining the bore (). The two barrel sections () are electrically connected to each other at a maximum of one location of the railgun ().

Open railgun with steel barrel sections

A system for accelerating an armature to launch a projectile by injecting liquid aluminum between the armature and a pair of electrically conductive rails. A system for accelerating an armature by injecting liquid metal between the armature a plurality of electrically conductive rails and collecting the liquid metal. The liquid metal or liquid aluminum can comprise solid particles. A railgun structure with mechanical guide rails. A railgun structure with a film stack of alternating copper and nickel layers. An armature with guide rail supports. A method of using the system by placing liquid metal in the armature, placing the armature between conductive rails, and applying an electric current to the rails.

Railgun system

An electromagnetic railgun () comprising at least two elongated high voltage rails (), a sliding armature () making electrical contact with each high voltage rail (), at least two elongated metal support beams () adapted to provide mechanical strength to the railgun (), said support beams () being substantially parallel to the high voltage rails (), and a plurality of metal support plates () aligned circumferentially around the support beams () and along the length of the railgun (), said support plates () adapted to provide additional mechanical strength to the railgun (); wherein the support plates () are electrically isolated from each other and from the support beams ().

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Castro Valley, CA, United States of America

George Arthur Proulx