The University of Texas System

James L Bacon

William F Weldon

Raymond C Zowarka

Robert L Sledge

John H Price

Darwin G Davis

Richard L Laughlin

Robert J Polizzi

John R Uglum, Jr

The present invention provides a method for depositing powder particles on a substrate. The method comprises forming a planar plasma armature, accelerating the plasma armature, accelerating a column of gas with the plasma armature; and accelerating the powder particles with the column of gas. The present invention provides for a railgun, comprising first and second conducting rails, and first and second insulating rails. The insulating and conducting rails form a bore of the railgun. The first and second conducting rails are separated by the insulating rails. At least one of the rails has a port in the wall thereof, the port is adapted to introducing powder particles into the bore.

Method and apparatus for electromagnetic powder deposition

Methods and apparatus related to design and construction of lightweight and mobile railgun barrels having high L' (inductance per unit length). The barrels comprise stacked metallic annular laminations in combination with prestressed tension elements to add radial and longitudinal stiffness. Laminations have elongated annular shapes to accommodate a plurality of longitudinal rails within the barrel, and the lamination shape is optimized to contain radial forces (tending to spread the rails) associated with the launching of railgun projectiles. Longitudinal stiffness is obtained from tension elements spirally wound around the barrel at a preferred angle with the barrel longitudinal axis. Radial stiffness is obtained by injecting a settable plastic fluid between barrel laminations and internal (bore) components, the latter being held as a subassembly with a longitudinal shrink tube.

Lightweight high L' electromagnetic launcher

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

James L Bacon