Laterally open ultra-segmented linear motors

Abstract

An electromagnetic launcher operable to accelerate launch packages of various transverse sizes, the launcher comprising, in one example, two high-current linear motors having longitudinally extending, laterally open propulsion channels configured to receive and accelerate metal armatures integrated with a launch package; and a power actuated repositioning mechanism for spacing the motors apart as needed.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor defining a laterally open propulsion channel, the motor comprising:
 an electrical transmission line including conductors carrying opposing currents aligned and interleaved to reduce the electrical transmission line inductance per unit length below 10-7 H/m; and   an ultra-segmented stator coextending with the transmission line, the stator having at least one pair of built-up rails parallel to the transmission line, the rails comprising stacked elongated conductive members angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the transmission line;   wherein the metal members included as a portion of the built-up rails are electrically connected to the conductors of the transmission line of like polarity and the metal members are separated from one another on interfaces between them by insulating or highly resistive layers, and   wherein the propulsion channel between a pair of built-up rails is laterally open.   
     
     
         3 . The laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor of  claim 2 , comprising a clamp configured to provide preloading to the stator in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor of  claim 3 , comprising beams extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor, and
 wherein the clamp is configured to provide the preloading at least in part by compressing beams together along the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the beams located on opposite sides of the propulsion channel.   
     
     
         5 . The laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor of  claim 2 , comprising a repositioning system to reposition the laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor relative to another laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor. 
     
     
         6 . The laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor of  claim 5 , wherein the repositioning system is configured to reposition the laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear to accommodate different sizes of armatures. 
     
     
         7 . The laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor of  claim 2 , wherein the propulsion channel is defined at least in part by the rails; and
 wherein the propulsion channel is configured to receive at least a portion of a conductive armature to be linearly propelled by the motor when a current is injected through the armature between built-up rails having opposite polarities.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least two laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motors defining a propulsion channel, the motors each comprising:
 a transmission line including conductors carrying opposing currents; 
 an ultra-segmented stator, the stator having built-up rails comprising stacked elongated conductive members angled with respect to a longitudinal axis; 
 wherein the metal members included as a portion of the built-up rails are electrically connected to the conductors of like polarity of the transmission line and the metal members are insulated from one another on interfaces between them. 
   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the transmission line includes conductors carrying opposing currents aligned and interleaved to reduce the electrical transmission line inductance per unit length below 10-7 H/m, and
 wherein the stator coextends with the transmission line, the built-up rails arranged in parallel with the transmission line.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , comprising a clamp configured to provide preloading to the stator in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , comprising beams extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of at least one of the open ultra-segmented high-current linear motors, and
 wherein the clamp is configured to provide the preloading at least in part by compressing beams together along the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the beams located on opposite sides of the propulsion channel.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , comprising a repositioning system configured to reposition the laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear to accommodate different sizes of armatures. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the propulsion channel is defined at least in part by the rails; and
 wherein the propulsion channel is configured to receive a conductive armature to be linearly propelled by the motors when a current is injected through the armature between built-up rails having opposite polarities.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , comprising removable inserts disposed between motors on opposite sides of a propulsion channel to space apart the motors. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 forming an electrical transmission line including conductors carrying opposing currents aligned and interleaved to reduce the electrical transmission line inductance per unit length below 10-7 H/m;   forming an ultra-segmented stator of a laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor, the stator coextending with the transmission line, the stator including built-up rails parallel to the transmission line, the rails comprising stacked elongated conductive members angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the transmission line;   electrically connecting the metal members included as a portion of the built-up rails to the conductors of the transmission line of like polarity; and   separating the metal members from one another on interfaces between them with insulating or highly resistive layers.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the stacked elongated conductive members include tips oriented parallel to the direction of the transmission line 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein forming the ultra-segmented stator tips includes cutting the tips. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising preloading the stator in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis using a clamp. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the preloading includes clamping beams extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor using the clamp, the clamping including compressing the beams together along the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the beams located on opposite sides of a propulsion channel defined by the rails. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising repositioning the laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor relative to another laterally open ultra-segmented high-current linear motor using a repositioning system. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising linearly propelling a conductive armature along a propulsion channel defined by the rails, using a current injected through the armature between built-up rails having opposite polarities.