Maynard M Cowan

US Patent:

48174947, Apr 4, 1989

Filed:

Apr 6, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/034354

Inventors:

Maynard Cowan - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F41F 102

US Classification:

89 8

Abstract:

An electromagnetic launcher includes a plurality of electrical stages which are energized sequentially in synchrony with the passage of a projectile. Each stage of the launcher includes two or more coils which are arranged coaxially on either closed-loop or straight lines to form gaps between their ends. The projectile has an electrically conductive gap-portion that passes through all the gaps of all the stages in a direction transverse to the axes of the coils. The coils receive an electric current, store magnetic energy, and convert a significant portion of the stored magnetic energy into kinetic energy of the projectile by magnetic reconnection as the gap portion of the projectile moves through the gap. The magnetic polarity of the opposing coils is in the same direction, e. g. N-S-N-S. A gap portion of the projectile may be made from aluminum and is propelled by the reconnection of magnetic flux stored in the coils which causes accelerating forces to act upon the projectile at both the rear vertical surface of the projectile and at the horizontal surfaces of the projectile near its rear.

US Patent:

51253216, Jun 30, 1992

Filed:

Dec 6, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/622897

Inventors:

Maynard Cowan - Albuquerque NM
Billy W. Duggin - Albuquerque NM
Melvin M. Widner - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F41B 600

US Classification:

89 8

Abstract:

An electromagnetic cylindrical projectile mass launcher and a method of operation is provided which includes a cylindrical projectile having a conducting armature, a cylindrical barrel in which the armature is received, a plurality of electromagnetic drive coil stages, a plurality of pulse energy sources, and a pulsed power arrangement for generating magnetic pulses forming a pulsed magnetic wave along the length of the launcher barrel. The pulsed magnetic wave provides a propelling force on the projectile along the drive coil. The pulsed magnetic wave of the drive coil stages is advanced along the armature faster than the projectile to thereby generate an induced current wave in the armature. The pulsed generation of the magnetic wave minimizes electromagnetic heating of the projectile and provides for smooth acceleration of the projectile through the barrel of the launcher.

US Patent:

55526497, Sep 3, 1996

Filed:

Nov 8, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/336351

Inventors:

Maynard Cowan - Albuquerque NM
Barry M. Marder - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

H02K 4102
B60L 1303

US Classification:

310 12

Abstract:

A segmented rail linear induction motor has a segmented rail consisting of a plurality of nonferrous electrically conductive segments aligned along a guideway. The motor further includes a carriage including at least one pair of opposed coils fastened to the carriage for moving the carriage. A power source applies an electric current to the coils to induce currents in the conductive surfaces to repel the coils from adjacent edges of the conductive surfaces.