Analysis of commutation current fluctuation of saddle shaped secondary helical coil electromagnetic launcher

The saddle shaped secondary helical coil electromagnetic launcher, which has the advantage of long-distance propulsion is improved on the basis of helical coil electromagnetic launcher (HEML). However, the current fluctuation of the system is the same as that of the traditional helical coil electromagnetic launcher, and current fluctuation can cause thrust fluctuation and commutation arc problems. Therefore, it is particularly important to analyse the commutation current fluctuation of the saddle shaped secondary HEML. In this paper, the commutation process of HEML is analysed in detail by analogy with the commutation process of DC series excited rotating motor. Then the system model is built in ANSYS/Maxwell, and the excitation circuit is built with Simplorer to jointly simulate the system. The reason of commutation current fluctuation is analysed by using the principle of flux continuity, and the correctness of the principle of flux continuity is verified by analysing and calculating the simulation datas. It has a good guiding significance for the subsequent improvement of thrust fluctuation and commutation arc.