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.:: Gyro Gun 01 ::.

Purpose:

This project is a Thompson gun that fires a pre-rotated aerodynamic gyro projectile. This will increase the range of the projectile significantly compared to conventional high output Thompson guns.


Materials:

- Motor
- Pulse Caps
- Power Supply
- Hollow Aluminum Tube
- Insulated Low AWG Wire
- Other small parts


Details:


This side view image illustrates the simplified concept and design of the gun. You can see the motor that rotates an iron core which rotates the aluminum projectile which slides on to it. The coil which is pulsed is on a coil form which allows the core to spin within it freely. Once the coil is pulsed, the projectile is forced off the core at high speeds as it travels straight in a stable low air resistance flight.


Images:


Side view of the core with a coil around it. The projectile is slid down the core until it touches the double layered coil.


These are the copper projectiles that are fired from the core. Copper is relatively light and a good conductor. The rings are made from copper pipe and are cut a length that is about the same as its diameter. If the rings are cut too long then gyroscopic stability is lost.


The power supply charges the capacitor bank up to 5kV. The capacitors are rated for 4kV so usually a voltage of no more than 3.5kV was provided.


The capacitor bank consists of two 32uF 4kV pulse capacitors. Together they form a 64uF 4kV bank with a maximun storage of 512J. For this experiment they were charged no more than 390J.


The mercury contactor was used to silently switch the power. The contactor is only rated for 30A 600V though it can hold off about 8kV when open and withstands high repetition, high energy pulses.


This is an idea for the future gyro gun. Two gyros can be shot at the same time using the same pulse. There will be better coupling as well.


Instead of prerotating the gyro the outside edge can be rifled.


Targets:


The projectile dug into the foam board and penetrated deeply.


The projectile easily pierces a sheet of card board.


The projectile blasts its way through the light bulb leaving it intact yet making two holes as it goes through. A point of entrance and a smaller exit hole.


Videos:

gyrogun01.mpg (4.64MB)

gyrogun02.mpg (4.83MB)


Conclusion:

The gyro gun seems to be a very good solution to firing an aero dynamic projectile at high velocities. In order to reduce losses one should use a layered insulated core. Higher voltages should also be used with smaller capacitance. The gyro does not even require prerotation and seemed to leave circular indentations on the target at distances over 3 meters. The high speed output allows even small gyro projectiles to be in stable flight.

© Copyright Rostislav Persion 2004