Patent attributes
An electromagnetic (EM) launcher that receives electrical power is provided for ejecting a projectile. The launcher includes an armature for holding the projectile and a launch conduit for accelerating the armature along a longitudinal direction and thereby ejecting the projectile. The armature includes a Halbach array. The conduit includes a multi-phase linear synchronous motor (LSM) drive and short conducting elements. The Halbach array forms a plurality of concentric rings disposed longitudinally along the armature. Each ring contains a plurality of magnets distributed concentrically. Each magnet in the corresponding ring has a magnetic field oriented with north direction of the magnetic field pointing at one of radially inward, radially outward, longitudinally inward and longitudinally outward.
