Parameters Optimization of Synchronous Induction Coilgun Based on Ant Colony Algorithm

Electrical-to-kinetic energy conversion efficiency of synchronous induction coilguns (SICG) is the main limiting factor of its development. In the system of SICG, the change of any electromagnetic parameters can directly or indirectly affects the electrical-to-kinetic energy conversion efficiency. In order to improve the electrical-to-kinetic energy conversion efficiency of SICG, the electromechanical model of SICG was built at first in this paper. Then, the structural parameters of SICG with 60-mm caliber were optimized with ant colony optimization algorithm. The electrical-to-kinetic energy conversion efficiency of the system was regarded as the target function, while the center-to-center space between the drive coil and the armature, and the structural parameters of the drive coil and the armature were regarded as variables. Results of research indicated that the electrical-to-kinetic energy conversion efficiency of the system was improved through parameter optimization. In order to validate the results of parameter optimization, an experiment was carried out with the first stage of SICG.