Numerical simulation for induction coil launcher using FE-BE method with hybrid potentials

A hybrid scheme combining finite and boundary elements is applied to analyse the transient behaviour of a conducting coaxial rigid projectile accelerating in an electromagnetic field produced by field coils with some prescribed current inputs. The problem is assumed to be axisymmetric, and the forcing currents are circumferential. The corresponding initial/boundary value problem associated with certain assumptions is derived from Maxwell's field equations in terms of electric and magnetic potentials. A formulation which mixes the vector and scalar magnetic potentials is considered to be suitable for this specific problem. Owing to the axisymmetric assumption, the problem reduces to a simplified one with only one component of the vector potential involved. Thermal effects due to ohmic losses are considered during the launching process.