Whiteboard2Boardroom presents innovations from regional universities, hospitals, research organizations to encourage commercialization.

1. Electromagnetic Launchers
February 27, 2020

2. What is the problem?
• Electromagnetic launchers
– Convert electrical energy into mechanical
propulsion
– Launch objects such as missiles, aircrafts,
spacecraft, and other projectiles
• Advantages
– Potentially higher velocities than chemical,
mechanical, pneumatic methods
– Lighter in weight
– Smoother launch motion
• Problems
– History of safety and reliability issues
– Require large amounts of electric power,
large capacitor banks and large
electromagnetic pulses
– Can interfere with other equipment
– Current launchers take up significant
space due to long barrel lengths, large
capacitor banks

3. How does product/service solve problem?
• Instead of Linear
launchers, adapt to a
helical or circular shape
• Advantages
– Smaller size / footprint
– High speeds with lower
power consumption
• Object can be inside or
outside launcher

4. What is the market use?
• Acceleration of vehicles
– Mag-lev trains
– Hyperloop?
– Spacecraft
• Weapons
– Missiles (linear launchers
are currently used by
DoD)
– Smaller projectiles
A theoretical “Space Gun,”
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=
33113012

5. What competition exists?
• Linear electromagnetic
launchers exist
• Established propulsion
methods are
inexpensive and have
had significant
development time
http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/
480918main_ELHVrailtest.jpg

6. What is the status of the intellectual property?
Honeywell FM&T
• US Patents
– 10,527,834
– 10,318,251
• World Patent
– 2017/203500
• Invention Disclosures
– Many, continues to be
developed
• Publications
– Related work in collaboration
with academic partners

7. What is the stage of development?
• TRL 4 – validated in
laboratory setting
• Further development is
ongoing through academic
research projects,
federally-funded R&D

8. What is needed for further development?
• Larger construction,
demonstration outside
lab environment
• Commercial partner /
group to develop
towards specific
applications
• Existing transportation
or defense company
with complementary IP
https://www.kcur.org/post/it-sounds-
science-fiction-hyperloop-missouri-could-
be-reality-just-7-years#stream/0