Power Shifting Device

Figure 11 illustrates one of several means by which any section of the electric gun can be energized without simultaneously energizing all of the gun coils. Contact terminals c₁, c₂, c₃, . . . placed around the inside of the gun, when connected by the contact ring on the projectile to terminal c₀, cause relays to close switching devices s1, s2, s3m . . .

These switching devices, for quick action, should be constructed on principles similar to thermionic vacuum tubes. As the projectile moves forward from left to right, switches connecting coils to the rear of the projectile are progressively opened, while switches connecting coils just ahead of the projectile are progressively closed. By having the right number of contact terminals, and by having them begin and end at the right places, any number of coils can be energized in exactly the right sequence, regardless of the speed of the projectile.

Fig. 11. Diagram of power shifting device