Electrical Behavior of a Simple Helical Flux Compression Generator for Code Benchmarking

Abstract

A variety of basic magnetic flux compression (MFC) generator geometries have been tested during the last three decades. Though size and operating regimes differ widely, it is apparent that the helical flux compression generator is the most promising concept with respect to current amplification and compactness. Though the geometry of the helical generator (dynamically expanding armature in the center of a current carrying helix) seems to be basic, it turns out that the understanding of all involved processes is rather difficult. This fact is apparent from the present lack of a computer model that is solely based on physical principles and manages without heuristic factors. A simple generator was designed to address flux and current losses of the helical generator. The generator's maximum current amplitude is given as a function of the seed current and the resulting "seed-current" spread is compared to the output of state-of-the-art computer models. Temporally resolved current and current time derivative signals are compared as well. The detailed generator geometry is introduced in order to facilitate future computer code bench marking or development. The impact of this research on the present understanding of magnetic flux losses in helical MFC generators is briefly discussed.

Department(s)

Mining Engineering

Sponsor(s)

IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society

Keywords and Phrases

Magnetic Flux; Performance Evaluation; Pulse Generators; Pulsed Power Supplies

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0093-3813

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2001 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2001

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