A systems tester for compact HPG component development

To facilitate the development of more compact homopolar generators (HPGs), the compact HPG systems tester was designed and built to develop the system and component technology necessary to design HPGs having energy densities of up to 60 MJ/m³. The systems tester is one-half of a full-scale counter-rotating HPG storing 2.5 MJ at 6,900 rpm and generating 20 V. Incorporated in the tester are two new types of components, face brushes and a stationary-shaft hydrostatic bearing, which will lead to HPG designs that will rotate a larger fraction of the magnetic circuit while eliminating much of the stationary support structure. The systems tester is designed to provide a facility for future bearing research and development of the higher-current-density brushgear required for drawing larger currents from the smaller slip ring areas of more compact machines.