Design installation and commissioning of the Los Alamos National Laboratory pulsed power generator

A 1430 MVA synchronous generator from a canceled nuclear power plant has been installed and commissioned at Los Alamos National Laboratory to provide pulsed power and energy for large physics experiments. The authors describe special studies, tests, and design modifications to enable a high-power, steady-state machine to operate as a pulsed, variable-speed generator. The generator rotor and stator core cooling have been changed from hydrogen to air to facilitate the operation. An all-solid-state drive system accelerates the generator rotor from standstill to the maximum operating speed of 2800 rpm and from 1260 rpm to 1800 rpm between load pulses. The excitation system has been modified to provide both the motor and generator mode of operation. The generator is mounted on a spring foundation to minimize the transmission of shaft vibrations into the subsoil. The springs also dampen shocks stemming from the pulsed loads