A high-power, high-energy pulsed-power generator for high-impedance loads

A high-energy pulsed-power generator, based on a 415 kJ / 22 kV capacitor bank, has recently been developed and tested at Loughborough University. The generator can drive a load having a resistance of between 10 Ω and 40 Ω and a self-inductance between 10 μH and 30 μH, using conventional inductive storage techniques that include a high-voltage transformer (HVT) with a coupling coefficient of about 0.8 and capable of withstanding up to 600 kV. An exploding wire array (EWA) is used as an opening switch in the primary circuit and a self-breakdown closing switch (operating under pressurised SF₆) is implemented in the secondary (load) circuit to condition the output,. The bank discharge is controlled by a detonator-activated dielectric breakdown, high-coulomb, low-inductance closing switch. Details of the generator design procedure are described, including filamentary modelling of the HVT, together with results and analysis from preliminary operation of the EWA. When energised, the generator is designed of producing peak load currents in excess of 15 kA, corresponding to a peak power in excess of 4.5 GW. Future plans include transformation of the pulsed power generator into an autonomous transportable source.