Development of XRAM generators as inductive power sources for very high current pulses

Generators for pulsed power applications such as electromagnetic accelerators or lasers are based on capacitive, inductive or kinetic energy storage. Capacitive storage is a mature technology, but it offers the smallest energy per volume, which is a drawback for mobile systems. Kinetic energy storage presents the best energy density but faces several technological challenges. Inductive storage is an attractive alternative due to its high energy density, low charging voltages and short charging times. As regards a future integration into all-electric vehicles or ships, inductive storage can be easily combined with high-power (lithiumion) batteries. In this case, storage coils embedded in a so-called XRAM circuitry can be used to produce a current pulse, the amplitude of which is a multiple of the charging current supplied by the batteries.