Homopolar Generator Power Supply Research Articles

Electromechanical Analysis of the Technology Demonstrator for the IGNITEX Fusion Device

The Texas Ignition Experiment (IGNITEX) device is a single turn coil tokamak designed to produce and control an ignited plasma using ohmic heating alone. The proposed high strength magnet system operates at a magnetic field on-axis of 20 T, using homopolar generators (HPGs), which meet the power supply requirements (150 MA, 10 V) inexpensively. In this paper, the electromechanical analysis of a scaled down prototype (1/10 scale in linear dimensions) of the IGNITEX toroidal field (TF) magnet is presented. The primary goal of the IGNITEX Technology Demonstrator (ITD) is to prove the operation of a single turn, 20 T, toroidal field coil powered by a homopolar generator power supply system of 60 MJ, 9 MA, current operating at the Center for Electromechanics. The University of Texas at Austin (CEM-UT). In order to simulate the actual operating conditions of the full-scale device, the ITD coil will be precooled at liquid nitrogen temperature and driven by the six homopolar generators in parallel. Scaling relationships have shown that electromagnetic loading mechanical and thermal loading of the coil and their relative distribution will approximate well predicted levels of the full-scale IGNITEX device.

Balcones homopolar generator power supply

A review is presented of the Balcones homopolar generator power supply (BHPGPS) project, which is intended to provide insight into the pros and cons of the design decisions and operating philosophy planned for the system. Capabilities are discussed, and power supply parameters, including HPGs, inductors, switches and buswork are documented so that the community can evaluate the system as a power supply for various loads by calculating specific performance. The power supply includes the following components and subsystems: 10 MJ HPGs each rated at 100 V and 1.5 MA; 6.5 mu H, room-temperature, coaxial, energy storage inductors; explosively actuated opening switches; and multiple output buswork rated for 7.2 MA total current.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

A new high current laboratory and pulsed homopolar generator power supply at the University of Texas

The University of Texas at Austin is constructing a spacious facility for research in pulse power technology at the Balcones Research Center, located in north Austin. The arrangement and capacity of the facility are intended to support high-current experiments. The laboratory power supply being designed consists of six homopolar generators, each capable of delivering ten megajoules of energy. The output bus is configured such that various series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits of homopolar generators are possible. Both resistive and inductive loads can be driven from the power supplies. Research programs will be supported with a wide range of physical facilities, including materials handling, machine shop, data acquisition and analysis, engineering and operating personnel, chemical analysis and metallurgical laboratories, and an information center. These facilities will be available to the U. S. technical community through several types of arrangements with The University through the Center for Electromechanics. Each of the six homopolar generators is designed to deliver 1 MA at 100 V, with a maximum repetition rate of a discharge every five minutes. In addition to EM launch research and applications, other intended uses of the power supply include welding of large cross-sections of metal (up to 650 cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> or 100 in. <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> of steel), generation of high magnetic fields in low-impedance magnets, and testing of high-current opening switches. Status of major elements of the project is reported.

The proposed CEM-UT 50-MJ pulsed homopolar generator power supply

The proposed CEM-UT 50-MJ pulsed homopolar generator power supply