Fabrication of a compensated pulsed alternator for a rapid fire railgun system

This paper presents a detailed description of fabrication of the compensated pulsed alternator (compulsator) for a rapid-fire railgun system. Presented are fabrication techniques and assembly processes developed specifically for a large pulsed power generator, including stator lamination assembly and armature and field winding fabrication techniques. The horizontal shaft, six pole compulsator design incorporates a rotating field and passive compensation. When completed, the compulsator will generate a 2-kV open-circuit voltage and supply 944-kA, 2.45-ms pulses to the 3-m railgun. Since high energy per unit volume ratios are desirable in pulsed power generators, emphasis is put on reducing weight and volume. Consideration for these areas are evident throughout the machine.