Designs of pulsed power cryogenic transformers

The design of three pulsed-power cryogenic transformers for the Los Alamos National Laboratory is summarized. The design uses two-layer air core, solenoid-type pulse transformers. Cooling will be accomplished through pool boiling in a liquid-nitrogen bath, with heat-transfer surfaces sized to accommodate the required repetition rate. These transformers are configured to transfer their stored energy sequentially to an electro-magnetic launcher and form a three-stage power supply. The pulse transformers will act as two-winding energy-storage solenoids which provide a high current and energy pulse compression by transforming a 50-kA power supply into a megamp-level power supply more appropriate for the electromagnetic launcher duty. This system differs from traditional transformer applications in that significant current levels do not exist simultaneously in the two windings of the pulse transformer.