Energy conversion and high power pulse production using miniature magnetic flux compressors

The design, construction, and testing of miniature, high-power magnetic flux compressors are presented and discussed. The magnetic flux compressors are located inside high-speed, 30-mm projectiles that are launched with a high-pressure helium gun to velocities of approximately 300 m/s. The large deceleration force created when the projectile impacts the ground is used to power the magnetic flux compressor. Initial magnetic flux compressor currents of 200 mA are amplified up to 230 times to reach a peak current approaching 50 A. The output peak power is on the order of 3.5 kW into a 1-Ω load with a pulse length of 100 to 150 μs. Good agreement exists between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions for peak output current