Fast helical flux compression generator using a 50 mm form factor

Summary form only given, as follows. Growing interest in compact forms of pulsed power has led to the investigation of small, helical, flux compression generators. This study examines the design and testing of two helical generators using a 50 mm form factor. The generators consisted of armatures made from 3003 Aluminum alloy, 12 gage Copper wire used for the single coil stators, and naval brass for the guide planes. Both stators shared outer diameters of 50 mm with 40 and 41 turns in each coil. The armatures were machined to a wall thickness of 0.635 mm and an outer diameter of 25.4 mm. Kapton insulation was used between both the input glide plane and the armature and the output glide plane and the stator. We used a Reynolds RP-501 detonator to initiate the C-4 explosive charge. Both copper load coils were a single loop having inductances of 24 nH and 62 nH for the first and second generator, respectively. The total inductance for each generator was 23.530 /spl mu/H and 24.580 /spl mu/H. A single 0.414 /spl mu/F capacitor, connected with an explosive actuated switch, provided seed currents of 233 amps and 181 amps. The final currents for each generator were 4.42 kA and 3.54 kA. The overall gain and generator efficiency were lower than expected resulting from flux losses caused by pocketing effects and possible fabrication difficulties due to material limitations. Results of analyses will be presented.