Air core pulse transformer design

Cylindrical-air-core pulse transformers capable of passing high-voltage/high-energy pulse waveforms with high efficiency and low distortion require a much more delicate design balance of physical dimensions and electrical parameters than iron or ferrite core units. Special computer codes were written to evaluate their performance. The analysis includes calculation of the self and mutual inductances as determined by the dimensions and insulation stresses, and evaluation of the waveform distortion and energy transfer efficiency. It is concluded that air-core transformers operating at hundreds of kilovolts and tens of kilojoules in the microsecond region with energy transfer efficiencies of 70% to 85% are feasible. Effects of the high-frequency-current distribution in the windings and the use of slug-type ferrite cores are also evaluated