High current pulse forming by modularized capacitor banks

Summary form only given, as follows. Eight 300 kJ modularized capacitor-banks have been constructed and tested. These modules are to be used as a driver of an electro-thermal chemical (ETC) gun. Each capacitor bank has six 22 kV, 50 kJ capacitors connected in parallel. A triggered vacuum switch (TVS-43) was adopted as the main pulse power-closing switch in each module. The module also contains a crowbar circuit made of three high-voltage diode-stacks, a multi-tap inductor and an energy-dumping resistor. The crowbar diode stack is fabricated in coaxial structure with two series 13.5 kV, 60 kA avalanche diodes and crowbar resistors. Operating characteristics of each module was investigated and improved. Every component of 300 kJ module passed the reliability test successfully at the full charging voltage of 22 kV. The maximum current of each module was about 150 kA with a pulse width (FWHM) of 500 /spl mu/s. Eight modules were installed and were combined to make a 2.4 MJ pulse power system (PPS) in a transportable container. A PC based controller controls these modules. The signal connections are made using fiber optic cables to ensure the insulation and safety. A software control-program can select specific modules and can set charging voltages and firing times of each module freely. Some experiences and characteristics of the high current pulse generator in a resistive load and the ETC load are presented.