Thermal Analysis of Compulsator Based on Fluid-Structure Coupling and Distributed Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient

Air-core compensated pulse alternator (compulsator) is an important technical approach to realize the miniaturization of pulse power supply (PPS) for electromagnetic launch (EML). When it discharges, the internal components especially windings are faced with extreme conditions of transient strong coupling of electromagnetic, force, and temperature fields, so efficient thermal management design is one of the key technologies for its safe and reliable operation. In this article, a new thermal analysis method based on fluid-structure coupling and distributed convective heat transfer coefficient is proposed. Compared with the traditional calculation method which uses constant convective heat transfer coefficient, it has higher accuracy and is conducive to more precise analysis of continuous discharge temperature distribution and active cooling effect under extreme conditions. Combined with a design example of the GW scale compulsator, the thermal analysis results of forced air cooling and active water cooling are compared and analyzed. The research conclusions have important reference significance for guiding the overall design of the compulsator, and the research methods can be extended to other electrical thermal analysis occasions.