Pulsed power conditioning with strongly coupled transformers

Date

2004-05

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Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

Power conditioning systems which transform high current, low voltage sources to high voltage, low current sources with minimal losses are useful in pulsed power applications. The use of strongly coupled transformers with a high step-up ratio can facilitate this transformation. This research explores the use of Current Transformers in power conditioning, the related theory, and the limitations due to core saturation. The experimental setup compares the saturation effects on one transformer with a large core to series connected transformers with smaller cores. Various simulation models are then designed to model the behavior of Current Transformers and the effects of leakage, saturation, and residual flux.

A common application which needs power conditioning is a magnetic flux compression generator which typically outputs high amounts of current while the pulsed power load requires high voltages. A magnetic flux compression generator generates a fast-rising current. To capture the energy and generate high voltages, a tightly coupled transformer with a large step-up ratio can be used. The output current would be the primary current of the transformer.

The experimental setup involves a primary capacitor discharged through a step-up transformer into a secondary capacitor. The secondary capacitor is used to capture and hold the energy. The simulation models are based on Ideal, Linear, Ben-Yaakov and Perertz, Empirical, and Linear Empirical models. The empirical data showed that the series connected transformers performed approximately the same as the equivalent single transformer and the empirical model correctly predicts the up to the peak voltage.

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