High current magnetohydrodynamic gigawatt pulse generator

Abstract

A disk type magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator/channel and a hybrid pulse power transformer (HPPT) with a superconductive primary and a normal secondary for producing high power and high current pulses is disclosed. The HPPT surrounds the MHD channel through which hot gas is supplied. The channel upstream from the HPPT is formed into a flat circular configuration with narrow portion directed perpendicular to the channel passing through the HPPT. A MHD disk generator is positioned on the opposite side of the channel directly opposed from the HPPT. The output from the MHD is connected to the primary of the HPPT. Prior to generating power, the superconducting primary winding of the HPPT is charged to a low current. The primary is then connected to the MHD generator/channel for conditioning. When the channel is fired causing gases to flow through the channel causing the magnet current to increase producing a higher primary field and hence more power generation. In this manner the MHD generator is self excited or conditioned and the MHD generator output is stored in the HPPT primary. The energy stored in the primary can be released to the secondary by driving the primary normal by any known method. Other configurations can be used such as conventional MHD channel generators. The primary winding can be made of high temperature superconductors when available.