Development of a Capacitor Bank-Based Pulsed Power Supply Module for Electromagnetic Induction Coilguns

This paper presents some discussions and findings related to the development of the capacitor bank-based pulsed power supply module (PPSM) for an electromagnetic induction coilgun (EIC). Three PPSMs were designed for a three-stage EIC to launch a 21.68-kg projectile at a minimum velocity of 20 m/s. The energy of the PPSM in the first, second, and third stages was 200, 100, and 100 kJ, respectively. Two light-triggered thyristors (LTT) were used as the main switches of the module. The synchronous behaviors of the series LTT, dump circuit, laser diode driver circuit, and protection scheme are analyzed and discussed. The PPSM was built and tested as an EIC system. The simulation results of the PPSM were in agreement with the experimental results. The peak current was about 42 kA at a maximum voltage of 10 kV as in the simulation. The maximum current in the 4-kV launch experiment was 16.47 kA. The velocity of the projectile was more than 25 m/s, which is consistent with the design goal.