Energy Storage Devices as Prime Power Supplies for Low Energy, High Voltage Marx Generators
Abstract
There is an increasing desire to make pulsed power systems more mobile, compact, and efficient. Pulsed power supplies are used to electrically drive many applications including, but not limited to high power microwave (HPM) sources, electromagnetic launchers, improvised explosive device (IED) defeat systems, lasers, environmental treatment systems, and plasma gas dissolution systems. While many of these loads have only military applications, high voltage pulsed generators have use in driving both military and civilian loads. From a historical perspective, pulsed power research has been performed in large laboratories where size is not typically a limiting factor. Transitioning these large systems into compact devices that can be used by the military in theatre and by everyday civilians is challenging but necessary. Because the emphasis has largely been placed on improving the pulsed power supply, very little research has been performed to reduce the size of the prime power source. While work has been performed on developing mobile prime power supplies that use batteries, it is clear from the documentation that the prime power supply was not given the attention needed optimize their size and efficiency. In this effort, UT Arlington's PPEL has evaluated the fundamental limitations of electrochemical energy storage devices, initially high power lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells, for use as prime power or compact high voltage pulsed power sources.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 30, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1048822
Entities
People
- David A. Wetz
Organizations
- University of Texas at Arlington