Compact and modular solid state controlled flywheel based capacitor charging power supply

Abstract

Applications such as Electromagnetic aircraft launch system, Electromagnetic guns, Integrated flight through power system, Electromagnetic welding etc. require dc power source which is need to supply large power to the load though for short duration. Usually charged capacitors are used as the power source. Hence there is a need for the Capacitor Charging Power Supply (CCPS). This requires high rated switchgears and power semiconductors devices at the input circuitry even though the average power drawn from the mains is low. To avoid high rated power components at input circuitry, an Intermediate Energy Storage (IES) device can be used which stores energy (drawing low power from input mains) for longer duration and deliver same to the load in shorter time (delivering higher power). One CCPS has been conceived, designed and built using a Flywheel as an IES device. Design guidelines, simulation and testing results of the system built are presented in this paper.