Comparison of drive systems for pulsed synchronous machines - an overview

Magnetically confined plasma fusion experiments require large pulses of energy to be delivered into coil systems. One of the most effective methods of generating these high energy pulses is to convert stored inertial energy into electrical energy. Large synchronous generators of both the vertical and horizontal shaft type have been successfully used for this purpose. As the pulsed energy is delivered to the load, the inertial energy of the rotor of the machine is changed into electrical energy, causing the rotor to slow down. A drive system is required to accelerate the generator from standstill to the maximum operating speed and between load pulses from a reduced operating speed to the maximum speed. There are several types of drive systems that can be used for this application. An overview of six candidate drive systems is presented and comparisons of cost, performance, efficiency and line effects for these systems are described