APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING A PLURALITY OF MAGNETIC PULSE FORMING OR WELDING OPERATIONS

摘要

An apparatus for performing a plurality of magnetic pulse forming or welding operations includes a power supply (11), a plurality of inductors (13), and a power distribution system (12) for selectively connecting the power supply (11) to each of the plurality of inductors (13) so as to perform a plurality of magnetic pulse forming or welding operations. The power distribution system (12) can include a power distribution device (21) having either (1) a connection arm that can be connected to each of the plurality of inductors, or (2) a plurality of connection cables that can be connected to each of the plurality of inductors, or (3) a solid state switching system for electronically connecting the power supply (11) to each of the plurality of inductors (13). Alternatively, the power distribution system (12) can include a power distribution bus (52) including first and second electrical conductors that are separated by an electrical insulator and a plurality of switches (53) respectively associated with the plurality of inductors (13) for selectively connecting each of the inductors to the power distribution bus (52). The first and second electrical conductors can include first and second flat, planar conductor plates (52a, 52b), and the electrical insulator can include a flat, planar insulator plate (52c) disposed between the first and second conductor plates (52a, 52b).