Energy storage apparatus and discharge device for magnetic pulse welding and forming

An energy storage system for use in magnetic pulse welding and forming comprising:

• a plurality of capacitors each having hot contact and a ground contact at an upper end thereof;
• a conductive bus system electrically interconnecting said capacitors to form an energy storage bank, said conductive bus system including at least one bus panel;
• a charging control device connected to said plurality of capacitors for controlling energy storage within said plurality of capacitors;
• a discharge device comprising a central electrode having a contact end and a discharge end, a ring electrode disposed concentrically around said discharge end of said central electrode in spaced relation thereto, said central electrode and said ring electrode being constructed and arranged to generate a predetermined current contour, said discharge device further comprising an ignition electrode concentrically arranged between said central electrode and said ring electrode and within said current contour, and still further comprising means for controlling a direction of movement of a plasma jet produced by an electrical discharge between said central electrode and said ring electrode, said plasma jet moving in a direction away from said predetermined current contour;
• and
• a discharge control device connected to said discharge device for selectively initiating discharge of energy stored in said plurality of capacitors.