Explosively Actuated Fast-Opening Switches for Very Large Currents.
Abstract
In a series of eight experiments we investigated the use of high explosives to interrupt electric current by fast-opening switch mechanisms. The conducting link in seven of the experiments was a glass-lined plasma-filled cavity that was closed explosively. In the eighth experiment a foam-metal link was driven into the liquid-vapor phase and expanded into a ceramic cavity. Resistance increases and resultant voltage spikes that corresponded in time with the particle velocities of the collapsing walls were obtained. However, unknown high-resistance paths prevented voltage gradients greater than 100,000 to 10 to the 6th power V/m. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA056578
Entities
People
- Billy W. Duggin
- Robert I. Butler