An Electronic Scheme for Measurement of Exploding Wire Energy
Abstract
With the exception of a nuclear explosion itself, the highest energy density that can be obtained at a given point for a short time results from a wire explosion when a sudden large pulse of electrical current is passed through it. The energy (of the order of 8.5 kJ) in an exploding wire has been measured as a function of time by means of a scheme which, except for the sweep circuits of the oscilloscopes, uses only passive circuit elements and requires no calculated corrections for inductive effects. A shunt was placed in the transmission line to measure current, and a high-voltage resistive divider was placed across the wire to measure true resistive voltage. The divider was compensated for both the self-inductance of the wire and any mutual inductance of the divider and the circuit. The risetime responses of both measuring devices and all associated measurement circuit components were short compared to the risetime of the signals. The output values from tho shunt and the divider were input into a computer program, which gave energy as a function of time from f ei dt, where e is the true resistive voltage across the wire and i is the current through it. The energy values thus obtained compared favorably with those obtained from measurements of the shock wave in air caused by the wire explosion. Slow expansion of the wire as energy entered it, followed by rapid explosion, could be seen.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 07, 1965
- Accession Number
- ADA395917
Entities
People
- J. R. Hearst
- Robert J. Thomas
Organizations
- University of California