Triggered Spark Gap Recovery
Abstract
In an effort to extend the state of the art in pulsed power switching, experimental investigations of triggered spark gap switches have been performed. The goal is to develop a low- flow gas switch that holds off 100 kV; then conducts 10's of kA; and, after 100 microseconds, again holds off 100 kV. Recovery time is defined as the minimum time from the first applied voltage waveform breakdown to the time the gap can hold off a voltage equal to the first breakdown voltage. The recovery data in figure 1 is taken from earlier investigations of overvolted spark gap switching . A voltage waveform is applied to the switch and the switch breaks down. Some time later, a second voltage waveform is applied to the switch and its breakdown voltage is recorded. Figure 1 is a plot of the second waveform breakdown voltage for different times between breakdown (henceforth called the delay time). These previous investigations have shown that unblown, overvolted spark gaps have recovery times of a few milliseconds. Hence, operating repetitive spark gap switches in the overvol ted regime puts a severe limit on the rep rates at which such a switch can perform.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA635497
Entities
People
- E. D. Ball
- R. K. Hutcherson
- Stuart L. Moran
Organizations
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division