Rep-Rated, High Coulomb Rail Switch Development

Abstract

Compact, high power, rep-rated, pulsed power systems require high voltage, high coulomb, and low inductance switches. In this paper, we describe the development effort for a rep-rated, rail-electrode spark-gap switch. The design of the rep-rated switch is based on the tried and proven single shot, rail switches found on the 9 MJ, SHIVA STAR system at AFWL. The electrodes have been modified to facilitate gas flow and switch recovery time. Rep-rate testing of the switch is accomplished by sequentially discharging multiple capacitor banks each capable of storing up to 40 kJ. The initial design performance goal for this rep-rated rail switch is 10-100 Hz, 100 kV, > 1 Coulomb per shot. This paper discusses the design, the triggering, and the preliminary test results of the switch.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA638132

Entities

People

  • A. Cole
  • D. Ralph
  • David L. Hall
  • E. Chu
  • Eduardo López
  • G. Barton
  • Jonathon J. Graham
  • K. Hackett
  • K. Salisbury
  • Mark J. Scott

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Capacitors
  • Electrodes
  • Energy
  • Flow
  • Gas Flow
  • Generators
  • High Voltage
  • Impedance
  • Inductance
  • Power
  • Pulsed Power
  • Recovery
  • Repetition Rate
  • Spark Gaps
  • Transmission Lines
  • Voltage

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.