The Reflex Switch: A High-Current, Fast-Opening Vacuum Switch
Abstract
The "reflex switch" 1 is a new, ultra-high-power, fast-opening switch suited to pulsed power generation by magnetic energy storage systems. The final, "open" state of the reflex switch can itself serve as a vacuum diode load and generate an intense REB or x-ray pulse; or the opening of the switch can transfer the power pulse to a parallel load. The basic elements of a magnetic energy storage system using a reflex switch are illustrated in Figure 1. During the "closed" (low-impedance) mode of the reflex switch, the generator builds a current, I, in the storage inductor, Ls. When the current is near its peak value the reflex switch makes a very fast transition to its "open" (high-impedance) mode. The sharp increase of series impedance produces a corresponding increase of voltage across the switch, which can be much greater than the generator voltage. The power of the high-voltage output pulse can exceed the input power (the rate of energy accumulation in the inductor during the low-impedance phase) by approximately the ratio of the low-impedance duration to the output pulse duration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA638451
Entities
People
- B. Ecker
- G. Proulx
- J. Creedon
- L. Demeter
- S. Glidden