Three Channel Pulse Power System for Underwater Acoustic Source

Abstract

A three channel pulsed power system has been developed at the U. S. Navy Coastal Systems Station in Panama City, Florida to provide power for underwater acoustic sources. In the present configuration, the system is capable of providing continuous operation at repetition rates up to 15 Hz and with energies up to 1.5 kJ per pulse per channel into a broad range of loads including spark-type underwater acoustic sources. The system includes three independent banks each of which contain two switcher-type power supplies, each capable of an energy output of 8 W/s at 3.2 kV. A highly flexible control system allows the construction of pulse trains with arbitrary trigger timings for each bank. High power silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) are used to form the pulse trains. The system is currently located on the deck of a remote controlled QST-35A U. S. Navy target drone boat and provides power for three underwater spark gap acoustic sources (sparkers). The system was recently demonstrated at an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) military exercise in Newfoundland, Canada.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA639332

Entities

People

  • L. H. Fry Jr.
  • P. Adair
  • Rhonda M. Williams

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Circuits
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Electrical Equipment
  • Electrodes
  • Energy
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • High Voltage
  • Military Exercises
  • Power Supplies
  • Pulsed Power
  • Reliability
  • Repetition Rate
  • Silicon Controlled Rectifiers
  • Spark Gaps
  • Test Equipment
  • Transducers

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Maritime and Naval Warfare Studies
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy