High Voltage Pulse Generator with Variable Pulse Width (Solutions 2 and 3)
Abstract
This project is concerned with the modification of a high voltage high power Marx generator at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM. The generator is used to supply Reltron tubes that generate high power microwave pulses. The existing generator can produce a voltage pulse of 1.2MV with a flat top of 500ns on a 520 load. The generator is made of 28 stages, each stage consisting of two Pulse Forming Networks (PFN) connected in series. Each PFN is made of sever LC sections that shape the pulses. Each PFM is charged with a 35kV to 40kV dc voltage and the PFNs are connected through controllable spark gaps. The generator behaves like a single PFN which can generate a pulse with an amplitude equal to the voltage of a single PFN multiplied by 56. In order to extend the range of tests (generate shorter microwave pulses with Reltron tubes), it is desired that the Marx generator supplies pulses with the same voltage amplitude but with smaller widths. The solution proposed by Dr. Bolborici and accepted by the WSMR engineers to obtain shorter pulses is to short circuit the output of the Marx generator with a crowbar switch connected to a very low impedance after the Marx generator pulse is initiated. A great advantage of this solution is the existing Marx generator does not have to be modified. Another advantage is that this solution can provide a continuous variation of the pulse width of the Marx generator. The objectives of this project are: 1) To generate simulation models for the whole Marx generator, the Reltron tubes, and the crowbar switch and load, and to integrate them into a complete model that will give information about the functionality and behavior of the whole system. This objective will be attained at the University of Texas at El Paso site. 2) To design and build the crowbar switch and load using a switch with the characteristics of the switch used in simulations. Part of this objective will be reached at the University of Texas at El Paso site, and part at the WSMR site. 3) To connect and adapt the crowbar switch - load assembly to the existing Marx generator. 4) To perform tests with the Marx generator and crowbar switch - load assembly using different Reltron tubes and investigate for different delay times for the crowbar switch activation in order to obtain the desired pulse widths. The last two objectives will be attained at the WSMR site. The research will be mainly performed by a graduate student under the supervision of the PI. The graduate student will be in charge of the simulations and the design of the crowbar switch assembly, and will work as a liaison between University of Texas at El Paso and WSMR. The research work will last for two years. It is expected that this research will produce one journal paper and possibly a conference paper.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1710037
Entities
People
- Valentin Bolborici
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Texas at El Paso