High PRF high current switch
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsStuart L. Moran, R. Kenneth Hutcherson
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Abstract
A triggerable, high voltage, high current, spark gap switch for use in pu power systems. The device comprises a pair of electrodes in a high pressure hydrogen environment that is triggered by introducing an arc between one electrode and a trigger pin. Unusually high repetition rates may be obtained by undervolting the switch, i.e., operating the trigger at voltages much below the self-breakdown voltage of the device.
Claims20
A high pulse repetition rate spark gap switch comprising:
- means for forming a high-pressure chamber;
- first and second primary electrodes having opposed electrode surfaces and defining a primary arc gap within said chamber;
- a high pressure hydrogen gas in said chamber;
- a trigger pin defining a trigger gap between itself and said first primary electrode capable of receiving a trigger pulse.
A method of forming a high voltage, high-repetition rate spark gap switch comprising:
- forming a high-pressure chamber;
- filling said chamber with high-pressure hydrogen;
- providing said chamber with a first and second electrode forming a spark gap;
- extending a trigger pin within said chamber whereby a trigger pulse will form an arc between said trigger pin and said first electrode;
- and
- charging said second electrode with high voltage whereby a relatively low energy trigger pulse on said trigger pin will arc to said first electrode, thus initiating the main arc between said first and second electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.