High-Coulomb spark gas for electric guns

• Main Authors: Hammon, H.G., Frazier, G.B., Roth, I., Naff, J.T., Sincerny, P.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; 700460 > Fusion Technology-- Heating & Fueling Systems; DESIGN; ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT; ELECTRODES; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; Fuels >; PLASMA GUNS; PLASMA SWITCHES; RADIATIONS; SERVICE LIFE; SPARK GAPS; SWITCHES 700300 > Plasma Physics & Fusion Research-- (1992-)
• ISSN: 0018-9464; 1941-0069

Physics International Company (PI) has designed and demonstrated an extremely rugged spark gap capable of handling currents and charge transfers of interest for electric guns. The switch has been demonstrated and peak currents over 850 kA, charge transfers over 300 C/pulse, and action over 220 MJ/{Omega} each pulse. At this duty, switch electrode life is estimated to be approximately 100 shots before electrode tips must be replaced. Lower charge transfers result in proportionately longer electrode tip life. Electrode tip replacement, which is performed along with cleaning of the insulator, is a simple process requiring 10 to 15 minutes per switch. Switch design ensures that the arc will lie along the centerline of the switch, balancing forces on all parts of the switch. This allows a very rugged switch design without excessive weight. Triggering of the switch is accomplished in a series triggered mode, allowing operation of the switch at less than 50% of its self-break voltage, giving pre-fire probabilities of less than 10{sup {minus}6} per pulse. In this paper demonstrated switch performance, triggering approach, and application to electromagnetic and electrothermal gun circuits are discussed.