Operation of a Triggered Vacuum Flashover Switch on Pawn

Kellogg, J. C.; Boller, J. R.; Commisso, R. J.; Ford, R. D.; Jenkins, D. J.; Lupton, W. H.; Shipman, Jr, J. D.

Operation of a Triggered Vacuum Flashover Switch on Pawn

Active / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA638383 |

Open PDF

Abstract:

Pawn is a prototype inductive storage pulsed power generator with two switching stages. The first stage is a wire fuse array driven by a low voltage 40 kV capacitor bank, and the second stage is a fast opening vacuum switch such as a plasma erosion opening switch. A triggered vacuum flashover switch isolates the fuse stage from the second stage during fuse conduction. The switch consists of an insulating ring sandwiched between electrodes. Ultraviolet light and plasma from small spark discharges initiate a flashover of the insulator surface to close the switch. The trigger command is sent by fiber optic link.

Author(s):

Kellogg, J. C. ; Boller, J. R. ; Commisso, R. J. ; Ford, R. D. ; Jenkins, D. J. ; Lupton, W. H. ; Shipman, Jr, J. D.

Author Organization(s):

NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC PLASMA PHYSICS DIV

Descriptive Note:

Conference paper

Supplementary Note:

See also ADM002371. 2013 IEEE Pulsed Power Conference, Digest of Technical Papers 1976-2013, and Abstracts of the 2013 IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science. Held in San Francisco, CA on 16-21 June 2013. U.S. Government or Federal Purpose Rights License.

Pagination:

0004

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:

Approved For Public Release

Distribution Statement:

Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR

Identifying Numbers

Monitor Series:

NRL/MR/6700

Subject Terms

Joint Capability Areas:

JCA_6.1.3_Switching and Routing; JCA_6.1.1_Wired Transmission; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.2.1_Kinetic Means; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_8_Building Partnerships

Communities of Interest:

Advanced Electronics

Descriptor(s):

*PLASMA OPENING SWITCHES, *PULSE GENERATORS, CAPACITORS, ELECTRIC DISCHARGES, ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY, ELECTRICAL INSULATION, ELECTRODES, EQUIVALENT CIRCUITS, EROSION, FIBER OPTICS, ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION, VACUUM SWITCHES, WIRE

Field(s)/Group(s):

Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics

Keyword(s):

INDUCTIVE STORAGE PULSED POWER GENERATORS, SPARK DISCHARGES, FLASHOVER

Report Date:

1989 Jun 01

Creation Date:

2016 Oct 12