Explosive opening switch work at Westinghouse

Aivaliotis, E.; Peterhans, M.

doi:10.1109/20.22501

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 5 publications

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“…Three kinds of opening switches are basically available: mechanical switches, fuses, turn-off controlled semiconducting switches and hybrids of all of them [15]- [17]. For inductively powered railgun systems, heavy duty contactors [18], explosively driven switches [19]- [21] and counter-current switchoff techniques [22]- [25] were used. Today, considerations go toward semiconducting switches like GTOs or IGBTs which are now capable to operate for short time in the MW range [26], [27].…”

Section: Opening Switchesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Inductive Pulsed Power Generators for Railguns

Liebfried

2017

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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Abstract-This literature review addresses inductive pulsed power generators and their major components. Different inductive storage designs like solenoids, toroids and force-balanced coils are briefly presented and their advantages and disadvantages are mentioned. Special emphasis is given to inductive circuit topologies which have been investigated in railgun research such as the XRAM, meat grinder or pulse transformer topologies. One section deals with opening switches as they are indispensable for inductive storages and another one deals briefly with SMES for pulsed power applications. In the end, the most relevant inductor systems which were realized in respect to railgun research are summarized in a table, together with its main characteristics.

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Section: Opening Switchesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Inductive Pulsed Power Generators for Railguns

Liebfried

2017

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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Non-arcing commutation in explosive opening switches

Barber

Newman

Ford³

et al. 1993

IEEE Trans. Magn.

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Explosively actuated opening switches can develop high impedance without arcing. In this paper we examine the commutation performance of the RAP switch in the Air Force Armament Technology Battery Power System. The Battery Power System stores over 10 MJ at up to 2.5 MA in an inductor. The RAP switch is used to commutate tlie current into a railgun load. The RAP switch develops several hundred volts before it completely opens and arcs. We have developed an analytic description of the non-arcing opening powers and we show that it is primarily resistive and that current diffusion plays a central role. Experimental results which validate the theoretical model are also presented. Finally, we show how the affect can be exploited to achieve higher non-arcing impedance thereby reducing the destructive effects of arcs on the opening switch.

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A resonant series counterpulse technique for high current opening switches

Dijk

Gelder²

1995

IEEE Trans. Magn.

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A bstract-A counterpulse technique for the controlled interruption of very high currents in inductive storage pulsed power systems i s described and analysed, and some simulation results of its performance are presented. The accompanying circuit comprises a pre-charged capacitor bank, connected in series with the inductive load, which has to be provided with a current pulse. Upon actuation, a resonant counterpulse current is created in the opening switch, connected in parallel with the current source and the load. In this way, the opening switch is opened at low current. A separate closing switch prevents closing of the opening switch at high voltage. Operation of the opening switch, often a mechanical switch, at low current and low voltage prevents arc erosion of the contacts.The advantage of this circuit compared to other counterpulse circuits is that the capacitor bank does not experience a voltage reversal. Electrolytic capacitors, which have a high energy density, are applied. The remaining energy of the capacitor bank after opening the opening switch, is transferred to the load. The required initial voltage of the capacitor bank is only a few hundred volts, whereas it may be above B kilovolt in other circuits.Another advantage of the method described here is that the load does not experience a pre-current, causing unwanted preheating of the load, before the resonant current is activated.At the moment, work is being performed at the Pulse Physics Laboratory to develop the resonant series counterpulse circuit for use with rail accelerators, which must be supplied with current pulses in the millisecond range up to the mega-ampere level.

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Explosive opening switch work at Westinghouse

Cited by 4 publications

References 5 publications

Review of Inductive Pulsed Power Generators for Railguns

Review of Inductive Pulsed Power Generators for Railguns

Non-arcing commutation in explosive opening switches

A resonant series counterpulse technique for high current opening switches

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