Title :
Optimizing wire parameters in exploding wire arrays
Author :
Davis, C. ; Neuber, A. ; Stephens, J. ; Young, A. ; Dickens, J. ; Kristiansen, M.
Author_Institution :
Center for Pulsed Power & Power Electron., Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, TX, USA
Abstract :
Exploding wire arrays as fast switches are of interest for explosive pulsed power applications utilizing magnetic flux compression. This type of opening switch has proven effective in producing pulses of several hundred kilovolts into vacuum diode loads. The research presented here discusses an exploding wire array capable of producing single digit kilo-joules, 100 nanosecond pulses when driven by a 45 kilo-Amp current with a waveform closely resembling typical magnetic flux compression output. For this specific parameter range, the optimal fuse design was developed based on the experimental behavior of the fuse under variation of parameters such as wire spacing, shielding, and quenching medium. Each fuse is composed of several silver wires arranged in a straight wire cylindrical array and is typically pressurized in a chamber filled with about 0.6 MPa of SF6. The tradeoff between wire spacing and voltage output was addressed by designing four different fuse termination pairs each with a diameter that increased wire spacing from 5 to 20 mm in 5 mm increments. A wire shield test was also conducted as an extension to the wire spacing experiment to uncover any mutual radiative effects between wires on fuse opening behavior. The optimum fuse design, including the optimum fuse wire diameter, will be discussed with a 20 Ohm resistive load as well as a vacuum diode load with similar impedance.
Keywords :
SF6 insulation; cable testing; diodes; electric fuses; exploding wires; explosives; magnetic flux; pulsed power switches; wires (electric); SF6 insulation; current 45 kA; distance 5 mm to 20 mm; exploding wire cylindrical array; explosive pulsed power application; magnetic flux compression; mutual radiative effect; optimal fuse design; optimum fuse wire diameter; quenching medium; resistance 20 ohm; shielding medium; time 100 ns; vacuum diode load; wire parameter optimization; wire shield test; wire spacing; Electrodes; Explosives; Fuses; Media; Sulfur hexafluoride; Testing; Wires;
Conference_Titel :
Power Modulator and High Voltage Conference (IPMHVC), 2010 IEEE International
Conference_Location :
Atlanta, GA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-7131-7
DOI :
10.1109/IPMHVC.2010.5958416