A High Pressure Flowing Oil Switch for Gigawatt, Repetitive Applications

A repetitive oil switch for directed energy applications has been developed in a joint effort between teams at the University of Missouri - Columbia, Alpha Omega Power Technologies and the Boeing Company. The switch is operated at test pressures to 17.24 MPa (2500 psi), flow rates to 0.72 L-s^-1 (11.4 gpm), charge voltages to -300 kV and discharge energies to 275 J per pulse at 20 pps. An examination of the electrodes after 250,000 shots with the original design led to the design of an insert device which resulted in higher performance fluid flow within the switch. The flow shaper-enhanced switch was tested for 150,000 shots, the results of which are presented in the following paper. Electrode lifetime has been evaluated for stainless steel under the original and enhanced fluid flow conditions and is reported.