Abstract:
A magnetoplasmadynamic switch adapted to be coupled in parallel with an ictive energy storage circuit carrying current through an initially closed circuit interrupter. The switch includes an electrode spaced by a gap from an arcjet source which is triggered by a capacitor. The capacitor is connected to the arcjet source by a closing switch so that a plasma jet is created between the source and the electrode. The voltage on the capacitor is chosen such that the arcjet source current will equal the current in the energy storage circuit at the time when the circuit interrupter has completely opened. The circuit interrupter is opened after the plasma jet is established between the source and the electrode, and the energy storage circuit current is conducted by the magnetoplasmadynamic switch until the dielectric strength of the circuit interrupter reaches a satisfactory level. Another switch is then closed providing a low impedance conduction path parallel to the arcjet source current. The arc current decays with a time constant equal to the arcjet source inductance divided by its resistance (typically several microseconds). The decay of arc current disrupts the magnetoplasmadynamic force balance, cutting off the plasma jet. Plasma already in the gap, however, continues to leave at high speed reducing the density of conducting material below that needed for high conductivity, thereby opening the switch on the timescale of gap distance divided by plasma jet speed. The current from the inductive energy storage circuit is then diverted into a parallel circuit including an inductive load.
Abstract:
This invention provides a compact high voltage electric switch having a fast switching time. The switch comprises two spaced-apart main electrodes defining a breakdown gap, in which an insulating gas is present, and a trigger means in close proximity to the gap to provide electrically generated electro-magnetic radiation of high intensity which causes large-scale volume photo-ionization of the gas and thus breakdown of the gap. The trigger means may conveniently be one or more trigger electrodes, with a trigger discharge occurring between the trigger electrode and one of the main electrodes or between two trigger electrodes. In a preferred embodiment, the main electrodes are flat and the trigger means is a surface gap spark plug centrally mounted in one of the main electrodes, with the trigger discharge occurring between the spark plug and the main electrode in which it is mounted.
Abstract:
A system utilizing ionization produced by beams from laser and laser-like devices to pre-determine the course of stepped leader and lightning channel development, thereby affording protection of life and property. The applications of such a capacity to harmlessly discharge thunderclouds include forest fire prevention, protection of aircraft, protection of missiles and spacecraft (particularly at time of launch), protection of electric power transmission and distribution networks, protection of communication networks, and (to the extent that Vonnegut's electrical theory of tornadoes may be valid) reduction of the destructive force of tornadoes.