Abstract:
Nutation in a spin stabilized device is damped through the energy absorbing medium of eddy current dissipation as a permanent magnet moves with respect to a non-magnetic conductive plate. Because the nutational frequencies of the device can be determined, the damping effected by movement of the permanent magnet may be made more effective by tuning the damper to the nutational frequencies by use of a spring mechanism acting on the magnet. Nutations of the device will be damped so long as the effective damper mass of the magnet is located away from the center of gravity or center of mass of the total vehicle.
Abstract:
In the nonconducting state, breakdown between concentric electrodes is determined by the Paschen law. If the inner electrode which defines the interelectrode space is perforated, ionization can occur therein, thus reducing holdoff voltage at a given pressure. Path length-limiting shielding adjacent to the electrode perforations prevents ionization within the electrode to maintain holdoff voltage, corresponding to the original electrode spacing.
Abstract:
Ignition method and apparatus for crossed-field switching device for onswitching the device when a high voltage is applied thereacross, comprising applying a plasma puff between the electrodes to initiate arc discharge therebetween, followed by resonantly reducing the current to zero to extinguish the arc and permit initiation of glow mode discharge after the current zero.