Current-level triggered plasma-opening switch

Patent · Tue Mar 14 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5866052

Mendel, C W

An opening switch for very high power electrical pulses uses a slow magnetic field to confine a plasma across a gap between two electrodes. The plasma conducts the electrical pulse across the gap while the switch is closed. A magnetic field generated by the pulse repels the slow magnetic field from the negative electrode to push the plasma from the electrode, opening the switch. A plurality of radial vanes may be used to enhance the slow magnetic field.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4812715
• OSTI ID: 5866052
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 29 Jun 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA SWITCHES
ELECTRODES
POWER SUPPLIES
CONFINEMENT
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
SWITCHES
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