Explosive-driven, high speed, arcless switch

Patent · Fri May 02 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:6626329

Skogmo, P J; Tucker, T J

An explosive-actuated, fast-acting arcless switch contains a highly conductive foil to carry high currents positioned adjacent a dielectric surface within a casing. At one side of the foil opposite the dielectric surface is an explosive which, when detonated, drives the conductive foil against the dielectric surface. A pattern of grooves in the dielectric surface ruptures the foil to establish a rupture path having a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the grooves. The impedance of the ruptured foil is greater than that of the original foil to divert high current to a load. Planar and cylindrical embodiments of the switch are disclosed.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): None
• Application Number: ON: DE87007241
• OSTI ID: 6626329
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420800* -- Engineering-- Electronic Circuits & Devices-- (-1989)
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
CURRENTS
DESIGN
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC IMPEDANCE
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT PROTECTION DEVICES
EXPLOSIVES
FOILS
IMPEDANCE
MATERIALS
SWITCHES