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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Energy absorption circuit using a triggered spark gap

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6902908

An energy absorption circuit for fault protection of a load pulsed by an LC-type pulse forming network (PFN) is connected at one end of the PFN opposite from the load. The circuit is comprised of a triggerable spark gap (TSG) switch and a discharge resistor connected in series across the one end of the PFN. A capacitive voltage dividing circuit and a voltage dropping resistor in series are also connected across the one end of the PFN. An intermediate voltage junction of the capacitive voltage dividing circuit is connected to the trigger electrode of the TSG switch to trigger the switch on when a reverse voltage wavefront reflected from a faulty load appears across the dropping resistor to add to the voltage of the capacitive voltage divider, thereby to arc one gap in the switch, whereupon arcing in the other gap ensues.

Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
Patent Number(s):
None
OSTI ID:
6902908
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English