A new 40 MA ranchero explosive pulsed power system

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/PPC.2009.5386299· OSTI ID:990322

Goforth, James ^[1]; Herrera, Dennis ^[1]; Oona, Hank ^[1]; Torres, David ^[1]; Atchison, W L ^[1]; Colgate, S A ^[1]; Griego, J R ^[1]; Guzik, J ^[1]; Holtkamp, D B ^[1]; Idzorek, G ^[1]; Kaul, A ^[1]; Kirkpatrick, R C ^[1]; Menikoff, R ^[1]; Reardon, P T ^[1]; Reinovsky, R E ^[1]; Rousculp, C L ^[1]; Sgro, A G ^[1]; Tabaka, L J ^[1]; Tierney, T E ^[1]; Watt, R G ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory

We are developing a new high explosive pulsed power (HEPP) system based on the 1.4 m long Ranchero generator which was developed in 1999 for driving solid density z-pinch loads. The new application requires approximately 40 MA to implode similar liners, but the liners cannot tolerate the 65 {micro}s, 3 MA current pulse associated with delivering the initial magnetic flux to the 200 nH generator. To circumvent this problem, we have designed a system with an internal start switch and four explosively formed fuse (EFF) opening switches. The integral start switch is installed between the output glide plane and the armature. It functions in the same manner as a standard input crowbar switch when armature motion begins, but initially isolates the load. The circuit is completed during the flux loading phase using post hole convolutes. Each convolute attaches the inner (coaxial) output transmission line to the outside of the outer coax through a penetration of the outer coaxial line. The attachment is made with the conductor of an EFF at each location. The EFFs conduct 0.75 MA each, and are actuated just after the internal start switch connects to the load. EFFs operating at these parameters have been tested in the past. The post hole convolutes must withstand as much as 80 kV at peak dl/dt during the Ranchero load current pulse. We describe the design of this new HEPP system in detail, and give the experimental results available at conference time. In addition, we discuss the work we are doing to test the upper current limits of a single standard size Ranchero module. Calculations have suggested that the generator could function at up to {approx}120 MA, the rule of thumb we follow (1 MA/cm) suggests 90 MA, and simple flux compression calculations, along with the {approx}4 MA seed current available from our capacitor bank, suggests 118 MA is the currently available upper limit.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 990322
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-09-04121; LA-UR-09-4121
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ARMATURES
CAPACITORS
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
COMPRESSION
DESIGN
EXPLOSIVES
LINERS
MAGNETIC FLUX
OPENINGS
POWER SYSTEMS
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
SEEDS
SWITCHES