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Title: Apparatus and method for tuned unsteady flow purging of high pulse rate spark gaps

Abstract

A spark gap switch apparatus is disclosed which is capable of operating at a high pulse rate which comprises an insulated housing; a pair of spaced apart electrodes each having one end thereof within a first bore formed in the housing and defining a spark gap therebetween; a pressure wave reflector in the first bore in the housing and spaced from the spark gap and capable of admitting purge flow; and a second enlarged bore contiguous with the first bore and spaced from the opposite side of the spark gap; whereby pressure waves generated during discharge of a spark across the spark gap will reflect off the wave reflector and back from the enlarged bore to the spark gap to clear from the spark gap hot gases residues generated during the discharge and simultaneously restore the gas density and pressure in the spark gap to its initial value.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. (Kent, WA)
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
SPECTRA TECHNOLOGY INC
OSTI Identifier:
867607
Patent Number(s):
4970433
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01J - ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01T - SPARK GAPS
DOE Contract Number:  
AC03-85SF15930
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
apparatus; method; tuned; unsteady; flow; purging; pulse; rate; spark; gaps; gap; switch; disclosed; capable; operating; comprises; insulated; housing; pair; spaced; apart; electrodes; bore; formed; defining; therebetween; pressure; wave; reflector; admitting; purge; enlarged; contiguous; opposite; whereby; waves; generated; discharge; reflect; hot; gases; residues; simultaneously; restore; gas; density; initial; value; waves generated; gas density; pressure waves; spaced apart; spark gap; hot gas; gap switch; pulse rate; hot gases; pressure wave; spark gaps; steady flow; gap therebetween; insulated housing; switch apparatus; apart electrodes; bore formed; /315/313/

Citation Formats

Thayer, III, William J. Apparatus and method for tuned unsteady flow purging of high pulse rate spark gaps. United States: N. p., 1990. Web.
Thayer, III, William J. Apparatus and method for tuned unsteady flow purging of high pulse rate spark gaps. United States.
Thayer, III, William J. Mon . "Apparatus and method for tuned unsteady flow purging of high pulse rate spark gaps". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/867607.
@article{osti_867607,
title = {Apparatus and method for tuned unsteady flow purging of high pulse rate spark gaps},
author = {Thayer, III, William J.},
abstractNote = {A spark gap switch apparatus is disclosed which is capable of operating at a high pulse rate which comprises an insulated housing; a pair of spaced apart electrodes each having one end thereof within a first bore formed in the housing and defining a spark gap therebetween; a pressure wave reflector in the first bore in the housing and spaced from the spark gap and capable of admitting purge flow; and a second enlarged bore contiguous with the first bore and spaced from the opposite side of the spark gap; whereby pressure waves generated during discharge of a spark across the spark gap will reflect off the wave reflector and back from the enlarged bore to the spark gap to clear from the spark gap hot gases residues generated during the discharge and simultaneously restore the gas density and pressure in the spark gap to its initial value.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1990},
month = {1}
}