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Title: Current-level triggered plasma-opening switch

Abstract

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 electric 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.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Albuquerque, NM
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
AT&T
OSTI Identifier:
866879
Patent Number(s):
US 4812715
Assignee:
United States Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-76DP00789
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
current-level; triggered; plasma-opening; switch; power; electrical; pulses; slow; magnetic; field; confine; plasma; gap; electrodes; conducts; electric; pulse; closed; generated; repels; negative; electrode; push; plurality; radial; vanes; enhance; negative electrode; magnetic field; electrical pulses; field generated; electrical pulse; triggered plasma; power electrical; /315/313/

Citation Formats

Mendel, Clifford W. Current-level triggered plasma-opening switch. United States: N. p., 1989. Web.
Mendel, Clifford W. Current-level triggered plasma-opening switch. United States.
Mendel, Clifford W. 1989. "Current-level triggered plasma-opening switch". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/866879.
@article{osti_866879,
title = {Current-level triggered plasma-opening switch},
author = {Mendel, Clifford W},
abstractNote = {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 electric 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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/866879}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989}
}