Browsing by Subject "switches"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

Applications of an Auxiliary Resonant Commutated Pole Converter
(IEEE, 2007-02) Williams, A.S.; Gattozzi, A.L; Thelen, R.F.
The Auxiliary Resonant Commutated Pole Converter (ARCP) utilizes an auxiliary resonance circuit to enable zero voltage turn on in the main circuit and maintain zero current turn off in the auxiliary circuit. The ARCP converter can therefore be designed with snubbers that are undersized for the power rating of the switches. Another advantage of the ARCP converter is that it can be driven by a PWM control source. This paper discusses some concepts that need consideration in order to operate an ARCP converter with undersized snubber circuits and standard PWM sources. It also discusses the need to coordinate the voltage supply and the load current for successful commutation. Test data is presented related to these issues.
Commissioning of the Explosively Operated Switches Used at CEM-UT
(IEEE, 1991-06) Wehrlen, D.J.; Hahne, J.H; Zowarka, R.C.
The Center for Electromechanics at The University of Texas at Austin (CEM-UT) has accumulated a wealth of experience with regards to the unique conditions present during high current, pulse-power experiments. The successful completion of any experiment requires all data relevant to the test be accurately recorded and frequently requires event timing with microsecond resolution and jitter. Both tasks must be accomplished despite the presence of extreme pulsed noise sources. This paper will present the details of the control problems encountered during high current testing and the associated troubleshooting sequence which has eventually led to a working solution in all cases.
Heavy-Duty Explosively Operated Pulsed Opening and Closing Switches: Reducing Cost and Turnaround Time
(IEEE, 1991-01) Peterson, D. R.; Price, J. H.; Upshaw, J. L.; Weldon, W. F.; Zowarka Jr, R. C.; Gully, J. H.; Spann, M. L.
Improvements to heavy-duty, explosively operated opening and closing switches to reduce component cost, installation cost, and turnaround time without sacrificing reliability are discussed. Heavy-duty opening and closing switches operated by small explosive charges (50 g or less) are essential to operation of the 60 MJ Balcones power supply. The six independent modules can be discharged sequentially. Each delayed inductor must be isolated from the railgun circuit with a heavy-duty closing switch capable of carrying megampere currents of millisecond duration. Similar closing switches are used to crowbar the railgun as the projectile approaches the muzzle. The switches-both opening and closing-are characterized by microhm resistance in the closed state. The opening switches must be structurally and thermally capable of carrying megampere currents for more than 100 ms (~105 C) and develop 10 kV on opening, stay open for 10-2 s, and safely and reliably dissipate megajoules of inductive energy in the event of a fault, a failure of the switch to operate, or an attempt to commutate into an open circuit. An example of the severe switching requirements is presented
A Rapid Fire, Compulsator-Driven Railgun System
(IEEE, 1986-11) Spann, M.L.; Pratap, S.B.; Brinkman, W.G.; Perkins, D.E.; Thelen, R.F.
It is becoming clear that compensated pulsed alternators (compulsators) are the preferred power supply for rapid-fire railgun systems. High efficiencies, inherently high repetition rates, and the elimination of high current opening switches are the primary advantages of compulsator-driven systems. The benefits and capabilities of these systems will be demonstrated in a project which is currently in the final stages of fabrication. The goals of this project are to accelerate a burst of ten, 80-g projectiles to 2 km/s at a 60 Hz rate of fire. Details of the compulsator design, the design, fabrication, and testing of system components, and proposed operation are presented.