Magnetoplasmadynamic Switch

摘要

This document discloses a magnetoplasmadynamic switch adapted to be coupled in parallel with an inductive energy storage circuit carrying current through an initially closed circuit interrupter. The switch includes an electrode spaced by a gap from an arcjet source which is triggered by a capacitor. The circuit interrupter is opened after the plasma jet is established between the source and the electrode, and the energy storage circuit current is conducted by the magnetoplasmadynamic switch until the dielectric strength of the circuit interrupter reaches a satisfactory level. Another switch is then closed providing a low impedance conduction path parallel to the arcjet source current. The decay of arc current disrupts the magnetoplsmadynamic force balance, cutting off the plasma jet. Plasma already in the gap, however, continues to leave at high speed reducing the density of conducting material below that needed for high conductivity, thereby opening the switch on the timescale of gap distance divided by plasma jet speed. The current from the inductive energy storage circuit is then diverted into a parallel circuit including an inductive load.