A review of the state of the art in opening switches is presented. The general operating principles and present and potential future operating parameters for several switch categories are discussed. Among the switch categories described are: mechanical, solid state, vacuum arc, crossed field, fuse, explosive, plasma gun, superconducting, thermal, MHD instability, diffuse discharge, plasma erosion switches, and reflex triodes.

A review of opening switch technology for inductive energy storage

Helical magnetic cumulation generator (HMC-generator) with highly-efficient performance at directly connected load is being described. Results of experiments carried out on relatively small-sized generators are reported. Large energy conversion factors have been shown to be feasible. Comparison is made with calculations. The results of the research have been embodied into a HMC-generator construction characterized by the helix inner diameter of 320 mm and the full length of 1600 mm.

A Multiwire Helical Magnetic Cumulation Generator

Some major means to increase magnetic cumulation generator (MCG) energy and output energy, namely, strong magnetic field (about 1 MG) locali­zation on a moving conductor surface, explosive and magnetic laws correlation and multielement MCG battery formation are treated.

Magnetic Cumulation Generator Parameters and Means to Improve Them

In the way of increasing currents and energies of flux compression generators (FCG) by enlarging their dimensions one can face technical and technologic difficulties. They are caused by the growth of electric voltages in the magnetic flux compression volume as well as by the growth of magnetic field force effects on the design elements. Moreover, enlarging the FCG dimensions results in the increase of characteristic time of current rise in the load, that is extremely undesirable for many applications. Parallel and series connection of several FCG, that are simultaneously operating modules, is one of the ways to obtain high currents and energies. This paper describes the possibilities of parallel and series connection of helical FCG and coaxial FCG with axial HE-charge initiation and also presents the project of high-current power unit Sprut based on using the multielement disk generators-modules connected in parallel with the common load.

High-power energy sources based on the FCG parallel and series connection

The circuit diagram of a power-supply unit for simulating a positive lightning on a system of grounding current pulses is presented. The main criteria that governed the development of this facility are expounded. The design and order of operation of an experimental specimen of a power supply developed at the VNIIEF on the basis of a BMΓ-320 cascade magnetic-cumulation generator are considered. A calculation technique is described with which a device for the formation of current pulses of up to 90 kA in a standard grounding system has been developed.

A power supply for simulating lightning-current pulses

The magnetic cumulation generator (MCG) output energy pulse parameters can be varied in a wide range. It is an essential advantage of MCG as a means of powering in many new research areas. In some cases its energy is to be transmitted at considerable distance. A limited set of efficient MCG devices combined with pulse forming unit can meet the requirements of various energy users. Another way is to resort to multielement systems formation. Some ways of energy pulse formation and energy transfer are cited in the report. They all make use of the energy generation and consumption processes separation in time and the respective zones separation in space.

B. A. Boyko

Papers

Formation and Transmission of Magnetic Cumulation Generators Electromagnetic Energy Pulses