Long-Life High-Repetition-Rate Triggered Spark Gap

A forced-air-blown triggered spark gap (TSG) switch system capable of high-repetition rates on a continuous basis as well as a TSG comparative study is described. The system consists of two TSG´s, each discharging its own 30-¿ pulse cable into a common load. The system was operated at 30 kV, 1 kHz, for 39 × 106 shots with erosion rates of approximately 60 mg/Ah. Each TSG discharged 0.423 J in 60 ns (full width at half maximum) (FWHM) per pulse. The switching losses were about 28 percent of the stored cable energy. Calculations indicate this can reduce to 14 percent by optimizing the TSG design and surrounding air channel insulation for a more uniform E-field. Test results indicate a multielement assembly capable of switching 50 kA or more, 40- to 100-ns pulses at 1 kHz from 50 kV for 500 × 106 shots without gap adjustnent is feasible with this concept.