A versatile energy diverter (crowbar)

An energy-diverter device (crowbar) has been developed that is capable of effectively providing protection in the event of a fault or arc occurring in a high-power microwave tube or system. This protection is accomplished by diverting the energy or "crowbarring" through an alternate path capable of dissipating the stored energy in the capacitor bank and the short-circuit energy delivered by the power supply. The device is a fixed multiple-gap system that is sequentially fired by a signal applied at approximately the mid-point of the gap system. It has an infinite range; that is, it will operate from zero voltage to the maximum required voltage. It requires lower trigger energy (in the order of one joule); is capable of fast firing (in the order of 0.5 microsecond including delays in firing circuit); and can be repetitively fired. Other features incorporated into the device are 100% overvoltage setting of the gaps; self-triggering if a fault occurs at high operating voltages; and a low inductance configuration. The device is also sufficiently flexible in design to be adapted to any application. The design features, operating characteristics of the device, and results obtained in actual use will be presented.