Tunable electrical transient generator for electromagnetic pulser

Abstract

A dielectric insulated mechanical switch is coupled to a capacitive energy storage arrangement and a pulse forming network. The dielectric insulated mechanical switch is immersed in a dielectric substance. A controller is coupled to the dielectric insulated mechanical switch. The controller is programmed to selectively open and close the dielectric insulated mechanical switch so as to supply energy stored in the capacitive energy storage device to the pulse forming network and thereby form a high voltage energy pulse.

1 . A system for generating a high voltage energy pulse comprising:
 a dielectric insulated mechanical switch coupled to a capacitive energy storage arrangement and to a pulse forming network, the dielectric insulated mechanical switch being immersed in a dielectric substance; and   a controller coupled to the dielectric insulated mechanical switch, the controller being programmed to selectively open and close the dielectric insulated mechanical switch so as to supply energy stored in the capacitive energy storage device to the pulse forming network.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the dielectric insulated mechanical switch comprises a pair of electrodes driven by a mechanical spring. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the dielectric insulated mechanical switch comprises a pair of electrodes driven by a solenoid. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the dielectric substance comprises a dielectric gas. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the dielectric gas is a gas selected from a group with a high dielectric breakdown voltage such as comprising a sulfur hexafluoride gas, a nitrogen-based gas, and a noble gas. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the dielectric gas is selected from a group comprising a pressurized gas and a non-pressurized gas. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the dielectric substance comprises a dielectric liquid exhibiting a high voltage insulating quality. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the dielectric liquid is selected from a group comprising petrochemical based oils, organically based oils, and de-ionized water. 
   
   
       9 . A method of creating a high voltage energy pulse comprising:
 selectively switching capacitive energy stored in capacitive storage arrangement to a pulse forming network using a dielectrically insulated switch, the dielectric insulated mechanical switch being immersed in a dielectric substance; and   forming an high voltage energy pulse from the switched capacitive energy.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the dielectrically insulated mechanical switch is immersed and insulated by a dielectric gas. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the dielectric gas is a gas selected from a group comprising a sulfur hexafluoride gas, a nitrogen-based gas, and a noble gas. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the dielectric gas is selected from a group comprising a pressurized gas and a non-pressurized gas. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the dielectrically insulated mechanical switch is immersed and insulated by a dielectric liquid. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the dielectric liquid is selected from a group comprising petrochemical based oils, organically based oils, and de-ionized water. 
   
   
       15 . A method of switching energy comprising:
 immersing a dielectric insulated mechanical switch in a dielectric substance;   selectively switching capacitive energy stored in capacitive storage arrangement to a pulse forming network using the dielectrically insulated switch.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the dielectrically insulated mechanical switch is immersed and insulated by a dielectric gas. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the dielectric gas is a gas selected from a group comprising a sulfur hexafluoride gas, a nitrogen-based gas, and a noble gas. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the dielectric gas is selected from a group comprising a pressurized gas and a non-pressurized gas. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the dielectrically insulated mechanical switch is immersed and insulated by a dielectric liquid. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the dielectric liquid is selected from a group comprising petrochemical based oils, organically based oils, and de-ionized water.