Multi-Pulse Single Shot Explosive Power Supplies

The objective of this effort is to explore methods for generating multiple high-power electrical pulses using a single-shot, explosive-driven power supply. The development of new types of warheads and munitions requires the development of new types of power supplies due both to volume constraints imposed by currently available platforms and the requirement for multiple electrical pulses to produce desired effects. These power supplies either convert the chemical energy stored in explosives into electrical energy or use shock waves generated by explosives to release energy stored in materials, such as ferroelectrics or ferromagnetic. In general, there are three reasons to use explosive power: 1) feasibility studies where only a limited number of shots are needed, 2) situations wherein large amounts of energy and/or power are needed, and 3) portability for remote testing. Since these generators use explosives, they are inherently single-shot devices, suggesting that they typically generate only a single electrical pulse. However, it has recently been demonstrated that explosive-driven ferroelectric and flux compression generators are capable of generating multiple electrical pulses. The ideal system would generate 8-10 electrical pulses with amplitudes of kilo amps and/or tens of kilovolts while minimizing the mass and size of the overall pulsed power system.The objective of this effort is to explore methods for generating multiple high-power electrical pulses using a single-shot, explosive-driven power supply. The development of new types of warheads and munitions requires the development of new types of power supplies due both to volume constraints imposed by currently available platforms and the requirement for multiple electrical pulses to produce desired effects. These power supplies either convert the chemical energy stored in explosives into electrical energy or use shock waves generated by explosives to release energy stored in materials, such as ferroelectrics or ferromagnetic. In general, there are three reasons to use explosive power: 1) feasibility studies where only a limited number of shots are needed, 2) situations wherein large amounts of energy and/or power are needed, and 3) portability for remote testing. Since these generators use explosives, they are inherently single-shot devices, suggesting that they typically generate only a single electrical pulse. However, it has recently been demonstrated that explosive-driven ferroelectric and flux compression generators are capable of generating multiple electrical pulses. The ideal system would generate 8-10 electrical pulses with amplitudes of kilo amps and/or tens of kilovolts while minimizing the mass and size of the overall pulsed power system.