Experiments with explosive flux compression Generators Confirming the CAGEN-CALE threshold predictions for internal electric breakdown

Abstract

A total of seven shots were fired at the HyperSpectral Sciences, Inc. firing site in Cinebar, WA, in support of the program to elucidate the internal electric breakdown phenomena. Three experiments were full-up HFCG shots. All of the HFCG shots broke down, while the last one exhibited the clearest example of "classical" breakdown. The correlation of the computer model threshold calculation with the last shot is quite good. The use of framing and streak cameras as a diagnostic has proved viable; the contact point as well as the breakdown are very visible. It was found that the electrical arcs that result from the breakdowns do not move. They are overrun by the contact point. The compressed gas in the interior of the HFCG must be taken into account. While it seems quite evident that the breaks are from the stator to the armature, our evidence cannot prove the point. Details of the firing arrangements, the data recovery methods, and the results with comparisons to theory [1], [2], and [3] are presented.

Predicting the threshold for onset of internal electric breakdown in helical flux compression generators using CAGEN and CALE

“…The experiments [5] began with the fabrication of the HFCGs and the associated apparatus. Because the goal of the project was to compare the computational model against HFCG performance, the generators were to be built with high precision in all physical dimensions.…”