High-coulomb transfer switch

摘要

A high-coulomb transfer switch useful for high current pulse power supplies employs an inverse-pinch mechanism to sweep the arc current sheet over the electrodes. The inverse pinch currents are formed by a special electrode configuration wherein the inner electrode has the shape of a mushroom with the "cap" surrounding the "stem" so that the currents flowing in the electrode enclose the magnetic induction around the "stem". This results in repulsive forces on the outer currents in the "cap" causing the arc current sheet to rapidly move from the lip at the "cap" where the arc is initiated upward to the crown of the "cap" where occurs the final decay of the current. In the disclosed preferred embodiment, the inner, outer and return electrodes are generally cylindrical and placed coaxially. The switch can be operated under a vacuum or under a high pressure gas.