Claims
- 1. A multi-megavolt sub-nanosecond rise-time pulse generator, said generator comprising:
- (a) inductive energy storage means for storing inductive energy prior to initiation of a sub-nanosecond rise-time high voltage pulse wave-front;
- (b) electron beam means for generating a predetermined number of high energy electron beams along predetermined lines of trajectory for initially shorting said inductive energy storage means and storing inductive energy in said inductive energy storage means;
- (c) electron beam deflector means for deflecting said electron beams thereby opening said inductive energy storage means and causing said stored inductive energy to convert to electrostatic energy, thereby producing sub-nanosecond rise-time very high voltage pulse wave-fronts;
- (d) a pulse wave-front convergence chamber for receiving said high voltage pulse wavefronts produced upon deflection of said electron beams, whereby an area of convergence of said high voltage pulse wave-fronts is established momentarily within said convergence chamber.
- 2. The pulse generator of claim 1, wherein said inductive energy storage means comprises a hollow cylindrical member, a pair of oppositely disposed frustoconical end members affixed to the edges of said hollow cylindrical member, each of said frustoconical end members including a conical portion having a substantially flat disk-shaped end portion affixed thereto, said frustoconical end members aligned with each other, said hollow cylindrical member having a height such that if lines were projected from said conical portions of said frustoconical members, they would intersect at the apexes of said conical portions, said disk-shaped end portions are maintained in substantial parallel alignment with one another.
- 3. The pulse generator of claim 2, wherein said pulse convergence chamber is formed by the space between said parallel flat disk-shaped end members.
- 4. The pulse generator of claim 1, wherein said electron beam means comprises power supply means of predetermined power, and electron gun means connected in a circuit with said power supply means.
- 5. The pulse generator of claim 2, wherein said electron beam means further comprises high vacuum beam containment means for carrying said electron beams between said frustoconical end members.
- 6. The pulse generator of claim 5, wherein a first of said frustoconical end members has first aperture means therethrough for permitting entry of said electron beams into said inductive energy storage means.
- 7. The pulse generator of claim 6, wherein a second of said frustoconical end members has second aperture means therethrough for permitting exit of said electron beams from said inductive energy storage means.
- 8. The pulse generator of claim 7, further comprising beam dump and X-ray trap means for receiving said electron beams and for substantially preventing reentry of reflected electrons and X-rays into said inductive energy storage means through said second aperture means.
- 9. The pulse generator of claim 8, wherein said beam dump and X-ray trap means comprises a plurality of hollow tubular members extending at an angle from said line of trajectory of said electron beams to prevent reflection of said electrons and X-rays back through said second aperture means.
- 10. The pulse generator of claim 1, wherein said beam deflection means comprises electrostatic deflection plate means including a pair of deflection plates positioned at opposite sides of each of said electron beams, and deflection plate power supply means in a circuit with said deflection plate means, said reflection plate power supply means for supplying power to said deflection plates.
- 11. The pulse generator of claim 10, wherein said deflection plate power supply means comprises a power supply, switching means for simultaneously deflecting said beams, cable means connecting said switching means to said power supply, said cable means comprising a plurality of cables of equal transmission times, whereby upon the switching means being activated said electron beams are deflected simultaneously from entering the first aperture means.
- 12. The pulse generator of claim 7, wherein said first aperture means and said second aperture means are positioned opposite one another proximate the edges of said disk-shaped end portions of said frustoconical end members.
- 13. The pulse generator of claim 11, wherein said switching means comprises spark gap means for producing a spark to simultaneously power all of said electron beam deflection plates.
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST
The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention pursuant to a contract between the Westinghouse Electric Corporation and the Department of the Army.
US Referenced Citations (9)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Ian D. Smith et al., "Pulsed Power for EMP Simulators", IEEE Transactions on Antennas Propagation, vol. AP-26, No. 1, Jan. 1978. |