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Disclosed, in a preferred embodiment, is a switching circuit incorporating a Field Effect Transistor (FET), two series dual-tap gas tube surge arrestors, and high-voltage resistors as part of a high voltage switch of a fireset for initiating an exploding foil initiator (EFI). Until energizing the FE

Disclosed, in a preferred embodiment, is a switching circuit incorporating a Field Effect Transistor (FET), two series dual-tap gas tube surge arrestors, and high-voltage resistors as part of a high voltage switch of a fireset for initiating an exploding foil initiator (EFI). Until energizing the FET via a firing command, an operating voltage of 1000 V is held off by a combination of the surge arrestors and high-voltage resistors. Upon receipt of a firing signal, a 28 V source is used to energize the FET that, in turn, decreases the voltage across the one surge arrestor connected directly to ground and increases the voltage across the other surge arrestor. Upon reaching the breakdown voltage of the ionizable gas within the second surge arrestor, the gas ionizes, becomes electrically conductive, and dumps the second surge arrestor's voltage across the first surge arrestor. This causes the first surge arrestor to also break down. Both surge arrestors are now conducting. Thus, the 1000 V source is free to energize the remainder of the circuit, discharging a 0.20 .mu.f capacitor through the EFI. The breakdown of both arrestors occurs in nanoseconds, enabling an almost instantaneous initiation signal.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A high-voltage switch, comprising:a high-voltage transistor; a capacitor; a resistor connected in parallel to said capacitor, said resistor and said capacitor forming an RC circuit, an upper gas tube and a lower gas tube, said upper and lower gas tubes operably connected in series to said high-vo

1. A high-voltage switch, comprising:a high-voltage transistor; a capacitor; a resistor connected in parallel to said capacitor, said resistor and said capacitor forming an RC circuit, an upper gas tube and a lower gas tube, said upper and lower gas tubes operably connected in series to said high-voltage transistor and said RC circuit, said upper and lower gas tubes containing an ionizable gas; a first current limiter, said first current limiter operably connected in parallel with said upper gas tube, a second current limiter, said second current limiter operably connected in parallel with said lower gas tube; and wherein a voltage from said high-voltage transistor causes a serial breakdown of said ionizable gas in said upper and lower gas tubes, said serial breakdown enabling said capacitor to discharge.