Strategy for increasing flyer launching capacity of electro-explosively actuator by coupling electric explosion and plasma discharge

Abstract

In this study, a novel high-speed flyer launching strategy based on the principle of the electric explosion of metal bridge foil and plasma discharge coupling was proposed to further improve the capability of conventional electro-explosively actuators. A mini electro-explosively actuator with built-in electrodes in its barrel was drawn up and fabricated using microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and printed circuit board (PCB) technologies to verify the coupling concept. Extra energy was transferred to the plasma produced by the metal foil electric explosion through the metal electrodes embedded in the side wall of the barrel, realizing the energy coupling between electric explosion and plasma discharge and then acquiring higher flyer velocity. Photonic Doppler velocimetry (PDV) was utilized to characterize and compare the flyer velocities of this mini electro-explosively actuator under uncoupled and coupled conditions. Finally, electrical characterization and plasma spectrum tests were performed to further understand the details of plasma discharge. The results confirmed that the proposed idea was conducive to the development of the electro-explosively actuator.