THE RESPONSE OF ELECTRO-EXPLOSIVE DEVICES TO TRANSIENT ELECTRICAL PULSES

A simple mathematical model describing the reaction of electro-explosive devices to electrical stimuli is presented. In comparing the solutions of the mathematical model with actual experimental data for the Mk 1 squib, good agreement has been obtained over a very wide range of input conditions for capacitor discharges, constant-current DC pulses, and 5-megacycle constant-current pulses. The model seems capable of describing the expected response of electroexplosive devices to widely differing wave forms. It makes available a means for accurately predicting response to electrical energy in the region where thermal losses are high. The model has been used to predict the response of the Mk 1 squib to radar and communication equipment. In a radar field the temperature excursions of the squib bridge will depend on the power level, the repetition rate, and the pulse width. For most radars, thermal equilibrium is established rapidly (usually within 20 pulses). (Author)