Three channel pulse power system for underwater acoustic source

Abstract

A three channel pulsed power system has been developed at the US Navy Coastal Systems Station in Panama City, Florida to provide power for underwater acoustic sources. In the present configuration, the system is capable of providing continuous operation at repetition rates up to 15 Hz and with energies up to 1.5 kJ per pulse per channel into a broad range of loads including spark-type underwater acoustic sources. The system includes three independent banks each of which contain two switcher-type power supplies, each capable of an energy output of 8 kJ/s at 3.2 kV. A highly flexible control system allows the construction of pulse trains with arbitrary trigger timings for each bank. High power silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) are used to form the pulse trains. The system is currently located on the deck of a remote controlled QST-35A US Navy target drone boat and provides power for three underwater spark gap acoustic sources (sparkers). The system was recently demonstrated at an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) military exercise in Newfoundland, Canada.