SBIR-STTR Award

Power Conditioning for Explosive Pulsed Power for Missiles and Munitions
Award last edited on: 7/8/2010

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Army
Total Award Amount
$834,433
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
A07-188
Principal Investigator
David J Hemmert

Company Information

HEM Technologies LLC

2306 FM 1585
Lubbock, TX 79423
   (806) 745-5401
   dhemmert@hemtechnologies.com
   www.hemtechnologies.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 19
County: Lubbock

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2008
Phase I Amount
$108,554
Explosively driven pulsed power has developed significantly over the past few years in the form of Magnetic Flux Compression Generators (MFCG), Ferroelectric Generators (FEG), and Ferromagnetic Generators (FMG). However, two critical areas still need to be addressed to make it possible to use these technologies in small munitions. First, the generator output needs to be matched to the load in order to deliver maximum amount of power. A second problem with explosively driven generators is that they tend to be sensitive to high strain loads. HEM Technologies, with the Texas Tech University Pulsed Power and Power Electronics Center, propose to address these critical issues with several solutions focused on FEG technology.

Keywords:
Flux Compression, Explosively Driven Pulsed Power, Ferroelectrics, Ferroelectric Generators

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2009
Phase II Amount
$725,879
Explosively driven pulsed power has developed significantly over the past few years in the form of Magnetic Flux Compression Generators (MFCG), Ferroelectric Generators (FEG), and Ferromagnetic Generators (FMG). However, two critical areas still need to be addressed to make it possible to use these technologies in small munitions. First, the generator output needs to be matched to the load in order to deliver maximum amount of power. A second problem is that they tend to be sensitive to high strain loads. This is especially true for FEGs. Therefore, survivability of the generators after the munition is fired, but prior to activation of the warhead is critical. HEM Technologies propose to address these critical issues with several solutions focused on FEG technology. Power conditioning of a FEG will be accomplished using a proven high voltage output pulsed power system to match the FEG output to high power microwave sources. Second, a compact attenuation system will be developed to protect the ferroelectric from the high shock loading associated with launching a projectile using conventional weaponry. The developed technology is expected to greatly increase the capability range of explosively driven pulsed power systems.

Keywords:
Explosive Pulsed Power,Directed Energy, Ferroelectric Generators, High Power Microwaves, Power Conditioning