US007071631B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7,071,631 B2

(75) Inventor: James Millington Howard, II, Mt. Wilson, “The E-Bomb.” Popular Mechancis, WWW.
Airy, MD (US) popularmechanics.com, pp. 50-53 (Sep. 2001).
Kopp, “A Doctrine for the Use of ElectroMagnetic Pulse
(73) Assignee: Bio-Reg Associates, Inc., Beltsville, Bombs (Revised Draft of RAAF APSC Working Paper #15,
MD (US) Jul. 1993.” EMP Doctrine, pp. 1-15, (Jul. 1993).
Fernstermacher, et al. “An Atmospheric Limit On Nuclear
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this Powered Microwave Weapons.” Science & Global Security,
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 2:301-324 (1991).
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. Kunabenchi, et al., “Simple Nitrogen Laser. Am. J. Phys.,
50:6. pp. 568-569 (Jun. 1982).
(21) Appl. No.: 10/444,293 Kruszelnicki, “EMP-The Gentle Killer 3, Karl S.
Kruszelnicki Pty Ltd., pp. 1-3 (2001).
(22) Filed: May 23, 2003 International Search Report, 2 pages, mailing date Mar. 2,
2005.
(65) Prior Publication Data Written Opinion of International Searching Authority, 6
US 2004/O232847 A1 Nov. 25, 2004 pages, mailing date Mar. 2, 2005.
* cited by examiner
(51) Int. C.
H05B 3700 (2006.01) Primary Examiner Thuy Vinh Tran
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Schnader Harrison Segal &
(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 315/236; 315/348; 307/108 Lewis, LLP; Joan T. Kluger
(58) Field of Classification Search ........... 315/111.01, (57) ABSTRACT
315/111.81, 236, 244, 344, 348, 349, 111.21,
315/111.41, 111.51: 307/106, 108; 102/202.8,
102/202.14, 200 An electromagnetic pulse device having a conductive coil,
See application file for complete search history. and optionally a conductive core disposed within the coil
and spaced apart there from. One or more plasma discharge
(56) References Cited devices are disposed at least partially along a length of the
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS conductive coil and are spaced apart from the conductive
coil. A spark gap or similar device is attached to the plasma
4,442,383 A * 4, 1984 Hill ............................ 315,349 discharge devices to activate them to produce a traveling
4,660,014 A * 4, 1987 Wenaas et al. ...... ... 336, 84 C electric discharge. The discharge creates a traveling short
5,052,301 A * 10, 1991 Walker .................... 102,202.7 circuit in the conductive coil thereby compressing the mag
5,608,380 A * 3/1997 Hogen Esch ............ 340,5723 netic field. The result is the production of an electromagnetic
6,005,305 A * 12/1999 Turchi ........................ 307/106
6,477,932 B1* 11/2002 Jung ........................... 89.1.11 pulse. Further disclosed is a method for producing an
electromagnetic pulse.
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
DE 1, 1988 29 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent Jul. 4, 2006 Sheet 1 of 3 US 7,071,631 B2
U.S. Patent Jul. 4, 2006 Sheet 2 of 3 US 7,071,631 B2
U.S. Patent Jul. 4, 2006 Sheet 3 of 3 US 7,071,631 B2
 US 7,071,631 B2
1. 2
ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE DEVICE DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention is best understood from the following
detailed description when read with the accompanying
The invention relates to electromagnetic pulse devices. drawings.
FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of an electro
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
magnetic pulse device.
FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of the plasma
discharge device.
An intense electromagnetic pulse (EMP) of short duration 10 FIG. 3 depicts circuitry for an electromagnetic pulse
produces a strong electromagnetic field Surrounding the device according to an illustrative embodiment of the inven
pulse source. A particularly strong electromagnetic field can tion.
produce transient Voltages on unprotected or poorly pro
tected electrical conductors. Such an occurrence is likely to DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
permanently damage electrical devices or cause them to 15 INVENTION
malfunction either temporarily or permanently. Any device
containing metal oxide semiconductors, such as computers Embodiments of the invention provide an EMP device
and telecommunications equipment, is particularly Suscep having an electro-discharge shorting mechanism. In its
tible to damage from an electromagnetic pulse. Accordingly, broadest sense, the invention covers EMP devices having a
a device generating an EMP pulse can be used to intention non-explosive material shorting mechanism. This type of
ally disable electronic equipment. This can have military shorting mechanism may enable generation of higher fre
applications, but may also have other applications, particu quency electromagnetic pulses than is currently possible
with traditional, explosive-containing shorting mechanisms.
larly when implemented on a small, controlled scale. FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of an EMP
An EMP device can be fabricated by filling a metal 25 device 100. When energized, conductive coil 102 produces
cylinder with an explosive material. A conductive coil is a magnetic field. FIG. 1 depicts an optional conductive core
formed around, but slightly apart from, the cylinder. A 104 disposed within conductive coil 102. Conductive core
current is applied to the coil to create a magnetic field. The 104 is preferably metallic, and may be iron for example. In
explosive material is then ignited at one end and explodes, a further embodiment of the invention an external conductor
thereby expanding the cylinder. The explosion continues to 30 may be included. Whether external or as a core, the con
expand the cylinder as it moves along the cylinder length. As ductor can provide a ground return path for a spark gap,
the cylinder expands, it contacts the coil creating a traveling details which will be described below. One or more plasma
short circuit. The magnetic field is compressed by the short discharge devices 106 are disposed at least partially along a
circuit, and energy from the explosive is transferred to the length of conductive coil 102 and spaced apart from it.
magnetic field, causing an increasing current pulse. This 35 Preferably, the plasma discharge devices 106 are spaced
design can create electromagnetic radiation of Sufficient apart from conductive coil 102 approximately 5 mils (12.5.x
strength to damage electrical devices. 10 m). In an exemplary embodiment, the spacing is in a
EMP devices, such as described above, will create radia
range of about 5.0x10 m to about 5.0x10 m. The plasma
discharge devices 106 create a traveling short circuit of the
tion having frequencies on the order of one MHz or less. 40 coil which compresses the magnetic field, and thus creates
Radiation at these frequencies is typically emitted in all an electro-magnetic pulse.
directions and cannot be focused on a specific target. In A spark gap 110 is positioned Such that when activated by
addition, the explosion required to initiate the electromag a current, the plasma discharge devices 106 create the
netic pulse can cause significant damage. These effects make electric discharge that triggers the electromagnetic pulse
the damage caused by the device difficult to control. Addi 45 production, as will be explained further below. Devices or
tionally, the EMP pulse may damage the device itself before configurations of components other than spark gaps, or
it is fully detonated. Therefore, a need exists for an EMP equivalents thereto, may be used to activate the plasma
device capable of producing radiation that does not require discharge devices 106 and are within the spirit and scope of
explosive material, that is not susceptible to premature the invention.
destruction and that can produce radiation which can be 50 Preferably all plasma discharge devices 106 are activated
directionally controlled. by the same spark gap. One Such configuration is shown in
FIG.1. Spark gap 110 is formed by a grounded end 104. The
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION other side of single spark gap 110 is connected to all plasma
discharge devices 106 by conductive connectors, such as
55 108 and 114. Such conductive connectors as 108 and 114
An EMP device is disclosed. The device includes a may be for example, metal rods. Conductive connectors
conductive coil, and optionally a conductive core disposed such as 108 connect the grounded end of spark gap 110 to
within the coil and spaced apart therefrom. One or more each of the plasma discharge devices 106. Conductive
plasma discharge devices are disposed at least partially connectors such as 114 link a high Voltage section of plasma
along a length of the conductive coil and are spaced apart 60 discharge devices 106 to spark gap 110. In the embodiment
from the conductive coil. A spark gap or similar device is shown in FIG. 1, the electric discharge is created along an
attached to the plasma discharge devices to activate them to edge of each plasma discharge device 106 adjacent to
produce a traveling electric discharge. The discharge creates conductive coil 102.
a traveling short circuit in the conductive coil thereby Preferably conductive connectors such as 114 converge at
compressing the magnetic field. The result is the production 65 a common point/area so that current may be supplied
of an electromagnetic pulse. Further disclosed is a method Substantially simultaneously to each plasma discharge
for producing an electromagnetic pulse. device. Other configurations allowing for simultaneous cur
 US 7,071,631 B2
3 4
rent supply are also within the scope of the invention. FIG. along edge 218 of the plasma discharge device 200. The arc
1 shows conductive connectors such as 114 converging in a shorts conductive coil windings 312 to ground, creating a
Substantially conical shape which is the preferred configu flux compression, and hence producing an electromagnetic
ration. This shape may be advantageous as lengths of pulse. Additional or alternative circuitry may be used, for
connectors such as 114 can be uniform, thus allowing 5 example to synchronize capacitor discharge into the coil
simultaneous activation of the plasma discharge devices with firing of the plasma discharge devices.
106. Non-simultaneous current Supply (e.g. non-simulta Illustrative Voltage ranges are as follows: Voltage across
neous activation of the plasma discharge devices 106) is also an electro-discharge device is preferably in the range of
within the scope of the invention. about 15–30 KV. A potential applied to the coil to create a
In an exemplary embodiment, plasma discharge devices 10 magnetic field is preferably in the range of about 1–3 KV.
106 are arranged at Substantially equal degrees around Voltages may range above or below these values to assure
conductive coil 102. An illustrative number of plasma dis proper operation.
charge devices 106 is in the range of 1 to 20, with the The frequency of the electromagnetic radiation, assuming
preferred number being 12. a 25 cm coil length with 150 turns, can be calculated as
One or more of plasma discharge switches 106 may be 15 follows:
constructed as those shown in FIG. 2 which have parallel
plate capacitors. As used herein, a “plate is not limited to
a rigid layer or to any particular thickness. FIG. 2 depicts an ly 3.8x10 cm/sec 9
illustrative embodiment of a plasma discharge device 200 requency : (I -
f
25 cm
= -- = 1.5 x 10 Hz = 1.5 GHz
shown in the form of two parallel plate capacitors. Plasma
discharge device 200 has a first outer electrically conductive
plate 202 and a second outer electrically plate 204. Plates This is a higher frequency than the MHz frequency produced
202 and 204 each have an inside face 206 and 208, respec by traditional explosive material-containing EMP devices.
tively. A first electrically insulating plate 210 is adjacent to To optimize the performance of the inventive EMP
first outer plate inside face 206, and a second electrically 25
device, numerous parameters may be varied. The parameters
insulating plate 212 is adjacent to second outer plate inside include, but are not limited to, coil length, coil diameter,
face 208. Insulating plates 210 and 212 may be fiberglass for number of coil turns, component materials, component
example. An inner electrically conductive plate 214 is dis dimensions, Voltages applied, and currents applied. Addi
posed between first electrically insulating plate 210 and tionally, the device may contain one or more Superconduc
second electrically insulating plate 212. First outer electri 30
tive components, such as, but not limited to, the coil.
cally conductive plate 202 is electrically connected to sec The inventive EMP device may further include a non
ond outer electrically conductive plate 204 by a plate magnetic insulation component disposed around the con
connecting component 216. Such as a conductive coil. ductive coil and plasma discharge devices. The device may
Plasma discharge device 200 may be utilized in the also be surrounded by a stability-enhancing component Such
present invention by applying a Voltage to outer electrically 35
as a cooling device. As an example, a gas such as nitrogen,
conductive plate 204 while grounding inner plate 214 to or a mixture of gases, may be used to cool or stabilize the
create a potential difference therebetween. Because the first electro-discharge device arc.
and second outer electrically conductive plates 202 and 204 Still further, a parabolic reflector may be included and
are initially charged to the same potential, no potential
difference exists between them. As noted above, a spark gap 40 positioned so that radiation is emitted from the EMP device
can be used to initiate a discharge of the plasma discharge substantially at the focus of the parabolic reflector, thereby
device along its length. A current is initiated across the spark directing emitted radiation to a limited area. This may be
gap when a threshold Voltage is applied to the plasma advantageous to maximize output intensity of the EMP
discharge device. When plasma discharge device 200 is device and to protect users or objects from its effects.
activated, the outer conductive plate 204 is at a higher 45 The scope of the invention also includes an EMP device
voltage relative to outer conductive plate 202. An electric comprising a plurality of individual EMP devices. Each
discharge is thus created along edge 218 that travels at electro-magnetic device may be activated by current gener
nearly the speed of light. This discharge creates a plasma ated from another of the electromagnetic devices, or may be
between plasma discharge device 200 and the coil of the activated by another means, either simultaneously or in
EMP device thereby short-circuiting the coil. This will 50 Succession with the other electromagnetic devices. In an
compress a magnetic field that is present if the coil is illustrative embodiment of the invention, the plurality of
energized. The compressed magnetic field generates elec EMP devices is cascaded. In a further embodiment, the
tromagnetic radiation. plurality of devices is activated in parallel. A combination of
Although a spark gap is described herein, any triggering cascaded and parallel devices may also be implemented.
device capable of initiating a discharge of the plasma 55 The present invention further includes combining an EMP
discharge devices and compatible therewith, is within the device having explosive material with plasma discharge
spirit and scope of the invention. devices. In an exemplary embodiment, current generated
FIG. 3 depicts a circuit diagram that illustrates parallel from the electro-discharge device activates the explosive
plate capacitors forming a plurality of plasma discharge material.
devices 310. Further illustrated is a conductive coil 312 60 The invention further includes a method of generating an
having a voltage applied thereto to create a magnetic field. electromagnetic pulse comprising forming a conductive coil
The configuration of plates depicted in FIG. 3 is analo around, but separated from, a conductive core, applying a
gous to two interconnected capacitors. Discharge of one of current to the conductive coil to produce a magnetic field,
the outer plates of a pair of parallel plate capacitors within and shorting the conductive coil with a plasma discharge
a plasma discharge device, such as plate 304 with plate 308, 65 device. The conductive core may be metallic for example.
results in an arc between two outer plates, such as plates 302 While the invention has been described by illustrative
and 304. This is analogous to an electric-discharge traveling embodiments, additional advantages and modifications will
 US 7,071,631 B2
5 6
occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in 12. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 further
its broader aspects is not limited to specific details shown comprising a non-magnetic insulation component disposed
and described herein. Modifications, for example, to the at least partially around the conductive coil and the one or
number of plasma discharge devices and the specific con more plasma discharge devices.
figuration of the electromagnetic device components may be 13. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 further
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the comprising a stability-enhancing component at least par
invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not tially surrounding the electromagnetic pulse device.
be limited to the specific illustrative embodiments, but be 14. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 further
interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended comprising one or more additional electromagnetic pulse
claims and their equivalents. 10 devices, wherein each additional electromagnetic device is
The invention claimed is: activated by current generated from another of the one or
1. An electromagnetic pulse device comprising: more electromagnetic devices.
a conductive coil; and 15. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 14 wherein
one or more plasma discharge devices, each disposed at current from any one of the electromagnetic pulse devices,
least partially along a length of the conductive coil and 15
including the original and additional devices, activates a
spaced apart from the conductive coil; plurality of the electromagnetic pulse devices.
wherein the one or more plasma discharge devices create 16. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 further
a plasma between the one or more plasma discharge comprising one or more additional electromagnetic pulse
devices and the conductive coil, thereby short-circuit devices cascaded with the original electromagnetic device.
ing the coil to generate electromagnetic radiation. 17. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 further
2. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 further comprising one or more additional electromagnetic pulse
comprising a triggering device attached to the one or more devices, wherein one or more of the devices, including the
plasma discharge devices. original device and the additional devices, are activated in
3. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 2 wherein parallel.
the triggering device is a spark gap. 25
4. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 further 18. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 further
comprising one or more conductive connectors, each con comprising a parabolic reflector positioned so that radiation
nected to one or more plasma discharge devices, for carrying is emitted from the electromagnetic pulse device Substan
an activation current to the plasma discharge devices. tially at the focus of the parabolic reflector.
5. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 4 wherein 30 19. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 further
the one or more conductive connectors converge on a comprising explosive material.
COO aca. 20. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 further
6. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 4 wherein compr1S1ng:
the one or more conductive connectors converge in a Sub a conductive component functionally connected to the
stantially conical shape. 35 electromagnetic pulse device to provide a ground return
7. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 further path for a triggering device.
comprising one or more electrical connectors connecting the 21. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 20 wherein
one or more plasma discharge devices to a conductive core. the conductive component is a core disposed within, and
8. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 wherein spaced apart from the conductive coil.
the one or more plasma discharge devices are arranged at 40
22. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 21 wherein
Substantially equal degrees around the conductive coil. the conductive component is metallic.
9. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 wherein at 23. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 22 wherein
least one of the one or more plasma discharge devices is a the conductive component is iron.
plasma discharge device.
10. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 wherein 45 24. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 20 wherein
at least one of the one or more plasma discharge devices the conductive component is external to the device.
comprises a parallel plate capacitor. 25. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 wherein
11. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 wherein one or more components are Superconductive.
each of the one or more plasma discharge devices comprises: 26. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 25 wherein
a first outer electrically conductive plate and a second 50 the coil is Superconductive.
outer electrically conductive plate, each having an 27. The electromagnetic pulse device of claim 1 wherein
inside face; the plasma discharge devices are activated simultaneously.
a first electrically insulating plate and a second electri 28. A method of generating an electromagnetic pulse
cally insulating plate, the first electrically insulating without use of an explosive comprising:
plate adjacent to the first outer electrically conductive 55
providing a conductive coil;
plate inside face, and the second electrically insulating applying a current to the conductive coil to produce a
plate adjacent to the second outer electrically conduc magnetic field; and
tive plate inside face; and
an inner electrically conductive plate disposed between shorting the conductive coil with one or more electro
the first electrically insulating plate and the second 60 discharge devices.
electrically insulating: 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the plasma discharge
wherein the first outer electrically conductive plate is devices are activated simultaneously.
electrically connected to the second outer electrically
conductive plate.