Patent Publication Number: US-2012032526-A1

Title: Methods, Systems and Devices for Dissipating Kinetic Energy from Shock Waves with Electrical Loads

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present specification generally relates to methods, systems and devices for energy conversion and, more specifically, to methods, systems and devices for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Energy is frequently generated and applied to various applications by converting one type of energy to another type of energy. For example, shields may dissipate kinetic energy and protect assets from the deleterious effect of explosively generated shock waves. Shields typically comprise robust and massive deflectors. The deflectors may be pre-emplaced heavy blast doors made of concrete, steel, or other shock absorbing materials. Such blast doors are subject to damage when utilized to deflect a shock wave and require maintenance before re-use. Additionally, due to their size and weight, heavy blast doors deploy slowly relative to the propagation rate of a shock wave generated by an explosion. 
     In addition to deflecting a shock wave, it may be desirable to intentionally generate the shock wave and utilize the shock wave as an energy source in lieu of other energy sources. For example, capacitors may convert electrical energy stored in batteries to high power microwave energy. The high power microwave energy may be utilized in various high power microwave systems such as, for example, radar imaging, communications, radar detection, and weapons that disable equipment and electronic devices. However, the batteries commonly require a large volume to produce enough power for the effective operation of the high power microwave systems. Effective operation may be facilitated by producing the necessary amount of power with a volume of explosive material that is smaller than the volume of the batteries by dissipating the energy of a shock wave generated by the explosive material with an electrical load. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for alternative methods, systems and devices for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave with electrical loads. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a method for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave may include: applying a magnetic flux across a shock wave disposed within a channel, wherein the channel includes substantially constant dimensions as the shock wave propagates through the channel; transforming kinetic energy from the shock wave to electrical energy; applying a high potential electrode to the electrical energy; applying a low potential electrode to the electrical energy; and coupling an electrical load conductively with the high potential electrode and the low potential electrode to dissipate the kinetic energy from the shock wave. 
     In another embodiment, a system for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave may include: an electronic control unit including a processor and an electronic memory; a channel enclosing a fluid; a high potential electrode in contact with the fluid, wherein the high potential electrode includes an initiation surface; a low potential electrode in contact with the fluid, wherein the low potential electrode includes a termination surface facing the initiation surface; an electrical load conductively coupled to the high potential electrode and the low potential electrode; a north pole magnetic source communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit; and a south pole magnetic source communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit executes machine readable instructions to generate a magnetic flux across a shock wave propagating through the fluid, such that the magnetic flux induces an electric field between the initiation surface and the termination surface. 
     In yet another embodiment, a device for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave may include: a channel enclosing a fluid and defining a direction of propagation of a shock wave; a high potential electrode in contact with the fluid; a low potential electrode in contact with the fluid; a load conductively coupled to the high potential electrode and the low potential electrode; a north pole magnetic source coupled to the channel, wherein the north pole magnetic source includes a flux directing surface that faces the fluid; a south pole magnetic source disposed across from and substantially parallel to the north pole magnetic source, wherein a magnetic flux direction is substantially normal to the flux directing surface and substantially orthogonal to the direction of propagation; and an explosive, wherein a shock wave propagates along the direction of propagation upon a detonation of the explosive. 
     These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1  schematically depicts a perspective view of a device for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 2A  schematically depicts an exploded view of a device for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 2B  schematically depicts an exploded view of a device for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 3  schematically depicts a system for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 4  schematically depicts a perspective view of a device for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 5  schematically depicts an exploded view of a device for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 6  schematically depicts a system for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and 
         FIG. 7  graphically depicts the results of a mathematic model of a device for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  generally depicts one embodiment of a device for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave with an electrical load. The device generally comprises a channel enclosing a fluid, magnetic sources such as, for example, permanent magnets capable of producing 1 tesla, electrodes such as, for example, high conductivity copper electrodes, and an electrical load. Various embodiments of the device, as well as methods and systems for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave with an electrical load will be described in more detail herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a device  100  for dissipating the kinetic energy from a shock wave (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) is depicted. The device  100  generally comprises a channel  110  enclosing a fluid  120 , a north pole magnetic source  150 , a south pole magnetic source  160 , a high potential electrode  130 , a low potential electrode  134 , and an electrical load  140 . It is noted that, while the electrical load  140  is depicted as being connected to the high potential electrode  130  and the low potential electrode  134  at particular locations, the electrical load  140  may be connected to the high potential electrode  130  and the low potential electrode  134  at any location that provides for conductive coupling. That is, provided that the electrodes  130 ,  134  are conductively coupled, the specific spatial location of the conductive coupling is arbitrary. Furthermore it is noted that, while the north pole magnetic source  150 , the south pole magnetic source  160 , the high potential electrode  130 , and the low potential electrode  134  are depicted as extending the full length of the channel  110 , in the embodiments described herein the north pole magnetic source  150 , the south pole magnetic source  160 , the high potential electrode  130 , and the low potential electrode  134  may each extend a partial length of the channel  110 . 
     The channel  110  is a structure, tunnel, or adit that defines an outer boundary of an at least partially enclosed fluid  120  and constrains the motion of the fluid  120  such that the motion can be guided along one direction. In one embodiment, the channel  110  comprises a rectangular cross-section that is formed by insulators  112 , a high potential electrode  130  and a low potential electrode  134 . However, it is noted that the channel  110  may comprise any shape as a cross-section such as, for example, a circle, an oval, a polygon, a natural shape, or an irregular shape. Additionally it is noted, the channel  110  is generally depicted in  FIGS. 1-2B  and  4 - 5  as comprising a constant cross-section for clarity and not by limitation. Thus, the channel  110  may comprise a varying cross-section that, according to the specific aerodynamic properties the varying cross-section, may enhance or diminish the transformation of shock wave kinetic energy to electrical energy. The channel  110  may be formed of any material that can be configured to maintain substantially constant dimensions when subjected to the traverse of a shock wave such as, for example, a metal, a hardwood, plastic, concrete or a natural stone. For example, the channel  110  may withstand a shock wave traverse that is intentionally generated by an explosive energy and/or a shock wave traverse generated by an explosive energy that can be anticipated such as, but not limited to, a high density explosive within a metal tube, an explosive detonated in a subway tunnel by a terrorist, or an accidental detonation of an incendiary material in a mining tunnel. The channel  110  may be any length, or distance along the direction of propagation x, i.e., for rapid energy conversion the length may be on the order of about an inch and for slower energy conversion the length may be on the order of many feet or much larger. Furthermore, it is noted that any of the elements described herein may be disposed within the channel  110 , rather than being integral with the channel  110 . 
     Furthermore, it is noted that the channel  110 , as described herein, may be formed of any of the elements described herein that are capable of forming a fluidic boundary that is robust enough to contain and allow for the propagation of a shock wave within the bounded fluid. Therefore, by maintaining “substantially constant dimensions,” the channel is rigid enough to collimate the shock wave. Collimation assists in the transformation of shock wave kinetic energy to electrical energy by maintaining the kinetic energy within the shock front while it passes through a magnetic field. For the purpose defining and describing the present disclosure, it is noted that the term “fluid” as used herein means a substance, such as a liquid or a gas, that is capable of flowing and that changes its shape when acted upon by a force tending to change its shape. Thus, the embodiments described herein may be especially useful to protect assets from exterior events designed to collimate and project a shock wave toward the asset. An example is the detonation of explosives within an opened door of a subway car that collimates and projects a shock wave towards passengers at a loading station. 
     The magnetic sources  150 ,  160  generate magnetic fields across the fluid  120 . Referring now to  FIG. 2A , in one embodiment of the device  100 , the north pole magnetic source  150  and the south pole magnetic source  160  are disposed on opposite sides of the channel  110 . The magnetic fields originate at the north pole magnetic source  150  and terminate at the south pole magnetic source  160 . Therefore, a magnetic flux density B 0  can impinge on the fluid  120  when the shock wave  122  is disposed between the magnetic sources  150 ,  160 . The magnetic sources  150 ,  160  may be permanent magnets, electromagnets, or a combination thereof. As used herein, the term “permanent magnet” means a magnetized object that generates a persistent magnetic field. The term “electromagnet,” as used herein, means an electrically powered object that generates a magnetic field in relation to the amount of power consumed by the object. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the electrodes  130 , 134  are conductive objects capable of maintaining electrical surface charges. In one embodiment, an electric field E is transmitted across the fluid  120  from an initiation surface  132  of the high potential electrode  130  to a termination surface  136  of the low potential electrode  134 . The electrodes  130 , 134  may comprise any material suitable for conducting electricity, such as copper, gold or any known or yet to be discovered conductive material. The electrodes  130 ,  134  may also comprise any shape such that they are configured to make electrical contact with the fluid  120 . While the high potential electrode  130  and the low potential electrode  134  are depicted as rectangular plates, the electrodes  130 , 134  may comprise any other shape that does not interfere with the magnetic flux density B 0  and provides electrical contact between a surface of the electrodes  130 , 134  and the fluid  120  such as, for example, a curved plate, a disk, a sheet, a sphere, and the like. Thus, the electrodes  130 , 134  need not be identical and/or parallel. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , an electrical load  140  may receive electrical current i from the high potential electrode  130  and the low potential electrode  134 . Specifically, in one embodiment the electrical load  140  is conductively coupled to the high potential electrode  130  and the low potential electrode  134 . The electrical load  140  may comprise any type of electrical circuit that transfers energy to do mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, acoustic or thermodynamic work. Therefore, the electrical load  140  may convert electrical energy into various forms such as, for example, heat, light, motion, sound or electromagnetic fields. It is noted that the term “conductively coupled,” as used herein, means electrical communication via a conductive mechanism such as for example, terminal blocks, posts, solder joints, integrated circuit traces, wires, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of a system  200  for dissipating kinetic energy from a shock wave  122  ( FIG. 2A ) with an electrical load  140  is schematically depicted. In one embodiment, the system  200  comprises a plurality of modules that are communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit  170 . Specifically, the electronic control unit  170  may be coupled to the high potential electrode  130 , the low potential electrode  134 , the electrical load  140 , the north pole magnetic source  150 , the south pole magnetic source  160 , the shock sensor  172 , and the detonator  182 . Embodiments of the system  200 , described herein, may include all or some of the modules. The modules not previously described will be described in further detail hereinafter. 
     The electronic control unit  170  comprises a processor for executing machine readable instructions and a memory for electronically storing machine readable instructions and machine readable information. The processor may be an integrated circuit, a microchip, a computer or any other computing device capable of executing machine readable instructions. The memory may be RAM, ROM, a flash memory, a hard drive, or any device capable of storing machine readable instructions. In the embodiments described herein, the processor and the memory are integral with the electronic control unit  170 . However, it is noted that the processor and the memory may be discrete components communicatively coupled to one another such as, for example, modules distributed throughout the system  200  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it is noted that the phrase “communicatively coupled,” as used herein, means that components are capable of transmitting data signals with one another such as, for example, electrical signals via a conductive medium, electromagnetic signals via air, optical signals via optical waveguides, and the like. 
     The shock sensor  172  is a device for measuring indicia of a shock or explosive event. In one embodiment, the shock sensor  172  senses the indicia and transmits a signal indicative of the shock or explosion to the electronic control unit  170 . For example, the shock sensor  172  may sense an overpressure and transmit information indicative of the overpressure to the electronic control unit  170 . Embodiments of the shock sensor  172  may measure indicia of a shock or explosion such as, for example, light, temperature, pressure, ionization, and the like. It is noted that the term “sensor,” as used herein, means a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into an electrical signal, which is correlated to the measured value of the physical quantity, such as, for example a transducer, a transmitter, an indicator, a piezometer, a manometer, an accelerometer, and the like. Furthermore, the term “signal” means an electrical waveform, such as DC, AC, sinusoidal-wave, triangular-wave, square-wave, and the like, capable of traveling along a conductive medium. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the detonator  182  is a device that comprises a chemical, mechanical, or electrical mechanism for triggering the explosion of the explosive  180 . The explosive  180  ( FIG. 5 ) is a substance that comprises stored energy that may produce a rapid expansion of gas detonation products accompanied by the production of light, heat, pressure, and combinations thereof. A detonation velocity may be utilized to categorize the explosive  180 . The detonation velocity is the velocity with which the explosive process propagates throughout the mass of the explosive  180 . For example, mining explosives may have detonation velocities ranging from about 1,800 m/s to about 8,000 m/s. In some embodiments, the system  200  may comprise an explosive  180  with a known detonation velocity such as, but not limited to, a polymer bonded explosive (e.g., LX14 with a detonation velocity of about 9,000 m/s) or any other high density, high velocity material. In other embodiments, the system  200  may comprise an explosive  180  with an unknown detonation velocity. For example, an improvised explosive device (IED), comprising any pyrotechnic, incendiary, or explosive material, may be detonated as a result of rogue activity. Therefore, in the embodiments described herein, the explosive  180  may comprise any material capable of generating a lethal shock wave  122 . 
     A shock wave  122  will be generated by the detonation of the explosive  180 . For example, the detonation may initiate a driving pressure that is greater than a hundred atmospheres and increase the temperature to an ionizing temperature. The driving pressure and the ionizing temperature serve as sources of kinetic energy that cooperate to form the shock wave  122 . The shock wave  122  may be dense (on the order of about several hundred micrometers thick) and may travel along a direction of propagation x within a fluid  120  disposed within the channel  110  at a high velocity. The high velocity is a function of the driving pressure (i.e., the higher the driving pressure, the higher the velocity) and may be from about 1 km/s to about 25 km/s for conventional explosives. However, it is noted that the embodiments described herein may operate with explosives with higher driving pressure such as, for example, non-conventional explosives or explosions produced extra-terrestrially. As the shock wave  122  forms a pressure discontinuity, or shock front, the ionizing temperature forms a sheet-like ionized zone of several mean free paths of the detonation product at the shock front. The ionized zone comprises free charge and forms a thin conductive zone, which is analogous to a conductor traveling with the shock wave  122 . The system  200  contains high kinetic energy, which may be utilized to power an electrical load  140  according to the embodiments described herein. 
     A magnetic curtain can be erected to dissipate the kinetic energy from the shock wave  122  relatively rapidly via the electrical load  140  when the channel length is relatively short such as a window well or a door frame. Referring again to  FIGS. 2A-3 , the system  200  may comprise a channel  110  surrounding a fluid  120 , insulators  112 , a high potential electrode  130 , a low potential electrode  134 , an electrical load  140 , a north pole magnetic source  150  and a south pole magnetic source  160 . Specifically, in one embodiment, the high potential electrode  130  comprises an initiation surface  132  that is in fluidic communication with the fluid  120 . The low potential electrode  134  comprises a termination surface  136  in fluidic communication with the fluid  120  and substantially parallel to the initiation surface  132 . The electrical load  140  is conductively coupled to the high potential electrode  130  and the low potential electrode  134 . The north pole magnetic source  150  is coupled to the channel  110  and comprises a flux directing surface  152  such that the magnetic flux direction y is substantially normal to the flux directing surface  152 . The south pole magnetic source  160  is disposed across from and substantially parallel to the north pole magnetic source  150 . The electrodes  130 ,  134  and the magnetic sources  150 ,  160  are electrically separated, so as not to short out the system, by insulators  112 . The insulators  112  may comprise any volumetric shape. Additionally, it is noted that the term “insulator,” as used herein, means a material that resists the flow of electric current and separates conductive materials such as, for example, air, a dielectric, concrete, glass, porcelain, polymers, and the like. 
     A magnetic flux density B 0  can be generated between north pole magnetic source  150  and a south pole magnetic source  160  to fill a portion of the fluid  120  in front of the shock wave  122  to form a magnetic curtain. As the ionized shock front of the shock wave  122  impinges on the magnetic flux density B 0  along the direction of propagation x, kinetic energy from the shock wave  122  is converted to electrical energy as an electric field density E. The electric field density E is generated along the electric field direction (depicted in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  as the negative z direction) and current i flows through the electrical load  140 . The current i produces a Lorentz Force  124  that opposes the direction of propagation x and reduces the kinetic energy of the shock wave  122 . The Lorentz Force  124  and the current i flowing through the electrical load  140  reduces the driving pressure behind the shock wave  122  and the temperature of the shock wave  122 . As the shock wave  122  progresses through the magnetic flux B 0  its kinetic energy is reduced on the time scale of the speed of light until the shock front becomes de-ionized. This recombination of electrons and molecules reflects the temperature decrease and the system ultimately stalls. Since only a minimum amount of conductivity need be present to maintain the system (less than about 100 mhos/meter) the magnetic flux density B 0  or device  100  geometry may be configured to stall when the shock wave  122  reaches a sub-lethal energy level. 
     An exemplary mathematical model describing the conversion of the kinetic energy from the shock wave  122  may be formulated by combining a model describing fluid dynamics with adjustments from a model describing electrodynamics. Specifically, the mathematical model may be utilized for analytic computations by considering: the conservation of mass, the conservation of momentum, the conservation of energy, and the gas state equations. From the conservation of mass it may be inferred that the matter that goes into a plane fully exits the plane. From the conservation of momentum it may be inferred that the velocity drop and accompanying momentum change must be transferred to an electron particle and charged molecule. From the conservation of energy it may be inferred that the kinetic energy decrease as result of retardation of plasma velocity must be made up by the increase in electrical and/or joule heating energy. And finally, the gas state equations provide a relationship between temperature, pressure and volume. Thusly, the mathematical model may be solved for pressure, temperature, plasma velocity, and density to provide a descriptive tool regarding plasma deceleration as a function of channel length or flow down a channel when given material properties, initial conditions, and boundary conditions. It is noted that the exemplary mathematical models described herein are provided for clarity, and should not be interpreted as limiting or requiring the present disclosure to any particular theory. Therefore, the exemplary mathematical models are merely descriptive of the physical phenomena inherent to the embodiments described herein. 
     The stall point, or critical velocity, is a free variable that sets a threshold velocity at which the shock wave  122  must traverse along the direction of propagation x in order to dissipate kinetic energy from the shock wave  122  via the electrical load  140 . The critical velocity is a term that is equal to the ratio of the electric field density E to the magnetic flux density B 0 : 
     
       
         
           
             CriticalVelocity 
             = 
             
               E 
               
                 B 
                 0 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     Therefore, the critical velocity may be set by modifying the magnetic flux B 0  of the system in accordance with the electric field density E. In one embodiment, the electric field density E may be sensed or calculated real time and the magnetic flux can be altered via, for example, modifying the current supplied to an electromagnet. In another embodiment, the critical velocity may be designed into the physical dimensions of the system (e.g., adjusting the surface area of the electrodes  130 ,  134 ), the energy level of the explosion, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, it is noted that while the embodiments described herein are provided in relation to an x-y-z coordinate system, the arrangement of the elements of the embodiments described herein are to be interpreted as arranged in relation to one another and not to any fixed coordinate system. 
     The magnetic curtain may be utilized as a reusable magnetic blast shield that protects assets from the deleterious effects of shock waves. For example, if a rogue explosive event such as, but not limited to, the detonation of an IED, occurs within a subway tunnel which acts as a channel  110 , a shock sensor  172  may sense an over pressure or an explosive flash indicative of the presence of a shock wave  122 . The shock sensor  172  can transmit a signal indicative of the presence of the shock wave  122  to the electronic control unit  170 . Then, a magnetic flux density B 0  can be generated between north pole magnetic source  150  and a south pole magnetic source  160  away from the shock wave  122 . Since electrons travel at the speed of light, the sensing of the shock wave  122  and initiation of the magnetic flux density B 0  occurs prior to any significant movement of the shock wave  122  down the channel  110  and along the direction of propagation x. As the shock wave  122  travels along the direction of propagation x and orthogonally intersects with the magnetic flux B 0 , current flows through the electrical load  140  via the electrodes  130 , 134 . Kinetic energy is dissipated from the shock wave  122  via a Lorentz Force  124  and electrical energy dissipated by the electrical load  140 . 
     Additionally, since the shock wave  122  maintains an ionized state due to the ionizing temperature, the shock front will maintain its conductivity until the kinetic energy of the shock wave  122  becomes sub lethal, i.e. ionization is correlated with high temperature and pressure of the shock wave which may cause lethal effects for both personnel and equipment. A reduction in the shock front ionization has a commensurate reduction in lethality. Specifically, lack of ionization (i.e., stalling the system) may be accompanied by reduction in driving pressure and temperature of the shock wave such that a human sub-lethal environment would be created. For example, if a shock wave was generated by the detonation of an explosive in a subway tunnel, passengers in the tunnel would experience a very high wind, but not a collapse of their chest cavity, or production of free radicals within their biological system. 
     In one embodiment of the device  101 , depicted in  FIG. 4 , the electrical energy dissipation of the electrical load  140  may be accomplished by heat dissipation into the surrounding structure. The electrodes  130 , 134  that collect charge and drain kinetic energy from the shock wave  122  can be embedded plates installed in segments down the channel  110 . For example, the embedded plates may be physically and electrically attached to reinforcing steel of a subway tunnel. The reinforcing steel acts as the electrical load  140 , and operates as a resistor that converts electrical current into heat. Additional resistive loads can be created by utilizing conductive objects within the concrete structure of the tunnel such as, for example, mounting hardware, rebar, reinforcements, and the like. Due to the large volume of dense material within a subway tunnel such as, for example, concrete, a large amount of heat may be dissipated from the shock wave  122 . Therefore, a reusable magnetic blast shield may be formed to transform a destructive shock wave  122  into a non-damaging event. Further embodiments may be installed in mining tunnels, window frames, door frames, or any other structure comprising a channel-like structure. 
     In another embodiment, the electrical load  140  may comprise a circuit for generating an electromagnetic transmission. For example, the transmission power level can be scaled to the energy level of shock event giving instantaneous annunciation of rogue activity, and the level of threat. Since, the shock wave  122  powers the transmission circuit, no additional power source is required to signal the occurrence of rogue activity. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , permanent magnet seeds may be used in a device  101  that is segmented to feed energy to power other elements of the device  101 . The device  101  may comprise multiple segments  190 , 192 ,  194  each capable of reducing the kinetic energy of a shock wave  122 . The first segment  190  comprises electrodes  130 ,  134 , magnetic sources  150 ,  160 , and an electrical load  140 . The second segment  192  comprises electrodes  130   a ,  134   a , magnetic sources  150   a ,  160   a , and an electrical load  140   a . The third segment  194  comprises electrodes  130   b ,  134   b , magnetic sources  150   b ,  160   b , and an electrical load  140   b . For example, the first segment  190  may comprise an electrical load  140  conductively coupled to the north pole magnetic source  150   a  of the second segment  192 , the south pole magnetic source  160   a  of the second segment  192  or a combination thereof. As the shock wave  122  travels along the direction of propagation x, the shock wave  122  traverses the first segment  190  and then the second segment  192 . The electrical load  140  of the first segment  190  is powered as the ionized shock front passes over the magnetic sources  150 ,  160  of the first segment  190 , which are permanent magnet seeds. The electrical load  140  may then power the magnetic sources  150   a ,  160   a  of the second segment  192  as the shock wave  122  traverses the second segment  192 . Similarly, the electrical load  140  may also be conductively coupled to the north pole magnetic source  150   b  of the third segment  194 , the south pole magnetic source  160   b  of the third segment  194  or a combination thereof. Thusly, permanent magnets may be used as seeds to power the magnetic sources  150   a ,  160   a ,  150   b ,  160   b  of other segments either alone or in combination. Further embodiments of the device  101  may comprise any number of segments, and any type of electrical load  140  described herein. Therefore, it is contemplated that a single segmented device may convert the kinetic energy of the shock wave  122  into multiple types of energies. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , embodiments of the device  100  may comprise a detonator  182  coupled to an explosive  180  for generating electrical power for high power directed energy transmissions. The high power directed energy transmission may be high powered microwaves, x-rays, sonar, lasers, emergency communication systems, or any other electrically powered transmission disposed within the electrical load  140 . Any of the high power directed energy transmissions can be powered by a shock wave  122  impinging upon a magnetic flux density B 0 , as described hereinabove. 
     An embodiment of the system  201  for generating high power directed energy transmissions is depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The system  201  may provide a supply of electrical power to the electrical load  140  for the transmission of a high power microwave pulse  148 . The high power microwave pulse  148  can be generated by conductively coupling an electrical load  140  comprising a pulse forming network to the electrodes  130 ,  134 . The pulse forming network may comprise a modulator  142  conductively coupled to an oscillator  146 , for example a magnetron. In one embodiment, the electronic control unit  170  causes the detonator  182  to detonate the explosive  180  yielding a shock wave  122  that travels along the direction of propagation x. The control signal  174  is coordinated with the shock wave  122  by, for example, timing the explosion or sensing the shock wave  122  with the electronic control unit  170 . A control signal  174  is transmitted by the electronic control unit  170  to the modulator  142  to trigger the conversion of the current i into high voltage pulses  144 . The modulator  142  receives the current i and transmits the high voltage pulses  144  to the oscillator  146 . As a result, the oscillator  146  transmits a high power microwave pulse  148  with a pulse width of time t. In another embodiment, the oscillator  146  may be directly connected to the electrodes  130 , 134  without a modulator  142  to generate a continuous high power microwave. 
     High power microwaves with power densities of greater than about 10 8  w/m 3 , such as, for example, power densities of about 10 11  w/m 3  or greater, can be produced from systems with a size of about 0.001 m 3 . Similarly, systems that generate about 15,000 J can be produced in packages with a cross-section of less than about 0.1 m 2  with a length less than about 0.5 m. The high energy density allows the embodiments described herein to be suitable for many delivery systems that provide for extended standoff from a target such as, for example, rockets, missiles, or bombs. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein may be used as a power source for many applications associated with high power microwaves. For example, the embodiments described herein may be utilized as electromagnetic weapons, annunciation systems, early warning systems, and radar systems, such as, for example, bi-static targeting or bi-static imaging. 
     The embodiments described herein will be further clarified by the following example. 
     The embodiments described herein were analytically tested against theoretical solutions to shock waves propagating in a one-dimensional channel of nearly constant area. This allowed for the exploration of the shock wave structure and the extent of the effect of the electromagnetic field on the velocity and dynamic pressure behind the blast wave. The shock wave was computed over the detonation products mean free paths of thickness and the fluid assumed to be a conducting perfect gas that satisfies the standard compressible flow equations. The computation was run to simulate both a shock wave modified with an applied magnetic flux and a shock wave without an applied magnetic flux. The system was formulated by the partial differential equations of conservation of mass, momentum and energy. The state laws were utilized to close the system so that the number of variables equaled the number of equations. Finally, computer integrations were performed to describe a shock front jump over the thickness of the front for a theoretical system with a cross section of 0.0025 m 2 , a channel length of 0.5 m, a constant Mach number of 19, a specific heat ratio of 1.25, a magnetic flux density of 2.1 Wb/m 2 , an electric field density of 7,750 v/m, and a critical velocity of about 3.5 km/s. 
     The results of the analysis are schematically depicted in  FIG. 7 , where the dashed line represents a shock wave without a magnetic flux applied and the solid line represents a shock with a magnetic flux applied. The units of the vertical axis are velocity jump functions normalized across the jump interval. The units of the horizontal axis are theoretical shock wave jump intervals that are indicative of the mean free paths of the combustion products. The steady state jump function was normalized to 1 for the shock wave without a magnetic flux applied and about 0.59 for the shock with a magnetic flux applied. Such a difference between the steady state jump functions correspond to a decrease in dynamic pressure of about 36% of the input. Therefore, the results confirmed the efficacy of the embodiments described herein and the practicality of setting a critical velocity for causing the system to stall at a sub-lethal velocity. 
     It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. Furthermore, these terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference due to manufacturing tolerances or fabrication tolerances. 
     While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.