Predicting sonic pulse shapes of underwater spark discharges

Abstract

Measurements of the acoustic pressure of spark discharges were made at a shallow depth (10 feet) for various voltages, stored energies, inductances and capacitances of the system, and electrode areas. The voltages ranged from 1500 V to 11 KV, and the energy storing capacitances from 8 to 800 ufd. In this range the peak pressure observed was proportional to peak current and the decay constant of the pressure-time curve was essentially the same as the electrical discharge decay constant.