A system and method for monitoring self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a monitoring system and method for a pulse power system, and more specifically, to a system and method for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module. The system addresses the technical issues in the prior art where manual observation of the self-discharge of a FLTD module's gas switch results in errors in interpretation, a high workload, and difficulty in determining the specific location of the self-discharging gas switch in the FLTD module during experiments. The system for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module includes an isolation rectifier unit, a counter, a latch, a single-chip microcomputer, an industrial computer, and a capacitive voltage divider. When the monitored gas switch discharges, the capacitive voltage divider generates a pulse signal. The single-chip microcomputer is configured to control the counter to start timing when the monitored gas switch begins charging, and after charging is complete, compares the recorded time sent by the latch with a time threshold, outputting the comparison result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring system and method for a pulse power system, and in particular to a system and method for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module. Background Art

[0002] Fast linear transformer drivers (FLTDs) are a new type of pulsed power system that has rapidly developed over the past decade. They can directly generate high-power pulses with rising edges of hundreds of nanoseconds, while also featuring a compact design and flexible parameter adjustments. Large pulsed power systems based on FLTD technology typically consist of dozens to hundreds of FLTD modules, each containing dozens to tens of gas switches. Consequently, large FLTD systems can include tens of thousands of gas switches. Switch self-discharge, the phenomenon in which a switch discharges before reaching a specified voltage, negatively impacts the stability, reliability, and output parameters of a FLTD system. Therefore, mitigating the probability of gas switch self-discharge in FLTD systems is crucial. Effectively monitoring the self-discharge of gas switches within FLTD modules is crucial for understanding their self-discharge characteristics and optimizing their performance.

[0003] Existing methods for monitoring the self-discharge of gas switches in FLTD modules are still imperfect. The commonly used monitoring method is primarily observation, which involves observing the charge voltage amplitude of the gas switch while listening for the discharge sound to determine whether any gas switch in the FLTD module is self-discharging. This method has the following drawbacks: Firstly, it is subject to human interpretation errors, and when the experimental volume is large, the experimenter must be on duty at all times. Secondly, this method can only determine whether any gas switch in the FLTD module is self-discharging, but cannot determine which gas switch in the FLTD module is self-discharging. With the further development of FLTD technology, this monitoring method is no longer sufficient for experimental needs, and a more accurate and intelligent monitoring system is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the technical problems in the prior art of self-discharging a gas switch in a FLTD module, such as errors in interpretation, high workload, and difficulty in determining the specific location of the self-discharging gas switch in the FLTD module through manual observation. A system and method for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module are provided.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] A system for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in an FLTD module is characterized in that it includes an isolation rectifier unit, a counter, a latch, a single chip microcomputer, an industrial computer and a capacitive voltage divider;

[0007] The input end of the isolation rectifier unit is connected to the output end of the capacitive voltage divider. The capacitive voltage divider is installed on the FLTD module and is coaxially arranged with the gas switch to be monitored. When the gas switch to be monitored discharges, the capacitive voltage divider generates a pulse signal.

[0008] The output end of the isolation rectifier unit is connected to the trigger end of the latch;

[0009] The output end of the single chip microcomputer is connected to the input end of the counter, and the output end of the counter is connected to the input end of the latch. The counter is used to record the charging time of the gas switch to be monitored and send the charging time to the latch;

[0010] The output end of the latch is connected to the input end of the microcontroller through the SPI interface. The latch is used to output the current recorded time of the counter to the microcontroller when receiving the trigger signal sent by the capacitor voltage divider;

[0011] The single chip microcomputer is used to control the counter to start timing when the switch charging of the gas to be monitored begins, and after the charging is completed, the recorded time sent by the latch is compared with the time threshold and the comparison result is output;

[0012] The single chip microcomputer is connected to the industrial computer for communication, and the industrial computer is used to set human-computer interaction parameters and display comparison results.

[0013] Furthermore, a through hole is provided on the upper cover plate of the FLTD module coaxially with the switch for the gas to be monitored;

[0014] The capacitive voltage divider is disposed in the through hole.

[0015] Furthermore, the capacitive voltage divider includes a BNC connector, a connecting rod and a sampling electrode connected in sequence;

[0016] One end of the BNC connector is connected to the opening of the through hole on the outer wall of the upper cover of the FLTD module, and the other end of the BNC connector is connected to the input end of the isolation rectifier unit;

[0017] The connecting rod is located in the through hole of the upper cover plate of the FLTD module and forms a low-voltage arm of the capacitive voltage divider with the inner wall of the through hole;

[0018] The sampling electrode is connected to the through hole of the upper cover plate of the FLTD module at the opening of the inner wall, and forms a high-voltage arm of a capacitive voltage divider with the top of the gas switch to be monitored.

[0019] Furthermore, the connecting rod is a cylindrical structure;

[0020] The sampling electrode is a disc-shaped structure;

[0021] The diameter of the sampling electrode is smaller than the diameter of the through hole of the upper cover plate of the FLTD module.

[0022] Furthermore, the BNC connector is a BNC-KY sealed connector;

[0023] The distance between the connecting rod and the inner wall of the through hole of the FLTD module upper cover is 4 to 6 mm;

[0024] The distance between the sampling electrode and the top of the gas switch to be monitored is 15 to 20 mm;

[0025] The distance between the outer edge of the sampling electrode and the inner wall of the through hole of the upper cover plate of the FLTD module is 2 to 3 mm.

[0026] Furthermore, the connecting rod is made of brass;

[0027] The upper edge chamfer radius of the sampling electrode is 1 mm and the material is brass.

[0028] At the same time, the present invention also provides a method for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module, based on the above-mentioned system for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module, characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0029] Step 1: Set the time threshold t0 in the industrial computer and write it into the microcontroller;

[0030] Step 2: Use the industrial computer to control the single chip microcomputer to input a reset signal to the counter to reset the counter to zero;

[0031] Step 3: The single chip microcomputer controls the external high voltage power supply to start charging the gas switch to be monitored, and at the same time sends an enable signal to the counter, and the counter starts timing;

[0032] Step 4: When the gas switch to be monitored discharges, the pulse signal generated by the capacitive voltage divider is converted into a square wave signal by the isolation rectifier unit, triggering the latch. The latch stores the recorded time t1 of the counter at this time and inputs it into the single-chip microcomputer;

[0033] Step 5: Judgment

[0034] The single chip microcomputer compares the recorded time t1 of the counter with the time threshold t0 set in step 1;

[0035] When t1>t0, the gas switch to be monitored is discharging normally;

[0036] When t1≤t0, the gas switch to be monitored is self-discharging, and the self-discharge monitoring result is sent to the industrial computer for display.

[0037] Furthermore, in step 1, the time threshold t0 is:

[0038] The time required for the monitored gas switch to charge normally to the preset voltage.

[0039] Furthermore, in step 1, the time threshold t0 is 20s.

[0040] Furthermore, the step 4 is specifically as follows:

[0041] When the gas switch to be monitored discharges, the pulse signal generated by the capacitive voltage divider is converted into a 3.3V square wave signal by the isolation rectifier unit. The square wave signal triggers the latch, which stores the recorded time t1 of the counter at this time and inputs it into the microcontroller through the SPI interface.

[0042] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the technical solution of the present invention are:

[0043] 1. The system for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module of the present invention can automatically monitor the self-discharge of the gas switch to be monitored in the FLTD module without any human intervention.

[0044] 2. The system for monitoring the self-discharge of the gas switch in the FLTD module of the present invention can accurately detect which gas switch in the FLTD module has self-discharged, and has the characteristic of high monitoring accuracy.

[0045] 3. The system for monitoring the self-discharge of the gas switch in the FLTD module of the present invention has strong expansion capability and can be flexibly expanded according to the number of the monitored gas switches.

[0046] 4. The system for monitoring the self-discharge of the gas switch in the FLTD module of the present invention has a simple structure, convenient operation, high accuracy, strong stability, and does not require full-time supervision by experimental personnel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for monitoring self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module according to the present invention.

[0048] Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a capacitive voltage divider in an embodiment of a system for monitoring self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module of the present invention.

[0049] The accompanying drawings are denoted as follows:

[0050] 1-Isolated rectifier unit, 2-Counter, 3-Latch, 4-MCU, 5-Industrial computer, 6-SPI interface, 7-Capacitor voltage divider, 701-BNC connector, 702-Connecting rod, 703-Sampling electrode, 8-Gas switch to be monitored, 9-FLTD module cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the system for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module of the present invention includes an isolation rectifier unit 1, a counter 2, a latch 3, a single chip microcomputer 4, an industrial computer 5, an SPI interface 6 and a capacitive voltage divider 7.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, in the system for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module, the capacitive voltage divider 7 comprises a BNC connector 701, a connecting rod 702, and a sampling electrode 703. The sampling electrode 703 is a disc-shaped structure with a threaded hole in the center of its upper surface and chamfered edges. The sampling electrode 703 is threadedly connected to the connecting rod 702 via the threaded hole. Preferably, the sampling electrode 703 has a diameter of 5 mm, a thickness of 2 mm, a chamfer radius of 1 mm on the upper edge, and a threaded hole diameter of 2 mm. The material is brass. The connecting rod 702 is a cylindrical structure with a threaded end at one end for threaded connection to the sampling electrode 703. The other end is bonded to the input end of the BNC connector 701 via conductive silver glue. Preferably, the connecting rod has a diameter of 2 mm, a length of 10 mm, and is made of brass. The BNC connector is a BNC-KY sealed connector.

[0053] The FLTD module upper cover plate 9 is provided with a through hole, which is a threaded through hole; the capacitive voltage divider 7 is installed in the threaded through hole of the FLTD module upper cover plate 9, and is specifically threadedly connected to the FLTD module upper cover plate 9 via the threads on the BNC connector 701. Preferably, the spacing between the sampling electrode 703 and the top of the gas switch to be monitored 8 is 17 mm, and the two constitute the high-voltage arm of the capacitive voltage divider (constituting a capacitor of the capacitive voltage divider itself). The distance between the connecting rod 702 and the inner wall of the threaded through hole of the FLTD module upper cover plate 9 is 5 mm, and the two constitute the low-voltage arm of the capacitive voltage divider (constituting another capacitor of the capacitive voltage divider itself). The axis of the capacitive voltage divider 7 is coaxially arranged with the gas switch to be monitored 8 in the FLTD module. When the gas switch to be monitored 8 discharges, a pulse signal is generated at the output end of the BNC connector 701 in the capacitive voltage divider 7, and the BNC connector 701 leads the pulse signal through a cable. The diameter of sampling electrode 703 is smaller than the diameter of the threaded hole in the FLTD module's upper cover plate 9. The distance between the outer edge of sampling electrode 703 and the inner wall of the threaded hole in the FLTD module's upper cover plate 9 is 2.5 mm. To monitor the self-discharge of each gas switch in the FLTD module, a capacitive voltage divider 7 is simply installed on each gas switch.

[0054] The primary function of the isolated rectifier unit 1 is to convert the pulse signal sent from the BNC connector 701 into a square wave signal for triggering the latch 3. The input of the isolated rectifier unit 1 is connected to the output of the capacitive voltage divider BNC connector 701 via a coaxial signal cable, while the output of the isolated rectifier unit 1 is connected to the trigger terminal of the latch 3. Preferably, the pulse signal is converted into a square wave signal with an amplitude of 3.3V after isolation and rectification.

[0055] In the system of the present invention, the input end of the isolation rectifier unit 1 is connected to the output end of the capacitive voltage divider 7, and the capacitive voltage divider 7 is coaxially arranged with the gas switch 8 to be monitored through the FLTD module; the output end of the isolation rectifier unit 4 communicates with the trigger end of the latch 3; the input end of the counter 2 is connected to the output end of the single-chip microcomputer 4, and the single-chip microcomputer 4 is used to control the operation of the counter 2; the output end of the counter 2 is connected to the input end of the latch 3, and the counter 2 is used to record the charging time of the gas switch 8 to be monitored; the output end of the latch 3 is connected to the input end of the single-chip microcomputer 4 through the SPI interface 6, and the latch 3 is used to output the current recorded time of the counter 2 to the single-chip microcomputer 4 when the capacitive voltage divider 7 sends a trigger signal. The single-chip microcomputer 4 is used to control an external auxiliary high-voltage power supply to charge the gas switch 8 to be monitored, and compare the recorded charging time with the set time threshold, and output the comparison result; the single-chip microcomputer 4 communicates with the industrial control computer 5, and the industrial control computer 5 is used to set human-computer interaction parameters and display the comparison results.

[0056] In this embodiment, the input end of the BNC connector 701 is arranged opposite to the gas switch to be monitored 8, and the output end of the BNC connector 701 is connected to the input end of the isolation rectifier unit 1; the connecting rod 702 and the inner wall of the through hole of the FLTD module upper cover 9 constitute the low-voltage arm of the capacitive voltage divider; and the sampling electrode 703 and the top of the gas switch to be monitored 8 constitute the high-voltage arm of the capacitive voltage divider.

[0057] When a trigger signal is sent from BNC connector 701, latch 3 outputs the current recorded time of counter 2. Microcontroller 4 controls an external high-voltage power supply to charge monitored gas switch 8. By comparing the monitoring results of gas switch 8 with the set time threshold t0, it intelligently determines the self-discharge status of gas switch 8. The industrial computer 5 sets the time threshold t0 and intelligently determines whether self-discharge has occurred in gas switch 8. The industrial computer 5 is connected to the microcontroller 4 via a communication cable. The industrial computer 5 has human-computer interaction parameter setting and result display functions. It controls the operation of the microcontroller 4 and can also display the output results of the microcontroller 4. The SPI interface 6 is primarily used to transmit the output signal of latch 3 to the microcontroller 4.

[0058] At the same time, the present invention also provides a method for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0059] Step 1: Enter the time threshold t0 (the time threshold is the time required for the switch to normally charge to a specified voltage, which can be obtained through experiments and manually set) on the human-computer interface of the industrial computer 5 and write it into the single-chip computer 4; in this embodiment, for a 100kV positive and negative charging FLTD module, t0 = 20 seconds;

[0060] Step 2: The industrial computer 5 controls the single chip computer 4 to input a reset signal to the counter 2, so that the counter 2 returns to zero;

[0061] Step 3: The single chip microcomputer 4 controls the external high voltage power supply to start charging the gas switch 8 to be monitored, and at the same time sends an enabling signal to the counter 2, and the counter 2 starts timing;

[0062] Step 4: When the monitored gas switch 8 discharges, the pulse signal generated by the capacitive voltage divider 7 is converted into a 3.3V square wave signal by the isolation rectifier unit 1. The square wave signal triggers the latch 3, which inputs the recorded time t1 of the counter 2 to the microcontroller 4 via the SPI interface 6;

[0063] Step 5: The single-chip computer 4 compares the recorded time t1 of the counter 2 with the time threshold t0 set in step 1. When t1>t0, the monitored gas switch 8 discharges normally; when t1≤t0, it indicates that the monitored gas switch 8 self-discharges; and the self-discharge monitoring result is sent to the industrial computer 5 for display.

[0064] In practical applications, the FLTD module contains multiple gas switches, each of which needs to be monitored. In this case, the monitoring method of the present invention simply requires installing a capacitive voltage divider 7 on top of each gas switch 8 to be monitored, configuring the same number of counters 2, latches 3, and SPI interfaces 6, and sharing a single-chip microcontroller 4 and industrial computer 5.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module, characterized by: It includes an isolation rectifier unit (1), a counter (2), a latch (3), a single chip microcomputer (4), an industrial control computer (5) and a capacitive voltage divider (7); The input end of the isolation rectifier unit (1) is connected to the output end of a capacitive voltage divider (7), the capacitive voltage divider (7) is mounted on the FLTD module and is coaxially arranged with the gas switch (8) to be monitored, and when the gas switch (8) to be monitored discharges, the capacitive voltage divider (7) generates a pulse signal; The output end of the isolation rectifier unit (1) is connected to the trigger end of the latch (3); The output end of the single chip microcomputer (4) is connected to the input end of the counter (2), and the output end of the counter (2) is connected to the input end of the latch (3). The counter (2) is used to record the charging time of the gas switch (8) to be monitored and send the charging time to the latch (3); The output end of the latch (3) is connected to the input end of the single-chip computer (4) via the SPI interface (6). The latch (3) is used to output the current recording time of the counter (2) to the single-chip computer (4) when receiving a trigger signal sent by the capacitive voltage divider (7); The single chip computer (4) is used to control the counter (2) to start timing when the monitored gas switch (8) starts charging, and after charging is completed, compare the recorded time sent by the latch (3) with the time threshold, and output the comparison result; The single chip microcomputer (4) is in communication connection with an industrial control computer (5), and the industrial control computer (5) is used for setting human-computer interaction parameters and displaying comparison results.

2. The system for monitoring self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module according to claim 1, characterized in that: A through hole is provided on the upper cover plate (9) of the FLTD module coaxially with the gas switch (8) to be monitored; The capacitive voltage divider (7) is arranged in the through hole.

3. The system for monitoring self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The capacitive voltage divider (7) comprises a BNC connector (701), a connecting rod (702) and a sampling electrode (703) connected in sequence; One end of the BNC connector (701) is connected to the opening of the outer wall of the through hole of the FLTD module upper cover plate (9), and the other end of the BNC connector (701) is connected to the input end of the isolation rectifier unit (1); The connecting rod (702) is located in the through hole of the FLTD module upper cover plate (9) and forms a low-voltage arm of the capacitive voltage divider with the inner wall of the through hole; The sampling electrode (703) is located at the opening of the through hole on the inner wall of the FLTD module upper cover (9), and forms a high-voltage arm of a capacitive voltage divider with the top of the gas switch (8) to be monitored.

4. The system for monitoring self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connecting rod (702) is a cylindrical structure; The sampling electrode (703) is a disc-shaped structure; The diameter of the sampling electrode (703) is smaller than the diameter of the through hole of the FLTD module upper cover plate (9).

5. The system for monitoring self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The BNC connector (701) is a BNC-KY sealed connector; The distance between the connecting rod (702) and the inner wall of the through hole of the FLTD module upper cover (9) is 4 to 6 mm; The distance between the sampling electrode (703) and the top of the gas switch (8) to be monitored is 15 to 20 mm; The distance between the outer edge of the sampling electrode (703) and the inner wall of the through hole of the FLTD module upper cover (9) is 2 to 3 mm.

6. The system for monitoring self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The connecting rod (702) is made of brass; The upper edge chamfer radius of the sampling electrode (703) is 1 mm, and the material is brass.

7. A method for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module, based on the system for monitoring the self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step 1: Set a time threshold t0 in the industrial computer (5) and write it into the single chip microcomputer (4); Step 2: Using the industrial computer (5) to control the single chip microcomputer (4) to input a reset signal to the counter (2), so that the counter (2) is reset to zero; Step 3, the single chip microcomputer (4) controls the external high voltage power supply to start charging the gas switch (8) to be monitored, and at the same time sends an enable signal to the counter (2), and the counter (2) starts timing; Step 4: When the monitored gas switch (8) discharges, the pulse signal generated by the capacitor voltage divider (7) is converted into a square wave signal by the isolation rectifier unit (1), triggering the latch (3). The latch (3) stores the recorded time t1 of the counter (2) at this time and inputs it into the single chip microcomputer (4); Step 5: Judgment The single chip computer (4) compares the recorded time t1 of the counter (2) with the time threshold t0 set in step 1; When t1>t0, the gas switch to be monitored (8) is in normal discharge; When t1≤t0, the gas switch (8) to be monitored is self-discharging, and the self-discharge monitoring result is sent to the industrial control computer (5) for display.

8. The method for monitoring self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step 1, the time threshold t0 is: The time required for the monitored gas switch (8) to be normally charged to a preset voltage.

9. The method for monitoring self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module according to claim 8, characterized in that: In step 1, the time threshold t0 is 20s.

10. A method for monitoring self-discharge of a gas switch in a FLTD module according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: Step 4 is as follows: When the gas switch (8) to be monitored discharges, the pulse signal generated by the capacitor voltage divider (7) is converted into a 3.3V square wave signal through the isolation rectifier unit (1). The square wave signal triggers the latch (3). The latch (3) stores the recording time t1 of the counter (2) at this time and inputs it into the single chip computer (4) through the SPI interface (6).

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