Charging devices and power supplies

Abstract

To provide a compact charging device capable of charging a capacitor to be charged to a high voltage in a short time.SOLUTION: A Marx generator 10 charges an output capacitor COUT by repeating a first cycle of charging capacitors C1 to CN connected in parallel and a second cycle of charging the output capacitor COUT connected in series with the charged capacitors C1 to CN. A starting semiconductor switch SW is turned on when the capacitors C1 to CN are charged and is turned off when the output capacitor COUT is charged. A voltage detector 11 detects a voltage of the output capacitor COUT. A control circuit 20 controls the charging operation of the Marx generator 10 and the operation of the starting semiconductor switch SW so that the output capacitor COUT is charged to a target voltage. The voltage output by the capacitors C1 to CN connected in series in the first cycle is higher than the target voltage of the output capacitor COUT.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging device and a power supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] An electromagnetic railgun is known as an electromagnetic accelerator that accelerates a projectile using electromagnetic force (Patent Document 1). In general, in a railgun, a current is passed through an armature made of a conductive material inserted between two conductive rails, and the armature is accelerated by the electromagnetic force (Lorentz force) that acts at this time. The projectile, which is the object to be launched, is held by the armature, and is launched from the electromagnetic accelerator by accelerating the armature.

[0003] In order to impart sufficient velocity to the object to be launched using such an electromagnetic accelerator, a large current must be instantaneously passed through the conductive rail and armature. This requires the use of a power supply with a high output voltage. In such a power supply, a capacitor is charged to a high voltage (see, for example, Patent Document 2), and the capacitor supplies current to the launch device, thereby increasing the current supplied.

[0004] In the capacitor charging device disclosed in Patent Document 2, first, an initial charging inverter oscillates to output AC to the primary winding of a step-up transformer, and then a rectifier connected to the secondary winding converts this voltage to DC, which is then applied to the load capacitor. This charges the load capacitor. Next, a fine-tuning inverter oscillates to output AC to the primary winding of the step-up transformer, and then a rectifier connected to the secondary winding converts this voltage to DC, which is then applied to the load capacitor. This charges the load capacitor to a target voltage.

[0005] Also, a so-called Marx generator is known as a circuit capable of charging a capacitor to a high voltage. In recent years, Marx generators configured using semiconductor elements have appeared (Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-206090 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-52039 [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Mitsuaki Maeyama, "High Repetition Rate Marx Generator Using Thyristors," J. Plasma Fusion Res., Vol. 81, No. 5, pp. 363-366, 2005. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Although the configuration of Patent Document 2 can charge a load capacitor, it is a complex configuration in that it generates AC from a DC power supply using an inverter, boosts the voltage using a transformer, and then converts it back to DC. Furthermore, the use of a step-up transformer makes the capacitor charging device large and heavy.

[0009] Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A charging device according to one embodiment includes a Marx generator that charges an output capacitor by repeatedly performing a first cycle in which a plurality of capacitors are connected in parallel between an input terminal and an output terminal and charged, and a second cycle in which the charged plurality of capacitors are connected in series between the output terminal and ground and an output capacitor connected between the output terminal and the ground is charged; a startup semiconductor switch that is inserted between the input terminal of the Marx generator and a DC power source and that is turned on when the plurality of capacitors are charged and turned off when the output capacitor is charged; a voltage detector that detects the voltage of the output capacitor; and a control circuit that controls the charging operation of the Marx generator and the operation of the startup semiconductor switch so that the output capacitor is charged to a target voltage, wherein the voltage output by the plurality of capacitors connected in series in the first cycle is higher than the target voltage of the output capacitor.

[0011] A power supply apparatus according to one embodiment includes a charging device, an output capacitor, and a DC power supply. The charging device charges the output capacitor by repeatedly performing a first cycle in which a plurality of capacitors are connected in parallel between an input terminal and an output terminal and charged, and a second cycle in which the charged plurality of capacitors are connected in series between the output terminal and ground and the output capacitor connected between the output terminal and the ground is charged. The power supply apparatus also includes a Marx generator that charges the output capacitor by repeating the following cycles: a startup semiconductor switch that is inserted between the input terminal of the Marx generator and the DC power supply and that is turned on when the plurality of capacitors are charged and turned off when the output capacitor is charged; a voltage detector that detects the voltage of the output capacitor; and a control circuit that controls the charging operation of the Marx generator and the operation of the startup semiconductor switch so that the output capacitor is charged to a target voltage. The voltage output by the plurality of capacitors connected in series in the first cycle is higher than the target voltage of the output capacitor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one embodiment, it is possible to provide a small-sized charging device that can charge a capacitor to be charged up to a high voltage in a short time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a launch system that launches a flying object according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a power supply device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the circuit configuration of a Marx generator. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart of a charging operation of the charging device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the charging device when the starting semiconductor switch is turned on. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the charging current of the capacitor of the Marx generator and the standby time in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the charging device when the semiconductor switch of the Marx generator is turned on. [Figure 8] 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the charging current of the output capacitor and the standby time in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of a charging operation of the charging device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the charging current of the capacitor of the Marx generator and the standby time in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart of a charging operation of the charging device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the charging current of the output capacitor and the standby time in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Specific embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been simplified as appropriate. The same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0015] Embodiment 1 The launching device according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a launching system 1000 that launches a flying object according to this embodiment. The launching system 1000 includes a power supply device 100, a launching device 101, a switch 102, and a control device 103.

[0016] Injection device 101 is configured as a so-called rail gun, which accelerates armature 105, which is made of a conductor sandwiched between conductive rails 101A and 101B, by an electromagnetic force (Lorentz force) caused by a magnetic field generated by passing a pulse current Id through armature 105. Projectile 104, which is the object to be injected, is accelerated by being pushed by armature 105, and as a result, is injected from the injection port.

[0017] The power supply device 100 is an injection power supply device connected to the injection device 101, and is configured to be able to supply a pulse current Id to the injection device 101.

[0018] The switch 102 is configured to open and close the power supply path from the power supply device 100 to the injection device 101. As the switch 102, various types of switches, relays, etc. can be used as long as they can safely open and close the path through which a relatively large current supplied to the injection device 101 flows.

[0019] The control device 103 is configured by, for example, a computer, and can control the power supply from the power supply device to the injection device 101 by providing a control signal CON. For example, the control device 103 can control the timing and duration at which the power supply device 100 supplies a pulse current Id to the injection device 101, the current value of the pulse current Id, and the like, by controlling the switch 102. This allows the control device 103 to control the timing at which the flying object 104 is injected from the injection device 101 and the injection speed of the flying object 104. The control device 103 may also output a start command COM to the power supply device 100, which will be described later.

[0020] The power supply device 100 and the charging device 1 included in the power supply device 100 will be described below. Fig. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the power supply device 100. The power supply device 100 includes a charging device 1, a DC power supply VDD, and an output capacitor C that is charged by the charging device 1. OUT It has.

[0021] The charging device 1 includes a Marx generator 10, a voltage detector 11, a control circuit 20, a starting semiconductor switch SW, and an input inductor L IN , reverse current prevention diode D BF and output inductor L OUT It has.

[0022] 3 shows the circuit configuration of the Marx generator 10. The Marx generator 10 is configured as an N-stage (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) Marx generator, and is composed of capacitors C1 to CN, semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN, resistors RA_1 to RA_N-1, RB_1 to RB_N-1, RC_1 to RC_N, and RD_1 to RD_N, and diodes DA_1 to DA_N-1, DB_1 to DB_N-1, DC_1 to DC_N, and DD_1 to DD_N-1.

[0023] Capacitors C1 to CN are connected in series in this order between the output terminal 10B of the Marx generator 10 and ground. If N is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and i is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than N-1, then between capacitors Ci and Ci+1, the anode of semiconductor switch SWi configured as a thyristor is connected to capacitor Ci, and the cathode is connected to capacitor Ci+1. The anode of semiconductor switch SWN configured as a thyristor is connected to capacitor CN, and the cathode is connected to ground.

[0024] Between the input terminal 10A of the Marx generator 10 and the anode of the semiconductor switch SWN, a diode string consisting of diodes DA_1 to DA_N-1 connected in series in the forward direction, a resistor string consisting of resistors RA_1 to RA_N-1 connected in series, and a resistor string consisting of resistors RB_1 to RB_N-1 connected in series are connected in parallel in this order. Diodes DB_1 to DB_N-1 are inserted between the resistor string consisting of resistors RA_1 to RA_N-1 and the resistor string consisting of resistors RB_1 to RB_N-1. Diode DA_i, resistor RA_i, and resistor RB_i are connected in parallel between the anode of the semiconductor switch SWi and the anode of the semiconductor switch SWi+1. The anode of diode DA_i is connected to the anode of the semiconductor switch SWi via diode DB_i, which is inserted in the forward direction between resistor RA_i and resistor RB_i.

[0025] Between the output terminal 10B of the Marx generator 10 and ground, a resistor string consisting of series-connected resistors RD_1 to RD_N, a diode string consisting of forward-connected series-connected diodes DC_1 to DC_N, and a resistor string consisting of series-connected resistors RC_1 to RC_N are connected in parallel in this order. Diodes DD_1 to DD_N-1 are inserted between the diode string consisting of diodes DC_1 to DC_N and the resistor string consisting of resistors RC_1 to RC_N. Resistor RD_i, diode DC_i, and resistor RC_i are connected in parallel between the terminal of capacitor Ci that is not connected to the anode of semiconductor switch SWi and the cathode of semiconductor switch SWi. The anode of diode DD_i is connected to the node between resistors RC_i and RC_i+1, and the cathode of diode DD_i is connected to the node between the cathode of diode DC_i and the anode of diode DC_i+1.

[0026] An input inductor L is connected between the input terminal 10A of the Marx generator 10 and the positive terminal of the DC power supply VDD. IN and the startup semiconductor switch SW are connected in this order. The startup semiconductor switch SW is configured as a thyristor, with its anode connected to the positive terminal of the DC power supply VDD and its cathode connected to the input inductor L IN The startup semiconductor switch SW is turned on when the start signal INI is input, and this causes the DC power supply VDD to start charging the capacitors C1 to CN of the Marx generator 10. As the charging progresses, a charging current I S When becomes zero, the starting semiconductor switch SW, which is a thyristor, turns off spontaneously.

[0027] The control circuit 20 outputs trigger signals T1 to TN to the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN and an initiation signal INI to the startup semiconductor switch SW, thereby turning on the respective thyristors.

[0028] A reverse current prevention diode D is connected between the output terminal 10B of the Marx generator 10 and ground. BF , output inductor L OUT, the output capacitor C OUT are connected in this order.

[0029] Reverse current prevention diode D BF The anode of the output inductor L OUT and the cathode is connected to the output terminal 10B of the Marx generator 10.

[0030] Output capacitor C OUT A voltage detector 11 is inserted between both ends of the output capacitor C OUT Charging voltage V C Detects the detected charging voltage V C is output to the control circuit 20.

[0031] Next, the charging operation of the charging device 1 will be described in order. Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of the charging operation of the charging device 1. The charging operation of the charging device 1 includes a first cycle (steps S11 to S14) for charging the capacitors C1 to CN, and a second cycle (steps S12 to S14) for charging the capacitors C1 to CN. OUT By transferring charge to the output capacitor C OUT and a second cycle (steps S15 to S17) in which the battery is charged.

[0032] Step S11 The control circuit 20 detects the voltage of the output capacitor C OUT Charging voltage V C is the target voltage V T The voltage detector 11 detects whether the output capacitor C OUT Charging voltage V C is the target voltage V T If the output capacitor C OUT is sufficiently charged, the control circuit 20 stops outputting the start signal INI and ends the charging operation.

[0033] Step S12 Output capacitor C OUT Charging voltage V C is the target voltage V TIf the voltage Vcc is smaller than 0.01V, the control circuit 20 outputs the start signal INI to the start semiconductor switch SW. When the start semiconductor switch SW is turned on for the first time to charge the capacitors C1 to CN, the control circuit 20 may output the start signal INI in response to an externally applied start command COM.

[0034] Step S13 When the start signal INI is input, the start-up semiconductor switch SW is turned on, and charging of the capacitors C1 to CN begins. Figure 5 shows an equivalent circuit of the charging device 1 when the start-up semiconductor switch SW is turned on. In this case, the capacitors C1 to CN are connected in parallel between the DC power supply VDD and the ground, and a charging current I S Although not shown, current flows through the diodes of the Marx generator 10, and the capacitors C1 to CN are charged at low impedance.

[0035] In this case, the input inductor L IN and the capacitors C1 to CN of the Marx generator 10 are connected. Therefore, the input inductor L IN The value of (L IN The rise time τ is determined by the combined capacitance (N × C) of the capacitors C1 to C N of the Marx generator 10. IN NC) 0.5 / 2 is the charging current I S At this time, the charging current I S The maximum value of is ((NC / L IN ) 0.5 ×V0), no large inrush current flows, and the capacitors C1 to CN can be safely charged in 2τ.

[0036] Step S14 The system waits for a predetermined waiting time from the start of charging so that the capacitors C1 to CN are sufficiently charged (first waiting state). Fig. 6 shows the relationship between the charging current of the capacitors C1 to CN and the waiting time in the first embodiment. The waiting time at this time is determined by the charging current IS starts to flow, charging is completed, and the charging current I S The time is set as (TA+ΔTA) obtained by adding an additional waiting time ΔTA, which is longer than the turn-off time Trr of each capacitor, to the charging waiting time TA until Trr becomes zero.

[0037] Step S15 After the waiting time has elapsed, the control circuit 20 outputs trigger signals T1 to TN to the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN. In this configuration, in the first cycle, current flows through one or more diodes inserted between the startup semiconductor switch SW and each capacitor of the Marx generator 10, each capacitor, and one or more diodes inserted between each capacitor and ground, thereby charging each capacitor. In this case, if the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN are turned on after the charging current of each capacitor reaches zero but before the turn-off time Trr of each diode has elapsed, current will flow again through the diode. Therefore, as described above, the additional waiting time ΔTA is set to be longer than the turn-off time Trr of each capacitor.

[0038] At this time, the charging current I S When the voltage Vcc reaches zero, the starting semiconductor switch SW turns off spontaneously, and therefore the trigger signals T1 to TN are output after the starting semiconductor switch SW turns off.

[0039] Step S16 When the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN receive the trigger signals T1 to TN, the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN are turned on. As a result, the capacitors C1 to C1N are connected in series, and the output capacitor C OUT 7 shows an equivalent circuit of the charging device 1 when the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN are turned on. In this case, the capacitors C1 to C1N are connected in series between the output terminal 10B of the Marx generator 10 and the ground, and the output capacitor C OUT is charged.

[0040] In this case, the output voltage of the series-connected capacitors C1 to CN is OUT via the output capacitor C OUT Therefore, the output inductor L OUT The value of (L OUT The combined capacitance (C / N) of the series-connected capacitors C1 to C1N and the output capacitor C OUT Capacity (C OUT The combined capacitance (C × C OUT / (C+NC OUT )) and the current rise time and current value are determined by the resonant current, and the output capacitor C OUT is charged.

[0041] Step S17 Capacitors C1 to CN to output capacitor C OUT By transferring enough charge to the output capacitor C OUT The output capacitor C in the first embodiment waits for a predetermined waiting time until the charging is completed (second waiting state). OUT The relationship between the charging current and standby time is shown in the figure. The standby time here is the time required for the output capacitor C OUT Charging current I C The time is set as (TB+ΔTB) obtained by adding the additional waiting time ΔTB to the charging waiting time TB from when the current starts to flow until charging is completed and the amount of charged power becomes zero.

[0042] After that, the process returns to step S11, and the control circuit 20 detects the output capacitor C OUT Charging voltage V C is the target voltage V T It is determined whether the output capacitor C OUT The charging current I C When the output capacitor C OUTThe semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN are turned off during the period from when charging is completed to when the start signal INI is output (step S12). Therefore, the start signal INI that is output after the discharge waiting time is output after the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN are turned off.

[0043] In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, the output capacitor C OUT Charging progresses and the charging voltage V C As a result, the capacitors C1 to C1N connected in series with a constant output voltage (VDD × N) are switched to the output capacitor C OUT As a result, the charge that moves to the capacitors C1 to CN decreases with each repetition of the first cycle (the kth first cycle in the lower part of FIG. 6). In contrast, the charge waiting time TA is set as a fixed time that allows the capacitors C1 to CN to be charged in any state. Therefore, the charge waiting time TA is set as the longest charging time required for repeated charging of the capacitors C1 to CN, that is, the charging time required to charge each of the capacitors C1 to CN from 0 [V] to VDD [V] in the first cycle, or as a time longer than that charging time.

[0044] In addition, in this configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, the output capacitor C OUT Charging progresses and the charging voltage V C As a result, the capacitors C1 to C1N connected in series with a constant output voltage (VDD × N) are switched to the output capacitor C OUT As a result, with each second cycle, the charge transferred to the output capacitor C OUT The time from the start to the completion of charging of the output capacitor C becomes shorter (the second cycle of the kth cycle in the lower part of Figure 8). OUT Therefore, the charging waiting time TB is set as a fixed time that can charge the output capacitor C OUTThe longest charging time required to charge the output capacitor C OUT The charging time is set to a time required to charge the battery, or a time longer than the charging time.

[0045] As described with reference to FIG. 7, in this configuration, in the second cycle, the output voltage (VDD×N) of the series-connected capacitors C1 to C1N is used to charge the output capacitor C1. OUT Therefore, the output capacitor C OUT target voltage V T To charge to the target voltage V, the output voltage (VDD × N) is T Therefore, the output voltage (VDD × N) when connected in series must be higher than the target voltage V T The number of capacitors C1 to CN is set so that the voltage is sufficiently higher than the target voltage V T Assuming that the input voltage is 10 kV, the output voltage (VDD×N) may be set to, for example, about 19 kV.

[0046] Also, in the second cycle, the output capacitor C OUT Charging voltage V C is applied to the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN (thyristors) connected in series in the forward direction. Therefore, from the viewpoint of preventing a reverse current flow, the total forward withstand voltage of the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN (thyristors) is OUT The target voltage V T Also, the output capacitor C OUT Charging voltage V C is also applied to the start-up semiconductor switch SW in the forward direction. Therefore, from the viewpoint of preventing reverse current flow, the forward withstand voltage of the start-up semiconductor switch SW is OUT The target voltage V T Therefore, for example, the startup semiconductor switch SW may be configured by connecting thyristors that constitute the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN in series.

[0047] Similarly, the reverse current prevention diode D BF The reverse breakdown voltage of the T It is desirable to set it higher than

[0048] As described above, according to this configuration, by using a semiconductor switch, particularly a semiconductor switch using a thyristor, as the switch provided in the charging circuit, a signal corresponding to the charging current of the capacitor of the Marx generator and the output capacitor is generated and given to the semiconductor switch, so that the semiconductor switch can be turned on / off quickly and automatically.

[0049] As a result, in this configuration, simply by issuing a start command when performing the first charge, a start signal INI for starting the second or subsequent charge to the capacitors C1 to CN of the power supply device 100 and a trigger signal for turning on the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN are issued, thereby charging the output capacitor C OUT The output capacitor C OUT The charging voltage increases until it reaches the target voltage V T When it reaches the output capacitor C OUT Repeated charging can be completed.

[0050] In addition, the output capacitor C OUT When the charging voltage of the output capacitor C OUT If the output capacitor C1 of the Marx generator 10 is connected in series with the output capacitor C1, a high voltage may be applied to the capacitor C1, causing a reverse current. OUT and a reverse current prevention diode D between the output terminal 10B of the Marx generator 10. BF By inserting the output capacitor C OUT This prevents reverse current flow between the capacitor C1 and the power supply C1, thereby protecting the capacitor C1.

[0051] Furthermore, by automatically switching the semiconductor switch, charging of the Marx generator capacitor and charging of the output capacitor can be switched over quickly and automatically, making it possible to charge the output capacitor to the target voltage quickly.

[0052] As mentioned above, the charging time of the capacitors C1 to CN is equal to the charging time of the input inductor L IN is determined by the value of the input inductor L IN By adjusting the value of , it is possible to adjust the charging time of the capacitors C1 to CN. OUT The charging time of the output inductor L OUT is determined by the value of the output inductor L OUT By adjusting the value of the output capacitor C OUT In this way, in this configuration, the charging time of the output capacitor C can be adjusted by adjusting the inductor value. OUT It can be seen that the time it takes for the voltage to reach the target voltage can be adjusted.

[0053] This configuration allows the charging device to be constructed using elements that can be formed on a semiconductor substrate without using a transformer, making it easy to miniaturize the charging device. Furthermore, the semiconductor switch automatically turns off when the current becomes zero, so a signal only needs to be sent to the semiconductor switch when it is turned on, reducing switching loss. Furthermore, because no conversion between AC and DC is performed, a charging device without conversion loss can be realized.

[0054] Embodiment 2 Next, a charging device according to a second embodiment will be described. The charging device 2 according to the second embodiment is a modified example of the charging device 1, and differs from the charging device 1 in that it automatically controls the output timing of the trigger signal. FIG. 9 schematically shows the configuration of a power supply device 200 according to the second embodiment. The power supply device 200 has a configuration in which the charging device 1 of the power supply device 100 is replaced with the charging device 2. The charging device 2 has a configuration in which the control circuit 20 of the charging device 1 is replaced with a control circuit 30.

[0055] The control circuit 30 includes a determination unit 31 , a start signal generation unit 32 , and a trigger signal generation unit 33 .

[0056] The determination unit 31 determines the charging voltage V detected by the voltage detector 11. C Continuously monitors the charging voltage V C is the target voltage V T Determine whether it has reached

[0057] The start signal generating unit 32 outputs a start signal INI at regular time intervals from the start of charging.

[0058] The trigger signal generating unit 33 is inserted between the negative terminal of the DC power supply VDD and the ground. The trigger signal generating unit 33 generates a charging current I when the capacitors C1 to CN of the Marx generator 10 are charged by the DC power supply VDD. S The charging current I S Then, the trigger signal generator 33 detects the timing when the charging current I S After a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the current reaches zero, trigger signals T1 to TN are output to the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN of the Marx generator 10, thereby turning on the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN.

[0059] The following describes the configuration of the trigger signal generating unit 33. The trigger signal generating unit 33 includes a saturable transformer 331, a detection signal generator 332, a delay circuit 333, and a trigger signal output unit 334.

[0060] The primary winding of the saturable transformer 331 is connected between the DC power supply VDD and the ground. A charging current I S When the current flows, the secondary winding is charged by a charging current I S A pulse voltage (first pulse) is generated in the short time from when the charging current I begins to flow until the magnetic core is saturated. S Just before decreasing to zero, the charging current I S A pulse voltage (second pulse) having a polarity opposite to that at the beginning of the flow is generated.

[0061] The detection signal generator 332 detects the first pulse output from the saturable transformer 331, and then, if the detection signal generator 332 detects a second pulse, outputs the second pulse to the delay circuit 333 as a detection signal DET.

[0062] The delay circuit 333 delays the detection signal DET by a predetermined time (for example, a time longer than the turn-off time Trr of each diode of the Marx generator 10) and outputs the delayed signal to the trigger signal output unit 334.

[0063] The trigger signal output unit 334 amplifies the detection signal DET received from the delay circuit 333 and outputs the amplified signals as trigger signals T1 to TN to the semiconductor switches SW1 to SWN, respectively.

[0064] Next, the charging operation of the charging device 2 will be described in order. Fig. 10 shows a flowchart of the charging operation of the charging device 2. The charging operation of the charging device 2 includes a first cycle (steps S21 to S25) for charging the capacitors C1 to CN, and a second cycle (steps S22 to S25) for charging the capacitors C1 to CN. OUT By transferring charge to the output capacitor C OUT and a second cycle (steps S26 to S28) in which the battery is charged.

[0065] Steps S21 to S23 Steps S21 to S23 are the same as steps S11 to S13 (FIG. 4) described in the first embodiment except that the control circuit 20 is replaced with the control circuit 30, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] Step S24 The control circuit 30 controls the charging current I S Continuously monitor.

[0067] Step S25 Charging current I of capacitors C1 to CN SWhen it is detected that the current has become zero, the system waits for a predetermined waiting time ΔTA (first waiting state). Note that the waiting time ΔTA is the same as the additional waiting time ΔTA in the first embodiment, and in this case too, the waiting time ΔTA is set to be longer than the turn-off time Trr of each diode in order to prevent a current from flowing again through each diode of the Marx generator 10.

[0068] Steps S26 to S28 Steps S26 to S28 are the same as steps S15 to S17 (FIG. 4) described in the first embodiment except that control circuit 20 is replaced with control circuit 30, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] By the above operation, as in the first embodiment, the output capacitor C OUT target voltage V T It can be charged up to

[0070] In this configuration, in step S25, the system waits for a certain waiting time ΔTA after the charging of the capacitors C1 to CN is completed. FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the charging current of the capacitors C1 to CN and the waiting time in the second embodiment. By repeating the first cycle, the output capacitor C OUT Charging progresses and the charging voltage V C When the voltage rises, the capacitors C1 to C1N connected in series with a constant output voltage (VDD × N) are turned off and the output capacitor C OUT As the amount of charge moving to the capacitors C1 to CN decreases, the charging time TC from the start to the completion of charging of the capacitors C1 to CN becomes shorter. In Fig. 11, the charging time of the capacitors C1 to CN in the first cycle is TC(1), and the charging time of the capacitors C1 to CN in the kth cycle (k is an integer equal to or greater than 2) is TC(k).

[0071] In contrast to this, in the first embodiment, each time the first cycle is repeated, the charging of the capacitors C1 to CN waits for a waiting time equal to the fixed charging waiting time TA plus the fixed additional waiting time ΔTA.

[0072] Therefore, while the standby time TA+ΔTA in the first embodiment remains unchanged, the standby time TC+ΔTA in the second embodiment is the same as the standby time in the first embodiment when the first cycle is first performed, but becomes shorter as the first cycle is repeated and the charging of the output capacitor progresses. OUT It is possible to charge the battery in a shorter time.

[0073] Embodiment 3 Next, a charging device according to a third embodiment will be described. The charging device 3 according to the third embodiment is a modified example of the charging device 2, and differs from the charging device 2 in that the output timing of the start signal is automatically controlled. FIG. 12 schematically shows the configuration of a power supply device 300 according to the third embodiment. The power supply device 300 has a configuration in which the charging device 2 of the power supply device 200 is replaced with the charging device 3. The charging device 3 has a configuration in which the control circuit 30 of the charging device 2 is replaced with a control circuit 40.

[0074] The control circuit 40 has a configuration in which the start signal generating section 32 of the control circuit 30 is replaced with a start signal generating section 42. The other configuration of the control circuit 40 is the same as that of the control circuit 30, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] The start signal generator 42 is connected to the output capacitor C OUT The start signal generator 42 is connected between the output capacitor C OUT Charging current I C The charging current I C Detect the timing when becomes zero after rising.

[0076] Then, the determination unit 31 determines the charging voltage V C is the target voltage V T If it is determined that the charging current I C When a predetermined time has elapsed since the voltage Vcc becomes zero, a start signal INI is output to the starting semiconductor switch SW, turning on the starting semiconductor switch SW.

[0077] The operation of the start signal generator 42 described above is to detect the charging current Ic and set the next output capacitor C OUT This is to output the start signal INI to start charging the output capacitor C OUT To start the first charge, for example, a start command COM is externally given to the start signal generating unit 42, causing the start signal generating unit 42 to output a start signal INI.

[0078] The start signal generator 42 also determines whether the determination unit 31 is connected to the output capacitor C OUT Charging voltage V C is the target voltage V T If it is determined that the charging current I has reached C This stops the output of the start signal INI regardless of the detection result of OUT Charging is complete.

[0079] The following describes the configuration of the start signal generation unit 42. The start signal generation unit 42 has a saturable transformer 421, a detection signal generator 422, a delay circuit 423, and a trigger signal output unit 424. Of these, the saturable transformer 421, the detection signal generator 422, and the delay circuit 423 have the same configurations as the saturable transformer 331, the detection signal generator 332, and the delay circuit 333.

[0080] The saturable transformer 421 has a primary winding connected to the output capacitor C OUT The primary winding of the saturable transformer 421 is connected between the MOSFET and ground. C When the current flows, the secondary winding is charged by a charging current I C In the short time between the start of the current flow and the saturation of the magnetic core, a pulse of voltage is generated (third pulse). After that, the charging current I C Just before decreasing to zero, the charging current I C A pulse voltage of the opposite polarity to that at the beginning of the flow is generated (fourth pulse).

[0081] The detection signal generator 422 detects the third pulse output from the saturable transformer 421, and thereafter, if a fourth pulse is detected, the detection signal generator 422 outputs the fourth pulse to the delay circuit 423 as a detection signal DET.

[0082] The delay circuit 423 delays the detection signal DET by a predetermined time and outputs it to the start signal output unit 424 .

[0083] The start signal output unit 424 amplifies the detection signal DET received from the delay circuit 423 and outputs it to the startup semiconductor switch SW as a start signal INI. However, when a start command COM is received from the outside, the start signal output unit 424 outputs it to the startup semiconductor switch SW as the start signal INI regardless of the detection signal DET. Also, the determination unit 31 determines whether the output capacitor C OUT Charging voltage V C is the target voltage V T If it is determined that the detection signal DET has been reached, the start signal output unit 424 does not output the start signal INI regardless of the detection signal DET.

[0084] Next, the charging operation of the charging device 3 will be described in order. Fig. 13 shows a flowchart of the charging operation of the charging device 3. The charging operation of the charging device 3 includes a first cycle (steps S31 to S35) for charging the capacitors C1 to CN, and a second cycle (steps S32 to S35) for charging the capacitors C1 to CN. OUT By transferring charge to the output capacitor C OUT and a second cycle (steps S36 to S39) in which the battery is charged.

[0085] Steps S31 to S37 Steps S31 to S37 are the same as steps S21 to S27 (FIG. 10) described in the second embodiment except that the control circuit 30 is replaced with the control circuit 40, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] Step S38 The control circuit 40 is connected to the output capacitor C OUT Charging current I C Continuously monitor.

[0087] Step S39 Output capacitor C OUT Charging current I C When it is detected that the count value has become zero, the process waits for a predetermined waiting time ΔTB (second waiting state). The waiting time ΔTB is the same as the additional waiting time ΔTB in the first embodiment. After that, the process returns to step S31 and continues the subsequent operations, as in the first and second embodiments.

[0088] In this configuration, in step S39, the output capacitor C OUT 14 shows the output capacitor C in the third embodiment. OUT The relationship between the charging current and standby time of the output capacitor C OUT Charging progresses and the charging voltage V C When the voltage rises, the capacitors C1 to C1N connected in series with a constant output voltage (VDD × N) are turned off and the output capacitor C OUT The charge transferred to the output capacitor C OUT The charging time TD from the start to the completion of charging of the output capacitor C becomes shorter. OUT The charging time of the output capacitor C in the second cycle of the kth cycle (k is an integer equal to or greater than 2) is TD(1). OUT The charging time is TD(k).

[0089] In contrast to this, in the first embodiment, every time the second cycle is repeated, the standby time is the fixed charging standby time TB plus the fixed additional standby time ΔTB.

[0090] Therefore, the waiting time TB+ΔTB in the first embodiment is unchanged, whereas the waiting time TD+ΔTB in the second embodiment is the same as the waiting time in the first embodiment when the second cycle is first performed, but the second cycle is repeated and the output capacitor C OUTTherefore, according to this configuration, the output capacitor C OUT It is possible to charge the battery in an even shorter time.

[0091] Other embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiments, a configuration using a thyristor as a semiconductor switch has been described, but other types of semiconductor switches may be used as long as they can perform the same function.

[0092] The configurations of the trigger signal generation circuit and the start signal generation circuit are merely examples, and other configurations are possible as long as they can perform the same functions. Furthermore, the trigger signal generation circuit and the start signal generation circuit may have other appropriate configurations depending on the type of semiconductor switch used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1~3 Charging device 10. Marx Generator 10A input 10B output 11 Voltage detector 20, 30, 40 Control circuit 31 Judgment section 32, 42 Start signal generator 33 Trigger signal generator 42 Start signal generation section 1000 Injection System 100, 200, 300 power supplies 101 Injection device 101A, 101B Conductive rails 102 Switch 103 Control device 105 Armature 104 Flying object 331, 421 Saturable transformer 332, 422 Detection signal generator 333, 423 Delay circuit 334 Trigger signal output device 424 Start signal output device C1 to CN capacitors COM start command CON control signal C OUT Output Capacitor DA_1~DA_N-1, DB_1~DB_N-1, DC_1~DC_N, DD_1~DD_N-1 diodes D FB Reverse current prevention diode I C charging current INI start signal I S charging current L IN Input Inductor L OUT Output Inductor RA_1~RA_N-1, RB_1~RB_N-1, RC_1~RC_N, RD_1~RD_N resistance SW Starting semiconductor switch SW1~SWN semiconductor switches T1~TN trigger signal VDD DC power supply

Claims

1. a Marx generator that charges an output capacitor by repeatedly performing a first cycle in which a plurality of capacitors are connected in parallel between an input terminal and an output terminal and charged, and a second cycle in which the charged plurality of capacitors are connected in series between the output terminal and ground and an output capacitor connected between the output terminal and ground is charged; a starting semiconductor switch inserted between the input terminal of the Marx generator and a DC power supply, the starting semiconductor switch being turned on when the plurality of capacitors are charged and turned off when the output capacitor is charged; a voltage detector for detecting a voltage of the output capacitor; a control circuit that controls the charging operation of the Marx generator and the operation of the startup semiconductor switch so that the output capacitor is charged to a target voltage; a voltage output from the plurality of series-connected capacitors in the first cycle is higher than the target voltage of the output capacitor; the Marx generator comprises a plurality of semiconductor switches; a plurality of pairs each consisting of one capacitor and one semiconductor switch are connected in series between the input terminal and the ground; an intermediate node between the one capacitor and the one semiconductor switch of each set is connected to the input terminal; one or more diodes are inserted in a forward direction between the input terminal and each intermediate node, and one or more diodes are inserted in a forward direction between each node between two adjacent pairs of the sets and the ground; the semiconductor switches are turned off when the capacitors are charged, and the semiconductor switch is turned on when the output capacitor is charged; the plurality of semiconductor switches are switched from off to on at a timing that is longer than a turn-off time of the diodes after the charging of the plurality of capacitors is completed, The control circuit a trigger signal generating unit that outputs a trigger signal at a timing that is at least a turn-off time of the diode after the charging current of the plurality of capacitors becomes zero in the first cycle; a start signal generating unit that outputs a start signal when the charging current of the output capacitor becomes zero in the second cycle, the starting semiconductor switch is turned on in response to a start signal output from the control circuit, the plurality of semiconductor switches are turned on in response to a trigger signal output from the control circuit; Charging device.

2. a reverse current prevention means is inserted between the output terminal of the Marx generator and the output capacitor, and prevents a current from flowing in a direction opposite to a current that flows when the plurality of series-connected capacitors charge the output capacitor; The charging device according to claim 1 .

3. the reverse current prevention means is a diode inserted in a forward direction with respect to a current that flows when the plurality of series-connected capacitors charge the output capacitor; The charging device according to claim 2 .

4. The startup semiconductor switch and the plurality of semiconductor switches are configured by thyristors. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a total withstand voltage of the thyristors constituting the plurality of semiconductor switches in a direction in which a current flows when charging the plurality of capacitors is higher than a target charging voltage of the output capacitor; The charging device according to claim 4.

6. a withstand voltage of the start-up semiconductor switch in a direction in which a current flows when the plurality of capacitors are charged is higher than a target charging voltage of the output capacitor; 6. The charging device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The startup semiconductor switch is configured by connecting in series a plurality of thyristors identical to the thyristors that configure the plurality of semiconductor switches. The charging device according to claim 6.

8. an input inductor inserted between the start-up semiconductor switch and the input terminal of the Marx generator; an output inductor inserted between the output capacitor and the output terminal of the Marx generator; The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A charging device; an output capacitor; a DC power supply; The charging device is a Marx generator that charges the output capacitor by repeatedly performing a first cycle in which a plurality of capacitors are connected in parallel between an input terminal and an output terminal and charged, and a second cycle in which the charged plurality of capacitors are connected in series between the output terminal and ground and the output capacitor connected between the output terminal and ground is charged; a starting semiconductor switch inserted between the input terminal of the Marx generator and the DC power supply, the starting semiconductor switch being turned on when the plurality of capacitors are charged and turned off when the output capacitor is charged; a voltage detector for detecting a voltage of the output capacitor; a control circuit that controls the charging operation of the Marx generator and the operation of the startup semiconductor switch so that the output capacitor is charged to a target voltage; a voltage output from the plurality of series-connected capacitors in the first cycle is higher than the target voltage of the output capacitor; the Marx generator comprises a plurality of semiconductor switches; a plurality of pairs each consisting of one capacitor and one semiconductor switch are connected in series between the input terminal and the ground; an intermediate node between the one capacitor and the one semiconductor switch of each set is connected to the input terminal; one or more diodes are inserted in a forward direction between the input terminal and each intermediate node, and one or more diodes are inserted in a forward direction between each node between two adjacent pairs of the sets and the ground; the semiconductor switches are turned off when the capacitors are charged, and the semiconductor switch is turned on when the output capacitor is charged; the plurality of semiconductor switches are switched from off to on at a timing that is longer than a turn-off time of the diodes after the charging of the plurality of capacitors is completed, The control circuit a trigger signal generating unit that outputs a trigger signal at a timing that is at least a turn-off time of the diode after the charging current of the plurality of capacitors becomes zero in the first cycle; a start signal generating unit that outputs a start signal when the charging current of the output capacitor becomes zero in the second cycle, the starting semiconductor switch is turned on in response to a start signal output from the control circuit, the plurality of semiconductor switches are turned on in response to a trigger signal output from the control circuit; power supply.

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