Power system and associated methods

Abstract

Pulsed power systems that can supply high voltage, high power pulses, or high current, are described. For example, pulsed power systems may output instantaneous power up to about 1 terawatt. In example embodiments, a power system includes a generator and a switch. The generator may comprise one or more conductive layers and one or more dielectric layers arranged in alternating layers in a spiral geometry, wherein at least one of the one or more dielectric layers comprises a polarizable dielectric material. The switch may be connected at the input end of the one or more conductive layers.

Description

POWER SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODSBACKGROUND

[0001] Pulsed power is the science and technology of accumulating energy over a relatively long period of time and releasing it instantly, thus increasing instantaneous power. A pulsed power system can be referred to as a set of electronic circuits that operate on time scales of a millisecond or less discharging energies ranging from millijoules up to many hundreds of megajoules. Due to the rapid discharge times, these circuits usually use capacitive or inductive energy storage and due to material limitations, these systems are typically large volume and mass systems requiring specialty systems, facilities, and operators. Additionally, depending upon the impedance of the load, these circuits typically need to deliver voltages and currents exceeding that deliverable through one capacitor or inductor alone, and need complex series / parallel switching in order to deliver high power. Examples of pulsed power systems include but not limited to linear transformer drivers, Marx generators, capacitive discharge systems, inductive discharge systems, tesla coils, Blumlein pulse forming networks, pulse transformers, transverse electromagnetic mode cell, magnetic pulse compression systems, explosively driven pulsed power systems, compact magnetic flux compression systems, capacitor banks, and transmission line transformers. Due to these complexities, pulsed power systems, in particular high-voltage systems have limited practical applications outside of military uses and high energy density physics experiments.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] These drawings illustrate certain aspects of some of the embodiments of the present invention and should not be used to limit or define the invention.

[0003] Figures lAto 1C are a schematic illustration ofa process for the electric field vector inversion in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0004] Figure 2 is a waveform illustration of vector inversion in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0005] Figure 3 is another waveform illustration of vector inversion in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0006] Figure 4 illustrates a spiral generator in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0007] Figure 5 illustrates a spiral generator in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0008] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a spiral generator in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0009] Figure 7 is a top view of an unwound portion of a dielectric layer of a spiral generator incorporating metamaterial resonators in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0010] Figure 8 is a block diagram of a pulsed power system in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0011] Figure 9A is a schematic illustration showing a pulse forming network with multiple pulsed power supplies in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0012] Figure 9B is a waveform illustration of the power discharge from the pulsed power system of Figure 9A with series discharge in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0013] Figure 9C is a waveform illustration of the power discharge from the pulsed power supplies of Figure 9A with parallel discharge in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0014] Figure 10 illustrates a spiral generator used as a capacitor in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0015] Figure 11 illustrates a spiral generator formed on printed circuit board in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0016] Figure 12 illustrates a generator stack in accordance with one or more embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Disclosed herein is a pulsed power system. Advantageously, the pulsed power system can supply high voltage, high power pulses or high current, high power pulses. For example, the pulsed power system may output instantaneous power up to about 1 terawatt.

[0018] The pulsed power system may be useful in any of a variety of applications where high-power pulses may be desirable. For example, the pulsed power system may be used in photon generation, producing shock waves, heating material, accelerating matter, producing electromagnetic fields, separate matterjoin matter, power conditioning and storing energy. These capabilities can be applied for a wide array of applications including but not limited to: photon generators, resource extraction, electrical batteries and storage, material purification and filtering, sterilization of materials, directed energy systems, electromagnetic pulse systems, electromagnetic forming, nuclear fusion and fission, generation of cold plasmas, generation of exotic matterparticles such as antimatter and muons, directing and generation of plasmas, directing of metal and metal oxide vapors, particle accelerators, welding and joining, vapor deposition, powder production, mining and exploration, pulverization of materials, comminution and beneficiation, communication, propulsion systems, nuclear reactions, agriculture production, battery restoration and recycling, fuel production, chemical production, electrical power transmission and distribution, manipulation of metamaterials, power conditioning, power regulation, material testing and characterization, metallurgy, medical and biological applications, transportation applications, and other applications.

[0019] In accordance with present embodiments, the pulsed power system uses vector inversion to achieve voltage or current magnification. For example, the pulsed power system may magnify an input voltage or current. Vector inversion refers to the rapid reversal of electric fields to allow series voltage multiplication. By vector inversion, a lower voltage supply may be shaped to a narrow pulse at a higher voltage or higher current. In other embodiments, the pulsed power system uses vector inversion to achieve voltage or current reduction. For example, the pulsed power system may reduce an input voltage or current.

[0020] The pulsed power system comprises a generator having insulator and conductor layers. In some embodiments, the insulator and conductor layers may be fabricated in a spiral geometry to form a spiral generator. The pulsed power system is charged from a power source, such as wall power or power system, which may be direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC). A switch connected to the input end (e.g., outer end) of the conductor layers can be closed shorting the pulsed power system causing the stored charge to have a longer path length than the length of the capacitor-transmission line combination. The path length is the total distance electrons travel from the end of the positive line to the end of the negative line. The transmission line is the conductive material in the spiral composite structure. The transmission line is connected to both the input power source and the output into load. As a result, the pulsed power system may be considered underdamped causing electrons to stack up on the ground plate. When the ground plate is at its highest charge state, the pulsed power system may deliver its highest output voltage, which then allows high energy electrons to be delivered to a load. By varying the feed voltage and the spiral number of turns, any arbitrary output voltage may be produced allowing the pulsed power system to drive current into any load. It should also be noted that a generator described herein canalso be architected to supply nominal voltage but high current. Further, the power system may further comprise a load coupled to the generator output.

[0021] Figures 1 A to 1C are a schematic illustration of a voltage magnification mechanism in accordance with example embodiments. The voltage magnification mechanism illustrated on these figures uses vector inversion for series voltage multiplication. Figures 1A to 1C schematically illustrate a pulsed power system 100 comprising a generator 102. A switch 104 connects the generator 102 with aground side 106 of the pulsed power system 100. With reference to Figure 1A, the generator 102 has a stored charge, illustrated as electrons 108. When the generator 102 is shorted, as shown on Figure IB, the electrons 108 move from the generator 102 and send an electromagnetic wave down the switch 104 in the direction indicated by arrows 110. With reference now to Figure 1C, the electromagnetic wave charges the ground side 106 of pulsed power system 100 with electrons 108 being repelled from the ground side 106 to a load (not shown) in the direction indicated by arrow 112.

[0022] With additional reference to Figure 2, a graph of voltage versus time showing a hypothetical waveform depiction of vector inversion is provided in accordance with example embodiments. At Step 1A (corresponding to Figure 1A), the generator 102 is charged by the external power source. At Step IB (corresponding to Figure IB), the generator 102 is shorted with electrons 108 moving from the generator 102 down to the switch 104 by the voltage reduction. At step 1C (corresponding to Figure 1C), the generator 102 discharges maximum voltage as the electromagnetic wave charges the ground side 106 with electrons being discharged to load by the negative peak.

[0023] With additional reference to Figure 3, another hypothetical waveform depiction of vector inversion is illustrated, in accordance with example embodiments. As illustrated, the pulsed power system 100 (e.g., shown on Figure 1A) is charged at Time = 0 with an initial field configuration. When shorted, the pulsed power system 100 discharges electrons 108 (e.g., shown on Figure 1C) until a maximum negative peak is reached, referred to as a magnification field configuration.

[0024] Example embodiments may use a pulsed power system 100. As previously described, the pulsed power system 100 includes a generator 102 that is charged then releases pulsed energy. The energy pulses may be high voltage, low current, low voltage, high current and thus be high-energy pulses. The energy pulses can also be low voltage, low current or high voltage,high current based upon the load impendence, input charge voltage and spiral generator geometry. In addition, the pulsed power system 100 can deliver power with a range of discharge times enabling the ability to heat a material, generate photons, produce shock waves, accelerate matter, produce electromagnetic fields, separate matterjoin matter, and store energy.

[0025] The pulsed power system 100 may be used to provide power to a number of different end uses. In general, the pulsed power system 100 may be used where high power may be desired. For example, the pulsed power system 100 can provide high power output in applications that lack required DC power supplies, for example, due to space, weight, or average power limitations. In some embodiments, the pulsed power system 100 may be used for additive manufacturing. A non-exhaustive list of additional uses for the pulsed power system 100 include photon generation, resource extraction, electrical storage, material purification and filtering, sterilization of materials, directed energy, electromagnetic pulse, electromagnetic forming, nuclear reactions, exotic particle formation, welding and joining of materials, vapor deposition, powder production, mining and exploration, pulverization of materials, comminution and beneficiation, communication, propulsion systems, agriculture production, battery restoration and recycling, fuel production, chemical production, electrical power transmission and distribution, manipulation of metamaterials, power conditioning, power regulation, material testing and characterization, metallurgy, medical and biological applications, and transportation applications, among others.

[0026] To charge the pulsed power system 100, power is inputted to the spiral generator charge line. For example, a power source, such as wall power or a separate power supply may be coupled to the generator 102 to provide input power. The input power to the pulsed power system 100 may range, for example, from about 0.001 watts to about 100,000 watts or more. In some embodiments, the input power to the pulsed power system 100 may range from about 100 watts to about 10,000 watts. In some embodiments, the input power to the pulsed power system 100 may range from about 1,000 watts to 1,000,000,000 watts.

[0027] The pulsed power system 100 may be controlled to provide high-energy pulses. For example, the pulsed power system 100 may output instantaneous power at a range from about 1 watt to about 1 terawatt. In some embodiments, the pulsed power system 100 may output instantaneous power at a range from about 1 kilowatt to 1 megawatt. In some embodiments, the pulsed power system 100 may output instantaneous power at a range from about 1 megawatt to 1 terawatt. By way of further example, the pulsed power system 100 may have an output voltage ofabout 50 millivolts to about 50 megavolts. In some embodiments, the pulsed power system may have an output voltage of about 50 millivolts to about 40 kilovolts, about 40 kilovolts to about 1 megavolt, about 600 kilovolts to about 10 megavolts, or about 10 megavolts to about 1 gigavolt. The instantaneous power output and / or output voltage from the pulsed power system 100 can depend, for example, on the total length of wind, number of turns, size of the pulsed power system 100, dielectric material, conductive material and load inductance. For example, the number of turns may range from about 2 to about 100,000, alternatively about 2 to about 1,000, about 1,000 to about 10,000, or about 10,000 to about 100,00. By way of further example, the radius of the spiral composite structure (e.g., spiral composite structure 400 on Figure 5) may range from about 0.10 micrometer to about 1 meter. By way of further example, the individual layers (e.g., first dielectric layer 500 and second dielectric layer 502 on Figure 5) may have a height of about 1 micrometer to about 1 meter (as shown on Figure 4).

[0028] The power may be discharged from the pulsed power system 100 with a pulse output power at a discharge time that ranges from about 1 picosecond to about 100 seconds. In some embodiments, the discharge time from the pulsed power system 100 may range from about 1 picosecond to 1 nanosecond. In some embodiments, the discharge time from the pulsed power system 100 may range from about 1 nanosecond to 1 millisecond. In some embodiments, the discharge time ranges from 1 millisecond to 100 seconds. The discharge time can depend, for example, on the inductance of the load, relative permittivity of the dielectric material, relative permeability of the conductor, spacing between the conductors, and switching speed of the switch.

[0029] The power may be pulsed from the pulsed power system 100 at a fast-firing rate to provide energy pulses at a rapid rate. For example, the power may be pulsed at a firing rate of about 1 hertz to about 100 Megahertz. In some embodiments, the pulse rate from the power system may range from about 100 Hertz to 1 kilohertz. The pulse rate can depend, for example on the inductance of the spiral generator, relative permittivity of the dielectric material used in the generator 102, relative permeability of the conductor used in the generator 102, resistivity of the conductor used in the generator 102, spacing between the conductors of the generator 102, and available current from the power source.

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates a generator 102 with a spiral geometry for use in a pulsed power system 100 (e.g., shown on Figures 1A, IB, 1C, 5) in accordance with example embodiments. As illustrated, generator 102 comprises spiral composite structure 400. In the illustrated embodiment,the spiral composite structure 400 is fabricated with a spiral geometry to form a spiral composite structure 400. The number of turns controls the voltage multiplier. Typical number of turns ranges from 5 to 5000 for applications that use input voltages ranging from 3.5V DC to 120V DC or 5V AC to 120 V AC, or as much as 5V AC 50,000V AC, or 5V DC to 50,000V DC such as power conversion, additive manufacturing, some chemical production, and welding dependent upon scale of operations. For higher power applications such as high voltage power conversion, nuclear reaction initiation / exotic matter creation, plasma generation, the number of turns can increase to 10,000 or more due to the higher output voltages needed.

[0031] With additional reference to Figure 5, example embodiments of the generator 102 comprise a spiral composite structure 400 with a spiral geometry that is fabricated around an essentially circular core 402. As illustrated, the spiral composite structure 400 comprises a first dielectric layer 500 and a second dielectric layer 502. While Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the first dielectric layer 500 and second dielectric layer 502 as being separate layers, they may be a single layer, in some embodiments. The spiral composite structure also comprises first and second conductive layers 504, 506, wherein the first dielectric layer 500, second dielectric layer 502, first conductive layer 504, and second conductive layer 506 are arranged in alternating layers in a spiral geometry. The first and second conductive layers 504, 506 form alternating layers between the first and second dielectric layers 500, 502, respectively, in the spiral composite structure 400. For example, the spiral composite structure 400 includes the first conductive layer 504, first dielectric layer 500, second conductive layer 506, and second dielectric layer 502, starting from the exterior. The first and second conductive layers 504, 506 and first and second dielectric layers 500, 502 are coupled to one another. For example, the first conductive layer 504 is layered on the first dielectric layer 500, which is layered on the second conductive layer 506, which is layered on the second dielectric layer 502.

[0032] The first and second conductive layers 504, 506 may comprise any of a variety of suitable conductors, including a conductor, such as metal or metalloid including but not limited to copper, aluminum, Inconel, graphene, carbon silver, gold, nickel, silicon, graphite, chromium, platinum, tin, lead, silicon or stainless steel. The first and second conductive layers 504, 506 may have any suitable thickness, such as 10 nanometers to 5 millimeters. In accordance with present embodiments, the first and / or second dielectric layers 500, 502 may comprise a polarizable dielectric material. In some embodiments, the polarizable dielectric material is in the first dielectriclayer 500, the second dielectric layer 502, or both of the first and second dielectric layers 500, 502. As used herein, polarizable dielectric materials have high relative permittivity of 2 or greater. For example, the polarizable dielectric materials can have a relative permittivity of about 2 to about 40 or about 40 to about 100,000 or about 1,000 to about 100,000. Polarizable dielectric materials with a corresponding high relative permittivity should have a stronger polarization response to an imposed electric field, allowing the material to store more energy unit per mass. In some embodiments, the polarizable dielectric material may be mixed with a dielectric matrix material. In some embodiments, the polarizable dielectric material may be disposed on a dielectric substrate. Examples of suitable dielectric matrix materials or substrates include epoxies, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimides, polyurethane, ceramic pastes, ceramic matrix and combinations thereof. The dielectric layer may have any suitable thickness, such as between 10 nanometers to 5 millimeters. In some embodiments, the polarizable dielectric material may be disposed on a conductive substrate. Examples of suitable conductive substrates include aluminum, Inconel, nickel, stainless steel, copper, platinum, silver, gold, chromium tin, lead, carbon, silicon and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polarizable dielectric material may be disposed on a substrate comprising a conductive material, such as copper, aluminum, Inconel, graphene, carbon silver, gold, nickel, silicon, graphite, chromium, platinum, tin, lead, silicon or stainless steel, or other suitable conductor. The conductive layer may have any suitable thickness, such as between 10 nanometers to 5 millimeters.

[0033] The polarizable dielectric material may include, for example, a ferroelectric material, a conjugated polymer, glass or combinations thereof. Examples of suitable ferroelectric materials include barium titanate, strontium titanate, potassium niobate, lithium niobate, lead titanate, barium strontium titanate, lead zirconium titanate, calcium copper titanate, or other perovskite, ferroelectric materials or semiconductor materials. Polarizable. Examples of suitable conjugated polymers include: poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene); polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS); poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV); poly(2,7-carbazole) (PCZ); polyimides (PI) and poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO). Examples of suitable glass include silicates such as: borosilicate, lead silicate, alkali silicate, sodium borosilicate, aluminosilicate, lead borosilicate, and zinc borosilicate The polarizable dielectric material may be included in the first and second dielectric layers 500, 502 in any suitable amount, for example, in an amount of about 5% to about 80% by mass of the corresponding dielectric layer.

[0034] As illustrated, the first and second conductive layers 504, 506 are each separated by first and second dielectric layers 500, 502. The first and second conductive layers 504, 506 have input ends 508, 510 (e.g., outer ends) and output ends 512, 514 (e.g., inner ends). In the illustrated embodiments, the input ends 508, 510 are coupled across a switch 516. In an alternative embodiment, a switch 516 is coupled across the output ends 512, 514. One of the output ends 512, 514, identified as first output end 512 is coupled to a load 518 and a variable inductor 520 that are in series. A power supply 522 is coupled to the input ends 508, 510 by way of the switch 516. The switch 516 may enable, for example, power conditioning of an output from the generator 102. For example, the switch 516 may enable magnification of an input voltage or current with vector inversion. By way of further example, the switch 516 may enable reduction of an input voltage of current with vector inversion.

[0035] With the switch 516 open, the power supply 522 is coupled to the second input end 510 of the second conductive layer 506 and provides energy for charging the generator 102. As previously described, the power supply 522 may be a DC power supply with a power input ranging from 100 watts to 100,000 watts or more, for example. When the switch 516 is closed, the generator 102 provides power to the load 518. The electrons begin flowing from the charged line to the ground line 524 where they launch an electrostatic / electromagnetic wave which propagates through the line until reaching the center of the generator 102 where it reaches it maximum intensification and outputs into the load 518.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the variable inductor 520 is positioned in series with the load 518. As illustrated, the variable inductor 520 is disposed between the load 518 and the generator 102. The variable inductor 520 generally may vary the current output. With inclusion of the variable inductor 520, the output from the generator 102 can be controlled in accordance with present embodiments.

[0037] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the spiral composite structure 400 of the generator 102 taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5, in accordance with example embodiments. As illustrated, the spiral composite structure 400 comprises alternating layers of the first and second dielectric layers 500, 502 and the first and second conductive layers 504, 506. In the illustrated embodiment, at least one of the second dielectric layers 502 comprises a composite 600 disposed on a dielectric substrate, wherein the composite 600 comprises a dielectric material and at least one additional material selected from the group consisting of a ferroelectric material, a conjugatedpolymer, and a glass. For example, composite 600 may include, for example, an additional material (e.g., a ferroelectric ceramic such as barium titanate, a conjugated polymer, or a glass, such as silicate glass) dispersed in a dielectric matrix. In some embodiments, the composite 600 may comprise the additional material (e.g., a ferroelectric ceramic such as barium titanate, a conjugated polymer, or a glass, such as silicate glass) mixed with a varying fraction of dielectric matrix material such as, but not limited to, polymers, of which some examples include epoxies, polyvinyl butyral, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimides, poly and polyurethane. The dielectric substrate 602 may comprise any suitable dielectric material, polyvinyl butyral, polytetrafluoroethylene including polymers, epoxies, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimides, ceramic pastes, ceramic matrix and combinations thereof.

[0038] While Figure 6 illustrates the composite 600 disposed in at least one of the second dielectric layers 502, it should be understood that the composite 600 may be otherwise configured. For example, the composite 600 may be included in only one of the second dielectric layers 502, all of the second dielectric layers 502, or a subset of the second dielectric layers 502. In addition, the composite 600 may be disposed in at least one of the first dielectric layers 500 in addition to, or in place, of the second dielectric layers, for example, in only one of the first dielectric layers 500, all of the first dielectric layers, or a subset of the first dielectric layers 500.

[0039] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second dielectric layers 500, 502 comprises at least one metamaterial 604 disposed in at least one of the dielectric layers, such as the first and second dielectric layers 500, 502. As illustrated, two or more of the alternating layers of the first and second dielectric layers 500, 502 comprise the at least one metamaterial 604. In some embodiments, at least one metamaterial 604 may be disposed in the ferroelectric material, conjugated polymer, or glass, for example, the composite 600. Suitable metamaterials for use as the metamaterial 604 include materials engineered to have a geometry that interacts with an electromagnetic field. The metamaterial may be a conductive material (e.g., copper, aluminum, Inconel, graphene, silver, gold, nickel or stainless steel) embedded in the dielectric material, for example, as specific shapes or features and at specific locations. Any of a variety of suitable metamaterial features may be used, including negative refractive index metamaterials, fishnet structures, helical structures, hyperbolic dispersive metamaterials, magnetic metamaterials, and metamaterial resonators (e g., metamaterial resonator 702 shown on Figure 7). Examples of suitable metamaterial resonators include circular split-ring resonators, rectangular split-ringresonators, labyrinth resonators, and fractal resonators. Among other things, the at least one metamaterial 604 modifies the dielectric properties to help sharpen the output pulse to enable faster discharges. For example, the metamaterial 604 may trap magnetic fields to prevent retardation of the output pulse and can enable engineered dispersive properties to enable the output pulse to sharpen as it exits the spiral geometry.

[0040] Any suitable technique may be used to form at least one metamaterial 604 in at least one of the dielectric layers, such as the first and second dielectric layers 500, 502. Examples of suitable techniques include photolithography, spraying / masking, screen printing, pick and place, chemical etching, ion beam milling, electron beam deposition, nanoimprint lithography, atomic layer deposition, other physical and chemical deposition approaches, additive manufacturing, and die cutting / adhering and other subtractive manufacturing approaches. In some embodiments, at least one metamaterial 604 may be etched or otherwise drawn. In other embodiments, at least one metamaterial 604 may be cut from conductive ribbon materials and implanted into the dielectric layer using adhesives or deposited using masking.

[0041] While at least one metamaterial 604 is shown in at least one of the second dielectric layers 502, it should be understood that at least one metamaterial 604 may be otherwise configured. For example, at least one metamaterial 604 may be included in only one of the second dielectric layers 502, all of the second dielectric layers 502, or a subset of the second dielectric layers 502. In addition, the at least one metamaterial 604 may be disposed in at least of the first dielectric layers 500 in addition to, or in place, of the second dielectric layers, for example, in only one of the first dielectric layers 500, all of the first dielectric layers, or a subset of the first dielectric layers 500.

[0042] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of one of the second dielectric layers 502 of the spiral composite structure 400 taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6, in accordance with example embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, at least one metamaterial 604 of the second dielectric layer 502 is shown. As illustrated, at least one metamaterial 604 includes a plurality of resonators arranged in an array 700 to modify the relative permittivity to enable faster discharge times. As illustrated, at least one metamaterial 604 may be in the form of a metamaterial resonators 702 (e.g., circular split-ring resonators), as shown on this figure, for example. While only a single dielectric layer (e.g., second dielectric layer 502) is shown on Figure 7, example embodiments may include two or more of the first and second dielectric layers 500, 502 comprising metamaterial resonators702. In the illustrated embodiment, the metamaterial resonators 702 each comprise an inner ring 704 with a first split 706 on one side disposed inside of an outer ring 708 with a second split 710 on an opposite side from the first split 706. A number of variables can be adjusted to tune the performance of the metamaterial resonators 702, including number of the metamaterial resonators 702, spacing of the metamaterial resonators 702, radius of the inner ring 704, radius of the outer ring 708, conductivity of the resonator ring material, and size of the first and second splits 706, 710, among others. The spacing of the metamaterial resonators 702 may vary, for example, from 10 nm to 1 cm and, in other embodiments, from 1 mm to 1 cm. The unit cell size of the metamaterial resonators 702 may vary, for example, from 10 nm to 1 cm and, in other embodiments, from 10 um to 1 mm. The radius of the inner ring 704 may vary, for example, from 10 nm to 10 cm and, in other embodiments, from 1 mm to 5 mm. The radius of the outer ring 708 may vary, for example, from 10 nm to 4 mm and, in other embodiments, from 50 um to 3 mm.

[0043] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating a pulsed power system 100 for providing energy to a load 518 in accordance with example embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, a power supply 522 (e.g., a DC power supply) is electrically coupled to the generator 102. As previously described, power supply 522 may be used to charge generator 102, which is configured to discharge power to a load 518 when a switch 516 (e.g., referring to Figure 5) is activated. In the illustrated embodiment, the pulsed power system 100 also comprises a feed capacitor 800. The feed capacitor 800 provides additional energy to allow tailoring for total output energy and power. In the illustrated embodiment, the feed capacitor 800 is positioned electrically between the power supply 522 and the generator 102, for example, to regulate voltage provided to the generator 102. The feed capacitor 800 can also provide power directly to load 518.

[0044] The load 518 may be any suitable load that can receive power from the pulsed power system 100. In some embodiments, load 518 comprises a print head or other suitable load for AM. However, the pulsed power system 100 is not limited to AM applications. Rather, the pulsed power system 100 may be used in any of a variety of applications where high energy input may be desired. For example, the load 518 may include electrodes, a target material, photon source, plasma source, magnet, neutron source, electron source, conductive wire, other energy sources, nuclear target, accelerator cavity, railgun, coil gun, antenna, magnetron, vircator, magnetically insulated line oscillator, deposition head, welding head, drill head, battery, motor, propulsioncavity, ignition starters, actuators, power generation sources, power transmission and distribution sources, and a catalyst, among others.

[0045] Figure 9A illustrates a configuration with multiple generators (e.g., pulsed power supplies), in accordance with example embodiments. As illustrated, a first pulsed power system 900, a second pulsed power system 902, and a third pulsed power system 904 may each be electrically coupled to a load 518. Each of the first, second, and third pulsed power supplies 900, 902, and 904 may include one or more features disclosed herein to provide pulsed power, for example, use vector inversion to achieve voltage magnification, including a spiral generator (e.g., generator 102 in Figures 1A-1C, 4, 5, 6, and 8). In accordance with example embodiments, the first, second, and third pulsed power supplies 900, 902, and 904 may be configured to discharge in series or in parallel. When fired in series, the first, second, and third pulsed power supplies 900, 902, and 904 may output an instantaneous power that is constant or near constant as shown. In embodiments, the pulsed power is discharged in series with additional pulsed power from one or more additional generators shown in Figure 9B. When fired in parallel, the first, second, and third pulsed power supplies 900, 902, and 904 may output an instantaneous power that is additive to provide higher output power. In embodiments, the pulsed power is discharged in parallel with additional pulsed power from one or more additional generators as shown in Figure 9C. Two or more generators (e.g., pulsed power supplies) may be stacked in parallel (e.g., generator stack 1200 on Figure 12) and interconnected to increase the total energy stored with an energy stored per stack ranging from 1 mJ to 1 GJ, with a total number of stacked generators ranging from 2 to 100,000 generators, for example.

[0046] Figure 9B illustrates a hypothetical power output (e.g., first waveform 906, second waveform 908, and third waveform 9010) from series discharge of multiple pulsed power supplies, in accordance with example embodiments. This figure provides waveform illustration of the power output as a function of time. The power output from a first pulsed power system 900 (e.g., shown on Figure 9A) is provided as first waveform 906 of Figure 9B. The power output from a second pulsed power system 902 (e.g., shown on Figure 9A) is provided as second waveform 908 of Figure 9B. The power output from a third pulsed power system 904 (e.g., shown on Figure 9A) is provided as third waveform 910 of Figure 9B. As illustrated, by series discharge, the output power remains constant at a high level.

[0047] Figure 9C illustrates a hypothetical power output from parallel discharge of multiple pulsed power supplies, in accordance with example embodiments. This figure provides waveform illustration of the power output with power as a function of time. The power output from a first pulsed power system 900 (e.g., shown on Figure 9A) is provided as first waveform 906 of Figure 9C. The power output from a second pulsed power system 902 (e.g., shown on Figure 9A) plus the first pulsed power system 900 (e.g., shown on Figure 9A) is provided as second waveform 908 of Figure 9C. The power output from a third pulsed power system 904 (e.g., shown on Figure 9A) plus the first pulsed power system 900 (e.g., shown on Figure 9A) plus the second pulsed power system 902 (e.g., shown on Figure 9A) is provided as third waveform 910 of Figure 9C. As illustrated, by parallel discharge, the output power is additive with a high peak that drops much faster than the series discharge of Figure 9C.

[0048] Accordingly, Figures 9B and 9C illustrate various waveforms that can be output from use of multiple generators. Integrating of a generator (e.g., first pulsed power system 900, second pulsed power system 902, and / or third pulsed power system 904) with additional inductors and resistors can allow this configuration to act as a pulse forming network and generate customizable wave forms. For example, a generator may be configured with one or more additional generators into a pulse forming network to allow the creation of a range of output waveforms including: sine, square, sawtooth, chirp, triangle, exponential rise, exponential decay, unit step, and impulse.

[0049] While the previous description describes use of the generator 102 in a pulsed power system, it should be understood that the generator 102 (e.g., shown on Figures 1A-1C, 4-7) can also be used as a capacitor. As disclosed herein, the generator 102 buffers energy by absorbing charge from a power source (e.g., power supply 522 on Figure 5) and storing the generated charge as an electrostatic field in its turns (e.g., spiral composite structure 400 on Figures 4-7). After charging through the positive terminal (e.g., second input end 510 on Figure 5), a voltage output can be achieved by shorting the positive terminal and negative terminal (e.g. input end 508 on Figure 5) with a switch (e.g., switch 516 on Figure 5), resulting in a discharge of electricity to a load through the switch. For example, an electrostatic wave may be driven through the spiral geometry intensifying itself to deliver a high electric field transient pulse to a load (e.g., load 518 on Figure 5) coupled to a center terminal (e.g., first output end 512).

[0050] Generator 102 may be considered a capacitor and a transformer, in accordance with example embodiments. The power system with generator 102 can be used just as a capacitor by not stepping up the voltage and having the power system discharge energy in short bursts, which can be rapidly cycled as the system stores energy electrostatically. Because the generator 102 operates by initially charging up to the voltage fed to it by the power source, the system shown on Figure 5 may be modified for use as a capacitor by disconnecting the load from the center terminal (e.g., first output end 512) and instead connecting the load to the switch 516 whereby electricity may be discharged from the generator 102 by triggering the switch 516.

[0051] Figure 10 illustrates a system 1000 that includes a generator 102 wired to a load 518 as a capacitor. As illustrated, generator 102 may include a positive terminal 1002, negative terminal 1004, and center terminal 1006. While not shown onFigure 10, generator 102 may include a spiral geometry. For example, the generator may include turns (e g., spiral composite structure 400 on Figures 4-7) as described herein. The positive terminal 1002 may be coupled to a power supply 522. The negative terminal 1004 may be coupled to a ground 1008. The system 1000 may also include the load 518. The load 518 may be coupled to positive terminal 1002 across switch 516.

[0052] In operation, the power supply 522 may provide energy for charging the generator 102, for example, when the switch 516 is open. The energy from the power supply 522 may be stored in the generator, for example, as an electrostatic charge in its turns (e.g., spiral composite structure 400 on Figures 4-7). When the switch 516 is closed, the generator 102 may discharge electricity to the load 518.

[0053] Figure 11 illustrates a generator 120 formed on a printed circuit board 1100 in accordance one or more embodiments. As illustrated, the generator 120 with spiral geometry may be formed on the printed circuit board 1100. In the illustrated embodiment, the spiral composite structure 400 is fabricated with a spiral geometry to form a spiral composite structure 400 on the printed circuit board 1100. The spiral composite structure 400 may comprise first and second dielectric layers 500, 502 and first and second conductive layers 504, 506. As illustrated, switch 1102 is also formed on the printed circuit board 1100. The switch 1102 may be electrically connected to the generator 120 by the printed circuit board 1100. While not shown, the switch 1102 may couple the generator 120 to power supply (e.g., power supply 522 on Figure 5). The switch 1102 may enable, for example, power conditioning of an output from the generator 102.For example, the switch 1 102 may enable magnification of an input voltage or current with vector inversion. By way of further example, the switch 1102 may enable reduction of an input voltage of current with vector inversion. When the switch 1102 is open, for example, the generator 120 may be charged, in some embodiments. When the switch 1102 is closed, for example, the generator 120 may discharge to the load (e.g., load 518 on Figure 5).

[0054] Figure 12 illustrates a generator stack 1200 in accordance with one or more embodiments. As illustrated, two or more generators 120 may be stacked to form the generator stack 1200. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the generators 120 may be formed on a corresponding printed circuit board 1100. The generators 120 may be stacked in parallel and interconnected, for example, to increase the total energy stored. In some embodiments, the energy stored per generator stack 1200 may range from 1 mJ to 1 GJ, with a total number of stacked generators ranging from 2 to 100,000 generators, for example.

[0055] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to particular devices or methods, which may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. All numbers and ranges disclosed herein may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range are specifically disclosed. Although individual embodiments are discussed herein, the invention covers all combinations of all those embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include singular and plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, the word “may” be used throughout this application in a permissive sense (i.e., having the potential to, being able to), not in a mandatory sense (i.e., must). The term “include,” and derivations thereof, mean “including, but not limited to.” The term “coupled” means directly or indirectly connected. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted for the purposes of understanding this invention.

[0056] Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, even where only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. Examples of features provided in the disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive unless stated otherwise. The above description isintended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0057] The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature or combination of features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or any generalization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of the problems addressed herein. Various advantages of the present disclosure have been described herein, but embodiments may provide some, all, or none of such advantages, or may provide other advantages.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A power system comprising: a generator comprising one or more conductive layers and one or more dielectric layers arranged in alternating layers in a spiral geometry, wherein at least one of the one or more dielectric layers comprises a polarizable dielectric material; and a switch connecting at an input end of the one or more conductive layers.

2. The power system of claim 1, wherein the switch enables power conditioning at an output.

3. The power system of claim 2, wherein the power system is configured to magnify an input voltage or current.

4. The power system of claim 2, wherein the power system is configured to reduce an input voltage or current.

5. The power system of claim 1, wherein the polarizable dielectric material comprises a ferroelectric material.

6. The power system of claim 5, wherein the ferroelectric material comprises a ferroelectric ceramic.

7. The power system of claim 5, wherein the ferroelectric material comprises barium titanate.

8. The power system of claim 1, wherein the polarizable dielectric material comprises calcium copper titanate.

9. The power system of claim 1, wherein the polarizable dielectric material comprises a conjugated polymer.

10. The power system of claim 1, wherein the polarizable dielectric material comprises a glass silicate.

11. The power system of claim 1, wherein the polarizable dielectric material is disposed on a substrate comprising the dielectric material.

12. The power system of claim 1, wherein the polarizable dielectric material is disposed on a substrate comprising a conductive material.

13. The power system of claim 1, wherein the polarizable dielectric material is embedded in a matrix comprising the dielectric material.

14. The power system of claim 1, further comprising a load coupled to an output of the generator.

15. The power system of claim 1, wherein a power supply is coupled to the generator across the switch, and wherein a load is coupled to at least one output end of the conductive layers.

16. The power system of claim 1, wherein the switch is coupled across output ends of the one or more conductive layers.

17. The power system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the one or more dielectric layers comprises a metamaterial.

18. The power system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the one or more dielectric layers comprises a metamaterial resonator.

19. The power system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the one or more dielectric layers comprises two or more metamaterial resonators.

20. The power system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the one or more dielectric layers contains a metamaterial resonator feature selected from the group consisting of a circular split-ring resonator, a rectangular split-ring resonator, and any combinations thereof.

21. The power system of claim 1, further comprising a variable inductor disposed between the generator having the spiral geometry and a load coupled to the generator.

22. The power system of claim 1 , wherein a power output of the system is configured to discharge pulsed power multiple times.

23. The power system of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional generators, wherein the generator and the one or more additional generators are electrically coupled to output pulsed power to a load.

24. The power system of claim 1, wherein the switch enable power conditioning at an output of the generator.

25. The power system of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board, wherein the switch and the generator are formed on the printed circuit board.

26. The power system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more dielectric layers has a thickness of about 10 nanometers to about 5 millimeters, and wherein each of the conductive layers has a thickness of about 10 nanometers to about 5 millimeters.

27. The power system of claim 1, wherein the power system is configured to output instantaneous power at a range from about 1 watt to about 1 terawatt at a discharge time ranging from 10 picoseconds to about 100 milliseconds, and a firing rate of about 1 hertz to about 1 Megahertz.

28. The power system of claim 1, wherein the generator is a spiral generator, wherein the conductive layers and the one or more dielectric layers are fabricated to form a spiral composite structure, wherein the spiral composite structure has a number of turns that range from about 2 to about 100,000, wherein the spiral composite structure has a radius of about 1 micrometer to about 1 meter, and wherein the one or more dielectric layers each have a height of about 1 micrometer to about 1 meter.

29. A method for pulsing power comprising: charging a generator, wherein the generator comprises one or more conductive layers and one or more dielectric layers arranged in alternating layers, wherein at least one of the one or more dielectric layers comprises a polarizable dielectric material; andswitching an input end of the one or more conductive layers to enable power conditioning at an output from the generator.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the switching enables power conditioning at an output of the generator.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the generator outputs instantaneous power of about 1 Watt to about 1 Terawatt at a discharge time that ranges from about 10 picoseconds to about 100 milliseconds at a pulse rate of about 1 hertz to about 1 Megahertz.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the polarizable dielectric material comprises a ferroelectric ceramic.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the polarizable dielectric material comprises calcium copper titanate.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the polarizable dielectric material comprises conjugated polymer.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein the polarizable dielectric material comprises glass silicate.

36. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one of the one or more dielectric layers comprises a metamaterial.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one of the one or more dielectric layers contains a metamaterial resonator feature selected from the group consisting of a circular splitring resonator, a rectangular split-ring resonator, and any combinations thereof.

38. The method of claim 29, further comprising varying inductance of pulsed power discharged from the generator.

39. The method of claim 29, further comprising discharging pulsed power from the generator multiple times.

40. The method of claim 29, wherein pulsed power is discharged from the generator in parallel with additional pulsed power from one or more additional generators.

41. The method of claim 29, wherein pulsed power is discharged from the generator in series with additional pulsed power from one or more additional generators.

42. The method of claim 29, wherein each of the one or more dielectric layers has a thickness of about 10 nanometers to about 5 millimeters, and wherein each of one or more conductive layers has a thickness of about 10 nanometers to about 5 millimeters.

43. The method claim 29, wherein the generator is a spiral generator, wherein the one or more conductive layers and the one or more dielectric layers are fabricated to form a spiral composite structure, wherein the spiral composite structure has a number of turns that range from about 2 to about 100,000, wherein the spiral composite structure has a radius of about 1 micrometer to about 1 meter, and wherein the one or more dielectric layers each have a height of about 1 micrometer to about 1 meter.

44. The method of claim 29, wherein the generator is stacked in parallel and interconnected with one or more additional generators to increase a total energy stored with an energy stored per stack ranging from about 1 mJ to about 1 GJ, with a total number of stacked generators ranging from 2 to 100,000 generators.

45. The method of claim 29, wherein the generator is configured with one or more additional generators into a pulse forming network to allow creation of a range of output waveforms including: sine, square, sawtooth, chirp, triangle, exponential rise, exponential decay, unit step, and impulse.

46. A method for storing and discharging electricity comprising:charging a capacitor wherein the capacitor comprises one or more conductive layers and one or more dielectric layers arranged in alternating layers in a spiral geometry, wherein at least one of the one or more dielectric layers comprises a polarizable dielectric material; and shorting a switch coupled to the capacitor to discharge electricity to a load through the switch.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein the capacitor is a spiral generator, wherein the one or more conductive layers and the one or more dielectric layers are fabricated to form a spiral composite structure, wherein the spiral composite structure has a number of turns that range from about 2 to about 100,000, wherein the spiral composite structure has a radius of about 1 micrometer to about 1 meter, and wherein the one or more dielectric layers each have a height of about 1 micrometer to about 1 meter.

48. The method of claim 43 wherein the polarizable dielectric material comprises a ferroelectric ceramic.

49. The method of claim 43 wherein the polarizable dielectric material comprises a conjugated polymer.

50. The method of claim 43 wherein the polarizable dielectric material comprises a glass silicate.

51. The method of claim 43, wherein the at least one of the one or more dielectric layers comprises a metamaterial.

52. The method of claim 43, wherein the at least one of the one or more dielectric layers comprises metamaterials.

53. The method of claim 43, wherein the at least one of the one or more dielectric layers contains a metamaterial resonator feature selected from the group consisting of a circular split-ring resonator, a rectangular split-ring resonator, and any combinations thereof.

54. The method of claim 43, wherein each of the one or more dielectric layers has a thickness of about 10 nanometers to about 5 millimeters, and wherein each of the one or more conductive layers has a thickness of about 10 nanometers to about 5 millimeters.

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