Alternating Unipolar Marx Generators for High-Voltage Power Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-voltage production for medical investigation equipment requires expensive semiconductor switches and large transformers, leading to high costs and significant installation space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A power converter system utilizing two unipolar Marx generators and a transformer with push-pull operation, eliminating the need for an intermediate voltage transformer and reducing the voltage strength requirements for switching elements, while using diodes for galvanic separation and modular assemblies for cost-effective and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional semiconductor switches and transformers are used for high-voltage production, then reliable high-voltage output is achieved, but cost and installation space increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single high-voltage generation task into two separate unipolar voltage sources (Marx generators) operating in alternation. Each generator handles one polarity, eliminating the need for expensive bidirectional switches and reducing transformer complexity while maintaining reliable high-voltage output.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single bipolar voltage source that requires complex high-voltage switches, the patent inverts the approach by using two unipolar sources that alternate operation. This reversal simplifies the switching requirements and reduces overall system complexity and cost.
2Device complexity
If a single bipolar voltage source is used, then circuit simplicity is maintained, but voltage strength requirements for switching elements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage generation into two unipolar sources, each requiring switches with lower voltage ratings. This segmentation reduces the voltage strength requirement for individual switching elements while maintaining overall system functionality through alternating operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter characteristics by using two unipolar sources with lower voltage ratings instead of one bipolar source with high voltage rating. This parameter change reduces stress on switching elements while achieving the same high-voltage output through alternating operation.
3Power
If an intermediate voltage transformer is used in the first stage, then voltage transformation is achieved, but system cost and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate voltage transformer from the first stage by using Marx generators that directly produce the required intermediate voltages. This removal reduces system cost and component count while maintaining the necessary voltage transformation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, large transformers with more economical Marx generator circuits that can produce the required intermediate voltages on demand. This substitution reduces system cost while achieving the same power transformation function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact and economically viable high-voltage production system, reducing costs and installation space, while maintaining reliable operation and high availability even in case of individual component failures, and improving energy transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The inverter 16 produces an alternating voltage with a significantly higher frequency than the frequency of the input voltage 17, and feeds the produced alternating voltage to the intermediate voltage transformer 12. In the intermediate voltage transformer 12, the alternating voltage is transformed
Data Source
AI summary
A power converter system includes a first unipolar voltage source that produces a first voltage and a second unipolar voltage source that produces a second voltage. The power converter system also includes a transformer with a first primary winding, a second primary winding, and a secondary winding, and control equipment. The first primary winding is connected to the first unipolar voltage source, and the second primary winding is connected to the second unipolar voltage source such that when the first voltage is applied, a first secondary voltage is induced in the secondary winding and that when the second voltage is applied, a second secondary voltage is induced. The first secondary voltage is directed in opposition to the second secondary voltage. The control equipment drives the first unipolar voltage source and the second unipolar voltage source in alternation for the production of the first voltage and the second voltage.