Bipolar High-Voltage Regulator Layout for Low Noise and Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-voltage regulators for mass spectrometry systems suffer from large power losses and poor thermal management due to encapsulation, which limits their stability and noise performance.
Innovation Solution
A low-noise, low-power dissipation voltage regulator design that includes two voltage regulator units for positive and negative high voltages, each with a voltage-regulating transistor and a Zener diode for bypass, along with feedback paths and shunt transistors for precise regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional voltage regulators are encapsulated in sealed housing for high voltage operation, then safety and insulation are improved, but heat dissipation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat-generating voltage regulator circuit from the sealed housing and places it on an external printed circuit board. This separation allows the housing to maintain its sealed, insulated structure for safety while the external circuit board provides effective heat dissipation pathways away from the housing.
2Power
If multiple transistors are connected in series to handle high differential voltage, then voltage handling capability is improved, but device complexity and power losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter of the transistor by selecting a single transistor with high breakdown voltage rating (e.g., 100V or higher) to replace multiple lower-voltage transistors connected in series. This single transistor approach handles the high differential voltage directly, reducing circuit complexity and minimizing power losses associated with multiple transistor junctions.
3Reliability
If conventional voltage regulators are used, then voltage regulation function is provided, but power dissipation and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional linear voltage regulator mechanism with a switching regulator circuit that uses pulse-width modulation (PWM). This switching approach dissipates significantly less power by rapidly switching the transistor between saturation and cutoff regions, minimizing the time spent in the high-dissipation linear region while maintaining effective voltage regulation.
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 achieves low power dissipation, high stability, and low noise, enabling efficient thermal management and maintaining a controlled differential voltage between input and output.
Implementation Method 1
A Zener diode is electrically connected in parallel to the voltage-regulating transistor so as to provide a low impedance bypass path around said voltage-regulating transistor when the voltage-regulating transistor is coupled via said polarity switch to one of said voltage sources providing a voltage having a polarity opposite to the voltage polarity associated with said voltage-regulating transistor
Implementation Method 2
a feedback path extends from the output voltage port to a base of the voltage-regulating transistor associated with the voltage regulator unit for modulating a current applied to the transistor base so as to adjust conductivity of said voltage-regulating transistor and hence an output voltage generated at said output voltage port
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a voltage regulator is disclosed, which comprises a first voltage regulator unit configured for regulating a voltage generated by a positive high voltage source, a second voltage regulator unit configured for regulating a voltage generated by a negative high voltage source, a polarity switch for connecting said first and second voltage regulator units to said positive and negative high voltage sources, respectively, and an output voltage port for receiving a regulated positive and negative high voltage from said first and said second voltage regulator units, respectively.