Dual-Tapped Inductor Boost Topology for Excimer Lamp Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power supply systems for excimer lamps, particularly those used in aircraft, face challenges due to weight and size constraints, inefficiency, and the need for precise control over electrical characteristics which degrade over time, and vary between different lamps.

Innovation Solution

A push-pull balanced driver system utilizing a controller to manage transistors and resistors, allowing for symmetric and asymmetric power delivery, controlling ramp rate, duty cycle, frequency, and amplitude, and operating stages of excimer bulbs with gallium nitride or silicon carbide N-channel MOSFETs, to efficiently power excimer lamps and maintain performance across different conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If conventional power supply systems are used for excimer lamps, then the lamps can be powered, but the system weight and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply weightVSAvoidcontrol precision over electrical characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is divided into modular components: multiple inductors (L1, L2), separate transistor pairs for each terminal, and distributed resistors. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each module, reducing overall weight while maintaining control precision through localized monitoring and adjustment of electrical characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters including duty cycle, frequency, and amplitude of power delivery to the excimer lamp. The controller modifies these parameters in real-time to compensate for electrical characteristic variations in the lamp, maintaining reliable operation while using a compact power supply design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If conventional power supply systems are used for excimer lamps, then the lamps can be powered, but the system size and area increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply areaVSAvoidadaptation to varying electrical characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is designed with universal components that can adapt to different excimer lamp configurations. The controller can operate in both symmetric and asymmetric modes, and the transistor-resistor-inductor combinations can be configured to handle various electrical characteristics, making the compact system versatile across different lamp types and conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates dynamic control capabilities where the controller continuously monitors electrical properties through resistors and adjusts transistor switching patterns accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the compact power supply to maintain performance across varying lamp electrical characteristics without increasing physical size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of moving object

If excimer lamps operate over time, then they provide UV light output, but their electrical characteristics degrade

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp operating timeVSAvoidelectrical characteristic stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by monitoring electrical properties through resistors (R1, R2, R3, R4) connected to each transistor. The controller uses this feedback information to detect changes in lamp electrical characteristics over time and automatically adjusts switching parameters to compensate for degradation, maintaining reliable operation throughout the lamp's operational lifetime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is configured to anticipate and compensate for electrical characteristic degradation before it significantly impacts performance. By continuously monitoring through the resistor network and adjusting parameters proactively, the system maintains stable operation and extends the effective lifespan of the excimer lamp.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If different excimer lamps with varying electrical characteristics are used, then application flexibility increases, but control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different lamp typesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is designed with asymmetric control capabilities, allowing different switching patterns and parameter sets for different lamp configurations. The controller can independently adjust the operation of transistor pairs and inductor combinations to match the specific electrical characteristics of various lamp types, providing flexibility without requiring overly complex control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP4120319B1Dual tapped inductor boost topology for digital control of an excimer lamp
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 BE AEROSPACE INC
  • EP4120319B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4120319B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A system for powering an excimer bulb includes a first inductor (108) configured to be coupled to a first terminal of the excimer bulb (102). The system further includes a first transistor (110) coupled to the first inductor (108) and having an on state configured to allow current to flow through the first inductor (108) and an off state. The system further includes a second transistor (112) configured to be coupled to the first terminal of the excimer bulb (102) and having an on state configured to allow current to flow through the excimer bulb and an off state. The system further includes a controller (122) coupled to the first transistor (110) and the second transistor (112), and to control operation of the first transistor (110) and the second transistor (112) to power the excimer bulb (102).