Fluid-Cooled Marx Generator With Sealed Gas Spark Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Marx generators face a trade-off between compact, low-inductance designs that are not robust for continuous operation and larger, liquid-filled designs that generate less field strength due to higher inductance.
Innovation Solution
A Marx arrangement with a housing containing a Marx generator, featuring sealed gas spaces for insulating spark gaps and a fluid space for cooling, allowing for a low-inductance, coolable design that maintains compact size and high field strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the Marx generator is completely gas-filled for compact design, then the inductance is reduced and field strength is increased, but the device cannot be cooled effectively for continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate sealed spaces: a gas-filled space containing the spark gaps and a liquid-filled cooling space containing the capacitor stages. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally filled with the appropriate medium without compromising the other function.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed partition wall with integrated cooling channels acts as an intermediary between the gas-filled spark gap region and the liquid-filled capacitor region. The partition wall mediates thermal transfer from capacitors to cooling fluid while maintaining electrical isolation and preventing mixing of gases and liquids.
2Reliability
If a gas-filled spark gap tube is integrated separately in the housing, then the remaining space can be filled with cooling liquid, but the diameter and overall length increase significantly resulting in higher inductance
Solution Approach 1:
The design transitions from a linear arrangement with separate gas tube to a three-dimensional integrated structure where spark gaps are positioned within the housing volume surrounded by cooling liquid, utilizing spatial dimensions more efficiently to reduce overall length and diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The spark gaps are nested within the cooling liquid-filled housing, with the gas-filled spark gap regions embedded inside the larger liquid-filled volume. This nesting arrangement allows compact integration without increasing external dimensions significantly.
3Device complexity
If the Marx generator is completely gas-filled, then a compact low-inductance design is achieved, but the device is not robust for prolonged operation due to lack of cooling
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the housing have different filling media optimized for their specific functions: gas in the spark gap regions for low inductance and electrical insulation, and liquid in the capacitor regions for thermal management. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between compact low-inductance design and prolonged operation capability.
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 Marx generator with improved cooling and reduced inductance, enabling efficient energy transfer and extended operation without increasing size, thus maintaining high field strength and voltage gain.
Implementation Method 1
The housing contains a sealed fluid space for a cooling fluid for the Marx generator
Implementation Method 2
The cooling fluid for the Marx generator can be surrounded or flowed around by the cooling fluid
Implementation Method 3
Each of the cross branches contains a spark gap resulting in a plurality of spark gaps. The cross branches each have at least one sealed gas space for an insulating gas for the spark gaps
Implementation Method 4
each of the cross branches contains a spark gap resulting in a plurality of spark gaps
Implementation Method 5
The cross branches each have at least one sealed gas space for an insulating gas for the spark gaps
Data Source
AI summary
A Marx configuration has a housing surrounding an interior, and a Marx generator arranged in the interior. The Marx generator has a plurality of capacitor stages connected in series, each having at least one first and one second voltage terminal, and respective cross branches. Each two adjacent capacitor stages between the first terminal of the preceding and the second terminal of the following capacitor stage are connected by one of the cross branches. Each of the cross branches contains a spark gap, a sealed gas space for an insulating gas for the spark gaps which are arranged in the interior and at least two of the spark gaps. All spark gaps are arranged in a respective gas space, and the interior contains a sealed fluid space for a cooling fluid for the Marx generator. A base support disposed in the interior and surrounds the gas space partially.