Inductive Pulse Circuit for Fast Kicker Magnet Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulse generators are inadequate for quickly powering kicker magnets due to high voltage and current requirements, leading to partial deflection of particle beams and potential damage from radiation, and are susceptible to radiation-induced failures.
Innovation Solution
A high power pulse generation circuit using an inductively-driven topology that stores charge in an inductor and quickly transfers it to the kicker magnet, minimizing high-voltage exposure and employing Zener diodes for protection, allowing for fast current rise and fall times and reducing radiation-induced failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a traditional pulse generator is used to power the kicker magnet, then the generator can provide high voltage and current, but the rise time is too slow causing partial beam deflection and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor is pre-charged with current from a high-current DC supply before the pulse is needed. When the kicker magnet needs to be activated, the pre-stored energy in the inductor is immediately transferred to the magnet through switching devices, achieving fast rise time without requiring the pulse generator to generate high power in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates in periodic cycles: during the off-state, the inductor is charged from the DC supply; during the on-state, the stored energy is discharged to the kicker magnet. This periodic charging and discharging enables the system to deliver high power pulses with fast rise time while using a lower-rated DC supply
2Device complexity
If the modulator is located close to the kicker magnet in the radiation environment, then the system complexity and cabling cost are reduced, but the electronics are susceptible to radiation-induced failures
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the radiation-free DC supply and the radiation-exposed kicker magnet. The DC supply and control electronics can be located far from the radiation environment, connected via simple DC cabling, while the inductor transfers energy through the radiation boundary, reducing both system complexity and radiation exposure to electronics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex high-voltage pulse generation electronics with a simpler inductive energy transfer system. Instead of using complex modulator electronics that would need to be radiation-hardened, the system uses passive inductor-based energy storage and transfer, which is more resistant to radiation effects
3Duration of action of moving object
If high voltage is applied for a long duration to build the magnetic field, then the kicker magnet can deflect the beam, but the electronics are exposed to radiation damage for an extended period
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor rapidly transfers its pre-stored energy to the kicker magnet in a short pulse, rushing through the magnetic field buildup process quickly. This minimizes the duration that high voltage is applied and reduces the time electronics are exposed to radiation, achieving fast beam deflection while protecting electronics
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
Enables rapid activation of the kicker magnet with minimal rise time, reducing the risk of beam impingement on unintended surfaces and minimizing radiation damage to electronics, while increasing the mean time to failure of the pulse generator in a radiation environment.
Implementation Method 1
A high power pulse generation circuit using an inductively-driven topology that stores charge in an inductor and quickly transfers it to the kicker magnet
Implementation Method 2
The magnetic field generated by a high power magnet can cause the beam to change its direction through its interaction with the stream of accelerated particles that make up the particle beam
Implementation Method 3
The components of the circuit can include protection features such as Zener diodes that ensure that the circuit does not become negatively impacted from anomalies that can be present in the particle-beam high power environment
Data Source
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AI summary
A device and method for generating pulses to activate and deactivate a kicker magnet is provided. When the kicker magnet is deactivated the circuit generates and stores a magnetic field in an inductor. When the kicker magnet is activated, the circuit changes configuration so that the magnetic field and current stored in the inductor can provide the necessary current to activate the kicker magnet is a minimal amount of time. The configureation of the circuit changes via the use of switches. The switches can employ Zener diodes arranged so as to provide protection against high voltage events and rougue neutrinos that may bombard the switches when the kicker magnet is used in the context of deflecting a particle beam.