Laser Triggered Multi-Stage Vacuum Switch for Pulsed Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high voltage, high power pulsed power systems face limitations in repetitive frequency performance and maintenance costs due to the properties of SF6 gas in laser triggered gas switches, and the development of high voltage laser triggered vacuum switches is hindered by nonlinear growth relationships between vacuum gap distance and withstand voltage.
Innovation Solution
A high voltage, high power laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch is composed of a laser triggered vacuum gap and multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps, with multiple paralleled laser beams targeting multiple areas to enhance trigger performance and repetitive interruption capacity, utilizing designed electrode structures and magnetic fields to optimize electric and magnetic field distributions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser triggered gas switches use SF6 gas as insulation dielectric, then insulation capacity and arc interruption capacity are improved, but repetitive frequency performance deteriorates and maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dielectric medium parameter from SF6 gas to vacuum, fundamentally altering the physical state of the insulation medium. This parameter change eliminates the decomposition issues inherent to SF6 gas while maintaining high insulation capacity, thereby improving repetitive frequency performance without sacrificing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs vacuum as an inert environment替代SF6 gas. Vacuum provides excellent insulation properties without the chemical decomposition problems of SF6, eliminating the need for regular gas replacement and maintenance, thus improving both repetitive frequency performance and reducing maintenance costs
2Reliability
If vacuum gap distance is increased to improve withstand voltage, then insulation capacity is improved, but device complexity increases due to nonlinear growth relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large vacuum gap into multiple smaller vacuum gaps connected in series. This segmentation allows the total withstand voltage to be achieved through cumulative effect of multiple gaps, avoiding the need for a single large gap that would create field uniformity issues and increase device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension gap structure to a multi-dimensional multi-stage structure. By arranging multiple vacuum gaps in series with proper spacing and insulation coordination, the system achieves high withstand voltage through spatial distribution rather than relying on a single large gap distance
3Device complexity
If electrical impulse trigger method is used, then trigger system is simple, but trigger voltage requirement increases and arc ablation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical impulse trigger method with a laser trigger method. This substitution eliminates direct electrical contact and arc discharge in the trigger system, thereby preventing arc ablation of electrodes and trigger components while maintaining relatively simple system structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser as an intermediary trigger mechanism. The laser beam serves as a non-contact intermediary that generates initial plasma without requiring high trigger voltage or direct electrical connection, thus avoiding arc ablation while keeping the trigger system relatively simple
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 improved trigger performance, extended switch lifetime, and reduced maintenance costs by generating more initial plasma and regulating magnetic fields, enabling effective operation in high voltage, high repetitive frequency pulsed power systems while minimizing arc ablation effects.
Implementation Method 1
the main gap can be closed with the initial plasma generated by the interactions of high energy laser beam with targets
Implementation Method 2
The distance of serial vacuum gaps, the structures of electrodes, and trigger system can be properly designed and configured to satisfy the requirements of pulsed power switches with higher operating voltage and better trigger performances
Data Source
AI summary
High voltage high power pulsed power switches relating to a laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch. The laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch has laser triggered vacuum gap, multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps and trigger system. Multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps are fixed on the top of laser triggered vacuum gap by connector. The grading ring is sheathed outside of upper insulation shell. By adopting the series connected laser triggered vacuum gap and multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps, with the synergy of two type vacuum gaps, application of laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch in the high voltage, high power, high repetitive frequency pulsed power system can be realized. With multiple laser beams shot onto multiple targets, more initial plasma can be generated as the irradiation area of laser on target surfaces is enlarged, and the trigger performances of laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch can be enhanced.