Microwave Generator Pulse Precharging to Prevent Transmission Overshoot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for transmitting electrical pulses from a pulse generator to a beam head in microwave systems experience undesirable fluctuations due to abrupt changes in delay tube electrical characteristics, necessitating impedance-matched transmission and components like matching transformers, which limit design flexibility and increase space and weight.

Innovation Solution

A method involving precharging the transmission line with a voltage below the ignition voltage of the microwave generator, followed by increasing it to or above the ignition voltage, allows for non-impedance-matched transmission, eliminating the need for transformers and reducing fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If impedance-matched transmission is used with matching transformers, then voltage and current fluctuations are reduced, but device complexity, installation space, and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage and current stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the matching transformer component from the system entirely. By using a transmission line with characteristic impedance matched to the pulse generator output impedance (Z0 = Rs), the system achieves stable voltage and current transmission without requiring the additional transformer component, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission line itself serves as the intermediary element that provides impedance matching. By selecting a transmission line with characteristic impedance equal to the pulse generator's output impedance, the system achieves proper matching without external matching components, eliminating the need for transformers and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If matching transformers are used for impedance matching, then transmission stability improves, but installation space and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission stabilityVSAvoidsystem weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The matching transformer is completely removed from the system. The patent demonstrates that proper impedance matching can be achieved through transmission line characteristic impedance selection alone, eliminating the heavy transformer component and significantly reducing system weight while maintaining transmission stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If non-impedance-matched transmission is used without transformers, then device complexity and installation space are reduced, but voltage and current fluctuations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidvoltage and current stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the key parameter of transmission line characteristic impedance to match the pulse generator's output impedance (Z0 = Rs). This parameter selection ensures proper impedance matching, preventing voltage and current fluctuations while maintaining a simple system without transformers, thus achieving both reduced complexity and maintained reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enables flexible system design with reduced installation space and weight, allowing pulse transmission over meters without transformers, effectively preventing voltage and current overshoots.

Implementation Method 1

after blocking the voltage output: outputting a voltage from the pulse generator to the transmission line, wherein the voltage is below an ignition voltage of the microwave generator, to precharge the transmission line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

outputting a voltage to the transmission line which is at or above the ignition voltage of the microwave generator, in particular increasing the voltage to the voltage at or above the ignition voltage, so that the microwave generator generates electromagnetic waves in the microwave range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4687291A1Operating a system for generating electromagnetic waves in the microwave range
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC
  • EP4687291A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4687291A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4687291A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a system for generating electromagnetic waves in the microwave range, wherein the system comprises a pulse generator for generating electrical pulses, a microwave generator (14) for generating microwaves, and a transmission line (13) between the pulse generator (10) and the microwave generator (14), wherein the method comprises: blocking a voltage output from the pulse generator (10) to the transmission line (13); after blocking the voltage output: outputting a voltage from the pulse generator (10) to the transmission line (13), wherein the voltage is below an ignition voltage of the microwave generator (14), for precharging the transmission line (13);After precharging the transmission line (13): Applying a voltage to the transmission line (13) that is above the ignition voltage of the microwave generator (14), so that the microwave generator (14) generates electromagnetic waves in the microwave range.