Parallel Voltage Multiplier Circuit for High Temperature Oil Well Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high voltage power supplies for oil well logging devices fail to operate efficiently at temperatures above 150 degrees C due to excessive electrical leakage in semiconductors and voltage regulation issues, limiting the number of stages in Cockroft-Walton series multiplier circuits and causing ripple voltage problems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a voltage multiplier circuit with a parallel or combination parallel and series multiplication scheme, using a special construction of high voltage capacitors with a common capacitor electrode and dielectric coating to reduce reverse voltage across rectifiers, allowing for a larger number of stages and improved voltage regulation and reduced ripple.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the number of stages in a Cockroft-Walton series multiplier circuit is increased to provide higher output voltage, then the output voltage increases, but the output voltage droop increases proportionally to the cube of the number of stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the voltage multiplication function into multiple parallel stages rather than using a single series chain. Each parallel stage contributes to the total output voltage while distributing the voltage droop burden, preventing the cubic increase in droop that occurs in series configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional series multiplication approach by using parallel multiplication stages. Instead of stacking stages in series where droop accumulates cubically, the parallel configuration causes droop to increase only linearly with the number of stages, fundamentally reversing the droop scaling relationship.
2Stress or pressure
If the number of stages in a Cockroft-Walton series multiplier circuit is increased to provide higher output voltage, then the output voltage increases, but the ripple voltage increases proportionally to the square of the number of stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage multiplication into parallel stages, where each stage generates voltage with minimal ripple. The parallel configuration allows the ripple from each stage to be independent rather than cumulative, preventing the quadratic increase in ripple voltage that occurs in series configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional series multiplication approach by using parallel multiplication stages. This inversion changes the ripple voltage scaling from quadratic (N²) in series configurations to linear (N) in parallel configurations, significantly reducing harmful ripple at high voltages.
3Stress or pressure
If semiconductor rectifiers are operated at high reverse voltages to achieve high output voltage, then the output voltage increases, but the electrical leakage increases exponentially with temperature above 150 degrees C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high reverse voltage requirement across multiple parallel stages, where each stage operates at a lower, manageable reverse voltage. This segmentation allows rectifiers to operate below their breakdown temperature threshold even in high-temperature environments, preventing exponential leakage increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the rectifiers by reducing the reverse voltage across each individual device through parallel configuration. This parameter change keeps rectifier operation within safe temperature-voltage boundaries, maintaining low leakage currents even when ambient temperature exceeds 150 degrees C.
4Temperature
If a parallel or combination parallel and series multiplication scheme is used to reduce reverse voltage across rectifiers, then the operating temperature can be increased above 150 degrees C, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges parallel and series configurations in a hybrid multiplication scheme that optimizes both temperature capability and circuit simplicity. The combined approach achieves the desired voltage multiplication while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic component arrangement and shared circuit elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the parallel and combination parallel-series circuits to serve multiple functions simultaneously: voltage multiplication, temperature compensation, and leakage reduction. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate compensation circuits and components.
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 solution enables high voltage power supplies to operate at temperatures above 150 degrees C with reduced power loss and increased efficiency by minimizing internal power dissipation and providing better voltage regulation with less ripple, while fitting within the small diameters required for oil well logging devices.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage multiplier circuit with a parallel or combination parallel and series multiplication scheme, using a special construction of high voltage capacitors
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of parallel capacitors is constructed using an elongate common capacitor electrode with individual capacitors formed from individual capacitor electrodes spaced along and separated from the common electrode by a layer of dielectric material. The layer of dielectric material can be a dielectric film material or a ceramic material. The layer of dielectric material can be tapered along the common electrode, and/or additional dielectric material can be positioned between edges of adjacent individual electrodes. An individual electrode at one end of the common electrode can be made wider to increase its capacitance.