High-Voltage Pulse Generator Modular Inversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high voltage pulse generators struggle to produce pulses with short fall times and alternating polarity, while also being energy-efficient and capable of supporting high voltages, due to the limitations of load resistors and constant sign pulse generation.
Innovation Solution
A high voltage pulse generator design featuring upper and lower part modules with insulated-gate transistors, pulse transformers, and inverted control mechanisms, allowing for the generation of pulses with short fall times and supporting arbitrarily high voltages by connecting modules in series, with a DC high voltage source and output terminal configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a load resistor is connected to obtain short fall edges, then the fall time is reduced, but the power dissipation becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using active transistor switching instead of passive resistor-based fall edge generation. The lower section transistors actively pull the output to ground, achieving fast fall edges without the continuous power dissipation of a load resistor. This inversion of the control mechanism resolves the contradiction between fast fall times and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical/electrical resistor-based fall edge generation with active electronic transistor switching. The controlled switching of lower section transistors substitutes for the load resistor mechanism, achieving the same fall edge function with dramatically reduced power consumption.
2Strength
If transistors are connected in series to withstand high voltage, then the voltage capability is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the high voltage pulse generator into multiple modular sections (upper section modules and lower section modules) that can be connected in series. Each module contains insulated-gate transistors and control devices, allowing the system to withstand high voltages by simply adding more modules in series rather than increasing the complexity of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal modules that can function in both upper and lower sections, with each module capable of withstanding high voltage and providing controlled switching. This multi-functionality allows the same basic module design to be reused throughout the system, reducing overall complexity despite the need for multiple series-connected units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single polarity pulse generator is used, then the circuit is simple, but it cannot generate alternating polarity pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the control mechanism by adding inverting control means for the lower section transistors while keeping the upper section control non-inverting. This asymmetric control arrangement enables the generation of alternating polarity pulses without requiring complete circuit redundancy, as the lower section's inverted response to the same control signal creates the polarity alternation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inversion of the control signal for the lower section transistors to generate alternating polarity pulses. By inverting the control mechanism for one section while keeping the other section straightforward, the system can produce both positive and negative voltage pulses from the same control input sequence, achieving versatility without proportional increases in complexity.
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 pulses with a significant power consumption gain of at least 20 times less, enabling short fall times and supporting high voltages efficiently, while allowing for both positive and negative voltage pulses.
Implementation Method 1
the upper part transistor control device comprising a pulse transformer connected between the gate and the source of the transistor and through which the control pulses from the pulse generator are coupled to the transistor
Implementation Method 2
a high-voltage DC source connected between the transistor in the first upper section module and the transistor in the last lower section module
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a high-voltage pulse generator comprising - a control pulse generator (4); - an upper portion (2) with N modules (20) that are linked in series and each comprise a transistor (21) and a control device (22) for controlling the transistor comprising a pulse transformer (23) for coupling the control pulses; - a lower portion (3) with M modules (30) that are linked in series and each comprise a lower portion transistor (31) and a control device (32) for controlling the transistor comprising inverted control means (33) and a pulse transformer (34); - a DC high-voltage source (5) that is connected between an upper portion transistor (21) and a lower portion transistor (31); and - an output terminal (6) that is connected between the upper portion (2) and the lower portion (3). The generator may be used in a system for producing plasma jets.