Series-Connected Power Switch Cards for High-Voltage Waveform Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high voltage direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) conversion technologies are hindered by stray capacitance, which causes delays and limits the ability to generate high voltage waveforms with rapid switching speeds, especially as voltage increases, making practical DC to AC conversion impossible at scale.
Innovation Solution
A high-voltage waveform generator with a transformer unit and power switch cards connected in series, where a magnetic core induces current in conductive windings, and control switches are actuated simultaneously in under 100 nanoseconds to generate pulses, allowing for efficient high voltage switching and waveform generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If high voltage direct current is converted to alternating current using conventional switch circuits, then voltage level is improved, but switching speed deteriorates due to stray capacitance causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the high voltage switch into multiple series-connected solid state switches (e.g., 5 switches for 250 kV), where each switch handles a portion of the total voltage. This segmentation reduces the voltage stress on each individual switch and minimizes the overall stray capacitance effect, enabling faster switching speeds while maintaining high voltage output capability.
2Loss of energy
If voltage is increased to minimize resistive heat loss in transmission lines, then transmission efficiency is improved, but stray capacitance increases causing longer delays
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the high voltage switch into multiple series-connected solid state switches, each handling a portion of the total voltage, the invention reduces the stray capacitance effect at each node. This allows the system to operate at high voltages for efficient power transmission while maintaining fast switching response times.
3Stress or pressure
If step up transformer with inductive flyback circuit is used to create high voltage, then voltage level is improved, but rise and fall rates are limited by stray capacitance and inductance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conventional mechanical/inductive transformer-based high voltage generation system with a solid state electronic switch system. This substitution eliminates the stray capacitance and inductance limitations inherent in transformer circuits, enabling much faster rise and fall rates while maintaining high voltage output capability.
4Stress or pressure
If inductive flyback method is used for high voltage generation, then voltage level is improved, but ability to sustain high voltage deteriorates as it quickly drops back to zero volts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses dynamically controllable solid state switches that can be precisely controlled to maintain high voltage output continuously. Unlike the passive inductive flyback method that naturally collapses to zero, the active solid state switching system can sustain high voltage for extended durations by controlling the switching timing and duty cycle of the series-connected switches.
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 switching of high voltage DC to AC conversion with reduced stray capacitance, allowing for the generation of various waveform shapes and increased voltage and pulse rates by multiplying the number of power switch cards, effectively overcoming the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
when the power source is activated, the magnetic core induces a current in each of the conductive windings
Data Source
AI summary
A high-voltage waveform generator comprising a power source, a transformer unit comprising a magnetic core, attached to the power source, a plurality of power switch cards, each having an aperture that allows said magnetic core to pass therethrough, one or more control switches located on each power card, and a control means for actuating the control switches, a power output; wherein the power switch cards are connected in series, wherein each of the apertures in the power switch cards is surrounded by conductive windings, whereby when the power source is activated, the magnetic core induces a current in each of the conductive windings, and wherein the control means activates the control switches simultaneously in under 100 nanoseconds to generate a pulse.