Solid-State Pulsed-Power Generator Without Magnetic Switches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-voltage nanosecond pulsed-power generators are limited by complex designs and high costs, requiring magnetic switches and inefficient use of components, which hinder compactness and performance.
Innovation Solution
A compact pulsed-power generator using commercially available off-the-shelf solid-state switching components with four compression stages, including IGBTs and DSRDs in cascaded operation, eliminates the need for magnetic switches and achieves enhanced performance with pre-charged capacitors and a small bias voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If magnetic switches are used in prior art designs, then high-voltage nanosecond pulses can be generated, but the device size becomes large and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces magnetic switches (electromechanical system) with solid-state switching components including IGBTs, DSRDs, and MOSFETs. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky magnetic components while maintaining the ability to generate high-voltage nanosecond pulses, directly resolving the contradiction between peak power output and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using pre-charged capacitors and applying small bias voltages to optimize the switching behavior of DSRDs and other components. This allows achieving high peak power output with compact solid-state components, resolving the size-power contradiction.
2Power
If magnetic switches are used in prior art designs, then high-voltage nanosecond pulses can be generated, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive magnetic switches with commercially available solid-state components (IGBTs, DSRDs, MOSFETs) that are more cost-effective and easier to manufacture. This substitution maintains peak power output capability while significantly reducing manufacturing cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses commercially available off-the-shelf solid-state components that are inexpensive and easily replaceable compared to custom magnetic switches. This approach reduces both initial manufacturing cost and long-term maintenance costs while achieving the required peak power output.
3Power
If complex designs with multiple components are used, then high-voltage pulses can be generated, but the device compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated solid-state switching circuits. The IGBTs, DSRDs, and MOSFETs are arranged in configurations that combine pumping, switching, and pulse generation functions in a single integrated circuit architecture, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining peak power output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid-state switching components serve multiple functions: IGBTs perform both pumping and switching, DSRDs provide both current compression and voltage multiplication, and MOSFETs handle both primary and secondary switching. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed, simplifying the overall circuit design.
4Volume of stationary object
If solid-state switching components are used, then device size is reduced, but achieving high compression ratio becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pre-charged capacitors and optimizes bias voltage parameters to enhance the current compression capability of solid-state DSRDs. By carefully controlling the charging voltage, bias voltage, and switching timing, the patent achieves high compression ratios (peak voltage much higher than supply voltage) using compact solid-state components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-charges capacitors before the switching operation to store the necessary energy for achieving high compression ratios. This preliminary energy storage in capacitors, combined with the fast switching action of solid-state components, enables high peak voltage generation in a compact configuration.
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 results in a significantly more compact and cost-effective generator with higher peak power output, achieving a rise-time of 1.85 ns and 10 kV output, with an order of magnitude reduction in size and increased specific power compared to commercial products.
Implementation Method 1
Current passed via the transistor increases in the storage inductor and the pumping inductor and is blocked by the separating diode to inject electron-hole plasma from the pumping inductor into the drift step recovery diode when the transistor is conducting
Implementation Method 2
The transistor blocks current at the end of the trigger pulse, and the storage inductor reverses polarity to bias the separating diode into a conducting state to extract the plasma from the drift step recovery diode
Implementation Method 3
When the total charge that was stored in the DSRD junction during the forward (pumping) cycle is removed by the reverse (pulsing) cycle, the DSRD stops conducting the current and a high-voltage pulse appears at the load
Data Source
Figure 1~2(b)
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A pulsed-power circuit includes first, second, third and fourth compression stages. The first and second stages each include at least one pre-charged capacitor and at least one inductor in series, and at least one switch operative to pump a DSRD (drift-step- recovery diode). The pre-charged capacitor of the second stage is pre-charged in negative direction with respect to the pre-charged capacitor of the first stage. The third and fourth stages each include at least one DSRD. The switches of the first and second stage are operative to drive (pump and then pulse) the DSRDs of the third and fourth stages.