Switch Device Non-Linear Transmission Line Jitter Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical detonators suffer from switch-to-switch jitter behavior due to variations in dielectric gap thickness, leading to inconsistent timing in voltage breakdown across similar switches.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a switching device with a main gap and a trigger gap, where the trigger electrode compresses and amplifies a trigger voltage signal to create plasma, reducing the breakdown voltage of the main gap, allowing for a reliable output voltage signal across the main gap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional switches use a thin/thick dielectric film between two electrodes that needs to be broken down by a high voltage, then the switch can be activated, but switch to switch jitter behavior occurs due to variations in dielectric gap thickness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming consistencyVSAvoiddielectric gap thickness uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operational parameters by using a two-stage voltage breakdown process: first breaking down the trigger gap with a trigger electrode, then using the resulting plasma to facilitate breakdown of the main gap. This parameter change approach allows the main switch operation to be less sensitive to variations in main gap thickness, reducing jitter while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger electrode and trigger gap serve as an intermediary mechanism. By first creating a plasma channel through the trigger gap, the system mediates the breakdown process, making the main gap breakdown less dependent on its exact thickness and more controllable, thereby reducing timing jitter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a high voltage is applied to break down the dielectric gap, then the switch can operate, but the input voltage requirement is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch activationVSAvoidinput voltage amplitude

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger electrode performs a preliminary action by first breaking down the trigger gap and creating a plasma channel before the main gap breakdown occurs. This preliminary plasma formation reduces the voltage required for the main gap breakdown, allowing the main switch to operate with lower input voltage amplitude while maintaining reliable activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9661733B1Switch device having a non-linear transmission line

Publication Date: 2017.05.23 SANDIA CORP

AI summary

Switching devices are provided. The switching devices include an input electrode, having a main electrode and a trigger electrode, and an output electrode. The main electrode and the trigger electrode are separated from the output electrode by a main gap and a trigger gap, respectively. During operation, the trigger electrode compresses and amplifies a trigger voltage signal causing the trigger electrode to emit a pulse of energy. This pulse of energy form plasma near the trigger electrode, either by arcing across the trigger gap, or by arcing from the trigger electrode to the main electrode. This plasma decreases the breakdown voltage of the main gap. Simultaneously, or near simultaneously, a main voltage signal propagates through the main electrode. The main voltage signal emits a main pulse of energy that arcs across the main gap while the plasma formed by the trigger pulse is still present.