BIPOLAR SOLID STATE MARX GENERATOR

• US 20110065161A1
• Filed: 09/14/2010
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Williams, Aaron S., Hebner, Robert E., Werst, Michael D., Bae, Sung Woo, Kwasinski, Alexis, Pratap, Siddharth B., Flynn, Mark M.
• Application Number:
  US12/881,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20110065161A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/173.1
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/32 by treatment with electric currents without heating effect
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/48 with magnetic or electric fields C02F1/46 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/06 Sludge reduction, e.g. by lysis
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/06 Lysis of microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/6463 obtained from glyceride producing microorganisms, e.g. single cell oil

Abstract

A high-voltage bipolar rectangular pulse generator using a high efficiency solid-state boosting front-end and an H-bridge output stage is described. The topology of the circuit generates rectangular pulses with fast rise time and allows easy step-up input voltage. In addition, the circuit is able to adjust positive or negative pulse width, dead-time between two pulses, and operating frequency. The intended application for such circuit is algae cell membrane rupture for oil extraction, although additional applications include biotechnology and plasma sciences medicine, and food industry.

Claims

1. A bipolar high-power pulse generator comprising:

a DC power source;

a DC-DC converter connected to the DC power source;

a H-bridge switching circuit connected in parallel with the DC-DC converter, wherein the H-bridge switching circuit comprises four switches (A+, A−

, B+, B−

) connected in a H configuration with a load connected across the bridge; and

a controller connected to the DC-DC converter and the H-bridge switches (A+, A−

, B+, B−

).

2. The generator as recited in claim 1, wherein the DC-DC converter comprises two or more boost cells connected together, wherein each boost cell comprises a positive input node, a negative input node, a switch (S_i) connected in series with an inductor wherein the series connected switch (S_i) and inductor are connected in parallel with the positive and negative nodes, a diode connected in series with a capacitor wherein the series connected diode and capacitor are connected in parallel with the switch (S_i) and the capacitor is connected in parallel with a positive output node and a negative output node.

3. The generator as recited in claim 2, wherein each capacitance of the capacitors in the boost cells comprises

4. The generator as recited in claim 2, wherein:

a positive pulse is delivered to the load whenever the switch (S_i) is on, the H-bridge switches (A+, B−

) are on, and the H-bridge switches (A−

, B+) are off; and

a negative pulse is delivered to the load whenever the switch (S_i) is on, the H-bridge switches (A−

, B+) are on, and the H-bridge switches (A+, B−

) are off

5. The generator as recited in claim 4, wherein a positive pulse width, a negative pulse width, a dead time between two pulses, and an operating frequency are adjustable.

6. The generator as recited in claim 2, wherein the generator is operated in a series of stages comprising:

a stage zero comprising the switch (S_i) is off and the H-bridge switches (A+, A−

, B+, B−

) are off;

a stage one comprising the switch (S_i) is off, the H-bridge switches (A+, B−

) are on, and the H-bridge switches (A−

, B+) are off;

a stage two comprising the switch (S_i) is on, the H-bridge switches (A+, B−

) are on, the H-bridge switches (A−

, B+) are off, and a positive pulse is delivered to the load;

a stage three comprising the switch (S_i) is off, the H-bridge switches (A+, B−

) are on, and the H-bridge switches (A−

, B+) are off;

a stage four comprising the switch (S_i) is off, the H-bridge switches (A+, A−

, B+, B−

) are off, and the diode is initially on;

a stage five comprising the switch (S_i) is off, the H-bridge switches (A−

, B+) are on, and the H-bridge switches (A+, B−

) are off;

a stage six comprising the switch (S_i) is on, the H-bridge switches (A−

, B+) are on, the H-bridge switches (A+, B−

) are off, and a negative pulse is delivered to the load;

a stage seven comprising the switch (S_i) is off, the H-bridge switches (A−

, B+) are on, and the H-bridge switches (A+, B−

) are off; and

a stage eight comprising the switch (S_i) is off, the H-bridge switches (A+, A−

, B+, B−

) are off, and the diode is initially on.

7. The generator as recited in claim 1, further comprising a diode (D_A+, D_A−

, D_B+, D_B−

) connected in parallel with each switch (A+, A−

, B+, B−

) in the H-bridge switching circuit.

8. The generator as recited in claim 1, wherein the DC power supply comprises:

a DC voltage source;

a power supply resistor connected in series with the DC voltage source; and

a power supply switch connected in series with the resistor.

9. The generator as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pre-charging circuit connected in series between the DC power source and the DC-DC converter;

10. The generator as recited in claim 1, further comprising an input capacitor connected in parallel with the DC power source between the DC power source and the DC-DC converter.

11. The generator as recited in claim 1, wherein the load comprises a pulse electric field (PEF) treatment chamber.

12. The generator as recited in claim 11, wherein the PEF treatment chamber is part of a constant flow treatment process.

13. The generator as recited in claim 11, wherein the PEF treatment chamber contains one or more biological cells, water, or a pumpable food.

14. The generator as recited in claim 12, wherein the one or more biological cells comprise bacterial cells, viral cells, algal cells, protozoal cells, plant cells, mammalian cells, animal cells or any combinations thereof.

15. The generator as recited in claim 14, wherein the algal cells on lysis release oil.

16. The generator as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a signal generator or a computer.

17. The generator as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller operates the generator in a unipolar pulse mode or a bipolar pulse mode.

18. A method of treating one or more biological cells, water, or a pumpable food within a treatment chamber comprising the steps of:

providing a bipolar high-power pulse generator comprising (a) a DC power source, (b) a DC-DC converter connected to the DC power source, wherein the DC-DC converter comprises two or more boost cells connected together, wherein each boost cell comprises a positive input node, a negative input node, a switch (S_i) connected in series with an inductor wherein the series connected switch (S_i) and inductor are connected in parallel with the positive and negative nodes, a diode connected in series with a capacitor wherein the series connected diode and capacitor are connected in parallel with the switch (S_i) and the capacitor is connected in parallel with a positive output node and a negative output node, (c) a H-bridge switching circuit connected in parallel with the DC-DC converter, wherein the H-bridge switching circuit comprises four switches (A+, A−

, B+, B−

) connected in a H configuration with the treatment chamber connected across the bridge, and (d) a controller connected to the DC-DC converter and the H-bridge switches (A+, A−

, B+, B−

); and

delivering one or more pulses to the treatment chamber, wherein (a) a positive pulse is delivered whenever the controller sequentially turns the H-bridge switches (A+, B−

) on, turns the switch (S_i) on, turns the switch (S_i) off, and turns the H-bridge switches (A+, B−

) off, and/or (b) a negative pulse is delivered whenever the controller sequentially turns the H-bridge switches (A−

, B+) on, turns the switch (S_i) on, turns the switch (S_i) off, and turns the H-bridge switches (A−

, B+) off.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein each capacitance of the capacitors in the boost cells comprises

20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein a positive pulse width, a negative pulse width, a dead time between two pulses, and an operating frequency are adjustable.

21. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising a diode (D_A+, D_A−

, D_B+, D_B−

) connected in parallel with each switch (A+, A−

, B+, B−

) in the H-bridge switching circuit.

22. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the DC power supply comprises:

a DC voltage source;

a power supply resistor connected in series with the DC voltage source; and

a power supply switch connected in series with the resistor.

23. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising a pre-charging circuit connected in series between the DC power source and the DC-DC converter;

24. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising an input capacitor connected in parallel with the DC power source between the DC power source and the DC-DC converter.

25. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the treatment chamber is part of a constant flow treatment process.

26. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the one or more biological cells comprise bacterial cells, viral cells, algal cells, protozoal cells, plant cells, mammalian cells, animal cells or any combinations thereof.

27. The method as recited in claim 26, wherein the algal cells on lysis release oil.

28. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the controller comprises a signal generator or a computer.