Collapsible High-voltage Electrical Discharge Generator

• US 20130271892A1
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Published: 10/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leyh, Gregory
• Original Assignee: Leyh, Gregory
• Inventors: Leyh, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 9,083,157 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/230
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/14 Circuits therefor , e.g. for generating test voltages, sensing circuits G01R31/1209 - G01R31/1227 take precedence; for testing switches G01R31/327
• CPC Class Codes: H01T 21/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture or maintenance of spark gaps or sparking plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H01T 23/00 Apparatus for generating ions to be introduced into non-enclosed gases, e.g. into the atmosphere
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 Electromagnet, transformer or inductor

Abstract

A collapsible, high voltage electrical discharge generator uses a set of telescoping winding sections to achieve a compact form suitable for efficient transport, storage and deployment. The winding sections have two typical arrangements, fully collapsed and fully extended. In the fully collapsed mode the sections can be telescoped together into a nested configuration, thus occupying a small fraction of the volume of a fully extended system. The towers can be erected into the fully extended mode by applying internal pressure, or alternatively by using mechanical linkage to simply extend the telescoped stack of winding sections into position. Fully extended and connected, the individual sections perform as a large, continuous inductive element capable of generating very high voltages at the top of the tower for use in testing equipment and producing long electrical discharges.

Claims

1. A high voltage generation device comprising:

two or more hollow, inductive, electrical winding sections configured to form a tower arrangement and to connect electrically with one another;

wherein the device is configured to produce an electrical discharge in air greater than three meters in length,

and the device is configured to collapse into a compact arrangement suitable for transport or storage.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the tower arrangement of winding sections has a top electrode with a toroidal shape.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the outer envelope of the top electrode has a minimum effective outer radius of curvature greater than 350 mm.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the top electrode has an exterior surface comprising an electrically-conductive material with a conductivity of at least 100 S/m.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the electrode comprises a number of conductive modular components configured to be disassembled and reassembled easily over and over again.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the shape of each winding section is a conic section.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the shape of each winding section is a prism.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein each winding section has an electrical conductor wound along its longitudinal direction.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein an internal volume of the tower arrangement is configured to be pressurized.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the surfaces defining said internal volume are made of rubber, plastic, fiber composites or sealed fabric.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising mechanical linkage configured to support and adjust the vertical position of the winding sections and top electrode.

12. A method of operating a collapsible high-voltage electrical discharge generator, comprising the steps of:

a. providing two or more hollow electrical winding sections configured to form a tower arrangement and to connect electrically with one another;

b. configuring an inflatable internal volume inside said winding sections;

c. pressurizing said internal volume and configuring said winding sections into a tower arrangement;

d. providing modular electrode components configured to form a top electrode with a toroidal shape and an outer envelope greater than 350 mm in radius;

e. forming electrical connections between adjacent winding sections;

f. placing said toroidal electrode at the top of the tower;

g. making an electrical connection between the electrode and the tower; and

h. applying excitation to the winding sections sufficient to produce, from the electrode, an electrical discharge greater than 3 meters in length.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein steps b through c comprise using internal mechanical linkage to provide support for the winding sections.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein steps b through c comprise using external cranes or scaffolding to provide support for the winding sections.

15. A method of compacting a collapsible high-voltage electrical discharge generator, comprising the steps of:

a. detaching the generator from a source of excitation;

b. releasing pressure from the internal volume of the winding sections;

c. collapsing the winding sections into a compact format;

d. disassembling the electrode into discrete modular components;

e. arranging the modular components of the electrode and the winding sections into a compact configuration that can be efficiently transported.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein step b comprises activating internal mechanical linkage to lower and collapse the winding sections.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein step b comprises using external cranes or scaffolding to lower and collapse the winding sections.