Apparatus and method for measuring the breakdown voltage between two electrodes separated by a dielectric
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for measuring a breakdown voltage between two electrodes separated by a dielectric, the apparatus comprising:
- sensor means for sensing a voltage across the two electrodes, the sensor means providing an output charge substantially indicative of the voltage across the two electrodes;
peak-hold means operably coupled to the sensor means for storing a charge substantially indicative of a total of the output charge provided by the sensor means prior to reaching the breakdown voltage between the two electrodes, the peak-hold means providing an output voltage substantially indicative of the stored charge as an output of the apparatus;
spark detection means operably coupled to the sensor means for detecting the occurrence of a spark through the dielectric and across the two electrodes; and
restrike clamping means for substantially precluding further transfer of charge from the sensor means to the peak-hold means for a pre-determined period of time subsequent to and in response to the detected occurrence of the spark.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for measuring a breakdown voltage between two electrodes separated by a dielectric. The output of a sensor perceiving the voltage across the two electrodes is transferred to a peak-hold circuit. A spark through the dielectric and across the two electrodes is detected, Restrikes between the electrodes are clamped by precluding further transfers of sensor output to the peak-hold circuit for a predetermined period of time subsequent to the detected occurrence of the spark.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for measuring a breakdown voltage between two electrodes separated by a dielectric, the apparatus comprising:
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sensor means for sensing a voltage across the two electrodes, the sensor means providing an output charge substantially indicative of the voltage across the two electrodes; peak-hold means operably coupled to the sensor means for storing a charge substantially indicative of a total of the output charge provided by the sensor means prior to reaching the breakdown voltage between the two electrodes, the peak-hold means providing an output voltage substantially indicative of the stored charge as an output of the apparatus; spark detection means operably coupled to the sensor means for detecting the occurrence of a spark through the dielectric and across the two electrodes; and restrike clamping means for substantially precluding further transfer of charge from the sensor means to the peak-hold means for a pre-determined period of time subsequent to and in response to the detected occurrence of the spark. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A process for measuring a breakdown voltage between two electrodes separated by a dielectric, the process comprising the steps of:
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sensing a voltage across the two electrodes; outputting a charge substantially indicative of the voltage across the two electrodes; transferring the charge to a storage capacitor until reaching the breakdown voltage between the two electrodes; storing within the storage capacitor [a]the charge substantially indicative of a peak voltage across the two electrodes; detecting the occurrence of a spark through the dielectric and across the two electrodes; and precluding further transfers of charge to the storage capacitor for a pre-determined period of time subsequent to and in response to detecting the occurrence of a spark. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification