High voltage pulsed power supply using solid state switches with droop compensation
First Claim
1. A pulse generator that generates a voltage pulse that is applied to a load, the pulse generator comprising:
- a plurality of first voltage cells, each voltage cell having a capacitor in series with a main switch such that all capacitors are connected in series when all main switches are on to generate a voltage pulse that is delivered to a load; and
a second voltage cell connected in series with the plurality of first voltage cells, the second voltage cell including;
a pair of capacitors in series with a second main switch;
at least a first diode arranged with the pair of capacitors such that the pair of capacitors charge in series when the main switch is off and discharge in parallel when the main switch is on; and
a ringing circuit that includes;
an inductor in series with the pair of capacitors; and
a ringing capacitor in parallel with the inductor, wherein the ringing capacitor charges to twice a value of the pair of capacitors and provides droop compensation to the voltage pulse.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for generating a high voltage pulse. A series of voltage cells are connected such that charging capacitors can be charged in parallel and discharged in series. Each cell includes a main switch and a return switch. When the main switches are turned on, the capacitors in the cells are in series and discharge. When the main switches are turned off and the return switches are turned on, the capacitors charge in parallel. One or more of the cells can be inactive without preventing a pulse from being generated. The amplitude, duration, rise time, and fall time can be controlled with the voltage cells. Each voltage cell may also includes a balance network to match the stray capacitance seen by each voltage cell. Droop compensation is also enabled.
42 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A pulse generator that generates a voltage pulse that is applied to a load, the pulse generator comprising:
-
a plurality of first voltage cells, each voltage cell having a capacitor in series with a main switch such that all capacitors are connected in series when all main switches are on to generate a voltage pulse that is delivered to a load; and a second voltage cell connected in series with the plurality of first voltage cells, the second voltage cell including; a pair of capacitors in series with a second main switch; at least a first diode arranged with the pair of capacitors such that the pair of capacitors charge in series when the main switch is off and discharge in parallel when the main switch is on; and a ringing circuit that includes; an inductor in series with the pair of capacitors; and a ringing capacitor in parallel with the inductor, wherein the ringing capacitor charges to twice a value of the pair of capacitors and provides droop compensation to the voltage pulse. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A pulse generator that generates a voltage pulse that is applied to a load, the pulse generator comprising:
-
a main switch; a first capacitor in series with the main switch; a second capacitor in series with the first capacitor; a first diode connected between the first and second capacitor, wherein a charging current charges the first and second capacitor in series; a ringing circuit connected to the first and second capacitor, the ringing circuit including; a first inductor in series with the first and second capacitor; and a third capacitor across the first and second capacitor; and a plurality of diodes arranged with the first and second capacitor such that the first and second capacitor charge in series when the main switch is off and discharge in parallel when the main switch is on, wherein the ringing circuit generates a voltage that is twice the voltage of the discharging first and second capacitor and that provides smooth droop compensation to a voltage pulse. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A voltage pulse generator for generating a voltage pulse, the voltage pulse generator comprising:
-
a plurality of first voltage cells each having a main switch and a capacitor in series such that each main switch and each capacitor is in series with other main switches and other capacitors in other first voltage cells when the main switches are on, wherein the capacitors are isolated from each other until the main switches are turned on such that the serially connected capacitors deliver a voltage pulse without using transformers; a diode string connected with the plurality of first voltage cells; a plurality of first return switches included in the plurality of first voltage cells, wherein a charging current passes through the first return switches and the diode string such that the capacitors in the plurality of first voltage cells are charged in parallel; and a second voltage cell comprising; a second main switch; at least a pair of capacitors in series with the main switch and connected using a plurality of diodes such that the pair of capacitors charge in series and such that the pair of capacitors charge in parallel with respect to the capacitors in the plurality of first voltage cells, wherein the plurality of diodes are arranged such that the pair of capacitors discharge in parallel when the second main switch is on; and a ringing circuit connected to the pair of capacitors, wherein the ringing circuit rings when the pair of capacitors discharge to generate a half sine wave voltage that provides droop compensation to the voltage pulse, the ringing circuit including an inductor in series with the pair of capacitors and a third capacitor across the pair of capacitors. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
Specification