Power source for plasma device

• US 7,796,005 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kooken, Todd E., Luo, Lifeng, Dodge, Robert L., Blankenship, George D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Enad; Elvin G
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAN, TSZFUNG JACKIE
• Application Number:
  US12/042,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20080150664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 336/107, 336/192, 336173-175, 336/186, 219/121.48, 219/121.54, 219/130.1
• US Class Current: 336/175
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2038/006 matrix transformer consisting of several interconnected individual transformers working as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/28 Coils; Windings; Conductive connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 29/02 with tappings on coil or winding; with provision for rearrangement or interconnection of windings
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 30/04 having two or more secondary windings, each supplying a separate load, e.g. for radio set power supplies
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/00 Adaptations of transformers or inductances for specific applications or functions
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/085 Welding transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/36 Circuit arrangements H05H1/38, H05H1/40 take precedence

Abstract

A plasma device including a power source for creating an AC output signal with a matrix transformer between said power source and a series circuit comprising a first lead and a second lead. The matrix transformer including at least two modules with a first primary portion formed of first and second tubes connected at one end and a second primary portion formed of third and fourth tubes connected at one end, with said third and fourth tubes mounted in, and electrically isolated from, said first and second tubes, respectively, where said concentric tubes define generally parallel elongated passages through the module. A secondary winding is wrapped through the elongated passages of each module. There is a first series circuit from the power source to the matrix transformer for passing the first polarity of the AC output signal through the first primary sections of the modules, a second series circuit from the power source to the matrix transformer for passing the second polarity of the output signal through the second primary sections, a rectifier for each of the secondary windings of the modules and a third series circuit connecting the rectifiers in series with the first and second leads so a voltage of over about 500 volts is across these leads.

Claims

1. A module forming the primary winding of a high frequency transformer, said module, comprising:

a first conductive tube with first and second ends;

a generally parallel closely adjacent second conductive tube with first and second ends, said tubes each having a central elongated passage for accommodating a secondary winding;

a magnetic core surrounding each of said tubes;

a jumper strap joining said first ends of said tubes;

a circuit forming connector at said second ends of said tubes;

a conductive assembly comprising a third conductive tube with first and second ends;

a fourth conductive tube with first and second ends and a second jumper strap joining said first ends of said third and fourth tubes into a parallel relationship to each other and to said first and second tubes;

said third and fourth parallel tubes being telescoped into said passages of said first and second tubes, respectively, and having elongated passages or accommodating said secondary winding with said first and second jumper strap spaced from each other;

a first tubular insulator between said first and third tubes; and

a second tubular insulator between said second and fourth tubes.

2. The module as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said magnetic cores each comprise a plurality of doughnut-shaped rings around one of said tubes.

3. The module as defined in claim 1 wherein said secondary winding is connected to a rectifier.

4. A module forming the primary winding of a high frequency transformer, said module comprising:

a first coaxial set of concentric, telescoped conductive tubes separated by a tubular insulator;

a second coaxial set of concentric, telescoped conductive tubes separated by a tubular insulator; and

a magnetic core around each of said sets, said sets each having an elongated central passage for accommodating a secondary winding, and conductors connecting said tubes of said sets into two series circuits.

5. The module as defined in claim 4 wherein said secondary winding is connected to a rectifier.

6. The module as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said magnetic cores comprises a plurality of doughnut-shaped rings around one of said tubes.