Search

The design, construction, and operational characteristics of a low-impedance and low pulse drop transmission line transformer (TLT) are described in this paper. The multicore coaxial transmission line used for this transformer is different from traditional coaxial transmission line since its inner conductor consists of several high-voltage cables that are connected in parallel by using two metal disks placed at both ends of them. Simultaneously, the impedance of the coaxial transmission lines with ten cables designed in this paper is perfectly reduced from 60 to $13.5~\Omega $. Moreover, the transmission lines can withstand a high voltage of several tens of kilovolts with 13.9 mm in diameter. The transmission lines were then used to construct TLTs. The transformers are wound inductively in separated cylinders made of polypropylene to enhance the isolation from the input to the output of the transformers. Consequently, the pulse drop is substantially reduced, minimizing pulse distortion in the transformer. A three-stage TLT, whose input and output impedances are 4.5 and $40.5~\Omega $ , respectively, was developed with the transmission lines. The experimental results show that the three-stage transformer based on the low-impedance and low pulse drop design transmission lines can achieve a voltage gain factor of almost 3.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper suggests a design of pulsewidth modulation series-resonant converter (PWM SRC) for magnetron power supplies. The goal of this design is to make the PWM SRC have a wide output voltage maintaining mode 3 operation that shows good switching characteristics. To keep the mode 3 operation, a systematic design is required because the design is related to various parameters, such as resonant tank, transformer turns-ratio, magnetizing inductance, and duty-ratio. To establish the design procedure, converter analysis is performed related to the steady-state operation, input–output relationship, and critical design conditions, and several design equations are derived based on the analysis. Based on the design procedure, a PWM SRC with parallel-input-series-output-connected transformer has been designed for magnetron power supplies and verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a 100-kV high frequency transformer/rectifier package, which is capable of a dual output polarity operation. An H-Bridge inverter drives the primary of the high voltage (HV) transformer at a frequency of 20 kHz. The inverter is driven by a Microchip dsPIC33F digital signal controller using peak current mode control with adaptive slope compensation. The HV-tank has two HV-coax output cables with a grounded shield on each cable. If the center conductor of the coax cable designated as negative output is grounded, positive voltage is obtained from the coax cable designated as positive output and vice versa. This paper provides design details and experimental results from tests of the entire system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In order to analyze the performance of a fast linear transformer driver (FLTD) in different states, we develop a circuit model of nonlinear magnetic core. The circuit model contains controllable initial magnetic flux density and time-dependent loss resistance of the magnetic core. Afterward, the core model is added to the integral circuit to simulate the performance of the single stage FLTD; both the simulation and experimental results are given in this paper and the simulation results fit the experimental results very well under different situations. Moreover, this circuit model can be used to analyze the conditions when some faults occurred in the magnetic core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the detailed design of an ion pump power supply is presented. The ion pump power supply was designed based on an LCC resonant topology with high switching frequency to take advantage of a smaller transformer for isolation. Because the proposed ion pump power supply has a 7-kV, 50-mA specification, high-voltage insulation is required. In order to secure insulation reliability, the power supply was designed with eight separate transformers that share primary turns. The spacing between the primary turns and secondary turns allows for increases in the leakage inductance and parasitic capacitance of the transformer. A compact design can be achieved using the parasitic component generated by the proposed design as the resonant parameters of the LCC resonant converter. In addition, based on a trapezoidal approximation of the LCC resonant converter, the resonant parameters are designed to have trapezoidal shapes of the resonant current in order to reduce conduction loss. Finally, the results of the experiment indicate that the developed ion pump power supply can be used effectively in high-voltage and low-current applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of pulsed power supplies and switched-mode power supplies raises urgent need for medium-frequency high-power transformers. This paper proposes an optimal design method of medium-frequency Fe-based amorphous transformer based on multiobjective postdecision genetic algorithm. The optimization targets at transformer volume (expressed in terms of area product $A_{p}$) and its loss. Transformer operating frequency $f$ , operating magnetic flux density $B_{m}$ , and current density $J$ are taken as design variables, while temperature rise and efficiency are taken as constraints. This design method helps to solve the traditional transformer’s design problem of repetitive calculation. Moreover, it proposes to the designer a series of optimized transformers, rather than a single solution, so the designer can choose the best transformer according to the application needs. Finally, the simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the effectiveness and feasibility of the theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the results of a 2.88-MW solid-state long-pulse modulator, which has been designed for the new linear collider at the european spallation source in Lund, are summarized. The presented modulator generates an output voltage pulse of 115 kV with a pulselength of 3.5 ms. The main components of the modular system, which include a series–parallel resonance converter, a high-voltage high-frequency transformer, and an output rectifier, are discussed. The modulator design is verified by measurements performed with a full-scale prototype, which is operated under nominal load conditions. A detailed output voltage ripple evaluation is given, and in addition, the system design has been proven by a 7- and 2/3-h heat run test. All specifications are well within the given limits, and the maximum occurring temperatures in the transformer stay below 110 °C even under worst case assumptions. The system achieves a pulse efficiency (determined by the pulse shape) of 96.78%, an overall electrical system efficiency of 91.9%, and a combined pulse system efficiency of 89%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design of an ultraprecise 127-MW/3- \mu \textrm s solid-state modulator with split-core transformer. The modulator consists of a power supply, 12 pulse generator modules with active core reset, and a split-core transformer with six cores. In addition, an $LC$ bouncer could be used to compensate the droop of the pulse. This paper includes the design and analysis of the pulse transformer. A volume minimal transformer is investigated for different load capacitances to investigate the achievable rise time and the parameters which can be used to adjust the damping. In addition, the influence of the pulse transformer on the synchronization of the switches is investigated using an enhanced reluctance model. In addition, an $LC$ bouncer circuit is investigated. A multiobjective optimization is performed which shows the required energy of the bouncer for a certain pulse ripple. The flat-top ripple of the presented modulator can be reduced to 0.2%. Because the bouncer degrades the flat-top stability, the bouncer is not implemented. Measurements of the overall system include short-circuit measurements and flat-top stability measurements. They show that the modulator is short-circuit capable. Furthermore, the flat-top stability is determined to be less than 10 ppm at an output voltage of 360 kV. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The generation of high-power electromagnetic waves is one of the major applications in the field of highintensity pulsed power. The conventional structure of a pulsed power generator contains a primary energy source and a load separated by a power-amplification system. The latter performs time compression of the slow input energy pulse and delivers a high-intensity power output to the load. Usually, either a Marx generator or a Tesla transformer is used as a power amplifier. In the present case, a system termed "module oscillant utilisant une nouvelle architecture" (MOUNA) uses an innovative and very compact resonant pulsed transformer to drive a dipole antenna. This paper describes the ultracompact multiprimary winding pulsed transformer developed in common by the Université de Pau and Hi Pulse Company that can generate voltage pulses of up to 0.6 MV, with a rise time of less than 270 ns. The transformer design has four primary windings, with two secondary windings in parallel, and a Metglas 2605SA1 amorphous iron magnetic core with an innovative biconic geometry used to optimize the leakage inductance. The overall unit has a weight of 6 kg and a volume of only 3.4 L, and this paper presents in detail its design procedure, with each of the main characteristics being separately analyzed. In particular, simple but accurate analytical calculations of both the leakage inductance and the stray capacitance between the primary and secondary windings are presented and successfully compared with CST-based results. Phenomena such as the core losses and saturation induction are also analyzed. The resonant power-amplifier output characteristics are experimentally studied when attached to a compact capacitive load, coupled to a capacitive voltage probe developed jointly with Loughborough University. Finally, an LTspice-based model of the power ampli- fier is introduced and its predictions are compared with results obtained from a thorough experimental study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opening switch is one of the critical technologies in the development of inductive pulsed-power supply. The power requirement is very high when the opening switch is desired to commutate a large current. This paper presents a zero-current opening circuit for inductive pulsed-power supply based on a high-temperature superconducting pulsed-power transformer. First, there are two types of current flowing through the opening switch, one comes from the secondary side of the pulse transformer, and the other one comes from superconducting energy storage inductance. The orientation of the two current is opposite. Then, when the current flowing through the opening switch closes to zero, the switch is opened and this restrains the over-voltage pulse of the opening switch. The simulation results indicate that this zero-current opening circuit is feasible and has potential applications for high-energy systems in the future electromagnetic launcher. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents the design and implementation of a 40-kV, 20-kJ/s high-voltage capacitor charger based on a series/parallel resonant converter. The inclusion of the parallel resonant capacitor component in this circuit results in the production of a trapezoidal resonant current, which reduces conduction loss. This capacitor is practically realized as a part of the balancing network of the high-voltage rectifiers in the secondary side of the circuit. Particular attention in this paper is paid to the high-voltage transformer, which must be carefully designed to provide the required functionality without negative impact on the resonant circuit. A PSpice simulation has been used to prove that the proposed control method for the circuit is valid. This is supported with the experimental results, which verify that the operation of the circuit is as expected and that the converter is able to meet all the design criteria with an efficiency of up to 96%. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, a compact circuit topology is presented for pulsed power generation with a semiconductor opening switch (SOS). Such circuits require the generation of a fast forward current through the diode, followed by a reverse current that activates the recovery process. In general, magnetic switches are used to switch the diode current from forward to reverse. Therefore, adjustment of the output voltage of an SOS pulser is difficult. This paper introduces a circuit that allows an adjustable output voltage of the pulser. A solution is realized with a premagnetizing circuit on the primary winding of a pulse transformer (PT), so that a third winding is not needed. The primary capacitor voltage can now be varied while maintaining proper saturation of the PT. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper proposes a flyback-circuit-based design of a trigger circuit for a high-power gas switch. By incorporating a flyback circuit in a high-power gas switch, it is possible to generate a high step-up ratio and high-voltage pulse by using a transformer. Furthermore, simple trigger circuit having the minimum possible number of components (transformer and switch) can be realized. When an inductor is used as an energy storage element, energy is stored as a current source, and thus, the element can operate reliably when low impedance exists between the trigger node of the switch after triggering. According to the fundamental operating principle of a flyback circuit, the proposed trigger circuit is designed considering the maximum trigger voltage and energy required for a high-power gas switch. To verify the proposed design procedure and feasibility of the trigger circuit, a compact trigger circuit (7.5 kV, 1.3 mJ/pulse) is simulated using the PSpice program and implemented. Based on this compact circuit, a trigger circuit (20 kV, 100 mJ/pulse) for a triggered vacuum switch (TVS) is developed, and the tests with an actual TVS (3.3 kJ) are carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superconducting pulsed-power supply (SPPS) provides an efficient method for both high-density inductive energy storage and high current pulse generation. An SPPS consisting of eight high-temperature superconducting pulsed-power transformer (HTSPPT) modules with XRAM methodology was designed and simulated in preliminary studies. It recycled the leakage flux energy and reduced the voltage across the opening switch with a capacitor in primary. However, the SPPS with XRAM methodology has two problems. The first one is that it can provide high pulse amplitude, but cannot provide enough width. The other one is that the ratio of the maximum capacitive energy over the total inductive energy is relatively large, which cuts down the overall system energy density. This paper proposes a modified topology of SPPS with capacitor reuse methodology. Multiple HTSPPT modules are divided into several groups. Each group shares the same capacitor. The procedure of the modified SPPS is presented in detail. A 270-kJ SPPS with capacitor reuse methodology is designed and simulated to illustrate the modified topology. With the load parameters of a small railgun, the peak value of the load current is 207.15 kA and the pulse half-height width is 5.56 ms, the ratio of the maximum capacitive energy over the total inductive energy is 11%. The characteristics of the modified topology are also described in detail in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In switching power supplies, the transformer leakage inductance (TLI) is of considerable practical significance. Ordered winding is the certain assumption in previously reported works for the calculation of the TLI value. However, disordered windings are usually unavoidable in practice and their effect on the value of the TLI is considerable. The problem becomes more complex when the number of winding turns increases. In this paper, the effect of winding disorder on the TLI value is investigated. In disordered wrapping, the winding turns arrangement (WTA) of each produced transformer is different from the others. Thus, each produced transformer has an exclusive TLI value in a disordered wrapping. Moreover, the number of possible WTAs is high, especially in transformers with a large number of winding turns. The proposed method utilizes an analytical tool for estimating the distribution of the TLI values for all of the possible WTAs. This estimation is carried out based on the limited number of the WTAs. The required number of WTAs is calculated and the validity of the proposed method is checked with Kolmogorov–Smirnov theorem. The TLI value is calculated by means of the stored magnetic energy in different parts of the transformer using the magnetomotive force variation method. Finite element simulation and experimental results are presented to show the effects of disorder on the TLI value and the validity of the proposed analytical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-stability flat-top pulsed magnetic field, which combines the advantages of pulsed high magnetic field and steady high magnetic field, is widely used in in the fields of physics, biology, and chemistry. The pulsed alternator-rectifier power supply, with controllable output voltage, is suitable to discharge a multicoil magnet to generate a synthetic flat-top magnetic field with high parameters. However, the coupling characteristics of coil current and the time-varying nonlinear characteristics of magnetic field system bring challenges to generate a high-stability flat-top pulsed magnetic field. This paper first adds a decoupling transformer in discharge circuit of the 50-T flat-top pulsed magnetic field system existed at the Wuhan Nation High Magnetic Field Center, Wuhan, China, and hence, the coupling effect of 50-T dual-coil magnet can be eliminated. Then, a control method of high-stability flat-top pulsed magnetic field based on the model predictive control is proposed. A prediction model of rectifier trigger angle is obtained by establishing the mathematical model of the system. A simulation model is built by MATLAB/Simulink to simulate the discharge process, and a 50-T/120-ms flat-top pulsed magnetic field with an accuracy of 400 ppm is generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To realize the broadest potential of nonthermal atmospheric-pressure plasma (APP) technology, there is a need to develop low-cost, compact devices that can be used for portable applications. One of the greatest impediments to this is the power supplies and/or electronics needed to generate breakdown at atmospheric pressure. Piezoelectric transformers (PTs) are solid-state transformers that can produce large gains in voltage, which along with their modest size, makes them attractive candidates for use in plasma production. In this paper, we use a low-voltage power supply in line with a PT to produce an APP jet (APPJ). While operating at the resonance frequency of the PT (88 kHz), plasma jets were generated with input voltages as low as 10 V. The electrical and optical characteristics of the piezoelectric-driven jet were compared to an APPJ produced with a high-voltage sine wave of comparable operating frequency. Both APPJs were examined in helium and argon for a variety of different flow rates and operating voltages. In argon, the length of the jets was nearly identical for all operating parameters but produced different discharge currents. In helium, the discharge currents were similar but the lengths of the jet differed. Optical emission spectroscopy showed similar chemical composition between the two jets for both feed gases. Together, the results suggest that the piezoelectric material has an influence beyond simply amplifying voltage but can be successfully integrated to meet the requirements needed for plasma production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design and development of a −100 kV, 20 A, all solid-state long-pulse modulator for driving high average power klystron amplifier. Modular design approach has been adopted for achieving the −100-kV output. Six dc–dc converters along with high-voltage high-frequency transformers are used for high-voltage generation. Low-loss insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) switches in full-bridge configuration have been used for high-frequency switching. The IGBT-based inverter modules are delayed in phase by 120° with respect to each other. The switching frequency is 20 kHz. Output pulses of 1.6-ms pulsewidth, 70- $\mu \text{s}$ rise time, and 65- $\mu \text{s}$ fall time have been achieved at the modulator output. A droop of ±1% is achieved using a simple feedforward correction control technique. The performance of the modulator with the resistive load is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper puts forward a repetitive high-voltage pulse modulator, consisting of a step-up pulse transformer to decrease the number of needed semiconductor switches, and a bipolar Marx generator to reduce the turns ratio of PT, leakage inductance, and distributed capacitance, and also to improve the pulse shape. An equivalent circuit of the proposed modulator considering parasitic elements is established. Based on the equivalent circuit, circuit operation is analyzed in detail. In order to verify the theory analysis and circuit operation, simulations are conducted. In addition, a laboratory prototype is implemented. The simulations and experimental results of resistive load and dielectric-barrier discharges load turn out matched quite well with the theory analysis, demonstrating that the prototype can operate with a voltage amplitude in the range of 0–25 kV, a repetition rate of 0.1–5-kHz stably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal design and selection of arm inductances have been as a challenging subject in the field of modular multilevel converter (MMC). The average steady-state model is generally used as the analytical circuit model that neglects the switching frequency and harmonic values. Also, most of the researchers neglect the saturation effect of inductor core to simplify the analytical model. Contrary to the transformers, choosing the maximum flux density of inductance core is a sensitive issue, in order to design and minimize the inductors. Increasing the flux density reduces the inductor size, but getting close to the saturation region might alter the performance of the converter. This paper presents a systematic optimization approach to minimize high-power MMCs with saturable arm inductance considering technical, thermal, and manufacturing constraints. An accurate steady-state analytical model of MMC converter has been proposed and verified. A combination of converter circuit model and inductance electromagnetic model is employed to find the optimal arm inductances and capacitor values. The effect of nonideal inductance core on converter outputs has been investigated. A dimensioning model of inductor consisting of electromagnetic and thermal models is presented. To compute the optimal inductor size, a novel hybrid optimization loop is proposed including the analytical model of the converter and the inductor in which circuit, electromagnetic, and thermal properties are taken into consideration. In order to increase the accuracy of the dimensioning model, an internal verification loop is employed to verify and correct the analytical model using finite-element analysis. The proposed optimization loop aims to find the minimum inductor size considering technical and manufacturing constraints. Finally, the converter mass sensitivity of MMC converter versus some important constraints, such as temperature rise and capacitor ripple, has been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the design and implementation of novel trigger circuit (23 kV, $1.7~\mu \text{s}$ , and 0.66 J/pulse) for xenon flash lamp driver. The design is based on a modified flyback circuit in the discontinuous conduction mode to take advantage of both generating the high voltage from the resonance with output capacitor and connecting the series with main pulse circuit using the flyback transformer which can carry the full current of several kiloampere at high-voltage side. This design eliminates the requirement for additional high-voltage protection devices in a xenon flash lamp driver. In addition, the unique high-voltage flyback transformer is designed with high turn ratio and low leakage inductance. The detailed design procedure for the resonant circuit at the output side of the flyback circuit with the permissible range of the parasitic component of the transformer is described on the basis of simplified analysis of resonant circuit. To verify the proposed design, computer simulation based on PSpice software and experiments for the proposed triggering circuit with a main pulse circuit was performed. For the experiment, the trigger circuit is developed with the specification of maximum 23-kV, 0.66-J/pulse output and tested with a xenon flash lamp (Heraeus P4101) driver consisting of a 1.5-kV, 36-kJ/s main pulse circuit and a 2.5-kW (500 V, 5 A) simmer circuit. The experiment is performed in both triggering without the simmer mode and combining the simmer mode. From the simulation and experimental results, it is verified that the triggering circuit can be used effectively, as it exhibits reliable ignition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design and experimental validations of a system of three new high-voltage (HV) pulsed-power converters for the H− sources. The system requires three pulsed voltages (50, 40, and 25 kV to ground) at 2-Hz repetition rate, for \(700~\mu \) s of usable flat-top. The solution presents ripple-free output voltages and minimal stored energy to protect the ion source from the consequences of arc events. Experimental results on the final full-scale prototype are presented. In case of short-circuit events, the maximal energy delivered to the source is in the Joule range. HV flat-top stability of 1% is experimentally achieved with a simple Proportional-Integral-Derivative regulation and preliminary tuned H− source (e.g., radio frequency control, gas injection, and so forth). The system is running since more than a year with no power converter failures and damage to the source. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper describes the successful development of a 1-MV magnetically insulated Tesla transformer. Full details of the construction are provided, together with the basis of the design procedure. Preliminary results for the prototype transformer are presented and discussed, and future paper is outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a newly developed novel repetitive impulse voltage generator using a boost converter array. To solve problems such as short life time, low operating frequency, and the fixed pulse width of conventional generators, the proposed generator is designed with a boost converter array that employs series-connected capacitors and insulated gate bipolar transistors. The circuit can easily obtain a high-voltage pulse without any high-voltage direct current source and pulse transformer. Thus, the proposed circuit not only allows elimination of the expensive high-frequency transformer but also allows operation at a frequency up to several kilohertz with high reliability and longer life span. To validate the proposed circuit, two pulse generators rated at 1.8 kV, 40 A and 20 kV, 300 A are implemented and tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-power pulses with edges rising in tens of nanoseconds can be directly produced using a fast linear transformer driver (FLTD). The use of FLTDs facilitates the driving of various high-power electron-beam diodes through vacuum-or magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs) and consequently makes radiation simulation sources relatively compact. This paper investigates and optimizes the conformations and parameters of the secondary MITLs, diodes, and bremsstrahlung converter targets through the circuit simulation, particle-in-cell simulation, and Monte Carlo simulation, with a focus on the parameters of a pulse source from a two-level FLTD connected in series. The simulations reveal the influence of voltage on changes in diode with alternating cathode and anode and the relationship between the parameters of the composite target structure, photon/electron transfer efficiency, and radiation energy spectra. The distribution, evenness, and energy fluence of the radiation field in the electron-beam diode driven by the two-level FLTD connected in series are also determined. Results show that the FLTD system shows a significant potential in constructing compact hard X-ray sources. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A number of high-power applications require a transportable high-energy, high-current GW generator to drive a pulsed power system at the output. A first prototype, based on exploding wire technology and using an H-bridge circuit configuration, was developed at Loughborough University a few years ago and has been previously reported. The present stage of the work has necessitated the development of a more powerful and energetic source, and this is now based on inductive storage technology. A 400 kJ capacitor bank is connected by a high-Coulomb explosively driven closing switch with an air-cored 0.6 MV transformer, an exploding wire array, and a high-power diode based on a polarity-dependent spark-gap completing the arrangement. The GW generator, including the command and control module, is accommodated in two ISO containers. The various components of the generator are described in this paper, together with results obtained from full-scale tests. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper proposes a pulsed power supply topology based on the combination of capacitor-diode voltage multiplier and resonant circuit. It generates high output voltage pulses with low ac input voltage using power electronics switches. Based on the type of application, simple or combined mode pulses can be created by proposed topology. The combined mode pulse (wide pulses combined with narrow pulses) generation can be a very good alternative strategy for food sterilization, which can reduce the amount of consumed power and avoid side effects of wide pulses used in the food treatment process. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the proposed topology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To supply the cathode voltage for the two gyrotrons (140 GHz/1 MW/3 s) of the electron cyclotron resonant heating system on HL-2A, a high-voltage power supply (HVPS) based on pulse step modulator (PSM) with rated output of 80 kV/200 A has been built. Because the storing energy of the PSM HVPS is much lower than traditional HVPS, it is beneficial to load protection. In the PSM HVPS, there are eight dry-type multiwinding transformers; each transformer has 14 secondary windings. The main insulation of the multiwinding transformer reaches to 150 kV. There are 112 switch power supplies in the PSM HVPS; the output voltage can be regulated from 0 to 80 kV by modulating their delay time and pulsewidths. To realize two gyrotrons parallel operating and respective quick protection for the loads, two solid-state high voltage modulators (SSHVM) based on insulated gate bipolar transistor are applied in the power supply. The over-current and over-voltage protection are executed by turning off the PSM HVPS and the SSHVM. The protection time is <10~\mus . A fully digital controller based on digital signal processor and field programmable gate arrays has been developed to ensure the stability of the output voltage of the PSM HVPS. The design circuit and elements are described, and the test results of the PSM HVPS are given in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Utilization of power electronics converters in pulsed power applications introduced a new series of reliable, long life, and cost-effective pulse generators. However, these converters suffer from the limited power ratings of semiconductor switches, which necessitate introduction of a new family of modular topologies. This paper proposes a modular power electronics converter based on voltage multiplier as a high voltage pulsed power generator. This modular circuit is able to generate flexible high output voltage from low input voltage sources. Circuit topology and operational principles of proposed topology are verified via experimental and simulation results as well as theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Efficient and novel design method to implement high-power transmission line transformers (TLTs) that can be used as output balun for plasma generators is presented. The novelty in the presented method involves: the construction of the balun using transmission lines (TLs) in the form of microstrip configuration, which gives higher power handling capacity with larger amount of current and high breakdown voltage, accurate formulation including magnetic design of the balun, such as core selection, flux density, operational current, voltage, and number of turns, and implementation of the balun for radio frequency amplifier section of the plasma generator for the first time. The presented method also integrates Dowell's formulation into microstrip type design and shows that when TLs with rectangular cross sections, such as copper strips, are used for winding, thermal profile of the balun improves since its conductor loss is reduced. Design charts based on analytical formulation to design high-power TLTs are presented. High-power TLT is then constructed, measured, and implemented for 2-MHz plasma generator. All the measurement results, including thermal profile of the TLT and power amplifier performance of the plasma generator at the center frequency, 2 MHz, when the new type of TLT is implemented have been given. It has been shown that the TLT using the design technique presented in this paper can be used as output balun for plasma generators and meet all the requirements of plasma applications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper describes a low cost, easy-to-implement circuit for triggering ignitrons in plasma physics experiments and other pulsed power applications. Using insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) for rapid switching, the circuit delivers >200~A peak current from a 0.1-\muF capacitor to the ignitron trigger pin with a rise time of \sim0.6~\mus. The trigger circuit is isolated from the ignitron by a pulse transformer. Details of the circuit design and practical considerations for working with IGBTs are discussed. Sources of inductance in the system are identified, and leakage inductance associated with the pulse transformer is shown to be the primary factor limiting the pulse rise time. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, the circuit model capable of dealing with magnetizing characteristics of the magnetic cores and switch prefire is established for linear transformer driver (LTD) cavities in PSPICE. Through simulation, the effects of switch prefire on other components in LTD and its output current pulse have been analyzed associated with the variation of energy loss in magnetic cores. Simulation results indicate that a switch prefire in one cavity would produce oscillations added to the charge voltage of the other switches in this cavity and cavities adjacent immediately. The magnitudes of such oscillations have an intimate relation with the magnetic core loss equivalent resistance. The loss equivalent resistances in the range from 4 to 6 \Omega have produced moderate voltage oscillations. Experiments on the 300-kA LTD cavity developed by the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology proved that such oscillations added to the charge voltage of other switches are likely to increase the breakdown probability of them. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Piezoelectric transformers (PTs) are used as step-up voltage elements in many devices. The University of Missouri is developing a PT as an accelerator for an ion beam. In cases where high-voltage pulses are desired, discharges can result from a large electric field near triple point junctions. Due to the small scale of the device, conductive triple point shields are difficult to employ to prevent flashover. This paper presents an investigation of piezoelectric flashover prevention by thin film encapsulation. Dielectric material was deposited on the PT both over the entire device and at specific regions of interest. The dielectric was deposited by evaporation to eliminate gaps at the triple point. The flashover strength is evaluated depending on the dielectric type, thickness, and length. The mechanical loss incurred by the deposition is evaluated to determine if it hinders the motion of the transformer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In power modulators for pulses in the microsecond range, transformers are often used for generating high output voltages. With standard topologies, the transformer is usually only excited in a unipolar direction, i.e., the flux density B swings between zero and a value close to the saturation flux density. By applying a reset circuit, the flux density B in the transformer is set to a value close to the negative saturation flux density before the pulse, so that the flux density could swing between the negative and positive saturation values during the pulse. This allows one to halve the core area and reduce the core volume/weight as well as the losses. In this paper, the operating modes of three different reset circuit topologies (the standard and a new advanced passive as well as an active one) and the corresponding waveforms are explained. Furthermore, the three topologies are compared with respect to the losses/complexity based on a design for a solid-state modulator with 20-MW output power and 200-ky output voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superconducting inductive pulsed-power supply (SPPS) circuit consists of a high-temperature superconducting pulsed-power transformer (HTSPPT) and an auxiliary capacitor. The electrical losses and the power of the primary source can be cut down with the superconducting inductive energy storage. Although its energy density is slightly less than a purely superconducting inductive system, it can reduce the maximum voltage of the opening switch by the capacitor and achieve a high degree of current amplification factor. However, during the discharge process, the magnetic leakage flux energy stored in the primary of the HTSPPT requires the capacitor to have a certain capacity. The higher the ratio of the capacitive stored energy over the total inductive stored energy, the more the dominant position of inductive energy storage reduces. The current amplification factor ( \gamma ), the maximum voltage of the opening switch ( V_{S\max } ), and the ratio of capacitive stored energy ( \eta ) are the three main properties of the SPPS circuit, which depends on several intertwined critical parameters, such as the inductance ratio n = L2 /( L2+LL ) and the capacitance ( $C_{{\mathbf {1}}}$ ). This paper studies the influence of the critical parameters on the main circuit performance with a 1-kJ SPPS system. The detailed selection method of the critical parameters for the specific system is also discussed with a coupling coefficient of 0.95. Such a system is easy to be utilized for the basic experimental study of a small railgun. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In design of a pulse transformer, there are several conflicting objective functions that should be optimized. However, due to the high complexity, the conventional design methods cannot consider all of them simultaneously. In this paper, multiobjective particle swarm optimization is used to design a pulse transformer. This method is based on Pareto optimality. The output consists of a set of optimal solutions that the best design is selected from it. To use this optimization method, a model is developed for a pulse transformer with toroidal wound core. The model considers magnetic, electric, and thermal characteristic of a transformer. Its simple calculations make it proper for using in an optimization process. A transformer is designed and implemented for minimum rise time, temperature rise, and volume using the presented method. This transformer is compared with a transformer that has been designed by conventional methods. Measurements and comparisons show that the results are more acceptable than the results of convectional designs besides simplicity and accuracy of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Precision High Energy-Density Liner Implosion Experiment (PHELIX) is a pulsed power driver capable of delivering multimegampere currents to cylindrical loads. The PHELIX hardware includes novel design features to provide a high-energy conversion efficiency of approximately 10-MA output current per megajoule of stored energy. This is achieved by a rail-gap switched low-inductance Marx design (resistively damped) driving a multifilar air-core pulse transformer. The Marx output cables form the toroidal transformer that is an integral part of the disc line and removable load cassette assembly. The transformer and disc line uses conformal insulation methods and does not require replacement; after each shot, the transformer is completely reusable. Load cassettes can be easily exchanged to facilitate experimental variation. PHELIX is self-contained within its own transport container and Faraday cage that can be moved from the maintenance building to the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center 800-MeV proton accelerator facility to perform multipulse proton radiography. This paper details the electrical and mechanical design of the Marx and multifilar transformer assemblies as well as presenting the operational performance achieved to date. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, a compact rep-rate GW pulsed power generator is developed. First, its three key subsystems are theoretically analyzed, engineering designed, and experimentally investigated, respectively. The emphases are put on these four problems: the theoretical analysis of the voltage distribution across the conical secondary windings of the high-coupling transformer, the investigation of the high energy storage density dielectric used in the pulse forming line, the choice of the gas flow velocity of the gas blowing system, and theoretical analysis of the passive stability of the pulsed power generator operated in rep-rate mode. Second, the developed pulsed power generator is described in detail. It has a 0.2-m diameter, a 1.0-m length, and a 20-\Omega wave impedance. Across a 100-\Omega resistive dummy load, it can steadily operate at a 300-kV output voltage in 50-Hz rep-rate and 250 kV in 150 Hz without gas blowing system. The average power is \sim1~kW. Finally, the pulsed power generator is applied to drive a relativistic backward-wave oscillator, generating a high-power microwave with peak output power of 200 MW and duration (full-width at half-maximum) of 5 ns in 150-Hz rep-rate. These efforts set a good foundation for the development of a compact rep-rate pulsed power generator and show a promising application for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SPHINX is a microsecond linear transformer driver located at Atomic Energy Comission (CEA) Gramat (France), which can deliver a current pulse of 6 MA within 800 ns in a Z -pinch load. Using the concept of the dynamic load current multiplier (DLCM), which was proposed by Chuvatin, we expect to increase the load current above 6 MA, while decreasing its rise time to \sim300 ns. The DLCM developed by the CEA Gramat and International Technologies for High Pulsed Power (ITHPP) is a compact system made up of concentric electrodes (autotransformer), a dynamic flux extruder (cylindrical wire array), a vacuum convolute (eight post-hole rods), and a closing switch (compact vacuum surface switch). The latter is a key component of the system, which is used to prevent the current from flowing into the load until the inductance builds up due to the implosion of the wire array. This paper presents the design and testing of the DLCM surface switch, resulting from both electrostatic simulations and experiments on the SPHINX generator. These studies, carried out either with or without load (open circuit), were valuable for a first experimental evaluation of the DLCM scheme in a microsecond regime and provided detailed information on the surface switch behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional pulsed power devices such as Marx generators, Tesla transformers, and cable-based generators are usually bulky and occupy a large volume when used for generating high-voltage pulses of duration longer than 100 ns. Cable-based generators also have the limitation of generating half the charging voltage when delivering the entire energy into a matched load. Inductive energy storage systems provide an alternate and effective scheme to overcome these issues. However, their efficiency depends upon the performance of opening switches. Also, inductive energy storage systems do not typically generate flat-top voltage pulses that are desirable for driving various pulsed power loads. In this paper, a new device, named the tapered helical pulse-forming line-based pulse transformer (THPFL-PT), is designed to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks. The device performs two actions at the same time, i.e., it steps up the input charging voltage, and it generates a flat-top nanosecond voltage pulse. It is developed and characterized at low voltages to verify the feasibility of the concept developed and design parameters. The entire device is compact, with length of about 330 mm. It is capable of generating a voltage pulse of magnitude higher than the charging voltage with a duration of about 100 ns and almost a flat-top profile. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A modular linear transformer driver (LTD) is a novel fast-discharge high-pulsed power source for primarily stored energy. In LTDs, a large number of stages (or cavities) can be connected in series or in parallel conveniently to directly generate high power pulses of 50–200 ns with the required voltage or current. This paper introduces an LTD stage developed by us recently. This LTD stage consists of 14 bricks in parallel. Each brick contains two 40-nF capacitors and a compact multigap gas spark switch in series. The switch is a modification of our original version, and the diameter and the height of which have been reduced to 98 and 127 mm, respectively. The circuit model of this stage is established in PSPICE, and its output parameters are obtained through simulation. Driving a rough-matched resistive load of 0.27 \Omega, its output current peak is 300 kA with an overall rise time of about 110 ns at a charged voltage of the capacitors of about \pm90 kV, agreeing well with its simulation result. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Pulse step modulation (PSM)-based high-voltage power supplies have played a significant role in fusion research. In many cases, multisecondary transformers are used for generation of tens of kilovolt range outputs with fast (microsecond-order) transient response. In this scheme, large numbers of isolated voltage sources are connected in series to generate the output. Isolated voltage sources can be achieved by a large number of separate transformers or by a single unit of multisecondary transformer. Naturally, a transformer having numbers of secondary windings (\sim40) on a single core is the preferred solution for PSM topology due to its space and cost consideration. For design and simulation analysis of such a power supply, the model of a multisecondary transformer poses special problem to any circuit analysis software. While many simulation software packages provide transformer models with limited number (3–6) of secondary windings, they still fail to predict the actual observed results from a manufactured unit. This paper discusses the difficulties in modeling, step by step with representative schemes of multisecondary transformer, and advantages/disadvantages of each scheme with simulation results. Finally, a model using flux-coupled cores as basic building blocks is proposed; this model is able to simulate actual transformers very close to its observed parameters in test and actual usage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, we describe a novel multiple-switch pulsed-power technology. The basic idea is that the heavy switching duty is shared by multiple switches. The multiple switches are interconnected via a transmission line transformer, in such a way that all switches can be synchronized automatically and no special external synchronization trigger circuit is required. It can produce either exponential or square pulses, with various voltage and current gains and with a high degree of freedom in choosing output impedances. The topology has been implemented on a prototype with ten spark-gap switches. Pulses with a rise time of 10 ns, a width of 55 ns, a peak power up to 810 MW, a peak voltage of 77 kV, and a peak current of 11 kA have been achieved at a repetition rate of 300 pps. The energy efficiency of the circuit is about 93%. In addition to spark gaps, any overvoltage-controlled switch can be applied in this topology. As an example, we demonstrate the synchronous switching of multiple thyristor switches for current multiplication. The proposed multiple-switch topology can also be applied in a Blumlein configuration for an inductive voltage adder and a linear transformer driver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A millimeter-scale confined helium plasma was produced at 177 kPa by placing a piezoelectric transformer (PT) in the vicinity of the quartz tube and stimulating the transformer into an electromechanical resonance. The resulting plasma occurred at twice the electromechanical resonance frequency of the transformer. Time-resolved high-speed measurements of luminous emissions and simultaneous measurements of the proximity electric fields near the PT were used to demonstrate a strongly biperiodic behavior. Optical emission spectra, recorded using a synchronized spectrograph, were too weak to elucidate any tendencies toward a biperiodic spectral emission characteristic; however, time-integrated spectra over a broad range of wavelengths demonstrated the characteristic lines of nitrogen. The band of nitrogen emission lines associated with the 377-nm band head was used in conjunction with a spectrum-fitting routine to determine that the ions were essentially cold (rotation temperature on the order of 28 meV). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide substantial reduction in the size and energy of high-energy-density experiments, we have designed, built, and operated a liner implosion system that is driven by a multiturn-primary, single-turn-secondary, current step-up toroidal transformer. The Precision High Energy-density Liner Implosion eXperiment (PHELIX) pulsed-power driver, which is currently under development at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, can provide >400 kJ of capacitively stored energy and peak load currents of >5 MA to implode centimeter-size liners in 10–20 \mu\s, attaining speeds of 1–4 km/s. Diagnosis of scaled-down liner implosion experiments will be performed with the 800-MeV proton radiographic (pRad) system at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE); therefore, PHELIX is designed to be portable with a footprint of only 8 \times 25\ \ft^2. The multiframe, high-resolution imaging capability of pRad will be used to study hydrodynamic and material phenomena. Experiments with scaled-down electromagnetic railguns, pulsed high-field magnets, and magnetic flux compression are also under consideration. This paper discusses the overall PHELIX design concept and layout, and details of the electromechanical design needed to ensure repeatable operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the feasibility of improving the load current parameters by optimizing the cavity-triggering sequences for a linear transformer driver (LTD) module with 60 cavities connected in series. The mechanism behind this was analyzed. The results demonstrate that it is necessary for the improvement in the output parameters of the LTD to postpone the closure of the switches in the cavities later than the arrival of the electromagnetic pulse propagating downstream. However, this requires the switches to withstand pulsed voltages higher than their charge voltage before closing. When the LTD switches withstood a pulsed voltage peak of about 400 kV for several tens of nanoseconds before closing, the LTD module could generate a current pulse with a rise time of 12.5 ns and a peak of 1340 kA on the matched load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the author develops a method of generation and characterization using an electrical model of a dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure. The principle of plasma generation is based on the resonant behavior of the secondary circuit of a modified flyback transformer, with the working frequency being 48 kHz. The plasma chamber is made of glass, and the working gas is helium with a flow rate of 0.44 L/min. The study refers to the homogeneous stage of the discharge which is characterized by a maximum power density of 6.4 \W/cm^3, electron current densities lower than 1.23 \mA/cm^2, and electron number densities in the range of 7.5 \cdot 10^8 to 2.7 \cdot 10^9\ \cm^-3, depending on the dc supply voltage. The gas temperature is slightly higher than the ambient one, with the plasma being nonaggressive with thermosensitive materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a device capable of throwing aluminum rings in a range of a few meters. The device is a modification of the jumping-ring design invented by the American engineer and inventor E. Thomson to demonstrate his pioneering research in alternating current. We improved the magnetic circuit of this device and created a new induction coilgun based on “E-shaped” design. We experimented with this new design under laboratory conditions and simulated its behavior using an interactive software package. Finally, we concluded that this device is able to achieve a higher speed than the Thomson design with lesser power consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the critical elements of fast linear transformer driver (FLTD), gas switch directly influences the output parameters, stability, and reliability of generators based on FLTD technology. In this paper, a multigap gas switch with six gaps in series has been investigated to study the proper firing conditions to get better performance for FLTD. The self-breakdown voltage with different gas pressure has been studied to derive the working ratio of the switch. The triggered breakdown delay and jitter with different charge voltage, gas pressure, and working ratio have been studied. The results indicate that when the switch is triggered by a 100-kV trigger voltage pulse under 180-kV charge voltage and 0.325-MPa pure nitrogen (70% working ratio), the delay time and the jitter are 34 and 1 ns, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a multigap multichannel gas spark closing switch (MMCS) has been modified to improve the synchronous closing characteristics of ten switches designed for linear transformer driver (LTD). Convexo-convex discal electrodes have been used instead of the plane toroidal electrodes to improve the electric field across the gaps. A new endo-grooved plane bracing structure has been designed for fixing the electrodes instead of the small ball anchoring method to ensure the length of the gap uniformity. In order to observe the discharge process of the MMCS, the transparent lucite insulation chambers instead of the nylon ones have been used. A test circuit comprising a single discharge circuit called LTD brick has been established to investigate the self-breakdown and triggered breakdown characteristics of ten switches. The results show that when switches are filled with pure nitrogen of 0.14 MPa and charged to ±60 kV, the synchronous discharge of ten MMCSs has output a current pulse with an amplitude of about 100 kA and a rise time of 100 ns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]