The United States of America As Represented by the United States

Tetra Corporation

Quantum Manufacturing Technologies, Inc.

David M Barrett

William M Moeny

An improved commutation circuit configured to arrest and dissipate energy which may be reflected from a magnetic pulse compression network. The commutation circuit includes an energy storage capacitor for storing energy, a capacitor charging unit for charging the energy storage capacitor, a power supply protection circuit configured for isolating reverse voltages from the output of the capacitor charging unit, a series switch configured for conducting current in the forward direction and blocking current in the reverse direction to and from the energy storage capacitor, a magnetic assist device configured for isolating the reverse voltage from the switch, a trigger circuit configured for transmitting a trigger pulse signal to the switch to allow the transfer of reflected energy to the energy storage capacitor and a power supply configured for biasing the magnetic assist device. The improved commutation circuit also includes a tail-biter circuit in parallel with the energy storage capacitor for capturing and dissipating the reflected energy from the capacitor, thereby protecting the commutation circuit from reflected energy from a magnetic pulse compression network which can damage the components of the commutation circuit.

Commutation circuit for arresting and dissipating energy reflected from a magnetic pulse compression network

An electrohydraulic drilling system for drilling holes in material such as rock utilizing a drill stem connected to a flexible cable. The electrical spark or plasma that creates the electrohydraulic pressure wave is powered by an electrical pulse propagated down the cable from a pulse generator to the drill stem. An advance mechanism on a jackleg support is utilized to move the drill into the rock during the drilling process. The drill stem and cable combination enable holes to be drilled in the roof of tunnels where the floor to roof height is less than the depth of the hole to be drilled. The electrohydraulic process provides higher drilling efficiencies than conventional systems.

Portable electrohydraulic mining drill

A buck regulator command charge circuit includes a compensated-gain control signal for compensating for changes in the component values in order to achieve optimal voltage regulation. The compensated-gain control circuit includes an automatic-gain control circuit for generating a variable-gain control signal. The automatic-gain control circuit is formed of a precision rectifier circuit, a filter network, an error amplifier, and an integrator circuit.

Growing community of inventors

Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

David M Barrett