Other

Spinel LLC

University of California

George Gabor

Arthur H Iversen

Samuel Maurice Berman

Charles Maurice Greene

Thomas Robert Orr

Douglas Gordon Crawford

Power output switching circuit for use in high current and high frequency applications. The output circuit provides a series of geometrically symmetric, parallel spaced semiconductor converters arranged such that the voltage for each semiconductor output device is substantially equal and minimal for each device. In this way, each device exhibits substantially the same impedance, such that circuit performance is largely a function of intrinsic device characteristics, and substantially independent of cross coupling and other external influences.

Power semiconductor packaging

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for suppressing or eliminating nonlinear current drawing characteristics, while at the same time substantially eliminating high order current harmonics. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, an energy transfer system, for example a pulse width modulator (PWM) flyback converter (,), comprises an inductor (L) interposed between the AC line voltage and the load (R,), with a controllable switch (,) provided between the inductor (L) and the negative supply leg of a rectifier circuit (,). The duty cycle of the converter switch (,) is suitably controlled to produce a substantially constant DC output from the converter (,). Proper synchronization of the converter switch (,) ensures that the current through the inductor (L) and the output current through the load (R,) remains in phase with the AC supply voltage. Thus, a power factor on the order of unity is maintained while substantially eliminating nonlinear current drawing characteristics.

Apparatus for suppressing nonlinear current drawing characteristics

Power output switching circuit for use in high current and high frequency applications. The output circuit provides a series of geometrically symmetric, parallel spaced semiconductor converters arranged such that the voltage for each semiconductor output device is substantially the same impedance, such that circuit performance is largely a function of intrinsic device characteristics, and substantially independent of cross coupling and other external influences.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for suppressing or eliminating nonlinear current drawing characteristics, while at the same time substantially eliminating high order current harmonics. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, an energy transfer system, for example a pulse width modulator (PWM) flyback converter (22), comprises an inductor (L) interposed between the AC line voltage and the load (R.sub.load), with a controllable switch (26) provided between the inductor (L) and the negative supply leg of a rectifier circuit (10). The duty cycle of the converter switch (26) is suitably controlled to produce a substantially constant DC output from the converter (22). Proper synchronization of the converter switch (26) ensures that the current through the inductor (L) and the output current through the load (R.sub.load) remains in phase with the AC supply voltage. Thus, a power factor on the order of unity is maintained while substantially eliminating nonlinear current drawing characteristics.

Low line harmonic AC to DC power supply

A high intensity discharge lamp without mercury is disclosed radiating a selected spectrum of which can be almost entirely in the visible range from an envelope that contains a sulfur containing substance. The lamp utilizes a signal source that generates an excitation signal that is externally coupled to the exterior surface of the envelope to excite the enclosed sulfur containing substance. Various embodiments of the lamp use electrodes adjacent the envelope to couple the excitation signal thereto with the face of the electrodes shaped to complement the shape of the exterior surface of the envelope. Two shapes discussed are spherical and cylindrical. To minimize filamentary discharges each envelope may include an elongated stem affixed to the exterior thereof whereby a rotational subsystem spins the envelope. In yet another embodiment the envelope has a Dewar configuration with two electrodes, one positioned near the external curved side surface of the body, and a second to the inner surface of the hole through the envelope. Further, the envelope may contain a backfill of a selected inert gas to assist in the excitation of lamp with that backfill at a pressure of less than 1 atmosphere, wherein the backfill pressure is directly related to the increase or decrease of peak output and inversely related to the increase and decrease of the emitted spectrum from the envelope. The emitting fill can be less than 6 mg/cc, or at least 2 mg/cc of the envelope of a sulfur containing substance.

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Lafayette, CA, United States of America

George Gabor