Electronic Measurements, Inc.

Lambda Emi, Inc.

George L Bees

A system and method for a power supply system that charges a capacitor, wherein the capacitor charge drives a pulse discharge driven system. The power supply system utilizes a main power supply and a resonant inductor and capacitor configuration to charge the capacitor to a specified, large percentage of a driving voltage that is required by the pulse system. A control module monitors the capacitor charge and disconnects the main power supply when the capacitor charge is within the specified percentage. The main power supply disconnect causes the inductor to discharge and similarly charge the capacitor in a more controlled manner. Once the control module measures the capacitor voltage at the full driving voltage, the control module commands a switch to separate the inductor from the capacitor. The control module similarly activates a small high voltage power supply that monitors the capacitor and replenishes any natural capacitor discharge that may occur in the time between the full capacitor charge and the capacitor discharge by the pulse discharge driven system. Once the pulse discharge driven system discharges the capacitor, the control module returns the power supply system to its initial state, wherein the main power supply and residual energy in the capacitor cooperate to efficiently charge the inductor and capacitor. The charging cycle continues repeatedly as a function of the pulse discharge driven system requirements.

Very high repetition rate power supply system and method

A power supply for supplying a load capacitor and comprising a parallel resonant circuit having an inductor and a capacitor, a switching network operating at a frequency at or above the resonant frequency and applying alternating current to the resonant circuit and the primary side of a power transformer, a rectifier for rectifying the induced currents on the secondary winding of the transformer, and applying the rectified output to the load capacitor, and a controller for controlling the output of the power supply based on a comparison of the output voltage V.sub.out with a desired (setpoint) voltage V.sub.prog. The resonant capacitance may consist of the power transformer winding self-capacitance. The resonant inductance may consist of the primary winding of the power transformer. The controller provides switching signals to operate the power supply at the resonant frequency of the resonant tank circuit during a 'rapid rate charging mode' at which a maximum output current I.sub.out is applied to the load. When the controller senses that the output voltage V.sub.out is closely approaching the desired voltage V.sub.prog, it gradually increases the switching frequency from the resonant frequency toward a maximum frequency during a 'decreasing rate charging mode'. When the controller senses that V.sub.out equals V.sub.prog, it maintains the maximum switching frequency to provide a minimum output current I.sub.out.

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Framingham, MA, United States of America

George L Bees