Cooper Industries, Inc.

Other

John Cuervo Driscoll

Steve John Kempinski

James R Berliner

Steven John Kempinski

A novel semiconductor switching device is disclosed. The switching device is designed and constructed to include, for example, a highly interdigitated cathode/gate structure on both anode and cathode sides. The semiconductor switching device can be multi-loaded on both anode and cathode sides which provides a great deal of flexibility in operation.

Dual gated power electronic switching devices

Methods for making semiconductor switching devices are disclosed. The switching device is designed and constructed to include, for example, a highly interdigitated cathode/gate structure on both sides of the chip. The semiconductor switching device can be four leaded which provides a great deal of flexibility in operation.

Methods of making dual gated power electronic switching devices

An improved turbine engine ignition exciter circuit. Energy stored in an exciter tank capacitor is subsequently switched to the load (igniter plug) through a novel thyristor switching device specifically designed for pulse power applications. The switching device is designed and constructed to include, for example, a highly interdigitated cathode/gate structure. The semiconductor switching device is periodically activated by a trigger circuit which may be comprised of either electromagnetic or optoelectronic triggering circuitry to initiate discharge of energy stored in exciter tank capacitor to mating ignition lead and igniter plug. Likewise, the present invention allows new flexibility in the output PFN (Pulse Forming Network) stage, eliminating need for specialized protective output devices such as saturable output inductors. Due to considerably higher di/dt performance of the device, true high voltage output pulse networks may be utilized without damage to the semiconductor switching device. An exemplary embodiment of invention contains a novel feedback network which causes thyristor timing (trigger) and DC-DC converter circuits to compensate for varying igniter plug wear and dynamic engine combustor conditions, tailoring exciter spark rate, output voltage and energy to account for dynamic load conditions.

Turbine engine ignition exciter circuit including low voltage lockout

An improved turbine engine ignition exciter circuit. Energy stored in an exciter tank capacitor is subsequently switched to the load (igniter plug) through a novel thyristor switching device specifically designed for pulse power applications. The switching device is designed and constructed to include, for example, a highly interdigitated cathode/gate structure. The semiconductor switching device is periodically activated by a trigger circuit which may be comprised of either electromagnetic or optoelectronic triggering circuitry to initiate discharge of energy stored in exciter tank capacitor to mating ignition lead and igniter plug. Likewise, the present invention allows new flexibility in the output PFN (Pulse Forming Network) stage, eliminating need for specialized protective output devices such as saturable output inductors. Due to considerably higher di/dt performance of the device, true high voltage output pulse networks may be utilized without damage to the semiconductor switching device. An exemplary embodiment of invention contains a novel feedback network which causes thyristor timing (trigger) and DC-DC converter circuits to compensate for varying igniter plug wear and dynamic engine combustor conditions, tailoring exciter spark rate, output voltage and energy to account for dynamic load conditions. The circuit further includes a low voltage lockout feature by comparing the input voltage with a reference voltage to selectively activate a charge pump in the exciter circuit.

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Raleigh, NC, United States of America

John Cuervo Driscoll