Regulator to control current sharing among parallel-connected power transistors

Conference · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5554612

Wells, F D; Higgins, E F; Mauro, M E

A current regulator is described that controls the peak current of a power transistor driving an inductive load, such as magnet coils. Presently, the current pulse has a 0.1- to 1-ms adjustable duration with duty cycle to 5%. Ultimately, the pulse length must be ..integral.. ms with 50% duty cycle. The peak current nominally is 200 A, as set by a reference pulse. Several transistors, each controlled by an individual regulator, are connected in parallel to provide the total peak load current. The regulators compensate for differences between the power transistors and assure equal current sharing among the collectors. The regulator comprises an 8-bit multiplying digitalto-analog (D/A) converter that drives the base of the power transistor, an 8-bit up-down counter, an analog differencing circuit, and a comparator. For control purposes, a current-sensing resistor in the transistor's collector produces the second input to the differencing circuit. Regulation is accomplished over a collector current range of 200 + or - 50 A per stage.

• Research Organization: AT-3, MS H808, Los Alamos Nat.'l Lab., Los Alamos, NM 87545
• OSTI ID: 5554612
• Report Number(s): CONF-830311-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States) Journal Volume: NS-30:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
430303* -- Particle Accelerators-- Experimental Facilities & Equipment
COMPARATOR CIRCUITS
CURRENT LIMITERS
CURRENTS
DESIGN
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
LOAD MANAGEMENT
MAGNETS
MANAGEMENT
PEAK LOAD
POWER SUPPLIES
PULSES
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
TRANSISTORS