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Title: Compact high voltage solid state switch

Abstract

A compact, solid state, high voltage switch capable of high conduction current with a high rate of current risetime (high di/dt) that can be used to replace thyratrons in existing and new applications. The switch has multiple thyristors packaged in a single enclosure. Each thyristor has its own gate drive circuit that circuit obtains its energy from the energy that is being switched in the main circuit. The gate drives are triggered with a low voltage, low current pulse isolated by a small inexpensive transformer. The gate circuits can also be triggered with an optical signal, eliminating the trigger transformer altogether. This approach makes it easier to connect many thyristors in series to obtain the hold off voltages of greater than 80 kV.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Applied Pulsed Power, Inc., Ithaca, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1174503
Patent Number(s):
6624684
Application Number:
10/121,643
Assignee:
Applied Pulsed Power, Inc. (Ithaca, NY)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
H - ELECTRICITY H03 - BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY H03K - PULSE TECHNIQUE
DOE Contract Number:  
FG02-00ER82948
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

Citation Formats

Glidden, Steven C. Compact high voltage solid state switch. United States: N. p., 2003. Web.
Glidden, Steven C. Compact high voltage solid state switch. United States.
Glidden, Steven C. Tue . "Compact high voltage solid state switch". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1174503.
@article{osti_1174503,
title = {Compact high voltage solid state switch},
author = {Glidden, Steven C.},
abstractNote = {A compact, solid state, high voltage switch capable of high conduction current with a high rate of current risetime (high di/dt) that can be used to replace thyratrons in existing and new applications. The switch has multiple thyristors packaged in a single enclosure. Each thyristor has its own gate drive circuit that circuit obtains its energy from the energy that is being switched in the main circuit. The gate drives are triggered with a low voltage, low current pulse isolated by a small inexpensive transformer. The gate circuits can also be triggered with an optical signal, eliminating the trigger transformer altogether. This approach makes it easier to connect many thyristors in series to obtain the hold off voltages of greater than 80 kV.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2003},
month = {9}
}