A Novel Multi-Level High Voltage Pulsed Power Generator

This paper presents a novel solid-state and high power pulse generation technique that is suitable for a wide range of pulsed power applications. The technique, termed as multi-level pulsed power converter, can be considered as a hybrid of the direct discharge type and the Marx generator but with considerably less complexity in both control and circuitry. It has the ability for generating pulses with flexible amplitude and duration similar to that of a Marx generator, and unlike the direct discharge type requires no voltage balancing and snubbing circuitry. As voltage balancing is inherent to the technique, the timing between switching events is not critical to balance the voltage stresses and as such the driving circuitry of the converter is relatively simple. The validity of the proposed technique is verified by presenting both theoretical analysis and simulation results of a 3-stage, 3 kV converter.

[1]  M. Kristiansen,et al.  A single gap transformer coupled L-C generator with resonant frequency compensation , 1989, 7th Pulsed Power Conference.

[2]  Z. Kaplan,et al.  Multikilojoule inductive modulator with solid-state opening switches , 1992 .

[3]  Jong-Hyun Kim,et al.  High voltage pulse power supply using IGBT stacks , 2004, 30th Annual Conference of IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, 2004. IECON 2004.

[4]  R. Richardson,et al.  Compact 12.5 MW, 55 kV solid state modulator , 2001, PPPS-2001 Pulsed Power Plasma Science 2001. 28th IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science and 13th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference. Digest of Papers (Cat. No.01CH37251).

[5]  T. G. Engel,et al.  A compact high voltage vector inversion generator , 1995, Digest of Technical Papers. Tenth IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference.

[6]  R. Finch,et al.  Marx-stacked IGBT modulators for high voltage, high power applications , 2002, Conference Record of the Twenty-Fifth International Power Modulator Symposium, 2002 and 2002 High-Voltage Workshop..

[7]  G.E. Lehy,et al.  Prototype development progress toward a 500 kV solid state Marx modulator , 2004, 2004 IEEE 35th Annual Power Electronics Specialists Conference (IEEE Cat. No.04CH37551).

[8]  Doron Shmilovitz,et al.  Pulsed power generation by means of transmission lines , 2003 .

[9]  D.J. Thrimawithana,et al.  Pulsed Power Generation Techniques , 2006, IECON 2006 - 32nd Annual Conference on IEEE Industrial Electronics.

[10]  M.P.J. Gaudreau,et al.  Solid-state pulsed power systems for the Next Linear Collider , 2002, Conference Record of the Twenty-Fifth International Power Modulator Symposium, 2002 and 2002 High-Voltage Workshop..

[11]  M. Buttram,et al.  Some future directions for repetitive pulsed power , 2001, PPPS-2001 Pulsed Power Plasma Science 2001. 28th IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science and 13th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference. Digest of Papers (Cat. No.01CH37251).

[12]  Qi Zhang,et al.  Introduction to High Power Pulse Technology , 1995 .

[13]  Michael Fazio,et al.  Ultracompact pulsed power , 2004, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[14]  I. S. Roth,et al.  Solid-state modulators for commercial pulsed power systems , 2002, Conference Record of the Twenty-Fifth International Power Modulator Symposium, 2002 and 2002 High-Voltage Workshop..

[15]  A. Krasnykh,et al.  A solid state Marx type modulator for driving a TWT , 2000, Conference Record of the 2000 Twenty-fourth International Power Modulator Symposium.