Control system and method for a minimizing power loss in transformer

A method of controlling a transformer having a primary coil, the transformer defining an inherent tank circuit as seen from an effective inductance in series with the primary coil including a leakage inductance of the primary coil, and an effective capacitance in parallel with the primary coil including a parasitic capacitance of the transformer, comprising the step of:

• applying to an inverter associated with the primary coil a plurality of pulses with a frequency greater than a self-resonant frequency of the transformer and less than a parasitic resonance of the transformer, a leading edge of each pulse creating in the primary coil a tank circuit current of an initial polarity, and a trailing edge of the pulse occurring in response to the tank circuit current being of a polarity different from the initial polarity.

A system for controlling a transformer having a primary coil, the transformer defining an inherent tank circuit as seen from an effective inductance in series with the primary coil including a leakage inductance of the primary coil, and an effective capacitance in parallel with the primary coil including a parasitic capacitance of the transformer, comprising:

• an inverter, adapted to cause power to be applied to the primary coil in response to a signal;
• and
• means for applying a signal in a form of a pulse to the inverter, a leading edge of the pulse creating in the primary coil a tank circuit current of an initial polarity and a trailing edge of the pulse occurring in response to the tank circuit current being of a polarity different from the initial polarity.

A system for controlling a transformer having a primary coil, the transformer defining an inherent tank circuit as seen from an effective inductance in series with the primary coil including a leakage inductance of the primary coil, and an effective capacitance in parallel with the primary coil including a parasitic capacitance of the transformer, comprising:

• an inverter, adapted to cause power to be applied to the primary coil in response to a signal;
• and
• means for applying to the inverter a signal in a form of a plurality of pulses with a frequency greater than a self-resonant frequency of the transformer and less than a parasitic resonance of the transformer, a leading edge of each pulse creating in the primary coil a tank circuit current of an initial polarity and a trailing edge of the pulse occurring in response to the tank circuit current being of a polarity different from the initial polarity.