Power processor circuit and method for corona discharge pollutant destruction apparatus
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsDonald Hancock, Weldon S. Williamson, John H. S. Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solid-state power processor circuit and method is used to supply power to generate a discharge in a corona discharge pollutant destruction apparatus. The circuit uses field effect transistors (FETs) and integrated circuit devices based upon metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) technology to amplify low-voltage pulse signals to high voltage levels. A resonator in the power processor circuit generates sinusoidal oscillation from the high voltage pulses, and provides the high-voltage, high-frequency electrical power necessary for corona discharge.
Claims21
A power generator circuit for a corona discharge pollutant destruction apparatus, comprising:
- a signal source capable of generating pulses at a relatively low voltage;
- at least one driver circuit connected to amplify said pulses to an intermediate voltage;
- at least one high power transistor connected to further amplify said pulses to a high voltage;
- a resonator circuit connected to generate an oscillating high voltage wave when driven by said high voltage pulses from said high power transistors;
- and
- a corona discharge reactor connected to receive said oscillating high voltage wave for generating corona discharge, said reactor adapted to accept pollutant gas flow.
An automobile, comprising:
- an engine capable of generating an exhaust gas that includes at least some pollutants;
- a corona discharge reactor connected to apply a corona discharge to destroy said pollutants;
- and
- a power processor circuit connected to supply power to generate said corona discharge, said circuit comprising:
- a signal source capable of generating pulses at a relatively low voltage;
- at least one driver circuit connected to amplify said pulses to an intermediate voltage;
- at least one high power transistor connected to further amplify said pulses to a high voltage;
- and
- a resonator circuit connected to generate an oscillating high voltage for corona generation in said reactor when driven by said high voltage pulses from said high power transistors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.