Multi-stage high voltage solid state switch
AssigneeApplied Pulsed Power, Inc.
InventorsSteven C. Glidden, Howard D. Sanders
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for triggering a high voltage solid state switch comprised of a set of thyristors connected in series. Initiating switch turn-on requires command triggering of only the lowest voltage thyristor, thereby eliminating the need for expensive high voltage pulse transformers or optically isolated triggers. Triggering of one thyristor causes a redistribution of voltage across the switch, generating a current flowing through the snubber circuit across each untriggered thyristor. This current is coupled to the gate of each thyristor causing all of them to turn on simultaneously. This results in an inexpensive method for triggering a high voltage solid state switch.
Claims11
A multi-stage high voltage solid state switch comprising:
- a) at least one command triggered stage, comprising:
- i) a current input;
- ii) a current output;
- iii) a trigger input;
- and
- iv) a solid state device comprising a control input coupled to the trigger input of the command triggered stage and a controlled current path controllably coupling the input of the command triggered stage to the output of the command triggered stage, such that a command signal on the trigger input causes the solid state device to conduct current on the current path;
- b) at least one auto-triggered stage, comprising:
- i) a current input;
- ii) a current output;
- iii) a solid state device comprising a control input and a controlled current path controllably coupling the input of the command triggered stage to the output of the command triggered stage, such that a trigger signal on the control input causes the solid state device to conduct current on the current path;
- iv) a snubber circuit in parallel with controlled current path of the solid state device;
- and
- iv) an auto-trigger circuit coupled to the current path, having a trigger output coupled to the control input of the solid state device, such that current flow in the current path causes the trigger circuit to produce a trigger signal on the trigger output, causing the solid state device to conduct current on the current path;
- the at least one auto-triggered stage and the at least one control triggered stage being connected in series, so that when the command signal on the trigger input of the control triggered stage causes the control triggered stage to conduct current, the auto trigger circuit of each of the auto-triggered stages causes each of the auto-triggered stages to conduct current, and a current path through all of the stages of the switch is turned on.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.