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Patent Number: |
8018096 |
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Case ID: |
0 |
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Patent Title:
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Inductive pulse forming network for high-current, high-power applications
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Status: |
ACTIVE |
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Status Date: |
9/23/2011 8:40:35 AM |
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Issue Date:
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9/13/2011 |
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Filed Date:
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1/19/2010 |
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Serial #:
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2/689,848 |
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Assignee Name:
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The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
(Washington,
DC)
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Inventor(s):
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Maier, II, William Bryan |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to pulse forming networks. More particularly, the present invention relates to high-current, high-power, inductive pulse forming network for use with electromagnetic launchers such as railguns and
electromagnetic aircraft launchers.
2. Description of the Related Art
A Pulse forming network (PFN) is an electrical circuit or device that provides a high-power, short-duration pulse of electrical energy of desired waveform. The elements of a PFN are electrically coupled and configured to make a transient
current pulse of specific waveform across a load when a load switch is closed.
PFNs have applications, well known to those of skill in the art, in high-power, short-duration power supplies used, for example, in pulsed lasers, pulsed magnetic plasma confinement machines, high-powered microwave weapons, pulsed accelerators
for flash x-ray and pulsed el . . . . More |
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An inductive pulse forming network stores electrical energy delivered
from an outside prime power supply in the electric field of a
low-voltage, high-energy density network capacitor. Through timed
actuation of a series of one or more switches, the energy stored in the
electric field of the network capacitor is subsequently converted to
electrical energy stored in the magnetic field of a network inductor. The
energy stored in the network inductor supplies high-current, high-power
electrical energy to drive an electromagnetic launcher such as a railgun.
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What is claimed is:
1. A method of using an inductive pulse forming network comprising: providing a network capacitor; coupling a network switch, a second network switch, and a load switch in
series with said network capacitor; coupling a network inductor in parallel with a load at a point between said second network switch and said load switch and at a point between said load and said network capacitor; providing an arc suppression system
switch; coupling in parallel with said network inductor an arc suppression system impedance device, through said arc suppression system switch, at a point between said first network switch and said second network switch and at a point between said
network capacitor and said network inductor; and initially setting switches comprising: setting said network switch open; setting said load switch open; setting said second network switch closed; setting said arc suppression system switch open;
charging said network capacitor from an outsi . . . . More |
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