Abstract A compact working Marx generator consisting of a stacked plurality of chargeable capacitors and normally open switches between successive capacitors, and a second Marx generator, having a rapid self-erection rate, for triggering the closing of at least some of the switches at a rate substantially faster than the compact generator self-erection rate, necessarily slow because of its large interstage stray capacitance resulting from its compactness. The illustrated switches are spark gaps, each having a third electrode between its two principal electrodes, and the switches are closed by pulses fed thereto from successive stages of the triggering generator through isolating means such as inductors to minimize any effect of the firing of the switches on the erection of the triggering generator. One or more additional working generators may be paralleled with the first working generator, both as to their switch closing circuitries and their outputs. Because triggering of the working generator does not directly depend on the voltage of its capacitors, its output voltage may be varied over a wide range.
Marx generator circuitry comprising: a compact working Marx generator including a multi-stage stack of capacitors alternating with normally open switches, the interstage stray capacitance being too high to permit an acceptably rapid self-erection rate, triggering means for erecting said generator including means for closing successive switches at rates substantially more rapid than under conditions of self-erection, said triggering means including a triggering Marx generator having a multi-stage stack of capacitors alternating with normally open switches and characterized by a self-erection rate substantially faster than that of the working generator, means interconnecting the triggering and working generators whereby working generator switches become conductive in response to successive steps of trigger generator erection, said interconnecting means including inductance means forming, with the capacitance of a capacitor stage of the triggering generator and the stray capacitance of the corresponding switch of the working generator, a series LC resonant circuit, and means for initiating trigger generator erection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
Marx generator circuitry comprising: a compact working Marx generator including a multi-stage stack of capacitors alternating with normally open switches, the interstage stray capacitance being too high to permit an acceptably rapid self-erection rate, triggering means for erecting said generator including means for closing successive switches at rates substantially more rapid than under conditions of self-erection, said triggering means including a triggering Marx generator having a multi-stage stack of capacitors alternating with normally open switches and characterized by a self-erection rate substantially faster than that of the working generator, means interconnecting the triggering and working generators whereby working generator switches become conductive in response to successive steps of trigger generator erection, said interconnecting means including inductance means forming, with the capacitance of a capacitor stage of the triggering generator and the stray capacitance of the corresponding switch of the working generator, a series LC resonant circuit, and means for initiating trigger generator erection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said working generator switches are spark gaps, each having an intermediate electrode to which said interconnecting means is connected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 including a second working Marx generator identical to the first named working generator and having its output voltage paralleled therewith, said interconnecting means further including a bus, said inductance means including a first inductor coupling said bus with a stage of the triggering generator and an inductor coupling said bus with the corresponding stage of each working generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 in which the inductance of said first inductor is no greater than the paralleled inductance of the other inductors.