US3777176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Active crowbar for a switching magnet
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1972-07-05
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-07-05
Abstract
Abstract A first electrical source is connected to an electro-magnet by silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCR''s) to produce a rapid rise in current in the load. A second electrical source is then connected by SCR''s to the load and the first is disconnected to produce a constant current in the load. A connection is then established to discharge the stored energy from the electromagnet, producing a rapid drop in current, and the second source is disconnected. The stored energy may be returned to the first electrical source.
Inventors
- 👤 W Praeg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:27
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/51; H03K17/56; H03K17/72; H03K17/73; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/53; H03K3/57
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for supplying an inductive load with a pulse of current comprising: 1. a first electrical-energy source means operably connectable to said inductive load; 2. first switching means to effect an electrical connection of said first electrical-energy source means to said inductive load to produce a rapidly rising electric current to a predetermined value in said inductive load; 3. a second electrical-energy source means operably connectable to said inductive load; 4. second switching means to effect an electrical connection of said second electrical-energy source means to said inductive load and disconnect said first electrical-energy source means from said inductive load to provide a constant current at said predetermined value in said load; and 5. means for reducing electric current in said inductive load to zero and disconnecting said second electrical-energy source means from said inductive load, a pulse of current being thereby produced in said inductive load having a rapid rise, a flat top, and a rapid drop.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for supplying an inductive load with a pulse of current comprising: 1. a first electrical-energy source means operably connectable to said inductive load; 2. first switching means to effect an electrical connection of said first electrical-energy source means to said inductive load to produce a rapidly rising electric current to a predetermined value in said inductive load; 3. a second electrical-energy source means operably connectable to said inductive load; 4. second switching means to effect an electrical connection of said second electrical-energy source means to said inductive load and disconnect said first electrical-energy source means from said inductive load to provide a constant current at said predetermined value in said load; and 5. means for reducing electric current in said inductive load to zero and disconnecting said second electrical-energy source means from said inductive load, a pulse of current being thereby produced in said inductive load having a rapid rise, a flat top, and a rapid drop.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
first switching means to effect an electrical connection of said first electrical-energy source means to said inductive load to produce a rapidly rising electric current to a predetermined value in said inductive load;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
first switching means to effect an electrical connection of said first electrical-energy source means to said inductive load to produce a rapidly rising electric current to a predetermined value in said inductive load;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
generating in said inductive load, from a second source of electrical energy, a second current remaining substantially constant at said predetermined value of said first current; and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
generating in said inductive load, from a second source of electrical energy, a second current remaining substantially constant at said predetermined value of said first current; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
a first silicon-controlled rectifier connected electrically in series with said first source and said electro-magnet;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
a first silicon-controlled rectifier connected electrically in series with said first source and said electro-magnet;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first electrical-energy source means comprise a capacitor in parallel connection with an electrical voltage source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
first triggering means connected to said first silicon-controlled rectifier to render said silicon-controlled rectifier electrically conducting to produce a rise in current in said electromagnet to a predetermined value;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
first triggering means connected to said first silicon-controlled rectifier to render said silicon-controlled rectifier electrically conducting to produce a rise in current in said electromagnet to a predetermined value;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
discharging said second current to produce a rapid drop of said second current in said inductive load to a magnitude of zero.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
discharging said second current to produce a rapid drop of said second current in said inductive load to a magnitude of zero.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
a second electrical-energy source means operably connectable to said inductive load;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
a second electrical-energy source means operably connectable to said inductive load;
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second electrical-energy source means comprise a capacitor in parallel connection with an electrical voltage source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
second switching means to effect an electrical connection of said second electrical-energy source means to said inductive load and disconnect said first electrical-energy source means from said inductive load to provide a constant current at said predetermined value in said load; and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
second switching means to effect an electrical connection of said second electrical-energy source means to said inductive load and disconnect said first electrical-energy source means from said inductive load to provide a constant current at said predetermined value in said load; and
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
6 words
a second source of electrical energy;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
6 words
a second source of electrical energy;
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second switching means comprise silicon-controlled rectifiers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for reducing electric current in said inductive load to zero comprise a silicon-controlled rectifier connected to discharge said inductive load into said first electrical-energy source means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
means for reducing electric current in said inductive load to zero and disconnecting said second electrical-energy source means from said inductive load, a pulse of current being thereby produced in said inductive load having a rapid rise, a flat top, and a rapid drop.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
means for reducing electric current in said inductive load to zero and disconnecting said second electrical-energy source means from said inductive load, a pulse of current being thereby produced in said inductive load having a rapid rise, a flat top, and a rapid drop.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
a second silicon-controlled rectifier connected electrically in series with said second source and said electro-magnet;
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
a second silicon-controlled rectifier connected electrically in series with said second source and said electro-magnet;
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
10 words
current-sensing means connected to sense electric current in said electromagnet;
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
10 words
current-sensing means connected to sense electric current in said electromagnet;
Claim 29
Independent Claim
10 words
An apparatus for controlling electric current in an electromagnet comprising:
Claim 30
Independent Claim
10 words
An apparatus for controlling electric current in an electromagnet comprising:
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
second triggering means responsive to said current-sensing means to trigger said second silicon-controlled rectifier in response to a signal generated from said current-sensing means to produce a constant current in said electromagnet;
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
second triggering means responsive to said current-sensing means to trigger said second silicon-controlled rectifier in response to a signal generated from said current-sensing means to produce a constant current in said electromagnet;
Claim 33
Independent Claim
17 words
A method of generating a pulse of current in an inductive load comprising the sequential steps of:
Claim 34
Independent Claim
17 words
A method of generating a pulse of current in an inductive load comprising the sequential steps of:
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of discharging said second current comprises returning electrical energy associated with said second current to said first source of electrical energy.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
a third silicon-controlled rectifier connected electrically to said electromagnet and to said first source of electrical energy in a polarity to effect discharge of stored electromagnetic energy in said electomagnet into said first source; and
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
a third silicon-controlled rectifier connected electrically to said electromagnet and to said first source of electrical energy in a polarity to effect discharge of stored electromagnetic energy in said electomagnet into said first source; and
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
third triggering means to render said third silicon-controlled rectifier conducting to effect discharge of said stored electromagnetic energy into said first source.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
third triggering means to render said third silicon-controlled rectifier conducting to effect discharge of said stored electromagnetic energy into said first source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |