Improved pfn voltage regulator

Claim 2

Pulse forming network regulation circuitry comprising: A. a pulse forming network operaBle to store energy and provide said energy as a discharge pulse to a load circuit; B. means for charging said pulse forming network to an initial voltage level subject to deviation from one pulse time to another; C. means for regulating the voltage of said pulse forming network down to an intermediate voltage level; and D. means for regulating the voltage of said pulse forming network down to a desired operating level starting at a set time before the provision of said discharge pulse.

Claim 3

Pulse forming network regulation circuitry comprising: A. a pulse forming network operable to store energy and provide said energy as a discharge pulse to a load circuit; B. means for charging said pulse forming network to an initial voltage level subject to deviation from one pulse time to another; C. a discharge path including current control means operatively connected to said pulse forming network; D. means for obtaining an indication of pulse forming network voltage; E. means for providing a reference signal indicative of an intermediate voltage level to which said pulse forming network voltage is to be regulated; F. means for comparing said reference signal and said indication of pulse forming network voltage for providing an error signal; G. said error signal being connected to control said current control means; and H. means for changing said error signal, at a set time before the provision of said discharge pulse.

Claim 4

Pulse forming network regulation circuitry comprising: A. a pulse forming network operable to store energy and provide said energy as a discharge pulse to a load circuit; B. means for charging said pulse forming network to an initial voltage level subject to deviation from one pulse time to another; C. a discharge path including current control means operatively connected to said pulse forming network; D. means for obtaining an indication of pulse forming network voltage; E. means for providing a reference signal indicative of an intermediate voltage level to which said pulse forming network voltage is to be regulated; F. means for comparing said reference signal and said indication of pulse forming network voltage for providing an error signal; G. said error signal being connected to control said current control means; and H. means for changing said error signal, at a set time before the provision of said discharge pulse.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: A. said current control means includes a three electrode device, a first electrode being connected to said pulse forming network, a second electrode being connected to a reference potential and a third electrode constituting an input; and which includes B. amplifier means having an input for receiving said error signal and an output connected to said third electrode.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: A. said amplifier means is a differential amplifier having first and second inputs; B. said error signal being connected to said first input; and additionally including, C. means for providing a feedback signal indicative of the current through said current control means; and D. said feedback signal being connected to said second input.

Claim 7

Pulse forming network regulation circuitry comprising: A. a pulse forming network operable to store energy and provide said energy as a discharge pulse to a load circuit; B. means for charging said pulse forming network to an initial voltage level subject to deviation from one pulse time to another; C. a discharge path including current control means operatively connected to said pulse forming network; D. a voltage divider network for providing at a point thereon a voltage indicative of said pulse forming network voltage; E. voltage reference means connected to said voltage divider network whereby the voltage at said point is an error signal indicative of the difference between said voltage reference and said voltage indicative of said pulse forming network voltage; F. means responsive to said error signal for controlling said current control means; and G. means for changing the value of said voltage reference at a set time before the provision of said discharge pulse.

Claim 8

Pulse forming network regulation circuitry comprising: A. a pulse forming network operable to store energy and provide said energy as a discharge pulse to a load circuit; B. means for charging said pulse forming network to an initial voltage level subject to deviation from one pulse time to another; C. a discharge path including current control means operatively connected to said pulse forming network; D. a voltage divider network for providing at a point thereon a voltage indicative of said pulse forming network voltage; E. voltage reference means connected to said voltage divider network whereby the voltage at said point is an error signal indicative of the difference between said voltage reference and said voltage indicative of said pulse forming network voltage; F. means responsive to said error signal for controlling said current control means; and G. means for changing the value of said voltage reference at a set time before the provision of said discharge pulse.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means of clause G) includes: A. normally open switch means connected to the circuit arrangement of said voltage divider network and voltage reference means at a point of connection; B. said normally open switch means closing upon application of a signal (t) to connect its point of connection to a reference potential.