US4585986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
DC switching regulated power supply for driving an inductive load
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1983-11-29
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Granted: 1986-04-29
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Expires: 2003-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A power supply for driving an inductive load current from a dc power supplyhrough a regulator circuit including a bridge arrangement of diodes and switching transistors controlled by a servo controller which regulates switching in response to the load current to maintain a selected load current. First and second opposite legs of the bridge are formed by first and second parallel-connected transistor arrays, respectively, while the third and fourth legs of the bridge are formed by appropriately connected first and second parallel connected diode arrays, respectively. The regulator may be operated in three "stages" or modes: (1) For current runup in the load, both first and second transistor switch arrays are turned "on" and current is supplied to the load through both transistor arrays. (2) When load current reaches the desired level, the first switch is turned "off", and load current "flywheels" through the second switch array and the fourth leg diode array connecting the second switch array in series with the load. Current is maintained by alternating between modes 1 and 2 at a suitable duty cycle and switching rate set by the controller. (3) Rapid current rundown is accomplished by turning both switch arrays "off", allowing load current to be dumped back into the source through the third and fourth diode arrays connecting the source in series opposition with the load to recover energy from the inductive load. The three operating states are controlled automatically by the controller.
Inventors
- 👤 George R. Dyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:35
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
405 words
A switching regulated DC power supply for regulating the direct current to an inductive load, comprising: a dc power source; an inductive load; a bridge circuit including first and second input terminals connected respectively to opposite polarity terminals of said power source, first and second output terminals of corresponding polarity to said first and second input terminals connected across said load, a first unidirectional current conducting switching means forming a first leg of said bridge circuit for conducting current from said first input terminal to said first output terminal in response to a first control signal applied to a control input thereof, a second unidirectional current conducting switching means forming a second leg of said bridge circuit for conducting current from said second output terminal to said second input terminal in response to a second control signal applied to a control input thereof, a first diode device connected between said first input terminal and said second output terminal to allow load current to flow therethrough when said second switching means is switched off and a second diode device connected between said second input terminal and said first output terminal to allow load current to flow therethrough when said first switching means is switched off so that when both of said first and second switching means are switched on current flows from said source to said load when said first and second switching means are switched off current flows from said load to said source; means for sensing the direct current flowing through said load and generating a load signal proportional thereto; and a servo control means responsive to the difference between said load signal and a demand reference signal proportional to a selected current level for generating and applying said first and second control signals to said first and second switching means, respectively, to switch said first and second switching means on allowing current to be supplied to said load until said load signal is substantially equal to said demand reference signal, to switch said first switching means on and off at a selected rate to maintain said load current at said selected level and switching said first and second switching means off to reduce the current level to said load when said demand reference signal is substantially less than said load signal allowing power to flow from said load into said source until said load signal is substantially equal to said demand reference signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
405 words
A switching regulated DC power supply for regulating the direct current to an inductive load, comprising: a dc power source; an inductive load; a bridge circuit including first and second input terminals connected respectively to opposite polarity terminals of said power source, first and second output terminals of corresponding polarity to said first and second input terminals connected across said load, a first unidirectional current conducting switching means forming a first leg of said bridge circuit for conducting current from said first input terminal to said first output terminal in response to a first control signal applied to a control input thereof, a second unidirectional current conducting switching means forming a second leg of said bridge circuit for conducting current from said second output terminal to said second input terminal in response to a second control signal applied to a control input thereof, a first diode device connected between said first input terminal and said second output terminal to allow load current to flow therethrough when said second switching means is switched off and a second diode device connected between said second input terminal and said first output terminal to allow load current to flow therethrough when said first switching means is switched off so that when both of said first and second switching means are switched on current flows from said source to said load when said first and second switching means are switched off current flows from said load to said source; means for sensing the direct current flowing through said load and generating a load signal proportional thereto; and a servo control means responsive to the difference between said load signal and a demand reference signal proportional to a selected current level for generating and applying said first and second control signals to said first and second switching means, respectively, to switch said first and second switching means on allowing current to be supplied to said load until said load signal is substantially equal to said demand reference signal, to switch said first switching means on and off at a selected rate to maintain said load current at said selected level and switching said first and second switching means off to reduce the current level to said load when said demand reference signal is substantially less than said load signal allowing power to flow from said load into said source until said load signal is substantially equal to said demand reference signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second unidirectional switching means includes at least one switching transistor and a driver circuit connected to said transistor for switching said transistor on when a corresponding one of said first and second control signals is applied to an input thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said load current is in the kiloamperes range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said servo control means includes a subtractor circuit means responsive to said load signal and said demand reference signal for generating an error signal having a magnitude indicative of the difference between said demand reference signal and said load signal, a first comparator means for comparing said error signal with a lower reference level and generating said second control signal when said error signal exceeds said lower reference level and a second comparator means for comparing said error signal with and upper reference level and generating said first control signal when said error signal exceeds said upper reference level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device as set forth in claim 4 further comprising first and second timing circuit means connected in series with the outputs of said first and second comparator means, respectively, for limiting the duty cycle of said first and second control signals, respectively.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-28 | 1989-10-28 | 1990-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-28 | 1993-10-28 | 1994-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-28 | 1997-10-28 | 1998-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |