PWM inverter with trapezoidal output

Claim 1

A pulse-width-modulated inverter-converter for generating a output from a direct-current supply voltage, comprising: a source of said direct-current supply voltage; a power inverter connected to said source and provided with a power transformer; a pair of transistors each having a respective emitter-collector network connected between a respective end of a primary winding of said transformer and ground, said power transformer having a secondary winding, a signal applied to said primary winding being controlled so that a smoothed trapezoidal waveform is outputted by said transformer; a full-wave rectifier connected across said secondary winding and receiving said smoothed trapezoidal waveform therefrom for applying said output to said load; a main oscillator connected to said source and generating from said direct-current supply voltage a substantially square wave signal adapted to determine the frequency of said power output; means connecting said main oscillator to said power inverter for generating said power output therein; and means including a nonlinear inductive element responsive to current drawn therethrough and interposed between said source and said power inverter for sending constant current energy to said power transformer and the load, wherein said nonlinear inductive element includes: a reactor having one winding connected in series between an input filter connected to said source and a centertap of said primary winding of said transformer, and said reactor having another winding, said other winding is of opposite polarity from said one winding and is connected in series with an output of said filter, a nonlinear diode having an anode connected to ground and a cathode connected to said other winding, and a filter and recovery capacitor connected upstream of said reactor, said nonlinear diode acting as an energy recovery element toward said filter and recovery capacitor.