A 70 kV solid-state high voltage pulse generator based on saturable pulse transformer

• Published in: Review of scientific instruments 2014-02, Vol.85 (2), p.024708-024708
• Main Authors: Fan, Xuliang, Liu, Jinliang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Charging; Circuit design; Coils (windings); Electric potential; Energy storage; Generators; High voltages; Inductance; Magnetic cores; Pulse generators; Scientific apparatus & instruments; Solid state; Transformers
• ISSN: 0034-6748; 1089-7623
• DOI: 10.1063/1.4864194

High voltage pulse generators are widely applied in many fields. In recent years, solid-state and operating at repetitive mode are the most important developing trends of high voltage pulse generators. A solid-state high voltage pulse generator based on saturable pulse transformer is proposed in this paper. The proposed generator is consisted of three parts. They are charging system, triggering system, and the major loop. Saturable pulse transformer is the key component of the whole generator, which acts as a step-up transformer and main switch during working process of this generator. The circuit and working principles of the proposed pulse generator are introduced first in this paper, and the saturable pulse transformer used in this generator is introduced in detail. Circuit of the major loop is simulated to verify the design of the system. Demonstration experiments are carried out, and the results show that when the primary energy storage capacitor is charged to a high voltage, such as 2.5 kV, a voltage with amplitude of 86 kV can be achieved on the secondary winding. The magnetic core of saturable pulse transformer is saturated deeply and the saturable inductance of the secondary windings is very small. The switch function of the saturable pulse transformer can be realized ideally. Therefore, a 71 kV output voltage pulse is formed on the load. Moreover, the magnetic core of the saturable pulse transformer can be reset automatically.