Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a novel step-down transformer adapted for use with high voltages and high-voltage fields of unknown densities, magnitudes and durations.

Background of the Invention

Step-down transformation of extremely high-voltage usually requires large, heavy, expensive and often complex apparatus, prone to failures due to any of a number of causes while operating both unloaded as well as under load including but not limited to dielectric failure, "spark over", over-voltages, other material failures, etc.

Also, variable extremes of high-voltage/low-amperage step-down transformation, i.e., converting a high-voltage/low-amperage to a relatively low but more conventionally useful voltage with proportionally higher amperage presents additional complexities and problems similar to but not confined to those listed above. Possible high-voltage/high-amperage transient rises (also known as "surges" or "spikes") are an additional common problem encountered that must be mitigated.

In addition to the aforementioned typical step-down transformation considerations, further factors that must be accounted for in order to effectively and efficiently transduce and transform electric fields include unknown or changing polarities, continuously variable electric-field densities as well as "transduction dropout", ie, over-draw causing cessation of transduction whilst ample ambient electric-field potentials remain, etc., as is known to those skilled in the art.

CN102783027A discloses a high-voltage pulse generator capable of producing high- voltage electrical pulses at a high current utilizing efficient structure for generation, step- up transformation, storage and discharge of high-voltage electrical pulses. However, neither CN102783027A or any other publication in the prior art teaches, suggests or The present disclosure describes exemplary embodiments of inventive methods and apparatus enabling reliable and safe transduction, transformation, intermediate storage, and discharge to load, thereby enabling conventional usage of even extremely high-voltage electric fields possessing various voltage and potential current densities. Said exemplary embodiments are constructed from readily obtainable, COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) pans, and can be clearly ''scaled" for various useful purposes by direct inference from the present disclosure by one ordinarily skilled in the art. Additionally, this teaching provides a basic methodology for employing more specialized components in a similar manner for achieving the specified results.

As is well-known to those with ordinary skill in the art, various strategies employing common electrical and electronic principles and techniques are utilized to perform voltage/current step- down transformation, for a plurality of purposes, including but not limited to: measurement, monitoring, switching, power transmission (ie, from high-tension long-distance power lines to local users), etc. This transformation is almost always fairly straight-forward for AC (alternating current), and notably, is the major reason that AC was originally chosen over DC (direct current) for large-scale power generation and distribution. The reason is that magnetic transformers (already quite well understood at that time) can only directly transform AC; should DC need to be transformed, other techniques must be employed, for example: switching (such as in switch- mode power supplies), pulsing (such as pulse-width modulation techniques), capacitive voltage division, resistive voltage division, etc.

In the case of either AC or DC, transformation of higher voltages requires one or more of the following: heavier transformers, more dielectric (insulating) material, specialized and usually expensive and failure-prone high-voltage electronic components, etc.

In the aforementioned typical, conventional, existing AC and DC transformation systems, wherein the range of voltage and current levels are specified in advance, appropriate materials, including dielectrics/insulators and conductors, magnetics and electronics, etc., are readily chosen and employed. However, transduction and transformation of electric fields ranging from low-voltage and current potentials to extremely high-voltage and current potentials is non-obvious, non-trivial and quite complex, even more so when the electric field may exhibit extremely unpredictable variability and unknown and/or variable polarity.

An electric field of unknown/variable strength, density and polarity clearly presents several extreme difficulties, including but not limited to: appropriate dielectric/insulating materials, optimal conductive materials, etc. as well as the obvious problems of achieving reliable and safe operation while keeping the size, weight, and complexity of the apparatus to a minimum, in order to allow consistent, reliable operation in a multiplicity of environments and for various purposes. Additionally, executing these capabilities using conventional, readily obtainable components would unquestionably be highly desirable, especially where such an apparatus is also able to transduce and transform conventional direct and/or alternating currents at appropriate frequencies (due to auto-polarity capability).

This disclosure describes exemplary, functional embodiments of methods and apparatus for achieving the aforementioned functionality.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention allows for transduction and transformation of electric fields of unknown or variable strength, density and polarity, as well as conventional direct and/or alternating currents at appropriate frequencies to usable direct current, using conventional, readily obtainable components.

A step-down transformer of the present invention is comprised of the following components: at least one pulse capacitor bank, a plurality of plasma arrestors (also known as "gas plasma arrestors" and "gas discharge tubes"), a high-voltage transformer, filter capacitors, a full wave bridge rectifier, smoothing capacitor(s), and an intermediate-storage capacitor bank. Additionally, two additional diodes are employed between said smoothing capacitor(s) and said intermediate-storage capacitor bank, for purposes including but not limited to effectively result in partial recovery of both signal -reflection [from charge-pulses] and so-called reactive power efficiencies of greater than eighty percent.

100 The foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Furthermore just as every particular reference may embody particular methods/systems, yet not require such, ultimately such teaching is meant for all expressions notwithstanding the use of particular embodiments.

105

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments and features of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

110 Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed invention.

Fig. 3 is a chart depicting voltage accumulated in a capacitor component in an operating exemplary embodiment of the disclosed invention.

Fig. 3a is a chart depicting both the regulation of the High-Voltage input and the voltage accumulated in a capacitor component in an operating exemplary embodiment of the present 115 invention, concurrently.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some 120 well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail.

The method and apparatus for Deterministic Gas-Plasma-Regulated Auto-Polarity High-Voltage Electric-Field Transducing Transformer disclosed herein consists of the following elements, functionally described and illustrated in Fig. 1. The figure components are referred to by name.

125

The Input comprises an HV E-Field (High- Voltage Electric Field) Source [but will also function with an alternating and/or direct current source at appropriate frequency]. Transduction of the HV is accomplished via a pulse capacitor bank, rated to at least more than 130 twice the predetermined regulated voltage (described below) for the purpose of withstanding damage to the capacitor bank due to frequency/voltage dependencies influencing capacitor bank parameters during operation, as well as allowing increased throughput and efficiency due to factors including, but not limited to improved tau ("τ"), also known as RC time constant, as is known to one with ordinary skill in the art.

135 The capacitor bank capacitance may be calculated relative to the inductance of the transformer primary (described below) so as to closely correlate to the resonant frequency of the capacitance attached to the transformer secondary (described below) for improvement in power transfer and preservation of optimal phase relationships. A capacitance of approximately 67pF was used in the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein.

140 This method of transduction was tested using HV Mica Ceramic capacitors, HV Polymer capacitors, as well as HV MLCC (Multi -layer-ceramic capacitors). A 67pF HV MLCC bank, rated at approximately 120kV, was used in the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, due to superior performance in said embodiment with an additional benefit of being of extremely small size and low-weight.

145

Regulation: In order to constrain the operating voltage of the apparatus, regardless of the E-field strength and density, and thereby clearly define the parameters for selection of appropriate materials capable of reliable and safe operation under a plurality of variable conditions whilst allowing small size and weight of the apparatus, an operating voltage was arrived at by careful 150 hypotheses formation, experimentation, test and measurement.

As a regulating element, an appropriate voltage-controlled switch element was selected, to allow for reliable and safe operation in a plurality of environments and environmental conditions, including but not limited to: various temperature and humidity levels, pressure levels (atmospheric or otherwise), presence of inert or explosive gases, different atmospheric 155 conditions and altitudes, etc. Considerations for selecting the particular regulating element are disclosed as follows:

Mechanical and solid-state switch component were immediately ruled out as clearly inadequate for reasons readily familiar to one with ordinary skill in the art. gap may serve well, but is inappropriate for the purposes of the apparatus disclosed herein for several reasons, including but not limited to: undue sensitivity to environmental factors (ie, humidity, gas composition of environment, ambient atmospheric pressure, etc.), inconsistent operation due to component wear (metal "sputtering", etc.), EMI (electromagnetic interference)

165 caused by spark discharges, potentially inadequate quenching, etc.

An appropriately rated liquid-filled discharge switch would function, but was not used due to various innate unsuitabilities, including but not limited to potential lack of practicality for sustained operation, for the purposes of the apparatus disclosed herein.

Appropriate fast, high-energy gas-filled or vacuum discharge switches (both triggered and 170 untriggered) are ideal for the purposes of the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein. However, they can be extremely expensive and tend to have very limited lifetimes (ie, limited number of discharges).

Ultimately, readily available, very small, inexpensive, high-voltage plasma arrestors, sometimes referred to as "gas plasma arrestors" or simply "gas discharge tubes", were selected and 175 successfully used, in order to set the voltage at which the aforementioned HV E-field transduction capacitor bank would discharge into the transformer {described below). The discharge voltage was thereby set at a nominal 14.4kV for the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein.

Additionally, the plasma arrestors were insulated using PTFE tubing, said PTFE tubing being 180 wrapped with twenty turns of 18AWG insulated wire, said wrapping having proven effective for purposes including but not limited to suppression of EMI/RFI produced by the aforementioned capacitor-discharge pulses, capture of said EM and RF energies in a magnetic field induced by the aforementioned capacitor-discharge pulses passing through said 20-turn wire coil surrounding the PTFE tubing enclosing the plasma arrestors, which said induced magnetic field, 185 upon collapsing will both cause 'pulse-compression' upon the energized plasma in said plasma arrestors, as well as returning current ordinarily dissipated to the surroundings, back into the apparatus.

Transformation: Any appropriate high-voltage transformer could be used for the exemplary 190 embodiment disclosed herein, including but not limited to high-voltage pulse transformers, forward-converter, fly-back converter, fly-back transformer, capacitive discharge transformer, etc. transformer:

195 Must be capable of handling energy and power levels produced by regulated voltage pulses produced by the aforementioned transduction capacitor bank and regulation element, at various potential frequencies depending upon the E-field strength and density being processed, with appropriate primary: secondary step-down ratio, as well as appropriate primary: secondary inductance ratio.

200 The element must be capable of various frequency-ranges whilst efficiently transforming extremely fast discharge-waveform pulse rise and fall-time operation, ruling out various transformer materials and constructions, for example.

Air-core as well as "fly-back" type transformers were tested and may operate quite well, but were not used in the disclosed exemplary embodiment due to the stated design goal of avoiding 205 or severely limiting EMI/EMP (electromagnetic-pulse) emission as well as mitigating the need for employing complex emission shielding strategies and methods.

Based upon the aforementioned considerations and extensive testing and measurement, a readily available, high quality, so-called "High Energy Ignition" transformer possessing the aforementioned necessary attributes was used in the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein.

210 The HV E-field, following aggregation into a voltage pulse as heretofore described, enters the transformer at the high-voltage side (primary) and is passed from the low-voltage (secondary) side of the transformer , thereby stepping the voltage pulse down.

Additionally, a plurality of plasma arrestors set at a nominal 21.6kV, insulated using PTFE tubing and wrapped with 20 turns of insulated 18 AWG wire as described above was connected between 215 the primary terminals of the transformer for purposes including but not limited to similar functionality of a so-called "fly-back diode" in a conventional inductive circuit.

A ringing, pseudo-AC wave is induced in the low-voltage side of the transformer by the pulse entering the high-voltage side of the transformer.

220 Filtration: The stepped-down voltage-pulse is passed through filter capacitors on both the polarities of the low-voltage side (secondary) of the transformer, to the rectification stage, {described next).

For purposes of the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, Metalized Polymer Film, luF capacitors rated at lkV, were used. Rectification: Efficient rectification of the transformer output is necessary to most effectively transfer the transduced and transformed energy to the storage/load.

Any rectification element following a rectification methodology that performs efficiently and effectively is suitable, including but not limited to half-wave rectification, synchronous 230 rectification, low-voltage plasma rectification, etc.

A full wave bridge rectifier topology was used in the particular exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, which is not exclusive of any other well -performing rectification method. Several types of diodes were found to be quite capable for the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein. The criteria for selection of appropriate diodes are based upon the following:

235

A high-energy pulse wave output by the system heretofore described rings, displays resonant characteristics, contains multiple frequency harmonics, etc., as is known to one skilled in the art. Therefore, high-speed, robust diodes, with careful attention to low junction-capacitance are mandatory for this application. Lower forward-voltage drop of the diodes raises efficiency of 240 the system.

Specifically, gold-bonded germanium diodes, Silicon rectifier diodes, FERD (field-effect rectifier diodes), and various high-speed SiC Schottky rectifier diodes were tested. All functioned well - excluding the Silicon diodes, unless used in a double-rectifier configuration (ie, two bridge rectifier configurations, back-to-back).

245 Furthermore, a low-voltage plasma rectification scheme was tested and yielded interesting results.

Ultimately, robust, readily available, high-speed 16A 600V SiC Schottky rectifier diodes were used in the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein.

250 Smoothing: The smoothing capacitor is used to smooth the DC output pulses. A conventional Metalized Polymer Film luF capacitor rated at IkV was used in the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein.

Signal-Reflection/Reactive Power Recovery: Upon construction, testing and careful analysis 255 of the functioning apparatus, ultimately two 20 A 100V Field-Effect Rectifier Diodes [FERD] were placed between the outputs from the aforementioned smoothing capacitor and the ground, to varying impedance compensation, recovering energy from signal reflections produced by the fast pulses produced by the system, as well for the purpose of phase modification for partial 260 recovery of so-called Reactive Power, etc., resulting in performance enhancements.

Intermediate Output Storage: The device uses a bank of capacitors for intermediate output storage. For purpose of experimentation, various capacitors were banked, tested and measured.

Various types of capacitors were successfully tested.

265 Ultra-capacitors were banked (approximately .1 Farad rated at 50V) and functioned well, with an added benefit of being extremely compact and low-weight.

The aforementioned readily available ultra-capacitors were used for the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein.

270 Output: A standard halogen light-bulb fixture was connected to the output. 80 to 200 Watt 220V halogen bulbs were tested as loads, as well as for fully discharging the capacitor bank heretofore described when not in use.

A 220V, 80W halogen bulb was used for the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein.

275 A schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed invention is depicted in Fig.2.

The components depicted in Fig. 2 are specified as follows:

The HV INPUT is fed from an E-Field Source, which is then connected to one terminal of the Capacitor CI (the other terminal is connected to ground). This capacitor, in the exemplary 280 embodiment disclosed herein comprises several series-connected capacitors, for example totaling 120kV nominal at approximately 67pF, is the E-Field Transduction High- Voltage MLCC capacitor bank as described above,.

The said terminal of Capacitor CI connected to the HV INPUT is connected to the plasma arrestor PA_REG which in the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein comprises several 285 series-connected high-voltage plasma arrestors, for example totaling 14.4kV nominal, for the purpose of regulating the operating voltage. exemplary embodiment disclosed herein comprises several series-connected high-voltage plasma arrestors, for example totaling 21.6kV nominal, is connected across Tl primary terminals 290 labeled '1' and 'la', for purposes including but not limited to similar functionality of a so-called 'fly-back diode' in a conventional inductive circuit. Furthermore, plasma arrestor PA_FB protects both the Capacitor CI and Step-down Transformer Tl from input over-voltages.

C2a and C2b are Filter Capacitors, for example being implemented specifically as luF Metalized Polymer Capacitors rated at lkV, each having one terminal connected to one terminal 295 of the Step-down Transformer Tl, and the other terminals each connected to an input of the full wave bridge Rectifier RECT.

RECT is a full wave bridge Rectifier, for example being implemented by high-speed SiC [Silicon Carbide] Schottky diodes, 600V 16A.

C3 is a Smoothing Capacitor, for example being implemented using the Metalized Polymer 300 Capacitor of lkV nominal at luF .

Dl and D2 are 20A 100V Field-Effect Rectifier Diodes, attached in reversed polarity to each terminal of capacitor C3.

C4 is the Intermediate Output Storage, which may be implemented using an ultra-capacitor bank of 50V and . IF nominal.

305 Jl and J2 are Output terminals to the Load.

Ml is a voltmeter, connected across terminals Jl and J2, for the purpose of measuring the voltage accumulating in the Intermediate Output Storage C4 during operation of the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein.

SI is a switch, which when closed, connects the LOAD comprising an 80W, 220V halogen light- 310 bulb in the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, to the Intermediate Output Storage C4, which said Intermediate Output Storage C4 then discharges into. Furthermore, when closed, said switch SI allows Intermediate Output Storage C4 to remain discharged when the apparatus is not being operated.

315 Fig. 3 depicts a measurement graph ^[1] of the voltage accumulated in Intermediate Output Storage C4 as a function of elapsed time. The voltage is followed over a duration of 14 minutes and 39

^[1] lnstrument used: Fluke 289 True RMS Logging DMM; graph generated with "FlukeView Forms" Software said time period.

For properly measuring functional performance parameters in the exemplary embodiment 320 disclosed herein, a standard method for measuring so-called Response of First Order Systems, also commonly known as, "The 63.2 Percent Method" or "The RC Time Constant" was employed. As shown in Fig. 3, a graph cursor line was placed at 31.6 V (50V x 63.2% = 31.6V), and another graph cursor line was placed on the time axis where said cursor line intersected the voltage curve measured at 31.6V, giving an elapsed time of 4 minutes and 20 seconds [260 325 seconds].

Using the formulas: W = (½) C ^χ V ² [where 'C represents Capacitance and 'V represents Voltage] provides 'W [where 'W represents Work; energy stored in Joules], and Q = C ^χ V [where C represents Capacitance and 'V represents Voltage] provides 'Q' [where 'Q' represents stored charge in Coulombs]. Substituting the values of the components and voltage obtained from the 330 exemplary embodiment disclosed herein during the measurement depicted in Fig. 3 provides the following results:

For the total of 50.626V:

C = .1 Farad; V = 50.626 Volts; W = (½) C ^χ V ² = (½) .1 ^χ 50.626 ² = 128.1 Joules

Q = C x V = .1 x 50.626 = 5.0626 Coulombs

335 For the RC Time Constant Measurement of 31.6V:

C = .1 Farad; V = 31.6 Volts; W = (½) C ^χ V ² = (½) .1 ^χ 31.6 ² = 49.93 Joules

Q = C x V = l x 31 6 = 3.16 Coulombs

An approximate average first-order power for the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein under the exemplary test conditions described above can be calculated as approximately:

340 49 93 Joules ÷ 260 Seconds = .192 Joules per Second, or 192 milliwatts

Fig. 3a depicts an oscilloscope graph ^[2] of the same measurement of the functioning exemplary embodiment disclosed herein recorded in Fig. 3, showing both the regulation of the High- Voltage input [top-half of Fig. 3A, T] and the simultaneous charging of the Intermediate Output 345 Storage C4 [lower-half of Fig. 3A, '3']. During the time period described above for charging the

^[2] lnstrument used: Rohde&Schwarz RTH 1054 500MHz-5 GS/s Isolated Digital Oscilloscope; graphic from screenshot. approximately 12kV. As heretofore described, this regulated High-Voltage was produced by charging the aforementioned Capacitor CI of 67pF, controlled by plasma arrestor PA_REG. Therefore using the same formulas as above, with the appropriate values:

350 C = 67 picofarad; V = 12kV;

W = (½) C x V ² = (½) [67 lO ^"12 ] x 12000 ² = .004824 Joules

Q = C x V = [67 x lO ^"12 ] x 12000 = [804 x 10 ⁹ ] Coulombs

The frequency for said regulated High-Voltage pulses was measured at approximately 48 Hertz. An approximate Input Power can be calculated:

355 Input Power: .004824 Joules per pulse ^χ 48 pulses per second = .2316 Joules per

Second, or 231.6 milliwatts.

An approximate operating efficiency of an actual functional manifestation of the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein can be calculated:

360 Output Power ÷ Input Power = Efficiency (Percentage):

.192W ÷ .2316W = .829 = 82.9 % Efficiency.

Fig. 4 depicts a method for assembling a step-down transformer of the present invention. The method comprises steps of:

365 a. providing at least one pulse capacitor bank 401; b. connecting a plurality of high -voltage plasma arrestors in series to said at least one pulse capacitor bank 402; c. connecting a high-voltage transformer to said plurality of high-voltage plasma arrestors 403;

370 d. connecting a plurality of high-voltage plasma arrestors in series between primary terminals of said high-voltage transformer 404; e. connecting at least one filter capacitor to each polarity of said high-voltage transformer's secondary side 405; f. connecting said filter capacitors to a full wave bridge rectifier 406;

375 g. connecting at least one smoothing capacitor to said full wave bridge rectifier 407; opposite to polarity of said terminal of said smoothing capacitor(s) 408; i. connecting at least one capacitor for intermediate output storage 409;

For step 403, type of said high-voltage transformer is determined by at least some of the 380 following considerations: said transformer is capable of handling energy and power produced by said at least one pulse capacitor bank and said plurality of plasma arrestors, at various potential frequencies depending upon an E-field strength being processed, with appropriate primary/secondary step-down ratio, and be capable of various frequency-ranges as well as extremely fast pulse rise-time operation;

385 For step 401, the pulse capacitor bank, is rated at least twice of a voltage derived from said plurality of high- voltage plasma arrestors connected in step 402;

For step 401, capacitance of said pulse capacitor bank is relative to the inductance of a primary side of said high-voltage transformer of step 403, to closely correlate to a resonant frequency of capacitance attached to a secondary side of said transformer for improvement in power transfer 390 and preservation of optimal phase relationships between transformer primary and secondary.

For step 404, voltage of said high-voltage plasma arrestors are rated at least thirty -percent higher than voltage rating of said high-voltage plasma arrestors connected in step 402;

For step 408, voltage of said diodes is rated at least twice of the voltage rating of said capacitor(s) for intermediate storage connected in step 409.

395

The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should be interpreted according to 400 this definition.