GB2031665A - Electric converter system - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical conversion system achieves greater efficiency through the use of a conversion element (14) having first and second electrodes (12, 32) and electrical charge receiving grids (34) positioned about but spaced from the second electrode and connected to an output terminal of the element. A commutator (26) is connected to a battery (18) and to the first electrode, and a capacitor (16) is connected to the second electrode. The capacitor receives a voltage pulse output from a rectifier (24) connected to a transformer (22) which is connected to the battery by way of a vibrator or chopper element (20) for forming a pulsating signal. A high energy discharge between the first and second electrodes is transferred by the charge receiving grids to an inductive load (36). The invention may be of particular value in electrical driving systems. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical conversion system The present invention relates to an electrical driv ing system and a conversion element, and more particularly, to a system for driving an inductive load in a greatly improved and efficient manner.

In the opinion of the inventor, there is no known device which provides the conversion of energy from a direct-current electric source to a mechanical force based on the principle of this invention, that a portable energy source, such as a battery, may be used with highly improved efficiency to operate a mechanical device, whose output is a linear or rotary force, with the attendant increase in the useful productive period between external applications of energy restoration for the energy source.

The present invention provides a more efficient driving system comprising a source of electrical voltage; a vibrator connected to the source for forming a pulsating signal; a transformer connected to the vibrator for receiving the pulsating signal; a rectifier connected to the transformer having a high voltage pulse output; a capacitor for receiving the voltage pulse output; a conversion element having first and second anodes, electrically conductive means for receiving a charge positioned about the second anode and an output terminal connected to the charge receiving means, the second anode being connected to the capacitor; a commutator connected to the source of electrical voltage and to the first anode; and an inductive load connected to the output terminal whereby a high energy discharge between the first and second anodes is transferred to the charge receiving means and then to the inductive load.

As a sub-combination the present invention also includes a conversion element comprising a housing; a first low voltage anode mounted to the housing, the first anode adapted to be connected to a voltage source; a second high voltage anode mounted to the housing, the second anode adapted to be connected to a voltage source; electrically conductive means positioned about the second anode and spaced therefrom for receiving a charge, the charge receiving means being mounted to the housing; and an output terminal communicating with the charge receiving means, said terminal adapted to be connected to an inductive load.

The invention also includes a method for providing power to an inductive load comprising the steps of providing a voltage source, pulsating a signal from said source; increasing the voltage of said signal; rectifying said signal; storing and increasing the signal; conducting said signal to a high voltage anode; providing a low voltage to a second anode to form a high energy discharge; electrostatically coupling the discharge to a charge receiving element; conducting the discharge to an inductive load; coupling a second capacitor to the load; and coupling the second capacitor to the source.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a system for driving an inductive load which system is substantially more efficient than any now existing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for driving an inductive load which is reliable, inexpensive and simply constructed.

The foregoing objects of the present invention together with various other objects, advantages, features and results thereof which will be evident to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure may be achieved with the exemplary embodiment of the invention described in detail hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE lisa schematic circuit diagram of the electrical driving system.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational sectional view of the electrical conversion element.

FIGURE 3 is a plan sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

FIGURE 4 is a planned sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2.

While the present invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, an embodiment is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood however that it is not the intention to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed; but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalences and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

There is disclosed herein an electrical driving system which, in theory, will convert low voltage electric energy from a source such as an electric storage batteryto a high potential, high current energy pulse that is capable of developing a working force at the inductive output of the device that is more efficient than that which is capable of being developed directly from the energy source. The improvement in efficiency is further enhanced by the capability of the device to return that portion of the initial energy developed, and not used by the inductive load in the production of mechanical energy, to the same or a second energy reservoir or source for use elsewhere, or for storage.

This system accomplishes the results stated above by harnessing the "electrostatic" or "impulse" energy created by a high-intensity spark generated within a specially constructed electrical conversion element. This element utilizes a low-voltage anode, a high-voltage anode, and one or more "electrostatic" or charge receiving grids. These grids are of a physical size, and appropriately positioned, as to be com patible with the size of the tube, and therefore, directly related to the amount of energy to be antici pated when the device is operating.

The low-voltage anode may incorporate a resistive device to aid in controlling the amount of current drawn from the energy source. This low-voltage anode is connected to the energy source through a mechanical commutator or a solid-state pulser that controls the timing and duration of the energy spark The drawing(s) originally filed were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

within the element. The high-voltage anode is connected to a high-voltage potential developed by the associated circuits. An energy discharge occurs within the element when the external control circuits permit. This short duration, high-voltage, highcurrent energy pulse is captured by the "electrostatic" grids within the tube, stored momentarily, then transferred to the inductive output load.

The increase in efficiency anticipated in converting the electrical energy to mechanical energy within the inductive load is attributed to the utilization of the most optimum timing in introducing the electrical energy to the load device, for the optimum period of time.

Further enhancement of energy conservation is accomplished by capturing a significant portion of the energy generated by the inductive load when the useful energy field is collapsing. This energy is normaily dissipated in load losses that are contrary to the desired energy utilization, and have heretofore been accepted because no suitable means had been developed to harness this energy and restore it to a suitable energy storage device.

The present invention is concerned with two concepts or characteristics. The first of these characteristics is observed with the introduction of an energizing current th rough the inductor. The inductor creates a contrary force (counter-electromotive force or CEMF) that opposes the energy introduced into the inductor. This CEMF increases throughout the time the introduced energy is increasing.

In normal applications of an alternating-current to an inductive load for mechanical applications, the useful work of the inductor is accomplished prior to terminating the application of energy. The excess energy applied is thereby wasted.

Previous attempts to provide energy inputs to an inductor of time durations limited to that period when the optimum transfer of inductive energy to mechanical energy is occurring, have been limited by the ability of any such device to handle the high current required to optimize the energy transfer.

The second characteristic is observed when the energizing current is removed from the inductor. As the current is decreased, the inductor generates an EMF that opposes the removal of current or, in other words, produces an energy source at the output of the inductor that simulates the original energy source, reduced by the actual energy removed from the circuit by the mechanical load. This "regenerated", or excess, energy has previously been lost due to a failure to provide a storage capability for this energy.

In this invention, a high-voltage, high-current, short duration energy pulse is applied to the inductive load by the conversion element. This element makes possible the use of certain of that energy impressed within an arc across a spark-gap, withoul the resultant deterioration of circuit elements nor mally associated with high energy electrical arcs.

This invention also provides for capture of a cer tain portion of the energy induced by the high induc tive kick produced by the abrupt withdrawal of the introduced current. This abrupt withdrawal of cur rent is attendant upon the termination of the stimulating arc. The voltage spike so created is imposed upon a capacitor that couples the attendant current to a secondary energy storage device.

A novel, but not essential, circuit arrangement provides for switching the energy source and the energy storage device. This switching may be so arranged as to actuate automatically at predetermined times. The switching may be at specified periods determined by experimentation with a particular device, or may be actuated by some control device that measures the relative energy content of the two energy reservoirs.

Referring now to Figure 1, the system 10 will be described in additional detail. The potential for the high-voltage anode 12 of the conversion element 14 is developed across the capacitor 16. This voltage is produced by drawing a low current from a battery source 18 through the vibrator 20. The effect of the vibrator is to create a pulsating input to the transformer 22. The turns ratio of the transformer is chosen to optimize the voltage applied to a bridge-type rectifier 24. The output of the rectifier is then a series of high-voltage pulses of modest current.

By repetitious application of these output pulses from the bridge rectifier to the capacitor 16, a highvoltage, high-level charge is built up on the capacitor.

Control of the conversion element is maintained by a commutator 26. A series of contacts mounted radially about a shaft, or a solid-state switching device sensitive to time or other variable may be used for this control element. A "thyratron" type one-way energy path 28 is introduced between the commutator device and the conversion element to prevent high energy arcing at the commutator contacts. When the commutator current path through the thyratron is closed, current from the voltage source 18 is routed through a resistive element 30 and a low voltage anode 32. This causes a high energy discharge between the anodes within the conversion element 14.

The energy content of the high energy pulse is electrostatically coupled to the conversion grids 34 of the conversion element. This electrostatic charge is applied through an output terminal 60 (Figure 2) across the load inductance 36, inducing a strong electromagnetic field aboutthe inductive load. The intensity of this electromagnetic field is determined by the high electromotive potential developed upon the electrostatic grids and the very short time duration required to develop the energy pulse.

If the inductive load is coupled magnetically to a mechanical load, a strong initial torque is developed that may be efficiently utilized to produce physical work.

Upon cessation of the energy pulse (arc) within the conversion element the inductive load is decoupled, allowing the electromagnetic field about the inductive load to collapse. The collapse of this energy field induces within the inductive load a counter EMF.

This counter EMF creates a high positive potential across a second capacitor 38 which, in turn, is induced into the second energy storage device or battery 40 as a charging current. The amount of charging current available to the battery 40 is dependent upon the initial condictions within the circuit at the time of discharge within the conversion element and the amount of mechanical energy consumed by the work load.

A spark gap protection device 42 is included in the circuit to protect the inductive load and the rectifier elements from unduly large discharge currents.

Should the potentials within the circuit exceed predetermined values, fixed by the mechanical size and spacing of the elements within the protective device, the excess energy is dissapated (bypassed) by the protective device to the circuit common (electrical ground).

Diodes 44 and 46 bypass the excess overshoot generated when the "Energy Conversion Element" is triggered. A switching element 48 allows either energy storage source to be used as the primary energy source, while the other battery is used as the energy retrieval unit. The switch facilitates interchanging the source and the retrieval unit at optimum intervals to be determined by the utilization of the conversion element. This switching may be accomplished manually or automatically, as determined by the choice of switching element from among a large variety readily available for the purpose.

Figure 2,3 and 4 show the mechanical structure of the conversion element 14. An outer housing 50 may be of any insulative material such as glass. The anodes 12 and 22 and grids 34a and 34b are firmly secured by nonconductive spacer material 52, 54 and 56. The resistive element 30 may be introduced into the low-voltage anode path to control the peak currents thru the conversion element. This resistive element may be of a piece, or it may be built up of one or more resistive elements to achieve the desired result.

The anode material may be identical for each anode, or may be of differing materials for each anode, as dictated by the most efficient utilization of the device, as determined by appropriate research at the time of production for the intended use.

The shape and spacing of the electrostatic grids is also susceptible to variation with application (voltage, current, and energy requirements).

It is the contention of the inventor that by judicious mating of the elements of the conversion element, and the proper selection of the components of the circuit elements of the system, the desired theoretical results may be achieved. It is the inventor's contention that this mating and selection process is well within the capabilities of intensive research and development technique.

Let it be stated here that substituting a source of electric alternating-current subject to the required current and/or voltage shaping andlortiming, either prior to being considered a primary energy source, or thereafter, should not be construed to change the described utilization or application of primary energy in any way. Such energy conversion is readily achieved by any of a multitude of well established principles. The preferred embodiment of this invention merely assumes optimum utilization and optimum benefit from this invention when used with portable energy devices similar in principle to the wet-cell or dry-cell battery.

This invention proposes to utilize the energy contained in an internally generated high-voltage electric spike (energy pulse) to electrically energize an inductive load; this inductive load being then capable of converting the energy so supplied into a useful electrical or mechanical output.

In operation the high-voltage, short-duration electric spike is generated by discharging the capacitor 16 across the spark gap in the conversion element.

The necessary high-voltage potential is stored on the capacitor in incremental, additive steps from the bridge-type rectifier 24.

When the energy source is a direct-current electric energy storage device, such as the battery 12, the input to the bridge rectifier is provided by the voltage step-up transformer 22, that is in turn energized from the vibrator 20, or solid-state chopper, or similar device to properly drive the transformer and rectifier circuits.

The repetitious output of the bridge rectifier incrementally increases the capacitor charge toward its maximum. This charge is electrically connected directly to the high-voltage anode 12 of the conversion element.

When the low-voltage anode 32 is connected to a source of current, an arc is created in the spark gap designated 62 of the conversion element equivalent to the potential stored on the high-voltage anode, and the current available from the low-voltage anode. Because the duration of the current available from the low-voltage anode. Because the duration of the arc is very short, the instantaneous voltage, and instantaneous current may both be very high. The instantaneous peak apparent power is therefore, also very high. Within the conversion element, this energy is absorbed by the grids 34a and 34b mounted circumferentially about the interior of the tube.

Control of the energy spike within the conversion element is accomplished by a mechanical, or solidstate commutator, that closes the circuit path from the low-voltage anode to the current source at that moment when the delivery of energy to the output load is most auspicious. Any number of standard high-accuracy, variable setting devices are available for this purpose. When control of the repetitive rate of the system's output is required, it is accomplished by controlling the time on connection atthe lowvoltage anode.

Thus there can be provided an electrical driving system having a voltage source coupled to a vibrator, a transformer and a rectifierto provide a high voltage pulsating signal to a first capacitor. The capacitor in turn is coupled to a high voltage anode of an electrical conversion element. The element also includes a low voltage anode which in turn is connected to a voltage source by a commutator, a thyratron and a variable resistor. Mounted around the high voltage anode is a charge receiving plate which in turn is coupled to an inductive load to transmit a high voltage discharge from the element to the load. Also coupled to the load is a second capacitor for storing the back EMF created by the collapsing electrical field of the load when the cur- rent to the load is blocked. The second capacitor in turn is coupled to the voltage source.

Claims (10)

1. An electrical driving system comprising: a source of electrical voltage; a vibrator connected to said source for forming a pulsating signal; a transformer connected to said vibrator for receiving said pulsating signal; a rectifier connected to said transformer having a high-voltage pulse output; a capacitor for receiving said voltage pulse output; a conversion element having a first and second anodes, electrically conductive means for receiving a charge positioned about said second anode and an output terminal connected to said charge receiving means, said second anode being connected to said capacitor; a commutator connected to said source of electrical voltage and to said first anode; and an inductive load connected to said outputterminal whereby a high energy discharge between said first and second anodes is transferred to said charge receiving means and then to said inductive load.

2. Asystem as claimed in claim 1, including a second capacitor for receiving a charge from said load.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, including a thyratron positioned in series between said commutator and said first anode.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, including a second source of voltage and a switch for receiving a signal from said second capacitor.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said conversion element includes a resistive element in series with said first anode; and said charge receiving means is tubularly shaped.

6. An electrical conversion element comprising: a housing; a first low-voltage anode mounted to said housing, said first anode adapted to be connected to a voltage source; a second high-voltage anode mounted to said housing, said second anode adapted to be connected to a voltage source; electrically conductive means positioned about said second anode and spaced therefrom for receiving a charge, said charge receiving means being mounted to said housing; and an output terminal communicating with said charge receiving means, said terminal adapted to be connected to an inductive load.

7. An element as claimed in claim 6, including a resistive element in series with said first anode.

8. An element as claimed in claim 6 wherein: said charge receiving means is tubularly shaped.

9. An element as claimed in claim 8, including a second tubularly shaped charge receiving means positioned about said first mentioned charge receiving means.

10. A method for providing power to an inductive load comprising the steps of providing a voltage source; pulsating a signal from said source; increasing the voltage of said signal; rectifying said signal; storing and increasing said signal; conducting said signal to a high-voltage anode; providing a low-voltage to a second anode to form a high energy discharge; electrostatically coupling said discharge to a charge receiving element; conducting said discharge to an inductive load; coupling a second capacitor to said load; and coupling said second capacitor to said source.