HIGH VOLTAGE HIGH FREQUENCY DC-DC POWER SUPPLY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This application is a continuation-in-part of Serial No. 8,181 filed January 30, 1979, for "High Frequency Battery Charger".
The present invention relates generally to power supplies, and more particularly to a switching power supply operating at a relatively high frequency for converting a relatively low DC voltage to a high voltage symmetrical AC output. The power supply finds particular utility for use in ignition systems for oil and gas-fired burners, electrostatic precipitator air cleaners, photocopy machines, television sets, fluorescent light ballast, and the like.
In a preferred embodiment, a relatively low DC voltage produced from an alternating line voltage is applied to a modified blocking oscillator formed by a single high voltage high frequency bipolar transistor biased for operation substantially in the active region and a high frequency ferrite core transformer having a main winding, and return, EMF and secondary windings coupled to the main winding. The transistor is operated in the common emitter mode sμch that the main winding is connected between the collector terminal and the low voltage DC source. The return winding is connected in phase with the main winding between ground and the base terminal of the transistor by way of a serially connected blocking capacitor and resistor means. As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, the resistor means are selected to provide a substantially symmetrical alternating waveform at the secondary winding of the transformer.
The EMF winding is connected out of phase with the main winding in series with a high voltage fast recovery diode between the DC source and ground for absorbing energy stored in the transformer during negative excursions of the transformer output, in order to prevent permanent magnetization of the transformer core and protect the bipolar transistor from excessive voltage.
The transformer is particularly adapted for high frequency operation, with the main and back EMF windings being universally wound in a bifilar or twisted manner to maximize coupling and reduce inter-winding capacitance. The transformer core includes an air gap which may be utilized in conjunction with the resistor means to set the frequency of oscillation of the oscillator portion of the power supply, as well as control the symmetrical shape of the output waveform. Inasmuch as the power supply operates in the range of 10-100 KHz, the physical size of the power supply may be significantly reduced. Furthe more, the relatively high operating frequency, as well as the high duty cycle of the oscillator portion of the power supply, minimize power losses, thereby enabling the supply to operate more efficiently. By proper choice of the transformer secondary configuration, output voltages in the range of 10 Kv. may be easily achieved. Further features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first embodimentof the power supply of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the power supply of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic cross sectional view, partially cutaway, of the high frequency transformer used in the power supply of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary diagrammatic view of an alternate main and back EMF winding arrangement for use in the transformer illustrated in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the left-hand portion of the transformer of Fig. 3 utilizing the alternate winding arrangement of Fig. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION .
A first embodiment of the power supply of the present invention is illustrated schematically, generally at 1, in Fig. 1. Line voltage of 120 VAC is applied to input terminals 2 and 3, and halfwave rectified by diode 10. The rectified voltage is applied through surge resistor 12 to filter capacitor 14 to provide a source on line 15 of relatively low DC voltage. In the embodiment illustrated the voltage appearing on line 15 will be of the order of 170 volts. The portion of the circuitry illustrated in Fig. 1 connected to supply line 15 forms a modified blocking oscillator utilizing a forward converter. A high voltage, high frequency PNP bipolar transistor 24, such as type number MJE 13004 manufactured by Motorola, Inc., is connected in the common emitter configuration with the emitter terminal grounded. In general, transistor 24 will have a collector-emitter breakdown voltage of several hundred volts, and at least 400 volts for the embodiment illustrated. Transistor 24 is biased for operation substantially in the active region by means of biasing means formed by
serially connected resistors 16 and 18 connected between DC supply line 15 and ground. For purposes of an exemplary showing, resistor 16 may be 100 KΩ, and resistor 18 may be 3KΩ to supply the bias current to the base terminal of transistor 24 connected to the junction of the resistors. A high voltage diode 26 may be connected between the base terminal of the transistor and ground to protect the base emitter junction from negative voltage excursions.
An impedance formed by serially connected resistor means 20 and blocking capacitor 22 is connected to the base terminal of transistor 24. Capacitor 22 may be of the order of 0.1 μf, while resistor means 20 may be approximately 5KΩ for the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1. As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, resistor means 20 will be adjusted to provide a substantially symmetrical alternating waveform at the output of the transformer secondary.
Power supply 1 also includes a high frequency transformer 30 including a main winding 32, a return winding 34, a back EMF winding 36, and one or more secondary windings 38. Main winding 32 is connected between the collector terminal of transistor 24 and DC supply line 15. Return winding 34 is coupled in phase with main winding 32 and is connected between ground and the free terminal of resistor means 20. Back EMF winding 36 is coupled out of phase with main winding 32 and is connected serially with a diode 28 between ground and DC supply line 15. In general, diode 28 will be of the high voltage fast recovery type having a small trr of 200 nanoseconds or less , such as type number GI RGP-10H manufactured by General Instruments Corp . For purposes of an exemplary
showing, the winding ratio- between main winding 32. return winding 34, and back EMF winding 36 may be 10:1:10, respectively. In any event, the winding ratio between main winding 32 and return winding 34 will be at least 4:1. It will be observed that back EMF winding 36 together with diode 28 limit the voltage to transistor 24 to approximately twice the voltage appearing across capacitor 14. This not only enables the use of a transistor having lower breakdown voltages, but also prevents transformer 30 from going to saturation, with resulting lower losses, resulting in improved circuit efficiency.
Transformer 31 also includes four serially connected secondary windings 38 connected in phase with main winding 32. The winding ratio between the secondary windings and the primary windings will be such as to produce the desired output voltage, which in the present case will nominally be in the range of 10Kv. The physical construction of transformer 30 will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. The high voltage appearing at the output of the transformer secondary is half wave rectified by diode 42 and filtered by filter capacitor 44 to produce the required DC high voltage at output terminals 45 and 46.
The construction of transformer 30 is illustrated generally in Fig. 3. The transformer includes a core 40 generally of the double-U, CI or UI type, having a pair of spaced arms 40a and 40b for accepting primary windings 32, 34 and 36, and secondary windings 38, respectively. Core 40 may be constructed of a ferrite material permitting high frequency operation in the range of 10-100 KHz. In addition, the construction of core 40 should be such as to permit a flux density of 2000 gauss. For this purpose, a Stackpole core number 15-9 of 24B grade has been found to produce satisfactory results.
Core 40 may also be provided with one or more air gaps 43 of the order of 0.020-0.040 inches which serve to increase the inductance of the transformer and contribute to better regulation of the power supply. In addition, the frequency of oscillation of the oscillator section of the power supply, as well as the symmetrical characteristics of the output voltage, may be varied by adjusting the length of air gap 43. If desired, a plurality of air gaps may be utilized at spaced locations in core 40. As best shown in Fig. 3, return winding 34 is wound closest to the core 40 on leg 40a, and will generally be wound in such a way as to cover the entire traverse. In order to reduce the skin effect at high frequencies, Litz wire may be used for the return winding. In a preferred embodiment, main winding 32 and back
EMF winding 36 are precision wound in a bifilar arrangement to reduce intercoupling capacitance and maximize the coupling coefficient. Furthermore, it is preferred that one or both of windings 32 and 36 be fabricated from Litz wire to further reduce capacitive effects. An alternate winding arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 4 where back EMF winding 36 is tightly twisted with main winding 32 at the rate of approximately two twists per inch to achieve the same affect. The composite winding is then wound over return winding 34 on leg 40a of core 40 as illustrated in Fig. 5.
Secondary windings 38 are provided in several segments to reduce capacitive effects as well as increase the space factor to permit high voltage operation. The segmental windings comprising secondary 38 are wound about leg 40b of core 40 using Litz wire to reduce the skin affect, in a universal wound pattern. In general, the angular displacement between successive layers should be as high as possible, and preferrably in the range of 60°-70° to permit operation at 'higher voltage and frequency levels. In addition, to reduce inter-winding
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coupling between the windings of a particular segment, each of the wires may be coated with polyurethane or the like to further reduce capacitive affect.s. Flanges 39 spaced from the core legs connecting arms 40a and 40b as well as from the adjacent segments, serve to eliminate corona effects at the higher voltage levels. It will be understood that the winding ratio between secondary windings 38 and the primary windings will be such as to create the desired high voltage output from the power supply. A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 2 where all of elements corresponding to those in the embodiment of Fig. 1 have been similarly designated. It will be observed that in this embodiment, the half-wave rectifier diode 10 of the embodiment of Fig. 1 has been replaced by a full wave bridge voltage doubler 52 for producing a DC voltage on lines 15. Consequently, the voltages applied to the primary of transformer 30 are higher than in the embodiment described hereinabove. In addition, to further increase the output voltage, the secondary winding ,of transformer 30 is connected to. a cascade voltage multiplier 50 for providing the high voltage output at terminals 45 and 46 of power supply 1. In all other respects, the operation of the circuit is similar to that described, hereinabove. In operation, the frequency of oscillation of power supply 1, as well as the shape of the output waveform will be determined to a large extent by the effective resistance, capacitance and inductance viewed in the primary or oscillator portion of the circuit. As noted above, the construction of transformer 30 will be such as to minimize, as far as possible, the capacitive effects .
Consequently, the frequency of osc illation and the shape of' the output waveform, which will be symmetrical and sinusoidal-like in shape, will be determined by the inductance presented by the transformer and the resistance governing the operating characteristics of transformer 24. In general, the inductance may be controlled by the width of air gap 43, which may be adjusted to provide a frequency of oscillation in the range of 50 KHz. In addition, the value of resistor means 20 will be adjusted to also control the frequency of oscillation, as well as insure that both transistor 24 and transformer 30 are operated to prevent hard saturation of the transistor and transformer, respectively. This may be accomplished by setting the value of resistor means 20 in accordance with the nominal value of the expected load to be driven by the power supply.
It has been found that the high frequency operation of the power supply of the present invention permits more efficient operation and the use of a power supply package of much smaller size. Furthermore, the efficient operation of the power supply reduces losses, thereby contributing to more efficient and energy conscious operation. In addition, the power supply requires only a single bipolar transistor, thereby greatly reducing the material and fabrication costs. It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.