Modular High Voltage Pulse Converter for Short Rise and Decay Times

Abstract

This thesis explores a modular HV pulse converter technology with short rise and decay times. A systematic methodology to derive and classify HV architectures based on a modularization level of power building blocks of the HV pulse converter is developed to summarize existing architectures and explore new possible architectures.The optimal architecture has been identified and recommendations for architecture selections are provided. The effect of modularization and increasing switching frequency for the HV transformer are addressed. The key influence factors for HV pulse rise and decay times are studied. A method is proposed to mitigate the diode reverse recovery effect for the multi-stage voltage multiplier. A generic equivalent steady-state circuit model and comprehensive design methodology are developed to simplify the analysis and design of the series parallel(LCC) resonant based modular HV pulse converters. Finally, the experimental results of a HV pulse converter prototype based on the architecture with multiple transformers and voltage multipliers validate the equivalent steady state circuit model and the comprehensive design methodology.