[TCML] A s.s. "ring bridge"

[Ken or Doris Herrick <kchdlh@xxxxxxxxx>]

I'd like to solicit opinions from the solid-staters on a scheme I've 
been toying  with.  See http://drop.io/kch_ring_brg for schematics.

Ring-bridge.jpg shows the simulation drawing.  It incorporates 6 power 
transistors, MOSFETs or  IGBTs, plus 6 capacitors, all connected into a 
ring.  (In the freebie-simulation, I have to use switches rather than 
transistors.)  Each capacitor is charged from the mains via an isolating 
"common-mode" choke, and it is kept isolated from the others, for 
charging from the mains, while the interposed transistors are off.  Each 
transistor is to be driven via an isolating transformer.  Feedback to 
start & maintain oscillation is taken from the return lead of the Tesla 
coil's secondary and the primary is untuned.

The primary is connected to opposite sides of the ring.  In the drawing, 
it connects to the "emitters" of S2 and S6.  Half the transistors (S2, 
S3 and S5) are turned on during phase 1 of the drive and the others, 
during phase 2.  Because the capacitors are inductor-isolated from the 
mains, each set of 3 becomes effectively connected in series during 
alternate half waves of the drive signal.  In that way, +/- (3x300V - 
the various IR drops) becomes connected across the primary during each 
Fr cycle.

The diodes D9, D10, D14, D11, D12 and D13 perform the function of 
clamping each reverse-Vce transistor voltage to 600V peak, while at the 
same time obviating an over-voltage problem should the transistors' 
turn-off times differ.

In the simulation it works like a champ.  In the hardware I would plan 
to use ST STE40NK90ZD MOSFETs and CDE 942CDW2K capacitors--paralleled 
with close-connected electrolytics--configured generally as shown in the 
other drawing, RING-BRG.jpg.  (Sorry about the low-res.)

RING-BRG.jpg shows what basic hardware configuration I have in mind.  
Its main feature is a scheme for keeping stray inductance to a minimum 
by the use of coaxial copper braid surrounding each tubular capacitor.  
The charging chokes connect anywhere convenient, of course, but the 
clamping diodes are to be connected closely to the ends of the 
respective braids as shown: to a "+" at one end and a "-" at the other.  
The capacitor leads are similarly connected.  I don't show the 
electrolytics, which would be connected as closely as possible to the 
CDE capacitors.  It's my feeling that by properly configuring the 
braid-ends and the clamping diodes and by conforming the braids closely 
to the o.d.s of the capacitors, I can effectively minimize the stray 
inductances in the ring of diodes and capacitors.  And, with this 
configuration the MOSFET connections at the same time can easily be kept 
very short.  I would add varistors across the MOSFETS for additional 
insurance.

I show a simple transformer-isolated PNP/diode gate-drive scheme but I 
suppose the rather high gate-capacitance of the ST MOSFETs might require 
a more robust drive.  I've developed a floating-supply drive with a 
PNP/NPN pair that might do it.

The circuit has the advantage of safely allowing use of the 900V MOSFETs 
while delivering perhaps +/-800V, and a hundred A or so during the 
pulse-burst, into the primary--straight off-line from the 115V mains.  I 
plan to use MOSFETs rather than IGBTs because the Fr's of my two 
secondary coils are 100 and 120 KHz--perhaps a little too high for 
reliable IGBT switching, right?

This scheme is along the lines of the one s.s. coil I managed to get 
going some years ago (see the photo at http://drop.io/pat_ck_dblH).  
That was pretty satisfactory until it (was caused to) quit for good, and 
I'd look for similar performance--with much less complexity--out of this 
new arrangement.

So...will anyone shoot it down?  If it looks feasible I may or may not 
give it a shot (maybe too old...rocking-chair beckons), but I would hope 
someone else might have a go.

Ken Herrick

P.S.  I'm to have a small "Gadget Freak" piece in Design News magazine 
soon, about my T.c. work & with a pic of the 1-&-only coil.  Don't know 
if it's just on-line or also in the printed mag.

KCH


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