Battel Engineering, Inc.
10020 North 58th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
office: (480) 991-9747
fax: (480) 991-9748
email:
bateng@earthlink.net
17. 50,000 Volt Vacuum Isolated Transformer Concept
One of the key challenges
for ultra-high voltage pickup ion spectrometers is generation of
floating control voltages required to operate the sensor electronics at
50,000 volts above ground potential. The traditional method is to use a
standard tranformer with a dielectric medium capable of providing the
required voltage isolation. The challenge at 50,000 volts is especially
difficult due to the need for a design margins in the range of 1.5X or
2X. The coaxial transformer in the picture uses a different approach
that takes advantage of using a single turn primary combined with
resonant drive. With a single turn, it is possible to contol the
electric field inside of the coaxial cylinder such that the primary is
grounded while the cylinder and associated transformer float at 50,000
volts. The spacers used in the picture are simply used to control the
geometry during testing. In the real transformer, the grounded primary
is held in place with a fixture that centers the tube. Thus, the field
control can be implemented in a way that takes advantage of a standard
coaxial geometry operating in vacuum. Performance was very good with 14
watts delivered at 83 percent efficiency.
Image © Steve Battel, Battel Engineering, Inc. All rights reserved.