An Inductive Energy Storage System Using Ignitron Switching

Previous work in the field of inductive energy storage and control is described. The need for a fast, reliable switch for the control of such systems is pointed out. A new inductive energy storage switching system that fulfills this need is described. The new system utilizes an ignitron bridge circuit and a capacitor to invert from the unidirectional current of an inductive source to an alternating voltage of triangular waveform. The alternating voltage is used to charge and periodically recharge a small capacitor. This capacitor in its turn supplies energy to the load. Thus, by the use of two capacitors, whose maximum stored energy is very small compared to the total energy to be transferred, the stored energy may be transferred to the load in discrete parcels. The disassociation of storage and load circuit allows the transfer of all stored energy to the load, with the exception of the usual resistive energy loss imparted by circuit elements, a quantity that can be kept small. Therefore, the energy efficiency is higher than heretofore attained by inductive energy storage systems. The above-described switching system does not depend upon moving contacts or mechanical devices. The system results in significant reductions in initial cost per joule of energy stored as compared to the cost of capacitive energy storage systems. The inherent low energy efficiency of earlier inductive energy storage systems is discussed and it is pointed out that the theoretical energy efficiency of the bridge scheme is much higher.