Kenneth J Mcdonald

US Patent:

7312412, Dec 25, 2007

Filed:

Jun 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/870381

Inventors:

William Ray Cravey - Albuquerque NM, US
Randy D. Curry - Columbia MO, US
Kenneth Fox McDonald - Columbia MO, US
Glenn A. Anderson - St. Charles MO, US

Assignee:

Alpha-Omega Power Technologies - Albuquerque NM
The Curators of the University of Missouri - Columbia MO
The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01H 35/24
H01H 33/00
B02B 1/24

US Classification:

200 81R, 218 91, 307112

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for switching high power at high repetition rates. The apparatus is preferably a switch utilizing a pressurized flowing dielectric. The pressurized dielectric suppresses growth of dielectric breakdown byproducts, such as large bubbles and breakdown contamination, enabling lower dielectric flow rates to remove the byproducts. In addition to the advantage of lower flow rates, and thus smaller and lighter pumping means, the switch can switch high energies (up to megajoules) at fast repetition rates, up to thousands of pulses per second.

US Patent:

7830040, Nov 9, 2010

Filed:

May 15, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/749043

Inventors:

Kenneth Fox McDonald - Columbia MO, US

Assignee:

Sci-Eng Solutions, LLC - Columbia MO

International Classification:

H03K 3/02

US Classification:

307106

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are provided for fabricating and constructing solid dielectric “Coiled Transmission Line” pulse generators in radial or axial coiled geometries. The pour and cure fabrication process enables a wide variety of geometries and form factors. The volume between the conductors is filled with liquid blends of monomers, polymers, oligomers, and/or cross-linkers and dielectric powders; and then cured to form high field strength and high dielectric constant solid dielectric transmission lines that intrinsically produce ideal rectangular high voltage pulses when charged and switched into matched impedance loads. Voltage levels may be increased by Marx and/or Blumlein principles incorporating spark gap or, preferentially, solid state switches (such as optically triggered thyristors) which produce reliable, high repetition rate operation. Moreover, these Marxed pulse generators can be DC charged and do not require additional pulse forming circuitry, pulse forming lines, transformers, or an a high voltage spark gap output switch. The apparatus accommodates a wide range of voltages, impedances, pulse durations, pulse repetition rates, and duty cycles.

US Patent:

7989987, Aug 2, 2011

Filed:

Jun 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/423102

Inventors:

Kenneth Fox McDonald - Columbia MO, US

International Classification:

H02M 3/18
H03K 3/352

US Classification:

307108, 307106, 307110

Abstract:

The features of this invention allow construction and operation of a variety of high voltage, high repetition rated pulse generators of the Marx type that are switched with photon initiated semiconductor switches of the closing type. The photon initiated semiconductor switches can be constructed with bulk materials or in layered devices such as thyristors. Variations on the invention permit the formation of shaped high voltage pulses; particularly those that are nearly rectangular: with controlled rise and fall times, minimal or no overshoot, and minimal voltage ripple.

US Patent:

20070197051, Aug 23, 2007

Filed:

Jun 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/452560

Inventors:

William Cravey - Albuquerque NM, US
Randy Curry - Columbia MO, US
Kenneth McDonald - Columbia MO, US
Glenn Anderson - St. Charles MO, US
Richard Sears - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

Alpha-Omega Power Technologies - Albuquerque NM
The Curators of the University of Missouri - Columbia MO
The Boeing Company - St. Louis MO

International Classification:

H01L 21/00

US Classification:

438800000

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for switching high power at high repetition rates. The apparatus is preferably a switch utilizing a pressurized flowing dielectric. The pressurized dielectric suppresses growth of dielectric breakdown byproducts, such as large bubbles and breakdown contamination, enabling lower dielectric flow rates to remove the byproducts. In addition to the advantage of lower flow rates, and thus smaller and lighter pumping means, the switch can switch high energies (up to megajoules) at fast repetition rates, up to thousands of pulses per second. The switch is preferably triggered to reduce jitter. The switch can also be used to remove water from oil.