A Novel Multi-output Synchronous Trigger System For LTD

As a novel pulsed power technology that developed rapidly recent years, Linear Transformer Driver (LTD) is able to generate high power pulses with rising time less than100ns and drive the load directly without any pulse compression. Therefore, it has been taken into application in many fields such as Z-pinch, high power microwave and X-ray photography. As one of the most important components of LTD, the spark switches play a significant role in LTD’s output performance. The problem that whether the switches can be reliably turned on and whether they can be triggered synchronously becomes the key point of LTD technology.In this paper, after the introduction and the summary of present triggering technology of LTD switches, a novel multi-output synchronous triggering technology is proposed based on the principle of inductive transformers and the configuration of LTD. In this technology several pulse transformers are assembled in series. With one primary fast high-voltage pulse supplied, numerous output trigger pulses can be obtain at the secondary of the transformers in the inductive and boosting process, and trigger the LTD switches in a matched relationship.First of all, the working principle of LTD was introduced in this paper, especially the type, structure and performance of LTD switches. After ideas and approaches of synchronous triggering technology were listed according to the triggering requirement of LTD switches, a novel triggering technology was proposed, which was named LTD-trigger. The paper analyzed the working principle and configuration of LTD-trigger accurately, and discussed the requirement, criterion and premagnetizing of the magnetic cores, which are the most important component of triggering system.Secondly, some simulation models of LTD-trigger were set up in the software PSpice by analyzing the equivalent circuit model, calculating the electromagnetic parameters and designing the mechanical dimension of the device. Not the engineering feasibility was verified via the simulating only, but also the influence to the triggering performance was studied with the varying of operation conditions. Besides, the stability of LTD-trigger was researched under the fault condition that errors of switches in LTD occurred, which indicated that the fault brick would not affect the normal operation of others. At last, based on the theory analysis and simulating results, a small prototype of LTD-trigger was proposed, including the triggering modules and the accessory system (primary pulse generator, triggering system and premagnetizing system, etc.). A series of experimental results were indicative of the working principle of the novel triggering technology, which means LTD-trigger was capable for the LTD switches to be triggered steadily and synchronously, and could continuously work under the error condition.