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At least 181 records · Page 10

Electronic switches and control circuits: A compilation

The innovations in this updated series of compilations dealing with electronic technology represents a carefully selected collection of items on electronic switches and control circuits. Most of the items are based on well-known circuit design concepts that have been simplified or refined to meet NASA's demanding requirement for reliability, simplicity, fail-safe characteristics, and the capability of withstanding environmental extremes.

Source record↗

Switching regulator emission control circuit for ion sources

An electron emission control circuit of the switching regulator type operating at 100 kHz has been developed which maintains a constant emission current within 0.1% for a cathode power demand variation of approximately 100%. The power output stage has an efficiency of 67%, and the overall efficiency is 45% when driving a thoria-coated iridium cathode having a nominal resistance at operating temperature of 2.5 ohms. Under optimum conditions, the bus power demand is 1.75 W. The circuit is useful in controlling the electron emission current of ion sources in applications which involve a substantial variation of the cathode work function, such as oxygen partial pressure measurements over a large dynamic range.

Clay, F. P., Jr.↗

Push-pull converter with energy saving circuit for protecting switching transistors from peak power stress

In a push-pull converter, switching transistors are protected from peak power stresses by a separate snubber circuit in parallel with each comprising a capacitor and an inductor in series, and a diode in parallel with the inductor. The diode is connected to conduct current of the same polarity as the base-emitter juction of the transistor so that energy stored in the capacitor while the transistor is switched off, to protect it against peak power stress, discharges through the inductor when the transistor is turned on, and after the capacitor is discharges through the diode. To return this energy to the power supply, or to utilize this energy in some external circuit, the inductor may be replaced by a transformer having its secondary winding connected to the power supply or to the external circuit.

Mclyman, W. T.↗

Transient-Switch-Signal Suppressor

Circuit delays transmission of switch-opening or switch-closing signal until after preset suppression time. Used to prevent transmission of undesired momentary switch signal. Basic mode of operation simple. Beginning of switch signal initiates timing sequence. If switch signal persists after preset suppression time, circuit transmits switch signal to external circuitry. If switch signal no longer present after suppression time, switch signal deemed transient, and circuit does not pass signal on to external circuitry, as though no transient switch signal. Suppression time preset at value large enough to allow for damping of underlying pressure wave or other mechanical transient.

Bozeman, Richard J., Jr.↗

Circuit Stops Prelasing In A Q-Switched Laser

Protective shutdown circuit stops prelasing in Q-switched laser operating at pulse-repetition rate of about 10 Hz. During normal operation, Q-switch prevents emission of light from laser cavity during application of Q-switch-trigger pulse. When circuit detects prelasing, it triggers relay turning off laser power supply. Circuit integrated into almost any Q-switched-laser system, provided one gains access to laser light, Q-switch-trigger pulse, and safety-interlock line of laser power supply.

Lockard, George E.↗

Recovering Energy From A Rapidly Switched Gate

Circuit proposed to recover energy usually lost in charging and discharging internal gate capacitance of field-effect transistor during high-frequency switching. Scheme includes pulse-forming circuit generating rectangular waveform with zero-level notches near beginning and end of "on" period. Inductor resonates internal gate capacitance so energy recovered during notches.

Rippel, Wally E.↗

Switching X-Ray Tubes Remotely

Convenient switch and relay circuit reduces risk of accidents. Proposed switching circuit for x-ray inspection system enables operator to change electrical connections to x-ray tubes remotely. Operator simply flips switch on conveniently-located selector box to change x-ray heads. Indicator lights on selector box show whether 160 or 320-kV head connected. Relays in changeover box provides proper voltages and coolants. Chance of making wrong connections and damaging equipment eliminated.

Bulthuis, Ronald V.↗

Unity power factor converter

A unity power factor converter capable of effecting either inversion (dc-to-dc) or rectification (ac-to-dc), and capable of providing bilateral power control from a DC source (or load) through an AC transmission line to a DC load (or source) for power flow in either direction, is comprised of comparators for comparing the AC current i with an AC signal i.sub.ref (or its phase inversion) derived from the AC ports to generate control signals to operate a switch control circuit for high speed switching to shape the AC current waveform to a sine waveform, and synchronize it in phase and frequency with the AC voltage at the AC ports, by selectively switching the connections to a series inductor as required to increase or decrease the current i.

Wester, Gene W.↗

Monolithic Microwave Switching Matrix

Gallium arsenide integrated-circuit chip switches any of three microwave input signals to any of three output ports. Measuring 4.9 mm on side, chip contains nine field-effect transistor (FET) crosspoint switches. Housed in custom-designed package with standard connectors for easy integration into system. FET's on chip operated as passive switches and consume no static power and insignificant amounts of switching power. Chip module cascades with similar modules into large arrays handling as many as 100 inputs and 100 outputs. Applications include switching and routing vast amounts of data between computers at extremely high speed. On communications satellite, chip switches microwave signals to and from Earth stations and other satellites.

Fujikawa, Gene↗

HSPICE modelling of a solar array circuit controlled by a fet switch

This paper presents a method of modeling a solar array circuit controlled by a hexfet switch on HSPICE. HSPICE models are developed for the solar array current voltage (IV) characteristic and the IRF150 hexfet. Computer simulations are made to verify rate of current change at the load. The equivalent LC circuit for the same current control is modeled to show savings in weight and power in choosing the fet switch over an LC circuit.

Cox, Deanna D.↗

Transistor current and voltage limiting switch

Limiting circuit protects the main power supply of electronic modules and limits the current drawn by each module should a short circuit occur. It limits current within one mA when used with direct current of either polarity, or with pulse or ac power sources from direct current to 100 kHz.

Hilbert, E. E.↗