GB395758A - Improved system for the voltage transformation of direct current electrical energy - Google Patents

Abstract

395,758. Charging and discharging condensers; discharge apparatus. COCKCROFT, J. D., 31, Sedley Taylor Road, and WALTON, E. T. S., 13, Albion Road, both in Cambridge. Jan. 23, 1932, No. 2130. [Class 38 (iv).] Voltage transformation of D.C. energy is effected through a plurality of series connected condensers C1, C2, C3 forming a potential divider A B, to the whole or part of which the supply is connected, by switching over auxiliary transfer condensers T1, T2 to different parts of the said divider so as to transfer energy along the latter, energy being drawn from part or the whole, respectively, of the potential divider. The switching means S may be operated by a vibrator, rotating or other means and the contacts or switch arms may be of the commutator type. The switch may be arranged in a common evacuated chamber with the condensers C, T and, in certain cases, the load, e.g. an X-ray tube, may be disposed in the same chamber. The switching may be effected by unidirectionally conductive devices such as thermionic diode rectifiers which are all arranged in a common vitreous chamber which is continuously exhausted. The valves may also be of the mercury vapour type. Where thermionic rectifiers are used, Fig. 2, two tubes F, G are grid controlled or may be of the vacuum or vapour discharge type and control the sequence of automatic operation of the valves H-K so as to determine the direction of transformation. Fig. 2 shows a step-up arrangement. The valves F, G are controlled from a source of H.F. current. For greater capacity, two or more rectifiers or condensers may be employed in parallel. Specifications 255,879, [Class 38 (ii), Electric currents, Converting &c.], 366,561, and 367,785 are referred to.