Don G Ball

Author:

Don Ball

ISBN #:

0316733008

Author:

Don Ball

ISBN #:

0517304880

Author:

Don Ball

ISBN #:

0517463830

Author:

Don Ball

ISBN #:

0517619016

Author:

Don Ball

ISBN #:

0393014169

Author:

Don Ball

ISBN #:

0393014800

Author:

Don Ball

ISBN #:

0393023575

Author:

Don Ball

ISBN #:

0393022366

US Patent:

6728284, Apr 27, 2004

Filed:

Jun 8, 1993

Appl. No.:

08/079177

Inventors:

Daniel L. Birx - Oakley CA
Don G. Ball - Livermore CA
Edward G. Cook - Livermore CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H03K 300

US Classification:

372 82, 359345

Abstract:

A multi-stage magnetic modulator provides a pulse train of Â40 kV electrical pulses at a 5-7 kHz repetition rate to a metal vapor laser. A fractional turn transformer steps up the voltage by a factor of 80 to 1 and magnetic pulse compression is used to reduce the pulse width of the pulse train. The transformer is fabricated utilizing a rod and plate stack type of construction to achieve a high packing factor. The pulses are controlled by an SCR stack where a plurality of SCRs are electrically connected in parallel, each SCR electrically connected to a saturable inductor, all saturable inductors being wound on the same core of magnetic material for enhanced power handling characteristics.

US Patent:

51246171, Jun 23, 1992

Filed:

Apr 23, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/689564

Inventors:

Don G. Ball - Livermore CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G05F 1573

US Classification:

323285

Abstract:

A charge regulation circuit provides regulation of an unregulated voltage supply in the range of 0. 01%. The charge regulation circuit is utilized in a preferred embodiment in providing regulated voltage for controlling the operation of a laser.

US Patent:

53134818, May 17, 1994

Filed:

Sep 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/128185

Inventors:

Edward G. Cook - Livermore CA
Daniel L. Birx - Oakley CA
Don G. Ball - Livermore CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01S 300
H01S 322

US Classification:

372 37

Abstract:

A laser modulator (10) having a low voltage assembly (12) with a plurality of low voltage modules (14) with first stage magnetic compression circuits (20) and magnetic assist inductors (28) with a common core (91), such that timing of the first stage magnetic switches (30b) is thereby synchronized. A bipolar second stage of magnetic compression (42) is coupled to the low voltage modules (14) through a bipolar pulse transformer (36) and a third stage of magnetic compression (44) is directly coupled to the second stage of magnetic compression (42). The low voltage assembly (12) includes pressurized boxes (117) for improving voltage standoff between the primary winding assemblies (34) and secondary winding (40) contained therein.

US Patent:

54485800, Sep 5, 1995

Filed:

Jul 5, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/270718

Inventors:

Daniel L. Birx - Oakley CA
Phillip A. Arnold - Livermore CA
Don G. Ball - Livermore CA
Edward G. Cook - Livermore CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01S 300

US Classification:

372 38

Abstract:

A compact high power magnetic compression apparatus and method for delivering high voltage pulses of short duration at a high repetition rate and high peak power output which does not require the use of environmentally unacceptable fluids such as chlorofluorocarbons either as a dielectric or as a coolant, and which discharges very little waste heat into the surrounding air. A first magnetic switch has cooling channels formed therethrough to facilitate the removal of excess heat. The first magnetic switch is mounted on a printed circuit board. A pulse transformer comprised of a plurality of discrete electrically insulated and magnetically coupled units is also mounted on said printed board and is electrically coupled to the first magnetic switch. The pulse transformer also has cooling means attached thereto for removing heat from the pulse transformer. A second magnetic switch also having cooling means for removing excess heat is electrically coupled to the pulse transformer.

US Patent:

53156110, May 24, 1994

Filed:

Jun 12, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/898105

Inventors:

Don G. Ball - Livermore CA
Daniel L. Birx - Oakley CA
Edward G. Cook - Livermore CA
John L. Miller - Livermore CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01S 322

US Classification:

372 56

Abstract:

A three-stage magnetic modulator utilizing magnetic pulse compression designed to provide a 60 kV pulse to a copper vapor laser at a 4. 5 kHz repetition rate is disclosed. This modulator operates at 34 kW input power. The circuit includes a step up auto transformer and utilizes a rod and plate stack construction technique to achieve a high packing factor.

US Patent:

56663854, Sep 9, 1997

Filed:

Nov 15, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/340408

Inventors:

James S. Sullivan - Livermore CA
Don G. Ball - Livermore CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04K 102
H04L 2503
H04L 2549

US Classification:

375296

Abstract:

The instantaneous V. sub. co signal on a charging capacitor is sampled and the charge voltage on capacitor C. sub. o is captured just prior to its discharge into the first stage of magnetic modulator. The captured signal is applied to an averaging circuit with a long time constant and to the positive input terminal of a differential amplifier. The averaged V. sub. co signal is split between a gain stage (G=0. 975) and a feedback stage that determines the slope of the voltage ramp applied to the high speed comparator. The 97. 5% portion of the averaged V. sub. co signal is applied to the negative input of a differential amplifier gain stage (G=10). The differential amplifier produces an error signal by subtracting 97. 5% of the averaged V. sub. co signal from the instantaneous value of sampled V. sub.

US Patent:

51896788, Feb 23, 1993

Filed:

Sep 29, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/915197

Inventors:

Don G. Ball - Livermore CA
John L. Miller - Dublin CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01J 310

US Classification:

372 28

Abstract:

Coupling apparatus for a large bore metal vapor laser is disclosed. The coupling apparatus provides for coupling high voltage pulses (approximately 40 KV) to a metal vapor laser with a high repetition rate (approximately 5 KHz). The coupling apparatus utilizes existing thyratron circuits and provides suitable power input to a large bore metal vapor laser while maintaining satisfactory operating lifetimes for the existing thyratron circuits.

US Patent:

51777541, Jan 5, 1993

Filed:

Mar 15, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/336451

Inventors:

Don G. Ball - Livermore CA
Dan Birx - Brentwood CA
Edward G. Cook - Livermore CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01S 300

US Classification:

372 38

Abstract:

A magnetic compression laser driving circuit is disclosed. The magnetic compression laser driving circuit compresses voltage pulses in the range of 1. 5 microseconds at 20 Kilovolts of amplitude to pulses in the range of 40 nanoseconds and 60 Kilovolts of amplitude. The magnetic compression laser driving circuit includes a multi-stage magnetic switch where the last stage includes a switch having at least two turns which has larger saturated inductance with less core material so that the efficiency of the circuit and hence the laser is increased.