Development, analysis and control of the inductor-converter bridge

The inductor-converter bridge (ICB) is a solid state DC-AC-DC power converter system for bidirectional, controllable, energy transfer between two high Q magnet coils. The analysis and control of the ICB system was investigated. The process of energy transfer between the coils is explained on the basis of a simple one line equivalent circuit. The changes in the average power, average coil currents, and voltages, as functions of time, are calculated by the conventional Fourier method of analysis. A method of analyzing the ICB circuit by the use of quadrometric functions and identities is presented. The method delivers closed form expressions in finite series form. Since the power in the ICB is controlled by phase and/or frequency modulation, a methodical way of executing phase frequency shifting transients, without upsetting the normal operating conditions of the system was developed. A time optimal, load current feedback, control algorithm was developed, based on the analytically understood behavior of the system. Testing and experimental evaluation of the control algorithm are described.