A 17 kW series-resonant converter for a CO/sub 2/ laser gas discharge load

A system comprising a combination of 17 kW series-resonant DC-DC converters is used to power a CO/sub 2/ laser gas-discharge load in both pulsed and continuous modes. The converters use ASCRs for switching at up to 16.7 kHz with natural commutation yielding a simple topology. Commutation problems encountered are discussed, and a solution is presented. A multiloop control system allowing programmable pulse-shaping with a leading-edge current boost of over 5 to 1 and linear control of pulse-plateau current is described.<
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