An ignition device for welding equipment includes a capacitor, a transformer, a high voltage output circuit connected to a secondary winding of the transformer, a discharging switch enabling discharge of the capacitor to a primary winding of the transformer, a charger and an operation control circuit that controls the charger and the discharging switch.

Some embodiments of the invention include a pre-pulse switching system. The pre-pulsing switching system may include: a power source configured to provide a voltage greater than 100 V; a pre-pulse switch coupled with the power source and configured to provide a pre-pulse having a pulse width of T.sub.pp; and a main switch coupled with the power source and configured to provide a main pulse such that an output pulse comprises a single pulse with negligible ringing. The pre-pulse may be provided to a load by closing the pre-pulse switch while the main switch is open. The main pulse may be provided to the load by closing the main switch after a delay T.sub.delay after the pre-pulse switch has been opened.

Some embodiments of the invention include a pre-pulse switching system. The pre-pulsing switching system may include: a power source configured to provide a voltage greater than 100 V; a pre-pulse switch coupled with the power source and configured to provide a pre-pulse having a pulse width of T.sub.pp; and a main switch coupled with the power source and configured to provide a main pulse such that an output pulse comprises a single pulse with negligible ringing. The pre-pulse may be provided to a load by closing the pre-pulse switch while the main switch is open. The main pulse may be provided to the load by closing the main switch after a delay T.sub.delay after the pre-pulse switch has been opened.

An output rectifier (10) is disclosed which is electrically connected or connectable in a current path between a power supply (20) and an electrical energy storage module (30). The power supply (20) is configured to supply power to the electrical energy storage module (30) via the output rectifier (10). The output rectifier (10) comprises at least one diode (11, 12, 13, 14) at least in part based on silicon carbide. An arrangement (100) comprising the output rectifier (10) is also disclosed.

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a power module, which may include an inverter circuit employing semiconductor switch dies. In the presence of a failure of a die, which may include an arc from a short, a sensor produces a signal responsive to the failure. The signal initiates an indirect fuse, such as a pyrotechnic element, that opens conductors associated with the die. For example, the die or a related die may be wire bonded to terminals of the module. The indirect element may therefore open the bonds to the terminals to isolate the failed die and/or related dies.

A circuit is operative to extract electromagnetic wave energy from the ground via a resonant transformer in which resonance is triggered by electrical charge arcing across a spark gap. A center tap of the primary winding of the transformer is capacitively coupled to an electrode buried in the ground. In-rush current from the ground electrode is converted to a useful form (e.g., one- or three-phase 60 Hz AC) by a power conversion circuit connected to the secondary winding of the resonant transformer. The ground electrode of the capacitor coupling the grounded electrode to the center tap primary winding is the shield of a Faraday cage enclosing the resonant transformer, spark gap, and a high-voltage power supply exciting the spark gap.

A circuit is operative to extract electromagnetic wave energy from the ground via a resonant transformer in which resonance is triggered by electrical charge arcing across a spark gap. A center tap of the primary winding of the transformer is capacitively coupled to an electrode buried in the ground. In-rush current from the ground electrode is converted to a useful form (e.g., one- or three-phase 60 Hz AC) by a power conversion circuit connected to the secondary winding of the resonant transformer. The ground electrode of the capacitor coupling the grounded electrode to the center tap primary winding is the shield of a Faraday cage enclosing the resonant transformer, spark gap, and a high-voltage power supply exciting the spark gap.

An output rectifier (10) is disclosed which is electrically connected or connectable in a current path between a power supply (20) and an electrical energy storage module (30). The power supply (20) is configured to supply power to the electrical energy storage module (30) via the output rectifier (10). The output rectifier (10) comprises at least one diode (11, 12, 13, 14) at least in part based on silicon carbide. An arrangement (100) comprising the output rectifier (10) is also disclosed.

A high voltage power system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the high voltage power system includes a high voltage pulsing power supply; a transformer electrically coupled with the high voltage pulsing power supply; an output electrically coupled with the transformer and configured to output high voltage pulses with an amplitude greater than 1 kV and a frequency greater than 1 kHz; and a bias compensation circuit arranged in parallel with the output. In some embodiments, the bias compensation circuit can include a blocking diode; and a DC power supply arranged in series with the blocking diode.

A driving system includes a first alternating-current rotary electrical machine and a second alternating-current rotary electrical machine. The driving system includes: a first inverter electrically connected to the first alternating-current rotary electrical machine; a second inverter electrically connected to a first end of each of phase windings constituting the second alternating-current rotary electrical machine; a step-up converter; and a third inverter that is electrically connected to a second end of each of the phase windings and transfers power to a second direct-current power source different from the first direct-current power source to drive the second alternating-current rotary electrical machine. The step-up converter raises an output voltage of the first direct-current power source and outputs the output voltage to the first inverter and the second inverter. The second direct-current power source and the first alternating-current rotary electrical machine are connected by a single connection route.