Congratulations Atmasphere!

@timlub 

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the mention, but of course my knowledge of the design is limited to what is said in the patent. And the Abstract at the beginning, supplemented by the figures (especially the first three) seem to me to present a good concise overview.

Regarding your mention of tubes, the figures depict a circlotron output stage that is FET-based, and I suspect that is what Ralph has been developing. I note, though, that the second of the 20 claims broadens the scope of the patent such that it also encompasses tubes as well bipolar transistors when used in a similar configuration.  

Best regards,
-- Al

Well done, Ralph. And thanks, Al,

So, If I understand what Al has written, Ralph has created a symmetrical bridged class D tube amplifier.... Of course, I’m guessing, but I’d love to hear more.

@timlub The tube part isn’t right, but otherwise, yes. Essentially the invention is a Circlotron class D amplifier. Prior to this the prior art was either half-bridge or full-bridge; the former needing two output devices which are arranged in a ’totem-pole’ configuration (and is a fairly simple circuit), the latter being two half bridge circuits driven in opposition. Now there is a third means, the Circlotron, which has more in common with a half bridge circuit except for two important changes: its symmetrical and the output devices are not directly in series with each other. Its the latter bit that is the most interesting, as this essentially reduces shoot-through currents which allows for a circuit with less dead time. In a nutshell its a method of reducing distortion in a class D design.

Congrats Ralph!!!!!!
always fantastic when the frontier is pushed out and up!!!!
best
jim

I expect it will have no issues driving Alexias! :-)
Congratulations.

atmasphere7,779 posts11-25-2019 11:43am

So, If I understand what Al has written, Ralph has created a symmetrical bridged class D tube amplifier.... Of course, I’m guessing, but I’d love to hear more.

@timlub The tube part isn’t right, but otherwise, yes. Essentially the invention is a Circlotron class D amplifier. Prior to this the prior art was either half-bridge or full-bridge; the former needing two output devices which are arranged in a ’totem-pole’ configuration (and is a fairly simple circuit), the latter being two half bridge circuits driven in opposition. Now there is a third means, the Circlotron, which has more in common with a half bridge circuit except for two important changes: its symmetrical and the output devices are not directly in series with each other. Its the latter bit that is the most interesting, as this essentially reduces shoot-through currents which allows for a circuit with less dead time. In a nutshell its a method of reducing distortion in a class D design.