Abstract: An apparatus including direct-current (DC)-alternating-current (AC) inverter circuitry, first and second circuits, and output circuitry. The DC-AC inverter circuitry inverts a DC input signal corresponding to an input voltage to an AC signal. The first circuit and second circuits respectively include inductive isolation circuits driven in response to power from the at least one AC signal, and rectifier circuits that responds to the inductive isolation circuits by outputting first and second rectified signals, where at least one of the first and second rectifier circuits characterized as being limited by a voltage breakdown rating. The output circuitry provides a DC output voltage signal and to cascade a plurality of signals, including the first and second rectified signals, to provide a voltage source that is dependent on the first and second rectified signals and greater than voltage breakdown rating.

Abstract: According to certain aspects, an electric-propulsion thruster is used as part of a base or platform which also includes a power converter, having a plurality of inductors and other electrical components, and a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB includes a layer at which the other electrical components and printed circuit inductor traces, for the plurality of inductors, are secured. The electric-propulsion thruster includes a housing (e.g., as part of the base or platform) providing a cavity and having at least one structurally-rigid side wall along the cavity, where the PCB is integrated with the electric-propulsion thruster for a compact arrangement which can be used to propel the apparatus. Such a compact design might be used as an important part of thruster spacecraft architecture such as micro-satellites (e.g., CubeSats).

Abstract: An apparatus including direct-current (DC)-alternating-current (AC) inverter circuitry, first and second circuits, and output circuitry. The DC-AC inverter circuitry inverts a DC input signal corresponding to an input voltage to an AC signal. The first circuit and second circuits respectively include inductive isolation circuits driven in response to power from the at least one AC signal, and rectifier circuits that responds to the inductive isolation circuits by outputting first and second rectified signals, where at least one of the first and second rectifier circuits characterized as being limited by a voltage breakdown rating. The output circuitry provides a DC output voltage signal and to cascade a plurality of signals, including the first and second rectified signals, to provide a voltage source that is dependent on the first and second rectified signals and greater than voltage breakdown rating.

Abstract: An apparatus including direct-current (DC)-alternating-current (AC) inverter circuitry, first and second circuits, and output circuitry. The DC-AC inverter circuitry inverts a DC input signal corresponding to an input voltage to an AC signal. The first circuit and second circuits respectively include inductive isolation circuits driven in response to power from the at least one AC signal, and rectifier circuits that responds to the inductive isolation circuits by outputting first and second rectified signals, where at least one of the first and second rectifier circuits characterized as being limited by a voltage breakdown rating. The output circuitry provides a DC output voltage signal and to cascade a plurality of signals, including the first and second rectified signals, to provide a voltage source that is dependent on the first and second rectified signals and greater than voltage breakdown rating.

Abstract: Precision fabrication of 3D objects is used for fabricating passive electrical components. A 3D scaffold is fabricated and then electrically conductive and/or insulating layers are deposited on the scaffold to form the electrical component.

Abstract: A resonant DC-DC converter for generating high voltage MHz bi-polar DC pulses includes a left multi-level resonant rectifier bank [100] connected to a positive electrode [104] and coupled via capacitive isolation to a left RF amplifier terminal [128]; a right multi-level resonant rectifier bank [102] connected to a negative electrode [106] and coupled via capacitive isolation to a right RF amplifier terminal [130]. Each multi-level resonant rectifier bank comprises multiple resonant rectifier stages [112-122], where each stage comprises two capacitors for capacitively isolating the stage, an output capacitor, a MOSFET switch connected to an adjacent MOSFET switch of an adjacent stage, and a gating resonant circuit connected to the MOSFET switch, whereby MOSFET switches in the banks can be passively controlled by RF signals from a left RF amplifier and a right RF amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus including direct-current (DC)-alternating-current (AC) inverter circuitry, first and second circuits, and output circuitry. The DC-AC inverter circuitry inverts a DC input signal corresponding to an input voltage to an AC signal. The first circuit and second circuits respectively include inductive isolation circuits driven in response to power from the at least one AC signal, and rectifier circuits that responds to the inductive isolation circuits by outputting first and second rectified signals, where at least one of the first and second rectifier circuits characterized as being limited by a voltage breakdown rating. The output circuitry provides a DC output voltage signal and to cascade a plurality of signals, including the first and second rectified signals, to provide a voltage source that is dependent on the first and second rectified signals and greater than voltage breakdown rating.

Abstract: According to certain aspects, an electric-propulsion thruster is used as part of a base or platform which also includes a power converter, having a plurality of inductors and other electrical components, and a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB includes a layer at which the other electrical components and printed circuit inductor traces, for the plurality of inductors, are secured. The electric-propulsion thruster includes a housing (e.g., as part of the base or platform) providing a cavity and having at least one structurally-rigid side wall along the cavity, where the PCB is integrated with the electric-propulsion thruster for a compact arrangement which can be used to propel the apparatus. Such a compact design might be used as an important part of thruster spacecraft architecture such as micro-satellites (e.g., CubeSats).

Abstract: Resonant power converters that replace the conventional impedance matching stage with series or parallel connections between resonant inverters and resonant rectifiers are provided. Two or more resonant rectifiers can be connected in series or in parallel to the resonant inverter to provide impedance matching. Similarly, two or more resonant inverters can be connected in series or in parallel to the resonant rectifier to provide impedance matching. Electrical isolation of DC voltage between input and output is provided using only capacitors.

Abstract: A resonant DC-DC converter for generating high voltage MHz bi-polar DC pulses includes a left multi-level resonant rectifier bank [100] connected to a positive electrode [104] and coupled via capacitive isolation to a left RF amplifier terminal [128]; a right multi-level resonant rectifier bank [102] connected to a negative electrode [106] and coupled via capacitive isolation to a right RF amplifier terminal [130]. Each multi-level resonant rectifier bank comprises multiple resonant rectifier stages [112-122], where each stage comprises two capacitors for capacitively isolating the stage, an output capacitor, a MOSFET switch connected to an adjacent MOSFET switch of an adjacent stage, and a gating resonant circuit connected to the MOSFET switch, whereby MOSFET switches in the banks can be passively controlled by RF signals from a left RF amplifier and a right RF amplifier.

Abstract: Resonant power converters that replace the conventional impedance matching stage with series or parallel connections between resonant inverters and resonant rectifiers are provided. Two or more resonant rectifiers can be connected in series or in parallel to the resonant inverter to provide impedance matching. Similarly, two or more resonant inverters can be connected in series or in parallel to the resonant rectifier to provide impedance matching. Electrical isolation of DC voltage between input and output is provided using only capacitors.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a flow of reactive gas for decontaminating a material, surface or area, comprises a first electrode member comprising a first plurality of conductive surfaces and a second electrode member comprising a second plurality of conductive surfaces. The second electrode member is arranged in spaced relationship with the first electrode member to define a reactor channel. The conductive surfaces are exposed to the reactor channel so as to form air gaps between the first plurality of conductive surfaces and the second plurality of conductive surfaces. An air blower generates a flow of air through the reactor channel.

Abstract: Resonant power converters that replace the conventional impedance matching stage with series or parallel connections between resonant inverters and resonant rectifiers are provided. Two or more resonant rectifiers can be connected in series or in parallel to the resonant inverter to provide impedance matching. Similarly, two or more resonant inverters can be connected in series or in parallel to the resonant rectifier to provide impedance matching. Electrical isolation of DC voltage between input and output is provided using only capacitors.

Abstract: Precision fabrication of 3D objects is used for fabricating passive electrical components. A 3D scaffold is fabricated and then electrically conductive and/or insulating layers are deposited on the scaffold to form the electrical component.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a flow of reactive gas for decontaminating a material, surface or area, comprises a first electrode member comprising a first plurality of conductive surfaces and a second electrode member comprising a second plurality of conductive surfaces. The second electrode member is arranged in spaced relationship with the first electrode member to define a reactor channel. The conductive surfaces are exposed to the reactor channel so as to form air gaps between the first plurality of conductive surfaces and the second plurality of conductive surfaces. An air blower generates a flow of air through the reactor channel.

Abstract: Resonant power converters that replace the conventional impedance matching stage with series or parallel connections between resonant inverters and resonant rectifiers are provided. Two or more resonant rectifiers can be connected in series or in parallel to the resonant inverter to provide impedance matching. Similarly, two or more resonant inverters can be connected in series or in parallel to the resonant rectifier to provide impedance matching. Electrical isolation of DC voltage between input and output is provided using only capacitors.