Patents by Inventor Robert L. Druce

Robert L. Druce has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Light-weight DC to very high voltage DC converter
    Patent number: 5774348
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter capable of generating outputs of 100 KV without a transformer comprises a silicon opening switch (SOS) diode connected to allow a charging current from a capacitor to flow into an inductor. When a specified amount of charge has flowed through the SOS diode, it opens up abruptly; and the consequential collapsing field of the inductor causes a voltage and current reversal that is steered into a load capacitor by an output diode. A switch across the series combination of the capacitor, inductor, and SOS diode closes to periodically reset the SOS diode by inducing a forward-biased current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Robert L. Druce, Hugh C. Kirbie, Mark A. Newton
  • Method and system for making integrated solid-state fire-sets and detonators
    Patent number: 5731538
    Abstract: A slapper detonator comprises a solid-state high-voltage capacitor, a low-jitter dielectric breakdown switch and trigger circuitry, a detonator transmission line, an exploding foil bridge, and a flier material. All these components are fabricated in a single solid-state device using thin film deposition techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dennis W. O'Brien, Robert L. Druce, Gary W. Johnson, George E. Vogtlin, Troy W. Barbee, Jr., Ronald S. Lee