Patent ID: 8154306
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A method to determine the optimal resistance value of a current-limiting resistor, which optimal resistance value is both sufficient to limit periodic inrush current to prevent component failures in a capacitor-charging circuit utilizing a non-linear power supply and to protect all heat-sensitive or current-sensitive components, yet also not too resistive so as to least degrade power transfer efficiency and thus also lower cooling requirements for the said capacitor-charging circuit, said method comprising: First, determining a minimal resistance value which will ensure that no other component in said capacitor-charging circuit will be jeopardized by excess current, and setting that as the ‘min’ or base test value; Second, determining the greatest resistance value which still allows the capacitor to charge within the time allowed, and setting that as the ‘max’ or highest test value; Third, after respectively selecting for the ‘min’ and ‘max’ test values the closest common power resistor having that resistance, inserting into the interval between the base test value and the highest test value 3 or more approximately logarithmically-chosen, common power resistor values for temperature testing, whereby if the logarithmically-chosen value is not a common power resistor value, the nearest common power resistor value is instead substituted; Fourth, for each chosen, common power resistor value: Finally, selecting the common power resistor with the lowest recorded stable temperature.