Decicycle magnetic amplifier systems for servo applications

The importance of minimizing time delays in a typical autopilot channel are discussed and the major advantages to be gained in the use of magnetic amplifier systems having responses which are small in comparison with the period of 1 complete cycle of the power supply are described. Magnetic frequency multipliers, magnetic pulse transformers, and transistor pulse generators are discussed, and corresponding circuit schematics which yield frequency multiplication from d-c and single-phase or multiphase a-c supplies are shown. A typical 400-cycle-per-second (cps) decicycle magnetic amplifier system which provides a reversible polarity d-c output is described. A comparison of response time, transfer characteristics, weight, and volume is made with a standard, high-performance 400-cps half-cycle response magnetic amplifier having the same power rating. It is shown that the decicycle magnetic amplifier system yields twice the sensitivity and one-sixth the response time for equivalent power rating and weight.