US3631319A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Triggered spark gap device
Assignee: Laser Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1969-10-10
•
Granted: 1971-12-28
•
Expires: 1989-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A triggered spark gap device as disclosed which is adapted to switch exceedingly high values of voltage and current over a large dynamic operating range. The device comprises first and second main electrodes defining a main gap and an auxiliary electrode defining a trigger gap with one of the main electrodes. The auxiliary electrode is electrically isolated from the main electrode as a separate discharge path and means are provided to limit the discharge current therethrough thereby minimizing deterioration of the auxiliary electrode under the influence of high-discharge current. Additionally, the auxiliary electrode is provided with means for preventing induced circulating currents to avoid excessive heating and deterioration thereof. In a preferred embodiment the dynamic range is extended by biasing the auxiliary electrode with reference to one of the main electrodes so that it may be positioned closer to the other main electrode to obtain reliable firing at low-main gap voltage. Additionally, the other main electrode may be provided with an auxiliary electrode for electric field forming to increase the upper limit of the dynamic range.
Inventors
- 👤 David R Matthews
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T2/00; H01T2/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A trigger spark gap device comprising: a first main electrode and a second main electrode in spaced relation and disposed in a gaseous medium, said electrodes defining a gap and being adapted to have a supply voltage applied thereacross, an auxilIary electrode disposed adjacent the first main electrode and defining a trigger gap therewith effectively adjacent said main gap between the main electrodes, resistive means connected between the auxiliary electrode and the first main electrode, and control means connected with the auxiliary electrode for selectively applying a trigger voltage to the auxiliary electrode to initiate ionization of the gaseous medium and produce current flow between the main electrodes under both dynamic and static supply voltage conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A trigger spark gap device comprising: a first main electrode and a second main electrode in spaced relation and disposed in a gaseous medium, said electrodes defining a gap and being adapted to have a supply voltage applied thereacross, an auxilIary electrode disposed adjacent the first main electrode and defining a trigger gap therewith effectively adjacent said main gap between the main electrodes, resistive means connected between the auxiliary electrode and the first main electrode, and control means connected with the auxiliary electrode for selectively applying a trigger voltage to the auxiliary electrode to initiate ionization of the gaseous medium and produce current flow between the main electrodes under both dynamic and static supply voltage conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary electrode is dome-shaped with a central aperture and a slot extending from said aperture to the rim thereof, the auxiliary electrode coaxially surrounding the first main electrode and being radially spaced therefrom by the central aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and including a second auxiliary electrode disposed adjacent the second main electrode and having a central aperture therein in alignment with the main gap between the main electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein the second auxiliary electrode is dome-shaped and has a slot extending from the aperture therein to its rim.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein the second auxiliary electrode is electrically connected to the second main electrode through a resistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the main electrodes are formed of a refractory metal and the auxiliary electrode is formed of a nonrefractory, conductive metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
164 words
A triggered spark gap device comprising: an envelope, a gaseous medium in said envelope, a first main electrode and a second main electrode disposed within said envelope in spaced relation, a supply voltage connected across the main electrodes, a dome-shaped auxiliary electrode having an aperture at the center thereof and being disposed surroundingly adjacent the first main electrode with the aperture opposite the first main electrode and defining a discharge path between the main electrodes, the auxiliary electrode being supported relative to said first main electrode by a support member of insulating material, an electrical resistor connected between said auxiliary electrode and the first main electrode, the auxiliary electrode and the first main electrode defining a trigger gap adjacent said discharge path, and conductive control means extending through said envelope and connected with the auxiliary electrode for controlling the voltage differential between the auxiliary electrode and the first main electrode substantially independently of the supply voltage thereby to control the initiation of discharge therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
164 words
A triggered spark gap device comprising: an envelope, a gaseous medium in said envelope, a first main electrode and a second main electrode disposed within said envelope in spaced relation, a supply voltage connected across the main electrodes, a dome-shaped auxiliary electrode having an aperture at the center thereof and being disposed surroundingly adjacent the first main electrode with the aperture opposite the first main electrode and defining a discharge path between the main electrodes, the auxiliary electrode being supported relative to said first main electrode by a support member of insulating material, an electrical resistor connected between said auxiliary electrode and the first main electrode, the auxiliary electrode and the first main electrode defining a trigger gap adjacent said discharge path, and conductive control means extending through said envelope and connected with the auxiliary electrode for controlling the voltage differential between the auxiliary electrode and the first main electrode substantially independently of the supply voltage thereby to control the initiation of discharge therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said support means comprises an insulating plate extending between the rim of the auxiliary electrode and the first main electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said auxiliary electrode includes a slot extending from said aperture to said rim.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein the first main electrode is supported on an axially movable terminal post to adjust the length of the discharge path and wherein said conductive means includes a spring-loaded plunger engaging the rim of the auxiliary electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 including a second dome-shaped auxiliary electrode having an aperture centrally located therein and being disposed adjacent the second main electrode with the aperture aligned with the discharge path between the main electrodes, the second auxiliary electrode being supported relative to the second
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
118 words
A triggered spark gap device comprising: a first main electrode and a second main electrode in spaced relation and disposed in a gaseous medium, said electrodes defining a main gap and being connected with a supply voltage source, an auxiliary electrode disposed intermediate said main electrodes and defining a trigger gap with one of the main electrodes, bias means connected between said auxiliary electrode And said one of main electrodes for establishing a potential gradient between the auxiliary electrode and said one of the main electrodes under static voltage source conditions for controlling the initiation of discharge current between the main electrodes, and trigger voltage supply means connected between said auxiliary electrode and one of said main electrodes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
118 words
A triggered spark gap device comprising: a first main electrode and a second main electrode in spaced relation and disposed in a gaseous medium, said electrodes defining a main gap and being connected with a supply voltage source, an auxiliary electrode disposed intermediate said main electrodes and defining a trigger gap with one of the main electrodes, bias means connected between said auxiliary electrode And said one of main electrodes for establishing a potential gradient between the auxiliary electrode and said one of the main electrodes under static voltage source conditions for controlling the initiation of discharge current between the main electrodes, and trigger voltage supply means connected between said auxiliary electrode and one of said main electrodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said bias means includes a resistor connected between said auxiliary electrode and said one of main electrodes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said bias means also includes a voltage divider network connected across the supply voltage and variable voltage selection means connected between the voltage divider and the auxiliary electrode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said auxiliary electrode is dome-shaped with a central aperture aligned with said main gap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein a second auxiliary electrode is disposed adjacent the other of said main electrodes and is dome-shaped with a central aperture therein aligned with said main gap and is electrically connected thereto through a resistor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 16 wherein at least one of said auxiliary electrodes has a slot extending from the aperture therein to its rim.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 including a housing for supporting the first and second main electrode and adjuster means supporting at least one of said main electrodes relative to the housing to permit variation in the axial spacing between said main electrodes, thus, to vary the length of the main gap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2820142A
Cited
US3328632A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |