US3657600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Auxiliary ionization of dc electric discharge electrode boundary sheaths
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1970-05-18
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Granted: 1972-04-18
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Expires: 1990-05-18
Abstract
Abstract Auxiliary ionization is provided in a DC electric discharge plasma immediately adjacent one or more electrodes, whereby the tendency for streamering or incipient arcing and non uniform attachment of the discharge to electrodes is mitigated. Separate RF electrodes, RF electrodes combined with a DC cathode, separate and combined low voltage DC auxiliary ionization are disclosed. Photon and particle beam ionization are discussed.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter J Wiegand Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:48
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/24; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/02; H01J17/30; H05H1/47; H05H1/477; H05H1/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for producing direct current electric discharge plasma including: electrode means comprising a pair of electrodes; means providing a high voltage direct current electric field across said electrode means; and an ionizable gaseous medium disposed between said electrode means within which the electric discharge plasma is established; wherein the improvement comprises: meaNs establishing continuous auxiliary ionization immediately adjacent one of said electrodes which comprises a plurality of segments, the auxiliary ionization being established between said segments to provide better attachment of the plasma to said one of the electrodes and to reduce incipient arcing in the plasma between said pair of electrodes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for producing direct current electric discharge plasma including: electrode means comprising a pair of electrodes; means providing a high voltage direct current electric field across said electrode means; and an ionizable gaseous medium disposed between said electrode means within which the electric discharge plasma is established; wherein the improvement comprises: meaNs establishing continuous auxiliary ionization immediately adjacent one of said electrodes which comprises a plurality of segments, the auxiliary ionization being established between said segments to provide better attachment of the plasma to said one of the electrodes and to reduce incipient arcing in the plasma between said pair of electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
In direct current electric discharge apparatus including a pair of electrodes for producing a plasma which comprises a positive column of uniform electric field and a sheath region at either end thereof, the method of minimizing streamering and incipient arcing in the plasma and providing a more uniform attachment of the plasma to the electrodes including the steps of: discharging a high voltage direct current across an ionizable gas which is located between the electrodes to produce a cold cathode type discharge having a large cathode fall potential; and providing a continuous source of auxiliary ionization to the sheath region to reduce the cathode fall potential.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
In direct current electric discharge apparatus including a pair of electrodes for producing a plasma which comprises a positive column of uniform electric field and a sheath region at either end thereof, the method of minimizing streamering and incipient arcing in the plasma and providing a more uniform attachment of the plasma to the electrodes including the steps of: discharging a high voltage direct current across an ionizable gas which is located between the electrodes to produce a cold cathode type discharge having a large cathode fall potential; and providing a continuous source of auxiliary ionization to the sheath region to reduce the cathode fall potential.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein a low voltage DC power source is connected across said segments of the electrode means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein an RF coupling means connects an RF power source across said segments of the electrode means, and RF isolation means is included in said high voltage DC electric field providing means for connecting said segments of the electrode means to said high voltage DC electric field providing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein the electrode means is perforated and wherein a plurality of finger electrodes is disposed within the perforations of the electrode means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-18 | 1975-10-18 | 1976-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-18 | 1979-10-18 | 1980-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-18 | 1983-10-18 | 1984-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |