Three electrode spark gap apparatus

Claim 2

A three electrode spark gap comprising: an air-tight enclosure comprised of a tube having a first base mounted at one end of said tube and a second base mounted at the other end of said tube to form said enclosure, said tube having a central axis and an inside radial cross-sectional area A4, said inside surface of said tube spaced from said central axis a minimum radial distance R4; an ionizable atmosphere contained in said enclosure; a first electrode mounted on said first base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said free end portion of said first electrode including an arc discharge surface area A1, said surface terminating from said central axis a maximum radial distance R1, which is less than R4 and wherein the ratio R4/R1 is greater than 4; a second electrode mounted on said second base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said free end portion of said second electrode including an arc discharge surface area A2 which is spaced from and faces the arc discharge surface of said first electrode, which is less than A1, and which terminates a maximum radial distance R2 from said central axis which is less than R1, said second electrode electrically isolated from said first electrode; and a third tubular electrode mounted on said second base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said third tubular electrode electrically isolated from said first and second electrodes and mounted concentric with said second electrode, said free end portion of said third electrode including an arc discharge surface area A3 which is spaced from and faces the arc discharge surface of said first electrode and which terminates a maximum radial distance R3 from said central axis which is greater than R2, and wherein the ratio R4/R3 is greater than 4.

Claim 3

A three electrode spark gap comprising: an air-tight enclosure comprised of a tube having a first base mounted at one end of said tube and a second base mounted at the other end of said tube to form said enclosure, said tube having a central axis and an inside radial cross-sectional area A4, said inside surface of said tube spaced from said central axis a minimum radial distance R4; an ionizable atmosphere contained in said enclosure; a first electrode mounted on said first base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said free end portion of said first electrode including an arc discharge surface area A1, said surface terminating from said central axis a maximum radial distance R1, which is less than R4 and wherein the ratio R4/R1 is greater than 4; a second electrode mounted on said second base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said free end portion of said second electrode including an arc discharge surface area A2 which is spaced from and faces the arc discharge surface of said first electrode, which is less than A1, and which terminates a maximum radial distance R2 from said central axis which is less than R1, said second electrode electrically isolated from said first electrode; and a third tubular electrode mounted on said second base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said third tubular electrode electrically isolated from said first and second electrodes and mounted concentric with said second electrode, said free end portion of said third electrode including an arc discharge surface area A3 which is spaced from and faces the arc discharge surface of said first electrode and which terminates a maximum radial distance R3 from said central axis which is greater than R2, and wherein the ratio R4/R3 is greater than 4.

Claim 4

A three electrode spark gap comprising: an air-tight enclosure comprised of a tube having a first base mounted at one end of said tube and a second base mounted at the other end of said tube to form said enclosure, said tube having a central axis and an inside radial cross-sectional area A4, said inside surface of said tube spaced from said central axis a minimum radial distance R4; an ionizable atmosphere contained in said enclosure; a first electrode mounted on said first base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said free end portion of said first electrode including an arc discharge surface area A1, said surface terminating from said central axis a maximum radial distance R1, which is less than R4 and wherein the ratio R4/R1 is greater than 4; a second electrode mounted on said second base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said free end portion of said second electrode including an arc discharge surface area A2 which is spaced from and faces the arc discharge surface of said first electrode, which is less than A1, and which terminates a maximum radial distance R2 from said central axis which is less than R1, said second electrode electrically isolated from said first electrode; and a third tubular electrode mounted on said second base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said third tubular electrode electrically isolated from said first and second electrodes and mounted concentric with said second electrode, said free end portion of said third electrode including an arc discharge surface area A3 which is spaced from and faces the arc discharge surface of said first electrode and which terminates a maximum radial distance R3 from said central axis which is greater than R2, and wherein the ratio R4/R3 is greater than 4.

Claim 5

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 1 wherein the surface area A3 terminates a maximum radial distance R3 from said central axis which is greater than R1.

Claim 6

The three electrode spark gap is recited in claim 2 wherein the surface area A3 is greater than the surface area A2.

Claim 7

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 1 wherein the arc discharge surface of said third electrode is sPaced further from the arc discharge surface of said first electrode than said second arc discharge surface.

Claim 8

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 2 wherein the arc discharge surface of said third electrode is spaced further from the arc discharge surface of said first electrode than said second arc discharge surface.

Claim 9

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 3 wherein the arc discharge surface of said third electrode is spaced further from the arc discharge surface of said first electrode than said second arc discharge surface.

Claim 10

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 1 wherein said airtight enclosure includes: means for spacing said first and second bases from each other a predetermined distance, said spacing means comprised of a heat resistant transparent tube whereby the occurrence of an electric arc between the arc discharge surfaces can be observed.

Claim 11

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 2 wherein said airtight enclosure includes: means for spacing said first and second bases from each other a predetermined distance, said spacing means comprised of a heat resistant transparent tube whereby the occurrence of an electric arc between the arc discharge surfaces can be observed.

Claim 12

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 3 wherein said airtight enclosure includes: means for spacing said first and second bases from each other a predetermined distance, said spacing means comprised of a heat resistant transparent tube whereby the occurrence of an electric arc between the arc discharge surfaces can be observed.

Claim 13

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 4 wherein said airtight enclosure includes: means for spacing said first and second bases from each other a predetermined distance, said spacing means comprised of a heat resistant transparent tube whereby the occurrence of an electric arc between the arc discharge surfaces can be observed.

Claim 14

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 5 wherein said airtight enclosure includes: means for spacing said first and second bases from each other a predetermined distance, said spacing means comprised of a heat resistant transparent tube whereby the occurrence of an electric arc between the arc discharge surfaces can be observed.

Claim 15

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 6 wherein said airtight enclosure includes: means for spacing said first and second bases from each other a predetermined distance, said spacing means comprised of a heat resistant transparent tube whereby the occurrence of an electric arc between the arc discharge surfaces can be observed.

Claim 16

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 1 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 17

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 2 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 18

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 3 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 19

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 4 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 20

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 5 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 21

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 6 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 22

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 7 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 23

A three electrodE spark gap as recited in claim 8 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 24

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 9 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 25

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 10 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 26

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 11 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 27

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 12 wherein the pressure in said enclosure is less than 750 X 10 3 torr and includes a mixture of hydrogen and Argon.

Claim 28

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 1 wherein said arc discharge surfaces of said second and third electrodes are comprised of different materials and said first and third electrodes are comprised of the same materials.

Claim 29

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 2 wherein said arc discharge surfaces of said second and third electrodes are comprised of different materials and said first and third electrodes are comprised of the same materials.

Claim 30

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 3 wherein said arc discharge surfaces of said second and third electrodes are comprised of different materials and said first and third electrodes are comprised of the same materials.

Claim 31

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 4 wherein said arc discharge surfaces of said second and third electrodes are comprised of different materials and said first and third electrodes are comprised of the same materials.

Claim 32

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 7 wherein said arc discharge surfaces of said second and third electrodes are comprised of different materials and said first and third electrodes are comprised of the same materials.

Claim 33

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 8 wherein said arc discharge surfaces of said second and third electrodes are comprised of different materials and said first and third electrodes are comprised of the same materials.

Claim 34

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 9 wherein said arc discharge surfaces of said second and third electrodes are comprised of different materials and said first and third electrodes are comprised of the same materials.

Claim 35

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 13 wherein said arc discharge surfaces of said second and third electrodes are comprised of different materials and said first and third electrodes are comprised of the same materials.

Claim 36

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 14 wherein said arc discharge surfaces of said second and third electrodes are comprised of different materials and said first and third electrodes are comprised of the same materials.

Claim 37

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 15 wherein said arc discharge surfaces of said second and third electrodes are comprised of different materials and said first and third electrodes are comprised of the same materials.

Claim 38

A three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 16 wherein said arc discharge surfaces of said second and third electrodes are comprised of different materials and said first and third electrodes are comprised of the same materials.

Claim 39

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 1 wherein the first base and second base of said enclosure are comprised of a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the range of 50 X 10 6 to 0.5 X 10 6 so that glass may be sealed to said bases without cracking.

Claim 40

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 7 wherein the first base and second base of said enclosure are comprised of a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the range of 50 X 10 6 to 0.5 X 10 6 so that glass may be sealed to said bases without cracking.

Claim 41

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 8 wherein the first base and second base of said enclosure are comprised of a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the range of 50 X 10 6 to 0.5 X 10 6 so that glass may be sealed to said bases without cracking.

Claim 42

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 9 wherein the first base and second base of said enclosure are comprised of a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the range of 50 X 10 6 to 0.5 X 10 6 so that glass may be sealed to said bases without cracking.

Claim 43

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 10 wherein the first base and second base of said enclosure are comprised of a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the range of 50 X 10 6 to 0.5 X 10 6 so that glass may be sealed to said bases without cracking.

Claim 44

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 11 wherein the first base and second base of said enclosure are comprised of a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the range of 50 X 10 6 to 0.5 X 10 6 so that glass may be sealed to said bases without cracking.

Claim 45

The three electrode spark gap as recited in claim 12 wherein the first base and second base of said enclosure are comprised of a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the range of 50 X 10 6 to 0.5 X 10 6 so that glass may be sealed to said bases without cracking.

Claim 46

A three electrode spark gap comprising: an air-tight enclosure comprised of a glass tube having a first base mounted at one end of said tube and a second base mounted at the other end of said tube to form said enclosure, said first base and said second base having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the range of 50 X 10 6, to 0.5 X 10 6, said tube having a central axis and an inside radial cross-sectional area A4, said inside surface of said tube spaced from said central axis a radial distance R4; an ionizable atmosphere that includes Argon contained in said enclosure, said pressure within said enclosure less than 750 X 10 3 torr; a first elongated electrode mounted on said first base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said free end portion of said first electrode including an arc discharge surface having a cross-sectional area A1, said surface terminating from said central axis a radial distance R1 which is less than R4, and wherein said ratio R4/R1 is greater than 4 and the ratio A4/A1 is greater than 3; a second elongated electrode mounted on said second base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said free end portion of said second electrode including an arc discharge surface which is spaced from and faces the arc discharge surfaces of said first electrode and which has a cross-sectional area A2, which is less than A1, and which terminates a radial distance R2 from said central axis which is less than R1, said second electrode electrically isolated from said first electrode; and a third tubular electrode mounted on said second base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said third tubular electrode electrically isolated from said first and second electrodes and mounted concentric with said second electrode, said free end portion of said third electrode including an arc discharge surface which is spaced from and faces the arc discharge surface of said first electrode and which has a cross-sectional area A3 which is greater than A2, less than 1, and terminates a radial distancE R3 from said central axis which is greater than R1, and wherein the ratio R4/R3 is greater than 4.

Claim 47

A three electrode spark gap comprising: an air-tight enclosure comprised of a glass tube having a first base mounted at one end of said tube and a second base mounted at the other end of said tube to form said enclosure, said first base and said second base having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the range of 50 X 10 6, to 0.5 X 10 6, said tube having a central axis and an inside radial cross-sectional area A4, said inside surface of said tube spaced from said central axis a radial distance R4; an ionizable atmosphere that includes Argon contained in said enclosure, said pressure within said enclosure less than 750 X 10 3 torr; a first elongated electrode mounted on said first base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said free end portion of said first electrode including an arc discharge surface having a cross-sectional area A1, said surface terminating from said central axis a radial distance R1 which is less than R4, and wherein said ratio R4/R1 is greater than 4 and the ratio A4/A1 is greater than 3; a second elongated electrode mounted on said second base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said free end portion of said second electrode including an arc discharge surface which is spaced from and faces the arc discharge surfaces of said first electrode and which has a cross-sectional area A2, which is less than A1, and which terminates a radial distance R2 from said central axis which is less than R1, said second electrode electrically isolated from said first electrode; and a third tubular electrode mounted on said second base and extending into said enclosure along said central axis, said third tubular electrode electrically isolated from said first and second electrodes and mounted concentric with said second electrode, said free end portion of said third electrode including an arc discharge surface which is spaced from and faces the arc discharge surface of said first electrode and which has a cross-sectional area A3 which is greater than A2, less than 1, and terminates a radial distancE R3 from said central axis which is greater than R1, and wherein the ratio R4/R3 is greater than 4.