Patent US3798502A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3798502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Planar gas discharge shift register
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1972-12-26
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-12-26
Abstract
Abstract Planar d.c. gas discharge shift registers are disclosed which comprise a single cathode and two sets of anodes to which voltages are applied in alternate clock phases. The shaping of the electrodes allows a glow discharge to be propagated unidirectionally down the shift register as the clock voltages are applied. The cathodes are of planar geometry and are disposed upon a planar substrate. In one embodiment both sets of anodes are on one side of the cathode, while in another configuration the two sets of anodes enclose the cathode. Another alternate embodiment features two sets of cathodes enclosing respective anodes. A ''''write'''' anode is also provided to initiate the flow discharge at one end of the shift register.
Inventors
- 👤 Tuan Ngo P Dinh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/38; H01J17/48; H01J17/49; H01J17/492; H01J17/494; H01J17/491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
Apparatus for propagating a gas discharge glow spot in accordance with first and second clock signals of alternate first and second phases, comprising: a planar substrate, a substantially planar electrode of a first polarity disposed in the plane of said substrate, first and second interconnected groups of substantially planar electrodes of a second polarity disposed adjacent said electrode of a first polarity, one of the electrodes of a second polarity of said first group being located between each pair of successive electrodes of a second polarity of said second group, and one of the electrodes of a second polarity of said second group being located between each pair of successive electrodes of a second polarity of said first group, each of said electrodes of a second polarity of said first and second groups having a pickup tip and a stable discharge tip, means for initiating a glow discharge, means for applying said first clock signal to said first group of electrodes of a second polarity in said first phase, and means for applying said second clock signal to said second group of electrodes of a second polarity in said second phase, so as to transfer said glow discharge along said electrode of a first polarity between regions of said electrode of a first polarity adjacent the stable discharge tips of successive ones of said electrodes of a second polarity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
Apparatus for propagating a gas discharge glow spot in accordance with first and second clock signals of alternate first and second phases, comprising: a planar substrate, a substantially planar electrode of a first polarity disposed in the plane of said substrate, first and second interconnected groups of substantially planar electrodes of a second polarity disposed adjacent said electrode of a first polarity, one of the electrodes of a second polarity of said first group being located between each pair of successive electrodes of a second polarity of said second group, and one of the electrodes of a second polarity of said second group being located between each pair of successive electrodes of a second polarity of said first group, each of said electrodes of a second polarity of said first and second groups having a pickup tip and a stable discharge tip, means for initiating a glow discharge, means for applying said first clock signal to said first group of electrodes of a second polarity in said first phase, and means for applying said second clock signal to said second group of electrodes of a second polarity in said second phase, so as to transfer said glow discharge along said electrode of a first polarity between regions of said electrode of a first polarity adjacent the stable discharge tips of successive ones of said electrodes of a second polarity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrode of a first polarity comprises a cathode, wherein said electrodes of a second polarity comprises anodes, wherein said cathode is maintained at a fixed potential, and wherein said first and second clock signals are positive with respect to said fixed potential.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pickup tips of said electrodes of a second polarity are spaced apart from said electrode of a first poLarity a distance greater than the distance said stable discharge tips of said electrodes of a second polarity are spaced apart from said electrode of a first polarity so that a higher field strength is created between said stable discharge tips and said electrode of a first polarity than is created between said pickup tips and said electrode of a first polarity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said planar electrodes of a second polarity are disposed along a single side of said electrode of a first polarity, each of said electrodes of a second polarity being congruent upon translation with each of the remaining electrodes of a second polarity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second groups of planar electrodes of a second polarity are disposed along opposite sides of said electrode of a first polarity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for initiating a glow discharge comprises a write electrode positioned adjacent the pickup tip of a first one of the electrodes of said first interconnected group.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a substantially flat envelope enclosing said substrate and all of said electrodes, for confining therein a gas atmosphere susceptible of electrical breakdown.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one raised dielectric layer positioned on said substrate between said electrode of a first polarity and each of said first and second groups of electrodes of a second polarity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for propagating a gaseous discharge comprising a substantially planar substrate; interleaved first and second pluralities of metallization paths positioned on said substrate; a unitary metallization path positioned on said substrate in spaced-apart relation to each of said paths in said first and second pluralities of metallization paths, each of said paths in said first and second pluralities having both a region defining a stable discharge location between that path and said unitary metallization path and a region defining an unstable discharge location adjacent said stable discharge location; means for alternately creating a potential difference between said first plurality of paths and said unitary path, and between said second plurality of paths and said unitary path, so that a gaseous discharge present in a stable discharge location between one path in said first or second plurality and said unitary path is caused to propagate to successive unstable and stable discharge locations along a path defined by reference to said unitary path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for propagating a gaseous discharge comprising a substantially planar substrate; interleaved first and second pluralities of metallization paths positioned on said substrate; a unitary metallization path positioned on said substrate in spaced-apart relation to each of said paths in said first and second pluralities of metallization paths, each of said paths in said first and second pluralities having both a region defining a stable discharge location between that path and said unitary metallization path and a region defining an unstable discharge location adjacent said stable discharge location; means for alternately creating a potential difference between said first plurality of paths and said unitary path, and between said second plurality of paths and said unitary path, so that a gaseous discharge present in a stable discharge location between one path in said first or second plurality and said unitary path is caused to propagate to successive unstable and stable discharge locations along a path defined by reference to said unitary path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first and second pluralities of metallization paths are disposed along opposite sides of said unitary metallization path, each of said paths in said first plurality defining said stable and unstable discharge locations being directly opposite regions of said paths in said second plurality defining said unstable and stable discharge locations, respectively.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising an additional metallization path located adjacent one of said unstable discharge locations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said unitary path is formed so as to be closer to said first and second pluralities of paths at said stable locations than at said unstable locations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a dielectric path on said substrate between said unitary path and said first and second pluralities of paths.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising dielectric means intermediate each of said metallization paths and said substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for alternately creating a potential difference comprises first and second pulse generators and means for alternating applying said first and second pulse generators between said unitary metallization path and said first and second pluralities of metallization paths, respectively.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 further comprisinG a common resistor interconnecting said unitary path and said first and second pulse sources.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3466498A
Cited
US3648093A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |