US3828219A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage surge dissipator
Assignee: AMERICAN PLASTICRAFT Co
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Filing: 1972-09-07
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1992-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A transient voltage surge dissipating assembly for dissipating surges of high voltage electrical energy occuring at the terminal pins of an electron tube. The apparatus has a precisely formed air dielectric spark gap defined between an electrical connector coupled to a terminal pin of the electron tube and ground such that any over-voltage surges occurring at the terminal pins are precluded from arcing to an adjacent terminal pin, but are dissipated to ground through the spark gap assembly. The apparatus is adapted to be coupled to any individual terminal pin of an electron tube to provide protection to the tube and associated circuitry. Arcing between the terminal pins and any components is thereby eliminated preventing damage to the tube or associated electronic components.
Inventors
- 👤 C Dumas
- 👤 S Simovits
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T4/00; H01T4/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for dissipating transient high voltage surges occurring at the terminal pins of an electron tube and adapted to be electrically coupled to a terminal pin without electrically modifying the circuitry associated therewith comprising support means for positioning a spark gap assembly adjacent a terminal pin having electrical connections thereto, said spark gap assembly including a coupling electrode for electrically coupling said spark gap assembly to a terminal pin of an electron tube without altering the electrical connections thereto and an electrically grounded electrode spaced a predetermined distance from said coupling electrode with a replenishable dielectric therebetween such that voltages occurring at said terminal pin exceeding a predetermined level will cause an arc to occur between said electrodes dissipating said voltage to ground, said spark gap assembly further including means for exhausting the dielectric after arcing to replenish the dielectric therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for dissipating transient high voltage surges occurring at the terminal pins of an electron tube and adapted to be electrically coupled to a terminal pin without electrically modifying the circuitry associated therewith comprising support means for positioning a spark gap assembly adjacent a terminal pin having electrical connections thereto, said spark gap assembly including a coupling electrode for electrically coupling said spark gap assembly to a terminal pin of an electron tube without altering the electrical connections thereto and an electrically grounded electrode spaced a predetermined distance from said coupling electrode with a replenishable dielectric therebetween such that voltages occurring at said terminal pin exceeding a predetermined level will cause an arc to occur between said electrodes dissipating said voltage to ground, said spark gap assembly further including means for exhausting the dielectric after arcing to replenish the dielectric therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gap assembly includes cover means enclosing a portion of said coupling electrode and said grounded electrode and the predetermined space therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a support ring encircling the base portion of the electron tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coupling electrode includes an opening in one end thereof for receiving a terminal pin of an electron tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said opening in one end of said coupling electrode is completely encircled to coaxially receive a terminal pin in male-female relationship.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said opening in one end of said coupling electrode extends through the outer periphery thereof to facilitate connection of said electrode to a terminal pin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cover means is formed with a vent hole to exhaust gases formed during arcing between said electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cover means includes a plurality of caps each having a latch for removably securing said caps in a position to enclose the spacial distance between said electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grounded electrode includes an opening in one end thereof for connection to ground establishing means for dissipating voltage surges.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said support ring includes a depending portion carrying said electrodes in fixed spacial relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 10 including a pair of caps hingedly supported from said depending poRtion, and each of said caps having latch means for removably securing said caps to said depending portion enclosing a portion of said electrodes and the space therebetween.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said caps are hingedly supported from opposed sides of said depending portion, and each of said caps is formed with a vent hole to exhaust gases formed during arcing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said coupling electrode and said grounded electrode are coplanar and fixedly carried within said depending portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
143 words
A high voltage surge dissipating apparatus for protecting electron tubes connected to an electrical system from voltage transients without electrically altering the electrical system to couple the surge dissipating apparatus to the electron tube comprising a coupling electrode and a grounded electrode fixedly spaced a predetermined distance apart including a replenishable air dielectric insulator therebetween, said coupling electrode having a portion forming an electrical contact with a terminal pin of an electron tube for electrically coupling said electrode to said terminal pin without electrically altering the electrical system connected thereto such that high voltage transients occurring at said terminal pin will cause an electrical arc between said electrodes across said air dielectric insulator dissipating said voltage transients to ground, and exhaust means in communication with the air dielectric to exhaust the air dielectric after arcing to replenish the air dielectric between the electrodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
A high voltage surge dissipating apparatus for protecting electron tubes connected to an electrical system from voltage transients without electrically altering the electrical system to couple the surge dissipating apparatus to the electron tube comprising a coupling electrode and a grounded electrode fixedly spaced a predetermined distance apart including a replenishable air dielectric insulator therebetween, said coupling electrode having a portion forming an electrical contact with a terminal pin of an electron tube for electrically coupling said electrode to said terminal pin without electrically altering the electrical system connected thereto such that high voltage transients occurring at said terminal pin will cause an electrical arc between said electrodes across said air dielectric insulator dissipating said voltage transients to ground, and exhaust means in communication with the air dielectric to exhaust the air dielectric after arcing to replenish the air dielectric between the electrodes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for dissipating transient high voltage surges occurring at the terminal pins of an electron tube comprising support means adapted to be carried by the base portion of an electron tube adjacent the terminal pins thereof, arc chamber means carried by said support means and extending transversely to the terminal pins of the electron tube, said arc chamber means including an electrode for coupling to a terminal of the electron tube and an electrode for coupling to ground, and said electrodes carried by said arc chamber means being spaced apart and including a replenishable air dielectric having a predetermined break-over voltage to effect an arc therebetween, said arc chamber means further including means for exhausting the air dielectric after arcing to replenish the air dielectric therebetween.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for dissipating transient high voltage surges occurring at the terminal pins of an electron tube comprising support means adapted to be carried by the base portion of an electron tube adjacent the terminal pins thereof, arc chamber means carried by said support means and extending transversely to the terminal pins of the electron tube, said arc chamber means including an electrode for coupling to a terminal of the electron tube and an electrode for coupling to ground, and said electrodes carried by said arc chamber means being spaced apart and including a replenishable air dielectric having a predetermined break-over voltage to effect an arc therebetween, said arc chamber means further including means for exhausting the air dielectric after arcing to replenish the air dielectric therebetween.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 15 including a cap having resilient leg portions for receiving said arc chamber means and removably securing said cap thereto to enclose a portion of said electrodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said cap is formed with a vent hole to exhaust gases formed during arcing and the side of said arc chamber means opposite said cap is closed and formed with a vent hole.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein securing said cap to said arc chamber means fixedly locates the spacial distance between said electrodes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said arc chamber means includes a depending portion forming an abutment to prevent said cap from being accidentally removed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said electrodes are fixedly secured within said depending portion of said support ring.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said electrodes are formed with shoulder portions for fixedly positioning said electrodes in spaced relationship.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said electrodes are formed with a downwardly extending portion operably connected to said depending portion of said support ring for fixedly positioning said electrodes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein a portion of each of said electrodes is molded within said arc chamber means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further including a cover cap slidably positionable about said depending portion carrying said electrodes to enclose portion of said spark gap assembly.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said cap is formed with a vent to exhaust gases formed during arciNg.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said depending portion includes abutment means for preventing said cover cap from being accidentally removed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said cover cap is domed to prevent heat generated during an arcing event from burning said cap.
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) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |