US3880082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically-controlled triggering circuit for fuzes and the like
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
•
Filing: 1966-09-28
•
Granted: 1975-04-29
•
Expires: 1986-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A thyratron tube provides a triggering switch in the firing circuit of a fuze on like load device in connection with a storage capacitor which is charged to a relatively-high discharge voltage. The two control grids of the thyratron tube are connected to an insulated electrostatic control lead or conductive element and develop a negative charge or bias which holds the thyratron open. Upon contact of the control lead or element with an external body the negative charge or bias is reduced or changed in a positive direction to trigger the thyratron to conduction, thereby applying the capacitor charge to the load device.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Chernoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:25
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An electrostatically-controlled triggering circuit for electronic devices comprising in combination, a gas thyratron tube having an anode, a cathode and at least one control electrode interposed therebetween, a storage capacitor connected in circuit between the anode and cathode, means providing a load circuit interposed between the said capacitor and the cathode for receiving the discharge of said capacitor through the thyratron upon firing, a charging circuit connected with said capacitor, means in said charging circuit for applying to said capacitor a charge at least equal to the discharge voltage of said thyratron, a free-floating insulated electrostatic-coupling conductor connected with said control electrode for collecting therefrom negative electrons driven off from the cathode in operation and received thereby to develop a sufficient negative charge and bias and resultant relatively-high plate-to-cathode impedance to preclude plate-to-cathode discharge, and means providing a conductive terminal connection for said conductor adapted to contact objects in operation and thereby dissipate said negative charge and bias and increasingly bias said control grid in a positive direction for triggering the plate-to-cathode discharge and thereby applying the discharge of the storage capacitor to the load circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
An electrostatically-controlled triggering circuit for electronic devices comprising in combination, a gas thyratron tube having an anode, a cathode and at least one control electrode interposed therebetween, a storage capacitor connected in circuit between the anode and cathode, means providing a load circuit interposed between the said capacitor and the cathode for receiving the discharge of said capacitor through the thyratron upon firing, a charging circuit connected with said capacitor, means in said charging circuit for applying to said capacitor a charge at least equal to the discharge voltage of said thyratron, a free-floating insulated electrostatic-coupling conductor connected with said control electrode for collecting therefrom negative electrons driven off from the cathode in operation and received thereby to develop a sufficient negative charge and bias and resultant relatively-high plate-to-cathode impedance to preclude plate-to-cathode discharge, and means providing a conductive terminal connection for said conductor adapted to contact objects in operation and thereby dissipate said negative charge and bias and increasingly bias said control grid in a positive direction for triggering the plate-to-cathode discharge and thereby applying the discharge of the storage capacitor to the load circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
An electrostatically-controlled triggering circuit for electronic devices as defined in claim 1, wherein the means providing the conductive terminal connection for the control electrode conductor is an insulated electrically-conductive nose cone of a projectile, and wherein the means providing the load circuit includes an electrical detonator for initiating explosive functioning of said projectile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
An electrostatically-controlled triggering circuit for electronic devices comprising in combination, a gas thyratron having a cathode and an anode electrode and a free-floating control grid structure in the space path thereof between said electrodes, a storage capacitor and a load circuit connected serially in circuit between said cathode and anode electrodes through said space path, means connected in circuit with said capacitor for applying a charge thereto equal to the firing voltage of said thyratron, an insulated control conductor providing a free-floating external connection with said grid structure for collecting therewith negative electrons driven off from said cathode, and contact means for conductively connecting said conductor with an external body for redistributing the charge on said conductor and firing said thyratron by the resultant charge redistribution and bias change in the positive direction on said grid structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
137 words
An electrostatically-controlled triggering circuit for electronic devices comprising in combination, a gas thyratron having a cathode and an anode electrode and a free-floating control grid structure in the space path thereof between said electrodes, a storage capacitor and a load circuit connected serially in circuit between said cathode and anode electrodes through said space path, means connected in circuit with said capacitor for applying a charge thereto equal to the firing voltage of said thyratron, an insulated control conductor providing a free-floating external connection with said grid structure for collecting therewith negative electrons driven off from said cathode, and contact means for conductively connecting said conductor with an external body for redistributing the charge on said conductor and firing said thyratron by the resultant charge redistribution and bias change in the positive direction on said grid structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
153 words
An electrostatically-controlled firing circuit for fuzes and the like in a projectile, comprising in combination, a gas thyratron tube having an anode, a cathode and at least one interposed free-floating grid element therebetween, a storage capacitor and a load circuit including an electric charge detonator connected serially between said anode and cathode to apply a charge from said capacitor to said detonator upon firing of said thyratron, means for charging said capacitor including a source of direct-current energy connected therewith and an inertial control switch therefor closable by setback on firing of said projectile, and an insulated metallic element on said projectile at the forward end thereof connected with said free-floating grid element to receive therewith a negative electron charge from the cathode and for dissipating said charge upon contact with an objective, thereby to trigger said thyratron and fire said detonator in response to current flow from said capacitor through said thyratron.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
153 words
An electrostatically-controlled firing circuit for fuzes and the like in a projectile, comprising in combination, a gas thyratron tube having an anode, a cathode and at least one interposed free-floating grid element therebetween, a storage capacitor and a load circuit including an electric charge detonator connected serially between said anode and cathode to apply a charge from said capacitor to said detonator upon firing of said thyratron, means for charging said capacitor including a source of direct-current energy connected therewith and an inertial control switch therefor closable by setback on firing of said projectile, and an insulated metallic element on said projectile at the forward end thereof connected with said free-floating grid element to receive therewith a negative electron charge from the cathode and for dissipating said charge upon contact with an objective, thereby to trigger said thyratron and fire said detonator in response to current flow from said capacitor through said thyratron.
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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |