US4394622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High voltage coaxial switch
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1981-06-03
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Granted: 1983-07-19
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Expires: 2001-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A coaxial high voltage, high current switch having a solid cylindrical cold cathode coaxially surrounded by a thin hollow cylindrical inner electrode and a larger hollow cylindrical outer electrode. A high voltage trigger between the cathode and the inner electrode causes electrons to be emitted from the cathode and flow to the inner electrode preferably through a vacuum. Some of the electrons penetrate the inner electrode and cause a volumetric discharge in the gas (which may be merely air) between the inner and outer electrodes. The discharge provides a low impedance path between a high voltage charge placed on the outer electrode and a load (which may be a high power laser) coupled to the inner electrode. For high repetition rate the gas between the inner and outer electrodes may be continuously exchanged or refreshed under pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Rink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 02:48
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A high voltage coaxial switch comprising: a circular cross-sectioned cylindrical cathode; a thin walled hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical inner electrode coaxially surrounding said cathode; a hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical outer electrode coaxially surrounding said inner electrode; means for facilitating evacuation of the region between said cathode and said inner electrode; means for facilitating provision of a gas to the region between said inner electrode and said outer electrode; means for providing a high voltage charge to said outer electrode; means for connecting a load to said inner electrode; and means for providing a high voltage pulse between said cathode and said inner electrode to cause electrons to be emitted from said cathode and accelerated toward said inner electrode with sufficient quantities of electrons passing therethrough to cause secondary electron emission and a volumetric discharge in the region between said inner electrode and said outer electrode whereby a high voltage charge on said outer electrode is discharged to said inner electrode and through a load connected thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A high voltage coaxial switch comprising: a circular cross-sectioned cylindrical cathode; a thin walled hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical inner electrode coaxially surrounding said cathode; a hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical outer electrode coaxially surrounding said inner electrode; means for facilitating evacuation of the region between said cathode and said inner electrode; means for facilitating provision of a gas to the region between said inner electrode and said outer electrode; means for providing a high voltage charge to said outer electrode; means for connecting a load to said inner electrode; and means for providing a high voltage pulse between said cathode and said inner electrode to cause electrons to be emitted from said cathode and accelerated toward said inner electrode with sufficient quantities of electrons passing therethrough to cause secondary electron emission and a volumetric discharge in the region between said inner electrode and said outer electrode whereby a high voltage charge on said outer electrode is discharged to said inner electrode and through a load connected thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The high voltage coaxial switch according to claim 1 wherein said circular cross-sectional cylindrical cathode is a cold cathode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The high voltage coaxial switch according to claim 2 wherein said cold cathode has a plurality of points thereon to aid in electron emission therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The high voltage coaxial switch according to claim 3 wherein said plurality of points on said cold cathode are positioned so as to induce a relatively uniform electron emission in the region between said cold cathode and said inner electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The high voltage coaxial switch according to claim 2 wherein said cold cathode is a solid circular cross-sectional cylindrical cold cathode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The high voltage coaxial switch according to claim 5 wherein said solid circular cross-sectional cylindrical cold cathode is a solid brass circular cross-sectional cylindrical cold cathode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The high voltage coaxial switch according to claim 2 wherein said thin walled hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical inner electrode is fabricated from aluminum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The high voltage coaxial switch according to claim 2 wherein said thin walled hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical inner electrode has a wall no greater than approximately one-sixteenth inch thick.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
180 words
A high voltage coaxial switch for discharging a highly charged electrode through a load, said high voltage coaxial switch comprising: a solid brass circular cross-sectional cylindrical cold cathode; an aluminum thin walled hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical inner electrode coaxially surrounding said cold cathode, said inner electrode connected to the load; a highly charged aluminum hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical outer electrode coaxially surrounding said inner electrode; means for maintaining an evacuated region between said cold cathode and said inner electrode; means for maintaining a gas filled region between said inner electrode and said outer electrode; and means for providing a high voltage pulse between said cold cathode and said inner electrode to cause electrons to be emitted from said cold cathode and accelerated toward said inner electrode through said evacuated region maintained therebetween with sufficient quantities of electrons passing therethrough to cause secondary electron emission and a volumetric discharge in said gas filled region maintained between said inner electrode and said outer electrode whereby said highly charged outer electrode is discharged to said inner electrode and through the load connected thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
180 words
A high voltage coaxial switch for discharging a highly charged electrode through a load, said high voltage coaxial switch comprising: a solid brass circular cross-sectional cylindrical cold cathode; an aluminum thin walled hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical inner electrode coaxially surrounding said cold cathode, said inner electrode connected to the load; a highly charged aluminum hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical outer electrode coaxially surrounding said inner electrode; means for maintaining an evacuated region between said cold cathode and said inner electrode; means for maintaining a gas filled region between said inner electrode and said outer electrode; and means for providing a high voltage pulse between said cold cathode and said inner electrode to cause electrons to be emitted from said cold cathode and accelerated toward said inner electrode through said evacuated region maintained therebetween with sufficient quantities of electrons passing therethrough to cause secondary electron emission and a volumetric discharge in said gas filled region maintained between said inner electrode and said outer electrode whereby said highly charged outer electrode is discharged to said inner electrode and through the load connected thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The high voltage coaxial switch according to claim 9 wherein said solid brass circular cross-sectional cylindrical cold cathode has a plurality of points thereon to aid in electron emission therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The high voltage coaxial switch according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of points on said cold cathode are positioned so as to induce a relatively uniform electron emission in said evacuated region between said cold cathode and said inner electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The high voltage coaxial switch according to claim 9 wherein said means for maintaining a gas filled region maintains an air filled region between said inner electrode and said outer electrode.
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) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-01-17 | 1987-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-18 | 1991-01-17 | 1991-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-18 | 1995-01-17 | 1995-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |