US4401920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser triggered high voltage rail gap switch
Assignee: National Research Council Canada
•
Filing: 1981-05-11
•
Granted: 1983-08-30
•
Expires: 2001-05-11
Abstract
Abstract The laser-triggered high voltage rail gap switch includes two parallel electrodes in a high pressure environment of SF 6 and Ar. A pulsed UV laser directs a coherent beam parallel to the electrodes to initiate multichannel breakdown in the gap between the electrodes. This breakdown occurs at a fixed time delay after the laser pulse. This breakdown is enhanced by including an organic additive such as fluorobenzene or tri-n-propylamine in the gas mixture.
Inventors
- 👤 Roderick S. Taylor
- 👤 Kurt E. Leopold
- 👤 A. John Alcock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:53
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T2/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A high voltage rail gap switch for a pulse charged source comprising: a pair of parallel elongated electrodes, spaced to have a gap between the electrodes; enclosure means, the electrodes being located in the enclosure means and the enclosure means containing a gas mixture at a total pressure above atmospheric pressure, the gap mixture including SF 6 , Ar and a small concentration of an organic additive; and coherent UV radiation source means for directing a pulsed beam through the gas mixture substantially parallel to the pair of electrodes for initiating multichannel breakdown in the gap between the electrodes, the organic additive being matched to the UV radiation wavelength for producing photoionization for the production of a predetermined number of initial electrons in the gap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A high voltage rail gap switch for a pulse charged source comprising: a pair of parallel elongated electrodes, spaced to have a gap between the electrodes; enclosure means, the electrodes being located in the enclosure means and the enclosure means containing a gas mixture at a total pressure above atmospheric pressure, the gap mixture including SF 6 , Ar and a small concentration of an organic additive; and coherent UV radiation source means for directing a pulsed beam through the gas mixture substantially parallel to the pair of electrodes for initiating multichannel breakdown in the gap between the electrodes, the organic additive being matched to the UV radiation wavelength for producing photoionization for the production of a predetermined number of initial electrons in the gap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A high voltage rail gap switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the photoionization is two-step photoionization.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A high voltage rail gap switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the partial pressure of the additive is 0 to 0.01% of the mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A high voltage rail gap switch as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the partial pressure of the Ar is 88-100% of the mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A high voltage rail gap switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein one electrode of the pair for connection to a positive polarity with respect to the other electrode of the pair has a cross-section exhibiting a tapered surface facing the other electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A high voltage rail gap switch as claimed in claim 5 wherein the other electrode includes a lead for connection to a negative pulse charged source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A high voltage rail gap switch as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the pulsed beam is directed in the vicinity of the surface of the other electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A high voltage rail gap switch as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the additive is fluorobenzene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A high voltage rail gap switch as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the mixture contains substantially pure Ar and the additive is tri-n-propylamine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A high voltage rail gap switch as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the UV source means includes a rare gas halide laser selected from the group consisting of an ArF, KrF, or XeCl laser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A high voltage rail gap switch as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the UV source includes a KrF laser and the additive is fluorobenzene.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A high voltage rail gap switch as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the UV source includes an N 2 laser and the additive is tri-n-propylamine in a gas mixture of pure Ar.
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) | 1986-08-29 | 1987-02-28 | 1987-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-29 | 1991-02-28 | 1991-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-29 | 1995-02-28 | 1995-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |