US4438365A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spark gap for line transient protection
Assignee: Zenith Electronics LLC
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Filing: 1982-02-16
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Granted: 1984-03-20
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Expires: 2002-02-16
Abstract
Abstract An improved spark gap device and configuration for coupling the device in circuit with equipment such as television receivers are disclosed. The spark gap device includes three conductive pads, the first and second of which are separated by a first gap. The third pad is separated from the other pads by a second gap which intersects the first gap. By coupling the first and second pads across A.C. power lines in the equipment, and by coupling the third pad to earth ground, the energy associated with a high voltage transient on the power lines causes the air in one of the gaps to ionize. Hence, a spark jumps the gap to shunt the transient energy to ground. The intersection of the gaps causes ionization to spread to the second gap and thereby provide an additional path to ground for the energy associated with the transient, thereby protecting components within the equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J. Atkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T4/00; H01T4/08; H02; H02H; H02H9/00; H02H9/04; H02H9/06; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/0213; H05K1/0254
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
For use with electronic equipment coupled to a first power line which is at earth ground and to another power line which is at an elevated potential, a spark gap, comprising: a first conductive pad adapted to be coupled to one power line; a second conductive pad adapted to be coupled to the other power line and spaced from the first pad so as to define a first gap therebetween; and a third conductve pad adapted to be coupled to earth ground and spaced from said first and second pads so as to define a second gap which intersects said first gap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
For use with electronic equipment coupled to a first power line which is at earth ground and to another power line which is at an elevated potential, a spark gap, comprising: a first conductive pad adapted to be coupled to one power line; a second conductive pad adapted to be coupled to the other power line and spaced from the first pad so as to define a first gap therebetween; and a third conductve pad adapted to be coupled to earth ground and spaced from said first and second pads so as to define a second gap which intersects said first gap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A spark gap as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second gap intersects said first gap so as to define a composite, T-shaped gap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A spark gap as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second pads are rectangular and of substantially the same size, and wherein said third pad is rectangular and approximately twice as large as said first or second pad.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A spark gap as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second pads are L-shaped and have legs which face each other and which are separated from each other by said first gap, and wherein said third pad extends in a direction parallel to said legs and is spaced equidistantly from the first and second pads by said second gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A spark gap as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and second gaps extend in mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A spark gap as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second gap extends in a direction which is oblique to the extension of said first gap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
For use with a television receiver coupled to a first power line which is at earth ground and to another power line which is at an elevated potential, a spark gap protection system comprising: a first, substantially rectangular, conductive pad having a given length and a given width; a second substantially rectangular conductive pad having approximately said same given length and width and being spaced from the first pad so as to define a first gap therebetween; a third substantially rectangular conductive pad having an area which is approximately equal to the combined areas of said first and second pads so as to define a second gap which orthogonally intersects the first gap; means for coupling the first pad to one of the power lines; means for coupling the second pad to the other power line; and means for coupling the third pad to earth ground.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
146 words
For use with a television receiver coupled to a first power line which is at earth ground and to another power line which is at an elevated potential, a spark gap protection system comprising: a first, substantially rectangular, conductive pad having a given length and a given width; a second substantially rectangular conductive pad having approximately said same given length and width and being spaced from the first pad so as to define a first gap therebetween; a third substantially rectangular conductive pad having an area which is approximately equal to the combined areas of said first and second pads so as to define a second gap which orthogonally intersects the first gap; means for coupling the first pad to one of the power lines; means for coupling the second pad to the other power line; and means for coupling the third pad to earth ground.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
122 words
For use with a television receiver coupled to a signal source via a shielded cable, coupled to a first power line which is at earth ground, and coupled to a second power line which is at an elevated potential, a spark gap protection system comprising: a first conductive pad; a second conductive pad spaced from the first pad so as to define a first gap therebetween; a third conductive pad spaced from the first and second pads so as to define a second gap which intersects the first gap; means for coupling the first pad to the first power line; means for coupling the second pad to the second power line; and means for coupling the third pad to the shielded cable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
For use with a television receiver coupled to a signal source via a shielded cable, coupled to a first power line which is at earth ground, and coupled to a second power line which is at an elevated potential, a spark gap protection system comprising: a first conductive pad; a second conductive pad spaced from the first pad so as to define a first gap therebetween; a third conductive pad spaced from the first and second pads so as to define a second gap which intersects the first gap; means for coupling the first pad to the first power line; means for coupling the second pad to the second power line; and means for coupling the third pad to the shielded cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A spark gap protection system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the receiver includes a chassis ground and wherein the third pad is coupled to the shielded cable via chassis ground.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A spark gap protection system as set forth in claim 9 wherein the shielded cable is coupled to earth ground.
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) | 1987-03-20 | 1987-09-19 | 1988-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-20 | 1991-09-19 | 1992-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-20 | 1995-09-19 | 1996-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |