US4646050A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Glow discharge starter
Assignee: FLOWIL INTERNATIONAL (HOLDING) BV
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Filing: 1985-11-20
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Granted: 1987-02-24
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Expires: 2005-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed, thin-walled envelope of vitreous material, a press seal located at one end thereof and containing an ionizable medium. A pair of non-segmented electrical conductors extend through the press seal and terminate in a spaced relationship to form a pair of electrodes within the envelope. The electrodes are held in the spaced relationship substantially by the press seal. At least one of the electrodes has a bimetallic element secured thereto. The bimetallic element is deformable by heat into engagement with the other electrode. Preferably, the envelope has a wall thickness in the range of from about 0.015 inch to less than about 0.025 inch.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael R. Kling
- 👤 Emery G. Audesse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H61/00; H01H61/01; H01H61/013; H01H61/017; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/02; H05B41/04; H05B41/06; H05B41/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A glow discharge starter comprising an hermetically sealed, thin-walled envelope of vitreous material having a wall thickness less than about 0.025 inch and having a press seal located at one end thereof and containing an ionizable medium; a pair of non-segmented electrical conductors extending through said press seal and terminating in a spaced relationship to form a pair of electrodes within said envelope, said electrodes being held in said spaced relationship substantially by said press seal, at least one of said electrodes having a bimetallic element secured thereto, said bimetallic element being deformable by heat from the glow discharge into engagement with the other of said electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A glow discharge starter comprising an hermetically sealed, thin-walled envelope of vitreous material having a wall thickness less than about 0.025 inch and having a press seal located at one end thereof and containing an ionizable medium; a pair of non-segmented electrical conductors extending through said press seal and terminating in a spaced relationship to form a pair of electrodes within said envelope, said electrodes being held in said spaced relationship substantially by said press seal, at least one of said electrodes having a bimetallic element secured thereto, said bimetallic element being deformable by heat from the glow discharge into engagement with the other of said electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 1 wherein said electrical conductors are comprised of a nickel-iron alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 1 wherein said electrical conductors are comprised of a nickel-iron alloy core sheathed in a copper shell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 3 wherein said electrical conductors are plated with an electrically conductive material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 4 wherein said electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of nickel, platinum and rhodium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 1 wherein said electrical conductors are comprised of "Dumet" wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 1 wherein said electrical conductors are comprised of nickel-plated "Dumet" wire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 1 wherein said thin-walled envelope has a wall thickness in the range of from about 0.015 inch to less than about 0.025 inch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 1 wherein said thin-walled envelope has an outside diameter of approximately 0.175 inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 1 wherein said envelope is glass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 1 wherein said glow discharge starter displaces a volume of approximately 0.25 cubic centimeters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 2 wherein a portion of at least one of said electrode within said envelope is coated with a low work function emissive material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 12 wherein said low work function emissive material comprises a lanthanum alloy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 1 wherein said ionizable medium comprises argon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The glow discharge starter of claim 1 wherein said ionizable medium comprises a mixture of argon and helium.
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) | 1990-02-23 | 1990-08-25 | 1991-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-23 | 1994-08-25 | 1995-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-23 | 1998-08-25 | 1999-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |