US5097231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quasi-passive, non-radioactive receiver protector device
Assignee: Communications and Power Industries LLC
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Filing: 1990-05-16
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2010-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A receiver protector device includes a sealed discharge chamber containing one or more pairs of spaced-apart, conical electrodes and an ionizable gas. A field emission array is mounted in the discharge chamber to provide a source of free electrons which assist in initiating a discharge when an RF input signal exceeds a desired threshold power level. The field emission array includes a substrate, a plurality of generally conical emitters distributed on the substrate, a conductive gate layer for extracting electrons from the emitters and a dielectric layer between the gate layer and the substrate. When a bias voltage is applied to the gate layer, electrons are extracted from the emitters. The field emission array can be mounted adjacent to the electrodes or in a recess in one of the electrodes. The bias voltage can be supplied by a battery mounted on the receiver protector device external to the discharge chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Arvid C. Johnson
- 👤 Thomas J. Pappalardo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/02; H01J17/04; H01J17/06; H01J17/066; H01T; H01T2/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A receiver protector device comprising: a sealed discharge chamber having an input port for received an RF input signal and an output port for coupling to a receiver; an ionizable gas in said discharge chamber; at least one pair of spaced apart electrodes in said discharge chamber; a field emission array mounted in said discharge chamber for emitting free electrons; and means for biasing said field emission array such that when said RF input signal exceeds a predetermined level, said field emission array provides sufficient free electrons between said electrodes to ionize said gas and form a discharge between said electrodes, whereby said RF input signal is effectively short circuited.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A receiver protector device comprising: a sealed discharge chamber having an input port for received an RF input signal and an output port for coupling to a receiver; an ionizable gas in said discharge chamber; at least one pair of spaced apart electrodes in said discharge chamber; a field emission array mounted in said discharge chamber for emitting free electrons; and means for biasing said field emission array such that when said RF input signal exceeds a predetermined level, said field emission array provides sufficient free electrons between said electrodes to ionize said gas and form a discharge between said electrodes, whereby said RF input signal is effectively short circuited.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein said field emission array comprises a substrate, a plurality of emitters distributed on said substrate, a conductive gate layer for extracting electrons from said emitters and a dielectric layer between said gate layer and said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said emitters is tapered to a pointed tip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said emitters is generally conical in shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said electrodes includes a sharp tip to provide a high electric field gradient between said electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 5 wherein said discharge chamber comprises a section of waveguide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein said field emission array is mounted adjacent to said at least one pair of spaced apart electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein said field emission array is attached to a support pedestal mounted to a wall of said discharge chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein said field emission array is mounted in a recess in one of said electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a battery mounted on said device external to said discharge chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises means for connecting said field emission array to an external power source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 2 wherein said biasing means comprises means for connecting a bias voltage between said gate layer and said substrate of said field emission array.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 12 wherein said bias voltage comprises a DC voltage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 12 wherein said bias voltage comprises an AC voltage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein said biasing means causes said field emission array to emit free electrons continuously.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein said biasing means includes a bias source for biasing said field emission array below a level required for continuous emission of free electrons in the absence of an RF input signal and wherein said biasing means further includes means for coupling said RF input signal to said field emission array such that said bias source and said RF input signal together cause emission of sufficient free electrons to ionize said gas.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 16 wherein said field emission array is configured as a transmission line for conducting said RF input signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 further including an anode for collecting free electrons emitted by said field emission array.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein said discharge chamber has a pressure level in the range of about 0.001 torr to 100 torr.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 19 wherein said ionizable gas is selected from a group consisting of argon, ammonia, water vapor, xenon and combinations thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein said field emission array provides a free electron current level in the range of about 0.01 microamp to 200 microamps.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A receiver protector device as defined in claim 1 wherein said discharge chamber comprises a section of rectangular waveguide having top and bottom walls and sidewalls, said electrodes extending from said top and bottom walls, respectively.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
82 words
A discharge device comprising: a sealed discharge chamber containing an ionizable gas; at least one pair of spaced apart electrodes mounted in said discharge chamber and means for coupling a voltage to said electrodes; a field emission array mounted in said discharge chamber; and means for biasing said field emission array such that when said voltage exceeds a predetermined level, said field emission array provides sufficient free electrons between said electrodes to ionize said gas and form a discharge between said electrodes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
82 words
A discharge device comprising: a sealed discharge chamber containing an ionizable gas; at least one pair of spaced apart electrodes mounted in said discharge chamber and means for coupling a voltage to said electrodes; a field emission array mounted in said discharge chamber; and means for biasing said field emission array such that when said voltage exceeds a predetermined level, said field emission array provides sufficient free electrons between said electrodes to ionize said gas and form a discharge between said electrodes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
A discharge device as defined in claim 23 wherein said field emission array comprises a substrate, a plurality of emitters distributed on said substrate, a gate layer for extracting electrons from said emitters and a dielectric layer between said gate layer and said substrate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A discharge device as defined in claim 24 wherein each of said emitters comprises a generally conical conductor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A discharge device as defined in claim 23 wherein said field emission array is mounted adjacent to said at least one pair of spaced-apart electrodes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
A discharge device as defined in claim 24 wherein said biasing means comprises means for connecting a bias voltage between said gate layer and said substrate of said field emission array.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
117 words
A receiver protector device comprising: a sealed discharge chamber comprising a section of rectangular waveguide having an input port for receiving an RF input signal and an output port for coupling to a receiver, said discharge chamber containing an ionizable gas; at least one pair of spaced apart, generally conical electrodes mounted in said discharge chamber and electrically connected to opposite walls of said rectangular waveguide; a field emission array mounted in said discharge chamber; and means for biasing said field emission array such that when said RF input signal exceeds a predetermined power level, said field emission array provides sufficient free electrons between said electrodes to ionize said gas and form a discharge between said electrodes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
117 words
A receiver protector device comprising: a sealed discharge chamber comprising a section of rectangular waveguide having an input port for receiving an RF input signal and an output port for coupling to a receiver, said discharge chamber containing an ionizable gas; at least one pair of spaced apart, generally conical electrodes mounted in said discharge chamber and electrically connected to opposite walls of said rectangular waveguide; a field emission array mounted in said discharge chamber; and means for biasing said field emission array such that when said RF input signal exceeds a predetermined power level, said field emission array provides sufficient free electrons between said electrodes to ionize said gas and form a discharge between said electrodes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |