US5130765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Element having a nonlinear transmission characteristic
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1991-03-11
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Granted: 1992-07-14
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Expires: 2011-03-11
Abstract
Abstract An element for use in an electrical circuit includes sub-region (11) and a second sub-region (12), which regions can contain a charge carrier gas (6) at least during operation and are separated from one another by an insulation zone (13). The insulaton zone (13) is locally interrupted by a barrier zone (15) which presents a potential barrier to the charge carriers. The first sub-region (11) is provided with a first connection (21) for deriving the potential from it. The second sub-region (12) is provided with two connections (22, 23) by means of which a current (I) can be passed through the second sub-region (12). The potential of the first sub-region (11) is found to be proportional to at least substantially the square of the current (I) passed through the second sub-region. This renders the element particularly suitable for an electrical circuit in which such a proportionality is desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Hendrik Van Houten
- 👤 Laurens W. Molenkamp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:22
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D30/00; H10D30/40; H10D48/00; H10D48/30; H10D48/32; H10D48/36; H10D48/362
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A element for use in an electric circuit, comprising a body having a region in which a charge carrier gas is formed at least during operation, which region comprises a first and a second sub-region which are separated from one another by an insulation zone which is insulating at least during operation, the first sub-region being provided with a first electrical connection and the second sub-region comprising a second and a third electrical connection, characterized in that the insulating zone between the two sub-regions is locally interrupted by a barrier zone which forms a potential barrier for the charge carriers whose level is lower than that of the adjoining insulation zone, in that the second and third connections are provided with means for carrying a current between them, and in that the first connection is provided with means for deriving a potential from it.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A element for use in an electric circuit, comprising a body having a region in which a charge carrier gas is formed at least during operation, which region comprises a first and a second sub-region which are separated from one another by an insulation zone which is insulating at least during operation, the first sub-region being provided with a first electrical connection and the second sub-region comprising a second and a third electrical connection, characterized in that the insulating zone between the two sub-regions is locally interrupted by a barrier zone which forms a potential barrier for the charge carriers whose level is lower than that of the adjoining insulation zone, in that the second and third connections are provided with means for carrying a current between them, and in that the first connection is provided with means for deriving a potential from it.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second region is provided with a fourth connection which is connected to the means for deriving the potential from the first connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the insulation zone on either side of the barrier zone has a shape which fans out in the direction of the first sub-region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least the second and the third connection are provided at a distance from the barrier zone which is smaller than the mean free path of the charge carriers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second sub-region is narrower than the mean free path of the charge carriers in a direction transverse to the current direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a further barrier zone is provided between the barrier zone and at least one of the said second and third connections.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4677457A
Cited
US4996570A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-01-13 | 1996-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-14 | 2000-01-13 | 2000-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-14 | 2004-01-13 | 2004-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |