Load and hold system for plasma charge transfer devices
AssigneeNCR Corporation
InventorDonald Gregory Craycraft
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for loading a plasma charge transfer device and for holding charges applied thereto. Input and transfer electrodes are positioned on opposing walls which define a channel confining an ionizable medium. The electrodes are arranged for the application of potential differences between adjacent electrodes whereby the charges may be shifted away from the input electrode to a desired location and in a desired pattern along the length of the device. The charges are then held at the desired location by applying potential differences in a fashion such that the charge is circulated between a set of at least four sequentially positioned transfer electrodes at the desired holding location.
Claims13
In a plasma charge transfer device of the type having a channel containing an ionizable medium, said channel being defined within a walled structure, input and transfer electrodes positioned on the inside wall surfaces, said transfer electrodes being arranged in alternating sequence and opposite from one another on opposite inside wall surfaces, and means for applying a potential difference between adjacent electrodes whereby the medium will emit light proximate said adjacent electrodes and leave a charge proximate one of said adjacent electrodes, the application of succeeding potential differences between adjacent transfer electrodes along the length of the device operating to shift said charge away from the position of the input electrode, the improvement comprising means for holding a charge in that location of the device to which the charge has been shifted, said holding means including means for circulating the charge between the electrodes of a set of at least four sequentially positioned transfer electrodes.
A method for operating a plasma charge transfer device of the type having a channel containing an ionizable medium, said channel being defined within a walled structure, input and transfer electrodes positioned on the inside wall surfaces, said transfer electrodes being arranged in alternating sequence and opposite from one another on opposite inside wall surfaces, the application of a potential difference between adjacent electrodes causing the medium to emit light proximate said adjacent electrodes and leave a charge proximate one of said adjacent electrodes, the application of succeeding potential differences between adjacent transfer electrodes along the length of the device operating to shift said charge away from the position of the input electrode, the improved method for holding a charge in that location of the device to which the charge has been shifted, said method comprising circulating the charge between the electrodes of a set of at least four sequentially positioned transfer electrodes, the transfer electrodes of said set being positioned at said location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.