Spark gap control
AssigneeAvco Everett Research Laboratory, Inc.
InventorRudolf Limpaecher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high repetition rate high power spark gap switch of the type useful in pulsed lasers, radar systems and pulse-forming networks is enabled to operate with higher switching speed at high power levels by rapid chemical composition change cyclically made in the spark gap at high frequency with differing standoff voltage capabilities of different compositions produced in the gap in each cycle. The different standoff voltage capabilities are produced by injecting different gases under fluidic switching control.
Claims9
In a high frequency, cyclic (over 1000 Hz) arc/recovery spark gap process, the improvement comprising:
- injecting multiple control gases of different compositions into the spark gap region under fluidic switching control at different times during the arc/recovery cycles, a first one of said control gases being selected to elevate spark gap breakdown voltage to enhance recovery and a second one of said gases being selected to depress spark gap breakdown voltage and enhance triggering.
In an arc/recovery spark gap process wherein said spark gap is actuated at over 1000 cycles per second, the improvement comprising:
- providing a source of a first gas having a breakdown voltage greater than that at which said spark gap is to operate;
- under fluidic switching alternately directing said first gas to the spark gap and then to a vent, said first gas being directed to said vent at the beginning of an arcing cycle and to said spark gap at the termination of an arcing cycle of said spark gap to enhance termination of said arcing cycle;
- providing a source of a second gas having a breakdown voltage less than that at which said spark gap is to operate;
- and
- providing a flow passage for said second gas to said spark gap and a flow passage to a vent whereby when said first gas flows to said spark gap, said second gas flows substantially only to said vent, and when said first gas flows to said vent, said second gas flows substantially only to said spark gap, said second gas being directed to said spark gap at the beginning of an arcing cycle to enhance actuation of said arcing cycle.
In a high frequency cyclic (over 1000 Hz) spark gap apparatus with electrodes and means for forming a spark gap and source of ambient gas therebetween, the improvement comprising:
- means for injecting multiple control gases of different compositions into the spark gap region under fluidic switching control at different times during arc recovery cycles.
In a spark gap apparatus with electrodes and means for forming a spark gap, the improvement comprising:
- means for providing a source of first gas having a breakdown voltage greater than that at which said spark gap is to operate;
- fluidic switching means for alternately directing said first gas to the spark gap and to vent;
- means for actuating said fluidic switching means to direct said first gas to said spark gap during at least a portion of the non-arcing portion of each cycle to enhance termination of said arcing cycle;
- means for providing a source of a second gas having a breakdown voltage less than that at which said spark gap is to operate;
- and
- a first flow passage for directing said second gas to said spark gap and a second flow passage for directing said second gas to said vent whereby when said first gas flows to said spark gap, said second gas flows substantially only to said vent, and when said first gas flows to said vent, said second gas flows substantially only to said spark gap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.