Parallel multi-electrode spark gap switch
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
InventorJames P. O'Loughlin
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Abstract
A spark gap switching device for high peak currents including a pair of main electrodes with protruding, opposing sub-electrodes, surrounded by high permeability cores typically of ferrite material. Small air gaps separate the sub-electrodes. The switch is activated by an over voltage or the like causing one of the sub-electrodes to breakover producing a flux time rate of change in the core. A voltage is induced in the non conducting sub-electrodes causing aligned pairs to rapidly increase in potential difference until one by one they all conduct.
Claims2
A spark gap switching device comprising
- first and second electrodes of conductive material, each said electrode being cylindrical in shape and terminating in a plurality of spaced juxtaposed rod shaped sub-electrodes of conductive material extending perpendicularly from an end surface thereof, said electrodes being positioned such that the ends of the sub-electrodes of each electrode are in close proximity and in register with the ends of corresponding sub-electrodes of the other electrode forming spark gaps therebetween, and
- means for effecting substantial saturable mutual inductance between adjacent sub-electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.