Plasma switch

A plasma switch comprising a substantially evacuated closed housing means, a tubular first electrode substantially closed at its opposite ends by electrically conductive respective end plates and disposed within said housing means, an elongated second electrode disposed within and substantially concentrically of said first electrode, means electrically insulating one of said end plates from said first and second electrodes, switch means for selectively connecting said end plate to said first electrode or second electrode.

Switch means for an alternating current circuit comprising first and second electrical conductors connected to a source of alternating current, first and second plasma switch devices interposed along the length of said first conductor, each of said plasma switches being housed in a substantially evacuated chamber and comprising a substantially tubular first electrode that is substantially closed at its opposite ends by electrically conductive respective end plates, an elongated second electrode disposed within said first electrode and substantially concentrically of said first electrode, means electrically insulating one of said end plates from said first and second electrodes, switch means for selectively connecting said end plate electrically to said first electrode or said second electrode, means electrically connecting the input portion of said conductor to said outer electrode of said first plasma switch and to said central electrode of said second plasma switch, means electrically connecting the output portion of said first conductor to said central electrode of said first plasma switch and to said outer electrode of said second plasma switch, and means for substantially simultaneously operating said switch means to electrically connect said end plates to said outer electrodes or to said central electrodes of said plasma switches.