Discharge tubes
AssigneeEnglish Electric Valve Company Limited
InventorsArthur Maitland, Hugh Menown, Christopher V. Neale
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A metal vapor discharge tube includes cylindrical dispenser blocks of sintered tungsten which are porous and support metal whose vapor is to form at least part of the active medium of the tube. Thus, the dispenser blocks retain the metal, holding it in position when in its solid and liquid states. Heat shields serve to retain heat within the envelope of the discharge tube and uniformly heat the cylinders.
Claims18
A metal vapor discharge tube employing an active medium comprising
- an envelope having a longitudinal axis;
- and
- at least one dispenser member, having a working surface, positioned within said envelope, said dispenser member having at least one aperture means retaining a discharge metal which
- upon heating of said discharge metal during excitation of said active medium emits a vapor over substantially the entire working surface of said member such that any condensation of said vapor on said dispenser member is also vaporized, said vapor forming at least a part of said active medium and said dispenser member having a higher melting point than said discharge metal.
A discharge tube as claimed in claim 17 which comprises a plurality of dispenser members in the form of concentric cylinders, at least one of said plurality of concentric cylinders having a plurality of apertures therethrough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.