Vacuum switch apparatus

A vacuum switch comprising:

• an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged in a vacuum enclosure;
• an electron beam irradiation unit for selectively irradiating an electron beam on said anode electrode, to cause a discharge between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode, said cathode electrode being arranged between said anode electrode and said electron beam irradiation unit;
• and
• at least one aperture formed in said cathode electrode and through which the electron beam can pass.

A vacuum switch comprising:

• at least one set of electrodes including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged in a vacuum enclosure;
• an electron beam irradiation unit for irradiating an electron beam on said anode electrode to cause a discharge between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode;
• and
• means for applying a rated voltage of at least 20 KV across said anode and cathode electrodes, said anode and cathode electrodes having a capacity which permits the flow of a discharge current of at least 1000.cuberoot. between said two electrodes and
• means for controlling said electron beam irradiation unit to cause said discharge current to be switched at least 10.sup.6 shots.

A vacuum switch comprising:

• at least one set of electrodes including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged in a vacuum enclosure;
• an electron beam irradiation unit for selectively irradiating an electron beam on said anode electrode to cause a discharge between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode;
• and
• adjusting means for adjusting the length of a gap between said anode and cathode electrodes.

A uranium enriching system comprising:

• a vacuum switch having at least one set of electrodes including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged in a vacuum enclosure and an electron beam unit for selectively irradiating an electron beam on said anode electrode to cause a discharge between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode;
• a pulse laser oscillator connected in a circuit with said vacuum switch so as to be on/off controlled by said vacuum switch;
• and
• means for irradiating a laser beam emitted from said pulse laser oscillator on uranium metal vapor particles of uranium isotopes 235 and 238 so as to separate these isotopes from each other.

A vacuum switch apparatus comprising:

• at least one set of electrodes including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged in a vacuum enclosure;
• an electron beam irradiation unit for irradiating an electron beam on said anode electrode;
• a control electrode arranged in said vacuum enclosure, for controlling on/off operation of the electron beam;
• a pulse transformer having a secondary winding connected to said control electrode;
• and
• a control switch connected to a primary winding of said pulse transformer and operable to control said control electrode such that potential on said control electrode is positive or negative.

A vacuum switch apparatus comprising:

• at least one set of electrodes including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged in a vacuum enclosure;
• an electron beam irradiation unit for irradiating an electron beam on said anode electrode to cause a discharge between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode;
• a magnetic field generation coil arranged interiorly of said vacuum enclosure;
• and a control switch connected to said magnetic field generation coil.

A vacuum switch apparatus comprising:

• at least one set of electrodes including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged in a vacuum enclosure;
• an electron beam irradiation unit for irradiating an electron beam on said anode electrode to cause a discharge between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode;
• a control electrode arranged in said vacuum enclosure, for controlling on/off operation of the electron beam;
• a pulse transformer having a secondary winding connected to said control electrode;
• a first control switch connected to a primary winding of said pulse transformer and operable to control said control electrode such that potential on said control electrode is positive or negative;
• a magnetic field generation coil arranged interiorly of said vacuum enclosure;
• and
• said second switch being opened and closed in synchronism with open and close operation of said first switch.

A vacuum switch apparatus comprising:

• an electrically insulating vacuum enclosure evacuated to a vacuum degree of 2.times.10.sup.-2 Torr or less;
• one set of electrodes, including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged in said vacuum enclosure, having capacity which permits the flow of a discharge current of at least 1 KA between said two electrodes and operable for switching the discharge current at at least 10.sup.6 shots;
• high voltage application means for applying a high voltage of at least 20 KV across said anode and cathode electrodes;
• electron beam irradiation means for irradiating an electron beam through said cathode electrode;
• a control electrode arranged between said beam irradiation means and said cathode electrode, for controlling passage and interception of the electron beam;
• control voltage application means for applying a control voltage to said control electrode;
• and
• an electromagnetic coil arranged interiorly of said vacuum enclosure, for generating electromagnetic force which prevents said electron beam, emitted from said electron beam irradiation means and reaching said anode electrode through said control and cathode electrodes, from being scattered.

A vacuum switch apparatus comprising:

• at least one set of electrodes including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged in a vacuum enclosure;
• an electron beam irradiation unit for irradiating an electron beam on said anode electrode to cause a discharge between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode;
• a magnetic field generation coil arranged exteriorly of said vacuum enclosure;
• and a control switch connected to said magnetic field generation coil.

A vacuum switch apparatus comprising:

• at least one set of electrodes including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged in a vacuum enclosure;
• an electron beam irradiation unit for irradiating an electron beam on said anode electrode to cause a discharge between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode;
• a control electrode arranged in said vacuum enclosure, for controlling on/off operation of the electron beam;
• a pulse transformer having a secondary winding connected to said control electrode;
• a first control switch connected to a primary winding of said pulse transformer and operable to control said control electrode such that potential on said control electrode is positive or negative;
• a magnetic field generation coil arranged exteriorly of said vacuum enclosure;
• and
• a second control switch connected to said magnetic field generation coil,
• said second switch being opened and closed in synchronism with open and close operation of said first switch.

A vacuum switch apparatus comprising:

• an electrically insulating vacuum enclosure evacuated to a vacuum degree of 2.times.10.sup.-2 Torr or less;
• one set of electrodes, including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged in said vacuum enclosure, having capacity which permits the flow of a discharge current of at least 1 KA between said two electrodes and operable for switching the discharge current at at least 10.sup.6 shots;
• high voltage application means for applying a high voltage of at least 20 KV across said anode and cathode electrodes;
• electron beam irradiation means for irradiating an electron beam through said cathode electrode;
• a control electrode arranged between said beam irradiation means and said cathode electrode, for controlling passage and interception of the electron beam;
• control voltage application means for applying a control voltage to said control electrode;
• and
• an electromagnetic coil arranged exteriorly of said vacuum enclosure, for generating electromagnetic force which prevent said electron beam, emitted from said electron beam irradiation means and reaching said anode electrode through said control and cathode electrodes, from being scattered.