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US 5,510,668 AGranted
Spark gap with low breakdown voltage jitter
AssigneeSandia Corporation
InventorsGerald J. Rohwein, Lars D. Roose
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Novel spark gap devices and electrodes are disclosed. The novel spark gap devices and electrodes are suitable for use in a variety of spark gap device applications. The shape of the electrodes gives rise to local field enhancements and reduces breakdown voltage jitter. Breakdown voltage jitter of approximately 5% has been measured in spark gaps according the invention. Novel electrode geometries and materials are disclosed.
Claims11
A spark gap with low breakdown voltage jitter, comprising:
- a gap comprising the volume of space wherein sparks are generated;
- a first electrode formed of a conducting material having a removable insert comprising a first end adjacent to said spark gap, said removable insert having a ridge formed therein so that all other portions of the first electrode are farther from said spark gap than said ridge;
- a second electrode formed of a conducting material and located across said spark gap in such a spaced relationship with the first end of said first electrode that the largest density of electric field equipotentials, which are generated between the first and second electrodes when a difference in electrical potential exists between said electrodes, occurs adjacent to said ridge;
- and
- means for holding the first and second electrodes in said spaced relationship.
2 more elements
A spark gap with low breakdown voltage jitter, comprising:
- a first end, comprising a conducting material, and substantially possessing an axis of rotational symmetry;
- a first electrode, comprising a conducting material and a means for attaching said first end;
- a second electrode, comprising a conducting material;
- means for holding the first and second electrodes in spaced relationship such that the first and second electrodes are substantially aligned along a common axis of rotational symmetry, said first and second electrodes being separated by a gap;
- and,
- a ridge, formed on the first end, said ridge having symmetry about the axis of rotational symmetry of the first end, and all other portions of the first end and first electrode being farther from the gap than said ridge when the first end is attached to the first electrode.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.