Coaxial protector

A protector for use with a coaxial transmission line having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, said protector comprising:

• a housing;
• a gas tube assembly being retained in said housing and including a first electrode coupleable with the transmission line such that said first electrode being substantially aligned with the inner conductor of the transmission line, said gas tube assembly including a second electrode comprising a cover member coupled to said housing and retained therein, said cover member coupleable with the outer conductor of the transmission line such that said second electrode being substantially aligned with the outer conductor of the transmission line, said first electrode having a surface generally facing said cover member, said surface having a discharge area thereon, said discharge area being generally axially aligned with the inner conductor of the transmission line, said cover member of said gas tube assembly having a discharge area, said gas tube assembly further including a body portion, said body portion generally having a square cross-section, said body portion contacting said first and second electrodes and spacing apart said discharge areas, said second electrode of said gas tube assembly including an extending portion which is coupled to said housing.

A method of protecting a coaxial transmission line from damage due to transient surge voltages and induced AC power voltages, said transmission line having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, said method comprising:

• providing a protector comprising a housing, a gas tube assembly retained in said housing and including a first electrode and a second electrode, said second electrode comprising a cover member coupled to said housing and retained therein, said first electrode having a surface generally facing said cover member, said surface having a discharge area thereon, said cover member of said gas tube assembly having a discharge area, each of said discharge areas being spaced apart from each other;
• coupling said first electrode of said protector to said inner conductor of the transmission line so that said first electrode is substantially aligned with the inner conductor of the transmission line and said discharge area on said surface of said first electrode is generally axially aligned with the inner conductor of the transmission line;
• and coupling said second electrode of said protector to said outer conductor of said transmission line.

A method of permitting passage of microwaves along a coaxial transmission line having an inner conductor and an outer conductor and having a protector coupled thereto, said protector comprising a housing, a gas tube assembly retained in said housing and including a first electrode and a second electrode, said second electrode comprising a cover member coupled to said housing and retained therein, said first electrode of said protector being coupled to said inner conductor of the transmission line so that said first electrode is substantially aligned with the inner conductor of the transmission line, said second electrode of said protector being coupled to said outer conductor of the transmission line, said first electrode having a surface generally facing said cover member, said surface having a discharge area thereon, said discharge area being generally axially aligned with the inner conductor of the transmission line, said cover member of said gas tube assembly having a discharge area, each of said discharge areas being spaced apart from each other defining a gap therebetween;

• and allowing the passage of said microwaves along said coaxial transmission line, and along said first and second electrodes of said gas tube assembly of said protector.