Linear aperture pseudospark switch
AssigneeTetra Corporation
InventorsChristopher M. Young, William R. Cravey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is of a glow discharge switch operating in the low pressure regime where gas breakdown is limited by the distance between electron-gas particle collisions (pseudospark discharge). The invention utilizes linear discharge apertures (length greater than width) in the electrodes. The linear apertures provide significantly higher current conduction without discharge constriction than conventional round-hole pseudospark switches. A radial version of the linear pseudospark switch also is disclosed that provides for self-canceling of the magnetic fields induced by the discharge, and thus prevents discharge constriction and provides for very high current conduction.
Claims51
An electronic glow discharge switch, operating on the low-pressure side of the minimum of the Paschen curve, capable of withstanding high voltage, comprising:
- at least one anode plate having a first linear aperture wherein the length of said aperture is greater than the width of said first linear aperture;
- at least one cathode plate having a second linear aperture wherein the length of said second linear aperture is greater than the width of said second linear aperture;
- said anode and cathode plates disposed substantially mutually parallel and adjacent said plates separated by a gap;
- an insulator in said gap for separating said adjacent plates, wherein a glow discharge operates between adjacent said plates through said apertures to conduct current in the switch;
- means for initiating said glow discharge;
- housing means to support and seal said plates;
- and
- gas contained within said housing.
An electronic radial glow discharge switch, operating on the low-pressure side of the minimum of the Paschen curve, capable of withstanding high voltage, comprising:
- at least one anode plate having a first linear aperture wherein the length of said aperture is greater than the width of said first linear aperture;
- at least one cathode plate having a second linear aperture wherein the length of said second linear aperture is greater than the width of said second linear aperture;
- wherein said anode and cathode plates comprise cylinders concentrically disposed co-axially and separated by a gap;
- an insulator in said gap for separating said plates, wherein a glow discharge operates between said plates through said apertures to conduct current in the switch radially from said co-axis;
- means for initiating said glow discharge;
- housing means to support and seal said plates;
- and
- gas contained within said housing.
An electronic glow discharge apparatus, operating on the low-pressure side of the minimum of the Paschen curve, comprising:
- at least one anode plate having a first linear aperture wherein the length of said aperture is greater than the width of said first linear aperture;
- at least one cathode plate having a second linear aperture wherein the length of said second linear aperture is greater than the width of said second linear aperture;
- said anode and cathode plates disposed substantially mutually parallel, and adjacent said plates separated by a gap;
- an insulator in said gap for separating said adjacent plates, wherein a glow discharge operates between adjacent said plates through said apertures to conduct current in the apparatus, said glow discharge forming a sheet of current;
- means for initiating said glow discharge;
- housing means to support and seal said plates;
- gas contained within said housing;
- and
- at least one window in said housing.
A method of switching high current in a high-voltage electrical circuit, comprising the steps of:
- (a) initiating an electronic glow discharge on the low-pressure side of the minimum of the Paschen curve between at least one anode plate having a first linear aperture wherein the length of said aperture is greater than the width of said first linear aperture, and at least one cathode plate having a second linear aperture wherein the length of said second linear aperture is greater than the width of said second linear aperture;
- (b) disposing said plates substantially mutually parallel, and separating adjacent said plates by a gap;
- (c) separating said adjacent plates with an insulator in the gap;
- (d) operating the discharge between adjacent said plates through said apertures to conduct current in the apparatus, thereby forming a sheet of current;
- (e) supporting the plates within a housing;
- (f) containing gas within the housing;
- and
- (g) allowing light to exit the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.