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US 7,871,303 B2Granted
System for filling and venting of run-in gas into vacuum tubes
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorBarrett E. Cole
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Heavier noble gases such as xenon and argon can reduce the run-in period for vacuum tubes and in particular flame detector tubes. The tubes can be filled with a run-in gas and then run-in. The run-in gas can then be exchanged for an end gas, such as neon, and the tube sealed. A final conditioning step of running in the tube with the end gas can further smooth the tube's anode and cathode to thereby improve performance and operating life.
Claims5
A system comprising:
- a first gas controller that controls the flow of a run-in gas into a tube;
- a second gas controller that controls the flow of an end gas into the tube;
- a venting controller that controls venting the tube;
- a power supply that applies a voltage between an anode and a cathode wherein the tube comprises the anode and the cathode and wherein said voltage comprises a particular voltage that causes electrons to spontaneously leave said cathode;
- walls of said tube comprising a gap that encloses a window that permits a view into said tube wherein said window is transparent to photons produced by flames;
- and
- a means for sealing the tube.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.