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US 9,806,501 B1Granted
Spark gap with triple-point electron emission prompting
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorTimothy John Sommerer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present approach relates to generating seed electrons at a spark gap in the absence of 85Kr. The present approach utilizes electron emission from a triple-point instead to provide seed electrons to reduce the statistical time lag of a spark gap. In one such implementation, a spark gap a spark gap may be fabricated and/or operated without a radioactive component without otherwise changing its overall form or function of the spark gap.
Claims17
A spark gap, comprising:
- a first electrode having a first surface;
- and
- a second electrode having a second surface spaced apart from and facing the first surface, wherein the second surface comprises a conductive inner region and a substantially insulating peripheral region defining a boundary therebetween, wherein the boundary generates free electrons via a triple point emission effect when the spark gap is operated.
An ignition device, comprising:
- one or more igniters configured to ignite a fuel stream or vapor during operation;
- and one or more exciter components, each connected to a respective igniter, wherein each exciter component comprises a spark gap having a triple emission point that generates free electrons when the spark gap is operated, wherein the spark gap comprises:
- a first electrode having a first surface;
- and
- a second electrode having a second surface spaced apart from and facing the first surface, wherein the second surface comprises a conductive inner region and a substantially insulating peripheral region forming a boundary therebetween, wherein the triple emission point corresponds to the boundary formed between the conductive inner region and the substantially insulating peripheral region.
2 more elements
A method for generating a conductive plasma, comprising:
- applying a voltage across a spark gap comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode comprises a surface facing the second electrode that has a conductive inner region and a substantially insulating peripheral region forming a boundary therebetween;
- generating free electrons at the boundary between the conductive inner region and the substantially insulating peripheral region via a triple point emission effect when the spark gap is operated;
- and
- subsequent to generating the free electrons, generating the conductive plasma across the spark gap.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.