EP0513403A1 - Gas discharge switch - Google Patents

Gas discharge switch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0513403A1
EP0513403A1 EP91106733A EP91106733A EP0513403A1 EP 0513403 A1 EP0513403 A1 EP 0513403A1 EP 91106733 A EP91106733 A EP 91106733A EP 91106733 A EP91106733 A EP 91106733A EP 0513403 A1 EP0513403 A1 EP 0513403A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas discharge
electrode
low
opening
discharge
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EP91106733A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
David Walter Dr. Branston
Jan Stroh
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Siemens AG
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Siemens AG
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Application filed by Siemens AG filed Critical Siemens AG
Priority to DE9117007U priority Critical patent/DE9117007U1/en
Priority to EP91106733A priority patent/EP0513403A1/en
Priority to US07/871,989 priority patent/US5189346A/en
Priority to JP4130122A priority patent/JPH05198264A/en
Publication of EP0513403A1 publication Critical patent/EP0513403A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T2/00—Spark gaps comprising auxiliary triggering means
    • H01T2/02—Spark gaps comprising auxiliary triggering means comprising a trigger electrode or an auxiliary spark gap
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/02—Details
    • H01J17/04—Electrodes; Screens
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/38—Cold-cathode tubes
    • H01J17/40—Cold-cathode tubes with one cathode and one anode, e.g. glow tubes, tuning-indicator glow tubes, voltage-stabiliser tubes, voltage-indicator tubes
    • H01J17/44—Cold-cathode tubes with one cathode and one anode, e.g. glow tubes, tuning-indicator glow tubes, voltage-stabiliser tubes, voltage-indicator tubes having one or more control electrodes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a gas discharge switch that contains at least two main electrodes for a low-pressure gas discharge, which are arranged in a switching chamber and form a cathode and an anode of a discharge path for the low-pressure gas discharge with the length d.
  • the switching chamber contains an ionizable gas filling, the pressure p of which is selected so that the ignition voltage of the gas discharge decreases with increasing product pxd.
  • the ignition voltage for a given gas discharge path and its usual graphical representation as a function of the product of gas pressure p and electrode spacing d in the ignition characteristic curve are known to be an important aid for identifying electrical discharge devices, taking into account the probability of ignition.
  • the infinitely large plate capacitor and its ignition characteristic are generally used for comparison.
  • the practical embodiment of such discharge paths has electrodes with finite dimensions.
  • Such detour discharges can be avoided by an electrode construction with flat plate electrodes that are coaxial arranged to each other and bent at their edges with a small radius of curvature relative to the distance between the electrodes and are guided along the inner cylindrical insulator surface. A gap is thus always formed between the bent, cylindrical edge region of the electrodes and the inner wall of the hollow cylindrical insulator.
  • the ignition characteristic curve can also be determined, for example, for various noble and molecular gases in the near-breakdown area, ie to the left of the minimum of the Paschen curve (Proc. VII th Int. Conf. Phenom. In Ionized Gases, Beograd 1965, Vol. l, pp. 316 to 326).
  • Gas discharge switches are also known which are controlled by a pulsed low pressure gas discharge. For example, they switch currents of 10 kA at a voltage of 20 kV.
  • the discharge switch contains an anode and a cathode, which are provided with coaxial openings and are separated from one another at the edge by an annular insulator.
  • a control device is provided for the gas discharge, which contains a hollow electrode designed as a cage, which is connected to the cathode in an electrically conductive manner and is therefore at the cathode potential. It surrounds the cathode rear space and separates it from the area of pre-ionization.
  • the gas discharge between the cathode and the anode is ignited by injection of charge carriers.
  • the discharge path is ignited in two stages.
  • an auxiliary electrode generates a pre-ionization by means of a glow discharge.
  • a trigger electrode then receives a negative ignition pulse and the entry of charge carriers into the hollow electrode is made possible in that the potential of a blocking electrode is set to zero. Discharge is initiated when the charge carriers enter the hollow electrode (J. Phys. E: Sci. Instr. 19 (1986), The Inst. Of Physics, Great Britain, pages 466 to 470).
  • the invention is based on the object of simplifying and improving this known embodiment of a gas discharge switch for a low-pressure gas discharge, in particular the service life of the switch is to be increased by reducing the stress on the hollow electrode.
  • the main electrode facing the hollow electrode is provided with an opening on the discharge gap and that a baffle plate for the ion current of the low-pressure gas discharge is provided between this opening and the hollow electrode at a predetermined distance from the surface of the main electrode.
  • This baffle plate is at the potential of the assigned main electrode and acts as a baffle plate for the ions emerging from the opening of the main electrode and thus protects the hollow electrode.
  • the gas discharge switch contains two main electrodes for a low-pressure gas discharge, one of which is connected as a cathode 2 and the other as an anode 3 and at least the cathode 2 is provided with at least one opening 4.
  • the anode 3 can also be provided with at least one opening 5.
  • a discharge path 8 can be ignited through the two openings 4 and 5.
  • the cathode 2 and the anode 3, which generally each form a rotating body, are arranged at a predetermined distance a from one another, which can be, for example, approximately 2 to 5 mm.
  • At least one of the mutually facing surfaces of the cathode 2 and the anode 3 is at the discharge path 8 with one in the Figure not designated recess provided which extends the distance between the electrodes 2 and 3 on the discharge path 8.
  • This distance d can preferably be approximately 3 to 12, in particular at least 4 mm.
  • the cathode 2 and the anode 3 are made of electrically conductive material, preferably stainless steel, and can in general be provided on the discharge path 8 with special inserts 6 and 7 made of a high-melting metal or also consist entirely of this high-melting metal.
  • the diameter of the openings 4 and 5 is preferably selected to be at most as large and in particular smaller than the distance d between the electrodes 2 and 3 on the discharge path 8.
  • the cathode 2 and the anode 3 are arranged in a switching chamber 14, the hollow cylindrical housing of which consists of electrically insulating material, preferably ceramic.
  • a positive switching voltage U O of, for example, approximately 40 kV should be applied to the anode 3.
  • the trigger device for the discharge path 8 includes a hollow electrode 10 which is arranged in the switching chamber 14 in such a way that its opening faces the discharge path 8.
  • the hollow electrode 10 consists of an electrically conductive material, for example stainless steel, and has at least the shape of a shell, preferably the shape of a pot, the depth T of which is greater than the length of the cathodic dark space of a glow discharge.
  • the lateral, flange-like extension of the base 11 in the form of a profile ring is provided with compensation openings for the access of a working gas.
  • a trigger voltage source 17 with a trigger voltage U T is connected to the hollow electrode 10 and supplies a trigger pulse with a steep rising edge and a negative voltage of, for example, approximately 0.5 to 10 kV, preferably approximately 1 to 5 kV, as compared to that in the figure designated reference potential of the cathode 2, which may be ground potential, for example.
  • the length of the trigger pulse is at least as long as the switching delay of the discharge path 8 and can be, for example, approximately 0.1 to 2 ⁇ s, preferably approximately 0.5 to 1 ⁇ s.
  • the trigger voltage source 17 can preferably be connected to the hollow electrode 10 via a limiting resistor 18 and a decoupling capacitance 19.
  • the baffle plate 20 is arranged so that its flat sides run approximately perpendicular to the axis of the opening 4 and thus also approximately perpendicular to the discharge path 8. It consists at least partially of electrically conductive material, preferably of a material with a high melting point. In particular, it can consist of molybdenum or tungsten, at least on its flat side facing the discharge gap 8.
  • the baffle plate 20 which acts as a shield against the ions of the gas discharge, is thus essentially at the potential of the associated main electrode, that is the cathode 2 in this embodiment the clear width of the opening 4.
  • the switching chamber 14 generally also contains a gas storage 24 for a working gas for a working gas, which is only indicated schematically in the figure and is provided with a heating device, not shown in the figure, the electrical connections of which are designated 25 and 26 in the figure .
  • the gas filling consists of an ionizable gas, preferably hydrogen or deuterium, or a mixture of these gases.
  • an ionizable gas preferably hydrogen or deuterium, or a mixture of these gases.
  • nitrogen or noble gases such as argon or helium, are also suitable.

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  • Gas-Filled Discharge Tubes (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)

Abstract

The gas-discharge switch contains at least two main electrodes for a low-pressure gas discharge. The distance d between the main electrodes and the pressure p of an operating gas are selected such that the ignition voltage reduces as the product pxd increases. According to the invention, the discharge path (8) is allocated a hollow electrode (10) which is connected to a trigger voltage source (17). The main electrode facing the hollow electrode (10) is provided with a central opening (4). A baffle plate (20) for the ion current of the low-pressure gas discharge is provided between said opening (4) and the hollow electrode (10) at a predetermined distance from the surface of the main electrode. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf einen Gasentladungsschalter, der wenigstens zwei Hauptelektroden für eine Niederdruck-Gasentladung enthält, die in einer Schaltkammer angeordnet sind und eine Kathode und eine Anode einer Entladungsstrecke für die Niederdruck-Gasentladung mit der Länge d bilden. Die Schaltkammer enthält eine ionisierbare Gasfüllung, deren Druck p so gewählt ist, daß die Zündspannung der Gasentladung mit steigendem Produkt pxd abnimmt.The invention relates to a gas discharge switch that contains at least two main electrodes for a low-pressure gas discharge, which are arranged in a switching chamber and form a cathode and an anode of a discharge path for the low-pressure gas discharge with the length d. The switching chamber contains an ionizable gas filling, the pressure p of which is selected so that the ignition voltage of the gas discharge decreases with increasing product pxd.

Die Zündspannung für eine vorgegebene Gasentladungsstrecke und ihre übliche graphische Darstellung in Abhängigkeit vom Produkt aus Gasdruck p und Elektrodenabstand d in der Zündkennlinie bildet bekanntlich unter entsprechender Berücksichtigung der Zündwahrscheinlichkeit ein wichtiges Hilfsmittel zur Kennzeichnung von elektrischen Entladungsgeräten. Bei der Ermittlung der elektrischen Spannungsfestigkeit einer vorgegebenen Gasentladungsstrecke wird im allgemeinen der unendlich große Plattenkondensator und seine Zündkennlinie zum Vergleich herangezogen. Die praktische Ausführungsform solcher Entladungsstrecken hat jedoch Elektroden mit endlichen Abmessungen. Während es zur Ermittlung des rechten Astes der Zündkennlinie (Paschenkurve) einschließlich des Spannungs-Minimums genügt, lediglich zwei ebene, gegebenenfalls an den Rändern mit einem sogenannten Rogowski-Profil versehene abgerundete Platten parallel zueinander anzuordnen, ist eine derartige konstruktive Anordnung zur Untersuchung von Zündkennlinien im linken Teil der Paschenkurve unbrauchbar, weil dann Umwegentladungen auftreten können.The ignition voltage for a given gas discharge path and its usual graphical representation as a function of the product of gas pressure p and electrode spacing d in the ignition characteristic curve are known to be an important aid for identifying electrical discharge devices, taking into account the probability of ignition. When determining the electrical dielectric strength of a given gas discharge path, the infinitely large plate capacitor and its ignition characteristic are generally used for comparison. However, the practical embodiment of such discharge paths has electrodes with finite dimensions. While it is sufficient to determine the right branch of the ignition characteristic curve (Paschen curve) including the voltage minimum, only two flat, possibly rounded plates with a so-called Rogowski profile are arranged parallel to each other, such a constructive arrangement for examining ignition characteristic curves is in the left part of the Paschen curve unusable, because detours can then occur.

Solche Umwegentladungen kann man durch eine Elektrodenkonstruktion mit ebenen Plattenelektroden vermeiden, die koaxial zueinander angeordnet und an ihren Rändern mit einem relativ zum Elektrodenabstand kleinen Krümmungsradius voneinander abgebogen und entlang der inneren zylindrischen Isolatoroberfläche geführt sind. Es wird somit zwischen dem abgebogenen, zylinderförmigen Randgebiet der Elektroden und der Innenwand des hohlzylindrischen Isolators stets ein Spalt gebildet. Mit dieser Ausführungsform einer Niederdruck-Gasentladungsstrecke kann auch im Nahdurchschlagsgebiet, d.h. links vom Minimum der Paschenkurve, die Zündkennlinie beispielsweise für verschiedene Edel- und Molekülgase ermittelt werden (Proc. VIIth Int. Conf. Phenom. in Ionised Gases, Beograd 1965, Bd. l, S. 316 bis 326).Such detour discharges can be avoided by an electrode construction with flat plate electrodes that are coaxial arranged to each other and bent at their edges with a small radius of curvature relative to the distance between the electrodes and are guided along the inner cylindrical insulator surface. A gap is thus always formed between the bent, cylindrical edge region of the electrodes and the inner wall of the hollow cylindrical insulator. With this embodiment of a low-pressure gas discharge path, the ignition characteristic curve can also be determined, for example, for various noble and molecular gases in the near-breakdown area, ie to the left of the minimum of the Paschen curve (Proc. VII th Int. Conf. Phenom. In Ionized Gases, Beograd 1965, Vol. l, pp. 316 to 326).

Es sind auch Gasentladungsschalter bekannt, die durch eine gepulste Niederdruck-Gasentladung gesteuert werden. Sie schalten beispielsweise Ströme von 10 kA bei einer Spannung von 20 kV. Der Entladungsschalter enthält eine Anode und eine Kathode, die mit koaxialen Öffnungen versehen sind und am Rande durch einen ringförmigen Isolator voneinander getrennt sind. Für die Gasentladung ist eine Steuereinrichtung vorgesehen, die eine als Käfig gestaltete Hohlelektrode enthält, die mit der Kathode elektrisch leitend verbunden ist und somit auf dem Kathodenpotential liegt. Sie umschließt den Kathodenrückraum und trennt diesen vom Bereich einer Vorionisierung. Die Gasentladung zwischen der Kathode und der Anode wird durch Injektion von Ladungsträgern gezündet. Die Zündung der Entladungsstrecke erfolgt in zwei Stufen. Zunächst wird von einer Hilfselektrode eine Vorionisierung durch eine Glimmentladung erzeugt. Anschließend erhält eine Triggerelektrode einen negativen Zündimpuls und der Eintritt von Ladungsträgern in die Hohlelektrode wird dadurch ermöglicht, daß das Potential einer Blockierelektrode auf Null gesetzt wird. Mit dem Eintritt der Ladungsträger in die Hohlelektrode wird die Entladung eingeleitet (J. Phys. E: Sci. Instr. 19 (1986), The Inst. of Physics, Great Britain, Seiten 466 bis 470).Gas discharge switches are also known which are controlled by a pulsed low pressure gas discharge. For example, they switch currents of 10 kA at a voltage of 20 kV. The discharge switch contains an anode and a cathode, which are provided with coaxial openings and are separated from one another at the edge by an annular insulator. A control device is provided for the gas discharge, which contains a hollow electrode designed as a cage, which is connected to the cathode in an electrically conductive manner and is therefore at the cathode potential. It surrounds the cathode rear space and separates it from the area of pre-ionization. The gas discharge between the cathode and the anode is ignited by injection of charge carriers. The discharge path is ignited in two stages. First of all, an auxiliary electrode generates a pre-ionization by means of a glow discharge. A trigger electrode then receives a negative ignition pulse and the entry of charge carriers into the hollow electrode is made possible in that the potential of a blocking electrode is set to zero. Discharge is initiated when the charge carriers enter the hollow electrode (J. Phys. E: Sci. Instr. 19 (1986), The Inst. Of Physics, Great Britain, pages 466 to 470).

Der Erfindung liegt nun die Aufgabe zugrunde, diese bekannte Ausführungsform eines Gasentladungsschalters für eine Niederdruckgasentladung zu vereinfachen und zu verbessern, insbesondere soll die Lebensdauer des Schalters dadurch erhöht werden, daß die Beanspruchung der Hohlelektrode vermindert wird.The invention is based on the object of simplifying and improving this known embodiment of a gas discharge switch for a low-pressure gas discharge, in particular the service life of the switch is to be increased by reducing the stress on the hollow electrode.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, daß die der Hohlelektrode zugewandte Hauptelektrode an der Entladungsstrecke mit einer Öffnung versehen ist und daß zwischen dieser Öffnung und der Hohlelektrode in einem vorbestimmten Abstand von der Oberfläche der Hauptelektrode eine Prallplatte für den Ionenstrom der Niederdruckgasentladung vorgesehen ist. Diese Prallplatte liegt auf dem Potential der zugeordneten Hauptelektrode und wirkt als Prallblech für die aus der Öffnung der Hauptelektrode austretenden Ionen und schützt damit die Hohlelektrode.This object is achieved in that the main electrode facing the hollow electrode is provided with an opening on the discharge gap and that a baffle plate for the ion current of the low-pressure gas discharge is provided between this opening and the hollow electrode at a predetermined distance from the surface of the main electrode. This baffle plate is at the potential of the assigned main electrode and acts as a baffle plate for the ions emerging from the opening of the main electrode and thus protects the hollow electrode.

Zur weiteren Erläuterung der Erfindung wird auf die Zeichnung Bezug genommen, in deren Figur ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Gasentladungsschalters gemäß der Erfindung schematisch veranschaulicht ist.To further explain the invention, reference is made to the drawing, in the figure of which an exemplary embodiment of a gas discharge switch according to the invention is schematically illustrated.

In der dargestellten Ausführungsform enthält der Gasentladungsschalter zwei Hauptelektroden für eine Niederdruck-Gasentladung, von denen eine als Kathode 2 und die andere als Anode 3 geschaltet sind und von denen wenigstens die Kathode 2 mit mindestens einer Öffnung 4 versehen ist. In gleicher Weise kann auch die Anode 3 mit wenigstens einer Öffnung 5 versehen sein. Durch die beiden Öffnungen 4 und 5 kann eine Entladungsstrecke 8 gezündet werden. Die Kathode 2 und die Anode 3, die im allgemeinen jeweils einen Rotationskörper bilden, sind in einem vorbestimmten Abstand a zueinander angeordnet, der beispielsweise etwa 2 bis 5 mm betragen kann. An der Entladungsstrecke 8 ist wenigstens eine der einander zugewandten Oberflächen der Kathode 2 und der Anode 3 mit einer in der Figur nicht näher bezeichneten Ausnehmung versehen, die den Abstand der Elektroden 2 und 3 an der Entladungsstrecke 8 erweitert. Dieser Abstand d kann vorzugsweise etwa 3 bis 12, insbesondere wenigstens 4 mm, betragen. Die Kathode 2 und die Anode 3 bestehen aus elektrisch leitendem Material, vorzugsweise Edelstahl, und können an der Entladungsstrecke 8 im allgemeinen noch mit besonderen Einsätzen 6 und 7 aus einem hochschmelzenden Metall versehen sein oder auch ganz aus diesem hochschmelzenden Metall bestehen. Der Durchmesser der Öffnungen 4 und 5 wird vorzugsweise höchstens so groß und insbesondere kleiner als der Abstand d der Elektroden 2 und 3 an der Entladungsstrecke 8 gewählt. Die Kathode 2 und die Anode 3 sind in einer Schaltkammer 14 angeordnet, deren hohlzylindrisches Gehäuse aus elektrisch isolierendem Material, vorzugsweise Keramik, besteht. An die Anode 3 soll eine positive Schaltspannung UO von beispielsweise etwa 40 kV angelegt sein.In the illustrated embodiment, the gas discharge switch contains two main electrodes for a low-pressure gas discharge, one of which is connected as a cathode 2 and the other as an anode 3 and at least the cathode 2 is provided with at least one opening 4. In the same way, the anode 3 can also be provided with at least one opening 5. A discharge path 8 can be ignited through the two openings 4 and 5. The cathode 2 and the anode 3, which generally each form a rotating body, are arranged at a predetermined distance a from one another, which can be, for example, approximately 2 to 5 mm. At least one of the mutually facing surfaces of the cathode 2 and the anode 3 is at the discharge path 8 with one in the Figure not designated recess provided which extends the distance between the electrodes 2 and 3 on the discharge path 8. This distance d can preferably be approximately 3 to 12, in particular at least 4 mm. The cathode 2 and the anode 3 are made of electrically conductive material, preferably stainless steel, and can in general be provided on the discharge path 8 with special inserts 6 and 7 made of a high-melting metal or also consist entirely of this high-melting metal. The diameter of the openings 4 and 5 is preferably selected to be at most as large and in particular smaller than the distance d between the electrodes 2 and 3 on the discharge path 8. The cathode 2 and the anode 3 are arranged in a switching chamber 14, the hollow cylindrical housing of which consists of electrically insulating material, preferably ceramic. A positive switching voltage U O of, for example, approximately 40 kV should be applied to the anode 3.

Zur Triggereinrichtung für die Entladungsstrecke 8 gehört eine Hohlelektrode 10, die in der Schaltkammer 14 derart angeordnet ist, daß ihre Öffnung der Entladungsstrecke 8 zugewandt ist. Die Hohlelektrode 10 besteht aus einem elektrisch leitenden Material, beispielsweise Edelstahl, und hat wenigstens die Form einer Schale, vorzugsweise die Form eines Topfes, dessen Tiefe T größer als die Länge des kathodischen Dunkelraumes einer Glimmentladung ist. Die seitliche, flanschartige Erweiterung des Bodens 11 in der Form eines Profilringes ist mit Ausgleichsöffnungen für den Zutritt eines Arbeitsgases versehen.The trigger device for the discharge path 8 includes a hollow electrode 10 which is arranged in the switching chamber 14 in such a way that its opening faces the discharge path 8. The hollow electrode 10 consists of an electrically conductive material, for example stainless steel, and has at least the shape of a shell, preferably the shape of a pot, the depth T of which is greater than the length of the cathodic dark space of a glow discharge. The lateral, flange-like extension of the base 11 in the form of a profile ring is provided with compensation openings for the access of a working gas.

Eine Triggerspannungsquelle 17 mit einer Triggerspannung UT ist an die Hohlelektrode 10 angeschlossen und liefert einen Triggerimpuls mit steiler Anstiegsflanke und einer negativen Spannung von beispielsweise etwa 0,5 bis 10 kV, vorzugsweise etwa 1 bis 5 kV gegenüber dem in der Figur nicht näher bezeichneten Bezugspotential der Kathode 2, das beispielsweise Erdpotential sein kann. Die Länge des Triggerimpulses ist wenigstens so groß wie die Schaltverzögerung der Entladungsstrecke 8 und kann beispielsweise etwa 0,1 bis 2 µs, vorzugsweise etwa 0,5 bis 1 µs, betragen. Die Triggerspannungsquelle 17 kann vorzugsweise über einen Begrenzungswiderstand 18 und eine Entkopplungskapazität 19 an die Hohlelektrode 10 angeschlossen sein.A trigger voltage source 17 with a trigger voltage U T is connected to the hollow electrode 10 and supplies a trigger pulse with a steep rising edge and a negative voltage of, for example, approximately 0.5 to 10 kV, preferably approximately 1 to 5 kV, as compared to that in the figure designated reference potential of the cathode 2, which may be ground potential, for example. The length of the trigger pulse is at least as long as the switching delay of the discharge path 8 and can be, for example, approximately 0.1 to 2 μs, preferably approximately 0.5 to 1 μs. The trigger voltage source 17 can preferably be connected to the hollow electrode 10 via a limiting resistor 18 and a decoupling capacitance 19.

Durch die Anordnung einer Prallplatte 20 gemäß der Erfindung zwischen der Öffnung 4 der Kathode 2 und der Hohlelektrode 10 kann der Aufprall des Ionenstrahls der Niederdruck-Gasentladung auf den Boden 11 der Hohlelektrode 10 verhindert und dadurch eine entsprechende Abnutzung der Hohlelektrode 10 verhindert werden. Die Prallplatte 20 ist so angeordnet, daß ihre Flachseiten etwa senkrecht zur Achse der Öffnung 4 und somit auch etwa senkrecht zur Entladungsstrecke 8 verlaufen. Sie besteht wenigstens teilweise aus elektrisch leitendem Material, vorzugsweise aus einem Material mit hohem Schmelzpunkt. Insbesondere kann sie wenigstens auf ihrer der Entladungsstrecke 8 zugewandten Flachseite aus Molybdän oder Wolfram bestehen. Sie kann ferner aus einem abbrandfestem Material, beispielsweise Kupfer-Chrom, bestehen, das Kupfer als Matrix und Chrom gegebenenfalls mit weiteren Zusätzen als Tränkmetall enthält. Sie ist mit der Kathode 2 elektrisch leitend verbunden und kann beispielsweise mit Hilfe von Abstandhaltern 21 aus elektrisch leitendem Material in einem vorbestimmten Abstand oberhalb der Bohrung 4 angebracht werden. Die als Abschirmung gegen die Ionen der Gasentladung wirkende Prallplatte 20 liegt somit im wesentlichen auf dem Potential der zugeordneten Hauptelektrode, das ist in dieser Ausführungsform die Kathode 2. Die Ausdehnung der Prallplatte 20 senkrecht zur Entladungsstrecke 8 ist mindestens so groß wie und vorzugsweise wesentlich größer als die lichte Weite der Öffnung 4.By arranging a baffle plate 20 according to the invention between the opening 4 of the cathode 2 and the hollow electrode 10, the impact of the ion beam of the low-pressure gas discharge on the bottom 11 of the hollow electrode 10 can be prevented and a corresponding wear of the hollow electrode 10 can be prevented. The baffle plate 20 is arranged so that its flat sides run approximately perpendicular to the axis of the opening 4 and thus also approximately perpendicular to the discharge path 8. It consists at least partially of electrically conductive material, preferably of a material with a high melting point. In particular, it can consist of molybdenum or tungsten, at least on its flat side facing the discharge gap 8. It can also consist of a material which is resistant to erosion, for example copper-chromium, which contains copper as the matrix and chromium, optionally with further additives, as impregnation metal. It is connected to the cathode 2 in an electrically conductive manner and can be attached, for example with the aid of spacers 21 made of electrically conductive material, at a predetermined distance above the bore 4. The baffle plate 20, which acts as a shield against the ions of the gas discharge, is thus essentially at the potential of the associated main electrode, that is the cathode 2 in this embodiment the clear width of the opening 4.

Die Schaltkammer 14 enthält im allgemeinen für ein Arbeitsgas noch einen Gasspeicher 24 für ein Arbeitsgas, der in der Figur lediglich schematisch angedeutet ist und mit einer in der Figur nicht näher dargestellten Heizeinrichtung versehen ist, deren elektrische Anschlüsse in der Figur mit 25 und 26 bezeichnet sind.The switching chamber 14 generally also contains a gas storage 24 for a working gas for a working gas, which is only indicated schematically in the figure and is provided with a heating device, not shown in the figure, the electrical connections of which are designated 25 and 26 in the figure .

Die Gasfüllung besteht aus einem ionisierbaren Gas, vorzugsweise Wasserstoff oder Deuterium, oder einer Mischung dieser Gase. Ferner geeignet sind bekanntlich Stickstoff oder Edelgase, wie beispielsweise Argon oder Helium.The gas filling consists of an ionizable gas, preferably hydrogen or deuterium, or a mixture of these gases. As is well known, nitrogen or noble gases, such as argon or helium, are also suitable.

Claims (4)

Gasentladungsschalter mit folgenden Merkmalen: a) Es sind wenigstens zwei Hauptelektroden für eine Niederdruck-Gasentladung vorgesehen, die in einer Schaltkammer (14) angeordnet sind und eine Kathode (2) und eine Anode (3) einer Entladungsstrecke (8) für die Niederdruck-Gasentladung mit der Länge d bilden, b) die Schaltkammer (14) enthält eine ionisierbare Gasfüllung, deren Druck p so gewählt ist, daß die Zündspannung der Niederdruckgasentladung mit steigendem Produkt pxd abnimmt, c) der Entladungsstrecke (8) ist eine Triggereinrichtung mit einer Hohlelektrode (10) zugeordnet, die an eine Triggerspannungsquelle (17) angeschlossen ist, d) die der Hohlelektrode (10) zugewandte Hauptelektrode ist an der Entladungsstrecke (8) mit einer Öffnung (4) versehen und zwischen dieser Öffnung (4) und der Hohlelektrode (10) ist in einem vorbestimmten Abstand von der Oberfläche der Hauptelektrode eine Prallplatte (20) für den Ionenstrom der Niederdruck-Gasentladung angeordnet. Gas discharge switch with the following features: a) At least two main electrodes for a low-pressure gas discharge are provided, which are arranged in a switching chamber (14) and form a cathode (2) and an anode (3) of a discharge path (8) for the low-pressure gas discharge with the length d , b) the switching chamber (14) contains an ionizable gas filling, the pressure p of which is selected so that the ignition voltage of the low-pressure gas discharge decreases with increasing product pxd, c) the discharge path (8) is assigned a trigger device with a hollow electrode (10) which is connected to a trigger voltage source (17), d) the main electrode facing the hollow electrode (10) is provided with an opening (4) on the discharge gap (8) and between this opening (4) and the hollow electrode (10) there is a baffle plate at a predetermined distance from the surface of the main electrode ( 20) arranged for the ion current of the low-pressure gas discharge. Gasentladungsschalter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Ausdehnung der Prallplatte (20) senkrecht zur Achse der Öffnung (4) mindestens so groß wie die Weite der Öffnung (4) ist.Gas discharge switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension of the baffle plate (20) perpendicular to the axis of the opening (4) is at least as large as the width of the opening (4). Gasentladungsschalter nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Prallplatte (20) aus einem Metall mit hohem Schmelzpunkt besteht.Gas discharge switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the baffle plate (20) consists of a metal with a high melting point. Gasentladungsschalter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Prallplatte (20) wenigstens teilweise aus Wolfram oder Molybdän besteht.Gas discharge switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the baffle plate (20) consists at least partially of tungsten or molybdenum.
EP91106733A 1991-04-25 1991-04-25 Gas discharge switch Withdrawn EP0513403A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9117007U DE9117007U1 (en) 1991-04-25 1991-04-25 Gas discharge switch
EP91106733A EP0513403A1 (en) 1991-04-25 1991-04-25 Gas discharge switch
US07/871,989 US5189346A (en) 1991-04-25 1992-04-22 Gas-discharge switch
JP4130122A JPH05198264A (en) 1991-04-25 1992-04-22 Gas discharge switch

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP91106733A EP0513403A1 (en) 1991-04-25 1991-04-25 Gas discharge switch

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EP0513403A1 true EP0513403A1 (en) 1992-11-19

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US (1) US5189346A (en)
EP (1) EP0513403A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH05198264A (en)
DE (1) DE9117007U1 (en)

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CN101297452A (en) * 2005-09-14 2008-10-29 力特保险丝有限公司 Gas-filled surge arrester, activating compound, ignition stripes and method therefore
US20130162136A1 (en) * 2011-10-18 2013-06-27 David A. Baldwin Arc devices and moving arc couples

Citations (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4939416A (en) * 1988-04-11 1990-07-03 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Gas discharge switch

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DE3721529A1 (en) * 1987-06-30 1989-01-12 Christiansen Jens TRIGGERING AND ISOLATION OF PSEUDO SPARK SWITCHES
US5055748A (en) * 1990-05-30 1991-10-08 Integrated Applied Physics Inc. Trigger for pseudospark thyratron switch
US5126638A (en) * 1991-05-13 1992-06-30 Maxwell Laboratories, Inc. Coaxial pseudospark discharge switch

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US4939416A (en) * 1988-04-11 1990-07-03 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Gas discharge switch

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IEEE Conference Record of the 1990 Nineteenth Power Modulator Symposium, Hyatt Islandia, San Diego, CA, June 26-28, 1990 P. BICKEL et al., "High-repetition rate, commercial pseudospark switches for pulsed modulators" Seiten 232-236 *

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US5189346A (en) 1993-02-23
DE9117007U1 (en) 1995-01-26
JPH05198264A (en) 1993-08-06

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