GB1228396A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,228,396. Metal vapour discharge apparatus. M-O VALVE CO. Ltd. 22 Jan., 1970 [19 Feb., 1967], No. 9078/69. Heading H1D. [Also in Division H2] A high voltage electric discharge device comprises a gas or vapour filled envelope 6 containing at least one voltage grading electrode 5 between an anode 2 and a cathode 3 across which the discharge passes, and an annular conducting member 7 and electrically separate from the electrodes surrounding a gap between a grading electrode and an adjacent electrode to protect the envelope against sputtering deposition. In a rectifier five louvred grid electrodes 4, 5 are located between the anode 2 and a Hg cathode 3, electrode 4 serving as a control electrode. The gaps between adjacent electrodes are surrounded by members 7 supported on rods 16. Alternatively the members have outwardly extending flanges at one or both ends sealed between adjacent sections of the envelope of insulating material. In operation the electrodes 5 and members 7 are connected to tapping points of a potential divider e.g. as described in Specification 1,228,395 (see Division H2F) via spark gaps and shunting resistors, the members being maintained at potentials intermediate those on adjacent electrodes.