GB211268A - Improved methods for the maintenance of constant potential difference or constant current in electrical circuits - Google Patents

Abstract

211,268. General Electric Co., Ltd., and Ryde, J. W. Dec. 2, 1922. Pulsating currents, converting into steady continuous currents.-A constant current or constant potential is obtained from a varying potential source by means of an electric discharge device the electrodes and the nature and pressure oi the gas of which are such that the fall of cathode potential remains constant. The apparatus may be combined with a rectifying device to obtain pure continuous current. An electric discharge device a, Fig. 1, is connected across the terminals c of a source through an adjustable resistance b. Across the electrodes d, e is connected a resistance k and the voltage of the source and the characteristics of the device a are such that a constant voltage is maintained across the electrodes d, e and consequently across the resistance k. A constant potential, which may be varied at will by means of an adjustable contact n, is tapped off the resistance k. A constant current is maintained in the circuit h<1>, j<1>, Fig. 2, by surrounding the cathode d<1> by a guard ring d<2> which is maintained at the same potential as the cathode d<1>. The nipples are eliminated from a rectified current from a source S, Fig. 3, by connecting the terminals u, v through either of the arrangements shown in Fig. 1 or 2.