GB476066A - Improvements in or relating to electric discharge devices - Google Patents

Abstract

476,066. Discharge apparatus. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO., Ltd. (Patent-Treuhand-Ges. fiir Electrische Gl³hlampen) July 21, 1936, No. 20177. Drawings to Specification. [Class 39 (i)] The characteristic of the positive column of a discharge device is rendered positive by the promotion of electrophoresis. Electrophoresis may be promoted by reducing thermal diffusion, e.g. by the use of a tube of small diameter, and by making large the difference in the ionization potentials of the component fillings. When the tube is energized by an alternating potential, the alternating discharge current should be asymmetrical; this may be obtained by providing the tube with one cold electrode and with one thermionic electrode, or with two thermionic electrodes which have different electron emission, or with two cold electrodes and by earthing a suitable point on the tube which is supplied from a secondary winding which is earthed. A metal which is completely evaporated during operation may be provided, and is preferably located at the cathode end. A lamp, the dimensions of which are stated in the specification, may have a filling of neon at 4 mms. and mercury at atmospheric pressure, and red and blue light is emitted from different parts of the tube. In another form, the filling may consist of argon and sodium. Specification 424,322 is referred to.