GB548122A - Gaseous glow discharge devices - Google Patents

Abstract

548,122. Discharge lamps. STANDARD TELEPHONES & CABLES, Ltd. May 9, 1941, No. 6023. Convention date, June 5, 1940. [Class 39 (i)] A gaseous glow discharge device comprises an elongated hollow cathode with a contracted end portion arranged axially in an envelope, a resilient wire bracing member carried by the contracted end and engaging the envelope, and an anode, the glow being visible through the end of the envelope. Alternatively, a device suitable for use as a relay comprises a tubular cathode with a closure at one end and punched flat at the other, a wire supporting the cathode axially in the envelope, an anode parallel to the support wire and offset from the axis of the cathode, a shielding disc transversely mounted on the support wire and anode, a wire control electrode parallel to the anode and having an angular portion projecting towards the centre of the closure of the cathode and insulating sleeves surrounding the cathode support wire and the control electrode and extending through the shield. The combined signal and relay device shown comprises a tubular cathode 20 mounted co-axially in the envelope, closed at its lower end by a cap 21, and with its upper portion flattened to a diametral edge at the top. It is supported by the wire 19 welded to the cap, and is held against displacement by a pair of arcuate wire springs 32, 33 welded to a stub wire 31 and engaging the envelope. The anode is formed by a short wire 17, and a control electrode consists of an inclined wire 24 carried on a support wire 18 and having a curved end 25 closely adjacent the centre of the cap 21. The wires 18, 19 are covered by insulating sleeves 26, 27 between the electrodes and the face of the press 12, and a disc shield 28 of mica or other insulating material fits over the sleeves and is supported by a member 29 welded to the anode 17 and secured to a metallic eyelet 30 secured to the disc. The device may be filled with a mixture of 95 per cent neon and 5 per cent argon at a pressure of 45 millimetres of mercury.