US1955560A - Thermostatic control for electron discharge devices - Google Patents

Thermostatic control for electron discharge devices Download PDF

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Publication number
US1955560A
US1955560A US541083A US54108331A US1955560A US 1955560 A US1955560 A US 1955560A US 541083 A US541083 A US 541083A US 54108331 A US54108331 A US 54108331A US 1955560 A US1955560 A US 1955560A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
temperature
enclosure
tube
envelope
regulator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US541083A
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English (en)
Inventor
John H Payne
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to BE388594D priority Critical patent/BE388594A/xx
Priority to NL37179D priority patent/NL37179C/xx
Priority claimed from US539695A external-priority patent/US1955545A/en
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Priority to US541083A priority patent/US1955560A/en
Priority to GB14628/32A priority patent/GB401379A/en
Priority to DEA66058D priority patent/DE636407C/de
Priority to GB15322/32A priority patent/GB402147A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US1955560A publication Critical patent/US1955560A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/52—Cooling arrangements; Heating arrangements; Means for circulating gas or vapour within the discharge space
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D23/00—Control of temperature
    • G05D23/01—Control of temperature without auxiliary power
    • G05D23/02—Control of temperature without auxiliary power with sensing element expanding and contracting in response to changes of temperature
    • G05D23/08—Control of temperature without auxiliary power with sensing element expanding and contracting in response to changes of temperature with bimetallic element
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/02—Details
    • H01J17/28—Cooling arrangements

Definitions

  • My present invention relates to electric discharge apparatus, and more particularly to an accessory for maintaining the temperature of such devices relatively constant notwithstanding 5 variable temperature conditions surrounding the apparatus.
  • Electrical discharge devices which depend upon the ionization of vapor to carry large currents are useful as power rectifiers and relays. These devices ordinarily employ a thermionic cathode as a source of electrons, a cooperating anode and an electrostatic control member or grid, and a vapor which constitutes the ionizable medium.
  • the pressure of the medium and the impressed voltages are such that a discharge of arc-like character is produced between the electrodes, the initiation of the discharge being controlled by the bias on the grid. After the arc is started, the grid loses control when ordinary and practical bias voltages are employed and can neither modulate, limit nor extinguish the arc under these conditions.
  • the starting of the arc may be repeated indefinitely, for while the discharge can- P not ordinarily be extinguished by the grid, it can 20 be stopped by removing the anode voltage.
  • the grid voltage can determine whether the arc will start and by a continued repetition of this process, the grid voltage can control the average anode current over a period of time.
  • a practical method of obtaining interruption of the anode circuit is to employ alternating current or interrupted direct current. Devices of this character have been described by F A. W. Hull in an article entitled Hot cathode thyratrons in the General Electric Review, vol. 32, No. 2, April 1929, pages 2l3to 223 inclusive.
  • the operating characteristics of these devices are determined to a large extent by the vapor pressure of the ionized medium and this in turn is a function, not only of the applied voltages andload currents, but also of the temperature surrounding the device.
  • the devices In order that the operation may be uniform over substantial periods of time under conditions of steady applied voltages, it is important that the devices, or rather certain portions of each envelope, be maintained at constant predetermined temperatures.
  • These devices when serving as control or relay units may in practice be positioned in places subject to large temperature variations, as for example, when they are presented alternately to sunlight and shadow, or to summer and winter conditions, so that unless the effects of these temperature variations are compensated,
  • the pressure of the vapor within the device will change and may seriously impair its electrical characteristics.
  • the vapor condenses on the coolest portion of the envelope so that the temperature of this portion determines the amount of mercury 6 present within the tube in the form of vapor, hence, determines the degree of uniformity with which the tube operates.
  • ambient temperature and ambient condition as used in the specification and claims to include any or all of these effects and to refer to the temperature or condition respectively of that portion of the surrounding medium which is in the immediate vicinity of the tube and whose temperature is a direct function of that of the envelope.
  • the improvement essentially takes the form of an enclosure accessory in which the tube whose temperature is to be regulated, is inserted, said enclosure being provided with a door which is automatically opened when the temperature within the enclosure exceeds a predetermined value.
  • Fig. 1 shows a view, partly in elevation and partly insection, of the improved temperature control accessory with a representative arc discharge device in place while Fig. 2 is a graph which depicts the improvement of operation when the tube is provided with the improved temperature regulating accessory.
  • numeral 1 designates an arc discharge tube of conventional design whose temperature is to be maintained constant under conditions which normally would cause the temperature of the envelope to vary.
  • This tube is positioned within a rectangular box 2 which may be of metal, asbestos or other suitable material, said box being substantially closed on all sides except for a large rectangular opening at the top the enclosure.
  • the mechanism for opening the door consists of a thermostatic member '7 of any well lmown type, for example, a bimetallic strip, conveniently formed as a spiral in order to obtain the greatest length of strip in a relatively small space and secured to one of the sides of the box in any suitable manner, near the lower and coolest portion oi the are discharge device.
  • a connecting rod 8 secured between the outer end of the thermostatic strip and a position on the door, removed from the swinging axis.
  • the normal cathode heat radiation of the arc discharge device maintains the enclosure, with the door closed, at a sufilciently high temperature in the coldest operating ambient condition. If desired, an additional heater may be employed to produce this result, although such a heater is generally unnecessary.
  • the door 3 automatically opens in a gradual manner on account of the pressure exerted upwardly by the expansion of the thermostatic strip and assumes a position such that a draft oi? cooling fiuid sweeps in through the side openings and out through the top.
  • the amount of fluid which reaches the device 1 in this manner is dependent upon the size of the opening at the top and hence, is a function of the amount of change produced in the metallic strip 7.
  • the bimetallic strip member may be provided with an adjusting screw 9 which serves to adjust the position of the door in such a manner as it will begin to open when a predetermined temperature within the enclosure is reached. Inasmuch as the thermostatic strip is positioned near the cooler portion of the envelope, it is evident that the temperature regulation obtained in the manner described is under the exclusive control of the ambient conditions immediately surrounding that portion of the envelope whose temperature determines the vapor pressure within the tube.
  • Fig. 2 depicts a comparison of the operation of an arc discharge device provided, in the one case with the improved regulator, and in the'other case, without the regulator.
  • the curves are drawn between the temperature or the mercury vapor as ordinate, and the ambient temperature as abscissa. These curves clearly show that it is possible in a given installation, to maintain the temperature of the vapor, hence its pressure, substantially constant between a change in ambient temperature from 5 C. to approximately 30 C., a variation 01' more than 25 which would cover many of the temperature variations found in practice. It is evident that the range within which the temperature of the enclosure may be maintained constant, depends upon the amount of controlled cooling effect obtained by the movable door.
  • the regulator has utility in connection with all sorts oi. vacuum tubes, for example, rectifiers and amplifiers, containing gas, with or without cumulative ionization, in all of which the temperature of the envelope as a whole or a certain portion thereof may be required to be maintained at a predetermined value, notwithstanding temperature changes in the ambient conditions.
  • all sorts oi. vacuum tubes for example, rectifiers and amplifiers, containing gas, with or without cumulative ionization, in all of which the temperature of the envelope as a whole or a certain portion thereof may be required to be maintained at a predetermined value, notwithstanding temperature changes in the ambient conditions.
  • tubes which do not employ a condensable material hence.
  • the position of the bi-metallic strip may be such as to respond closely to the temperature of the envelope as a whole.
  • the improved regulator will then serve to control the average temperature of the tube under conditions of variable loads and ambient temperatures.
  • a temperature regulator for an electron discharge device comprising an enclosure for the device and provided with an opening through which a temperature-controlling fluid is permitted to reach the device, and means for automatically regulating the size of the opening in response to changes in temperature of said device.
  • a temperature regulator for an electron discharge device comprising an enclosure for the device and provided with an opening through which a temperature-controlling fluid is permitted to reach the device, and means for automatically regulating the size of the opening in response to changes in temperature of said device, said means comprising a member whose shape changes upon subjection to heat.
  • a temperature regulator for an electron discharge device comprising an enclosure for the device and provided with an opening through which a temperature-controlling fluid is permitted to reach the device, and means for automatically regulating the size of the opening in response to changes in temperature of said device, said means comprising a member whose shape changes upon subjection to heat, said member being constituted of a bi-metallic strip and positioned near the base of said device.
  • a temperature regulator for an arc discharge device which employs a condensable material for the ionized medium, comprising an enclosure for the device provided with an opening through which air is permitted to reach the device, and means for automatically regulating the size of the opening in response to changes in ambient temperature whereby the temperature of the device and the vapor pressure of the condensable material are maintained substantially constant under variable ambient temperature conditions within the enclosure, said means comprising a thermostatic strip positioned near the portion of the envelope at which a substantial part of the vapor condenses.
  • an electron discharge device comprising an envelope containing cooperating electrodes and a condensable, ionizable material, a portion of which vaporizes under operating conditions and another portion remains in a condensed state in the coolest part of the envelope, means for maintaining a constant vapor pressure within the device under operating conditions, said means comprising an enclosure for the device provided with an opening through which temperature-controlling fluid is permitted to reach the portion of the envelope containing the condensed material, and means for automatically regulating the size of the opening in response to changes in temperature of said coolest envelope portion, said means including a thermostat positioned near said coolest envelope portion and responsive to temperature variations thereof.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Control Of Temperature (AREA)
  • Thermistors And Varistors (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
  • Particle Accelerators (AREA)
US541083A 1931-05-25 1931-05-29 Thermostatic control for electron discharge devices Expired - Lifetime US1955560A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE388594D BE388594A (de) 1931-05-25
NL37179D NL37179C (de) 1931-05-25
US541083A US1955560A (en) 1931-05-25 1931-05-29 Thermostatic control for electron discharge devices
GB14628/32A GB401379A (en) 1931-05-25 1932-05-23 Improvements in and relating to electric discharge devices
DEA66058D DE636407C (de) 1931-05-25 1932-05-25 Metalldampfentladungsgefaess, insbesondere Quecksilberdampfentladungsgefaess, mit Gluehkathode
GB15322/32A GB402147A (en) 1931-05-25 1932-05-30 Improvements in and relating to electric discharge devices

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US539695A US1955545A (en) 1931-05-25 1931-05-25 Thermostatic control for thermionic arc discharge devices
US541083A US1955560A (en) 1931-05-25 1931-05-29 Thermostatic control for electron discharge devices

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US1955560A true US1955560A (en) 1934-04-17

Family

ID=27066175

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US541083A Expired - Lifetime US1955560A (en) 1931-05-25 1931-05-29 Thermostatic control for electron discharge devices

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US1955560A (de)
BE (1) BE388594A (de)
DE (1) DE636407C (de)
GB (2) GB401379A (de)
NL (1) NL37179C (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3088673A (en) * 1960-08-01 1963-05-07 Collins Radio Co Temperature regulated chamber
DE1221732B (de) * 1959-10-28 1966-07-28 Asea Ab Verfahren zur Kuehlung eines langgestreckten und vorzugsweise horizontal gestellten Ionenventilgefaesses
US4233779A (en) * 1979-02-14 1980-11-18 Jerry Griffith Automatic environment stabilizer and protection device for plants
US4598230A (en) * 1984-03-21 1986-07-01 Gte Products Corporation Compact fluorescent lamp having thermally actuable means
US4617489A (en) * 1984-03-21 1986-10-14 Gte Products Corporation Compact fluorescent lamp having internal thermally actuable means

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE483582A (de) * 1945-03-15

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1221732B (de) * 1959-10-28 1966-07-28 Asea Ab Verfahren zur Kuehlung eines langgestreckten und vorzugsweise horizontal gestellten Ionenventilgefaesses
US3088673A (en) * 1960-08-01 1963-05-07 Collins Radio Co Temperature regulated chamber
US4233779A (en) * 1979-02-14 1980-11-18 Jerry Griffith Automatic environment stabilizer and protection device for plants
US4598230A (en) * 1984-03-21 1986-07-01 Gte Products Corporation Compact fluorescent lamp having thermally actuable means
US4617489A (en) * 1984-03-21 1986-10-14 Gte Products Corporation Compact fluorescent lamp having internal thermally actuable means

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE636407C (de) 1936-10-09
BE388594A (de)
GB402147A (en) 1933-11-30
GB401379A (en) 1933-11-16
NL37179C (de)

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