US1961617A - Luminous discharge tube - Google Patents

Luminous discharge tube Download PDF

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Publication number
US1961617A
US1961617A US464077A US46407730A US1961617A US 1961617 A US1961617 A US 1961617A US 464077 A US464077 A US 464077A US 46407730 A US46407730 A US 46407730A US 1961617 A US1961617 A US 1961617A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tube
electrodes
conductor
discharge
envelope
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
US464077A
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English (en)
Inventor
Machlett Raymond Robert
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.)
RAINBOW LIGHT Inc
Original Assignee
RAINBOW LIGHT Inc
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 BE380856D priority Critical patent/BE380856A/xx
Application filed by RAINBOW LIGHT Inc filed Critical RAINBOW LIGHT Inc
Priority to US464077A priority patent/US1961617A/en
Priority to GB17906/31A priority patent/GB389512A/en
Priority to FR719038D priority patent/FR719038A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US1961617A publication Critical patent/US1961617A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/54—Igniting arrangements, e.g. promoting ionisation for starting

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electric discharge tubes and is concerned more particularly with a novel gas discharge device which includes a pair of main electrodes and is provided with more than one path'for the discharge between these electrodes, the characteristics of the paths being different so that in operation, the discharge Will automatically leave one path and adopt another with consequent alteration in the resultant characteristic of the device taken across the main electrodes.
  • the paths provided are of such character that the first path through which the discharge passes dur- 15 ing starting has a rising voltage characteristic and includes a conductor within the positive column portion of the tube along which a negative glow occurs during the starting of the tube, while the Asecond or operating path has a falling voltage characteristic and includes the main positive column of the tube.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a device which includes means by which the difliculty in starting is overcome by neutralizing such charge and which also provides a source of ions in the positive column itself so that the discharge between the electrodes and through the positive column may be started at a relatively lower voltage than would be the case 4 in a similar tube of ordinary construction.
  • the means employed for this purpose automatically ceases to function as soon as the main discharge is established and the principles of the invention, therefore, find application in numerous discharge tubes.
  • the 'tube has a characteristic in which the operating and starting voltages are much more nearly the same than'is the case with tubes of the prior construction, this result being obtained without the use of auxiliary devices.
  • the invention may also be embodied in ionic discharge devices wherein advantage is taken of the resultant characteristics of the new device which make it applicable, for example, to oscillators and amplifiers not only of current and. voltage but also of light output.
  • Such tubes are usually made relatively long and operated from high voltage transformers, which have a high inductance characteristic wherebyl the current in the luminous tube is limited to the proper operating value in spite of the difference between the starting and operating potentials of such tubes.v As 5 a consequence, such systems operate with relatively low power factor (the usual average being from 20% to 50%), which is a decided drawback.
  • Another type of luminous discharge tube found in the art is adapted to operate on much lower voltages.
  • Such tubes are also usually provided with gas fillings of the rare gases of the atmosphere, in particular, neon.
  • These tubes are relatively short, three feet or less in length, and are provided with special electrodes to minimize the fall of potential at that point.
  • Such electrodes yare usually either of the heated electron-emitting type or are cold electrodes made or coated with a metal of the alkali metal group.
  • Such tubes are generally operated at very much higher current densities than is the case with the Geissler type in order to take advantage of the falling voltage characteristic .of all such tubes in general. All of these tubes, however, require some special mechanism for startingv the discharge in the positive column to make them practical in operation. These mechanisms are invariably troublesome and expensive.
  • a high voltage, high frequency source of potential is brought near or in contact with the tube to ionize the gas within it.
  • a second method involves the use of an auxiliary electrode near the cathode together with automatic switching means for eliminating this elec- Y in the tube.
  • a separate mechanism is provided for supplying an instantaneous high voltage to the tube as, for example, by an inductive kick.
  • the present invention overcomes the principal diiliculties in connection with both types of luminous discharge tubes and at the same time is inexpensive and requires no moving parts orauxiliary devices which are ordinarily expensive and unreliable in operation.
  • a simple embodiment of the invention takes the form of a short luminous tube of the Geissler type provided with cold electrodes and equipped with a conductor illustrated in the form of a wire which lies within the tube and extends substantially.v the entire distance between the electrodes but is wholly disconnected therefrom with-
  • This tube contains the usual gaseous filling and when potential is applied to the electrodes, a discharge first passes from the main electrodes through the short intervening gaps to the Wire and through the conductor.
  • the end of the conductor adjacent the negative electrode functions as an anode, while the other end adjacent the positive electrode functions as a cathode and is covered with the usual close tting cathode glow at its extreme end.
  • the cathode glow on the conductor spreads along the conductor until it encompasses or nearly encompasses the entire conductor.
  • the region in the tube in which the negative glow is produced is the region in which ionization of the gas is most vigorous due to the large potential drop in the gas at that point. Accordingly, ions are produced in the vicinity of the conductor and also in the positive column portion of the tube at a very rapid rate.
  • the voltage characteristic of the path which includes the conductor rapidly rises as the electrode current density of the conductor itself becomes abnormal. 'Ihis rise in potential along the conductor continues until eventually the current seeks the gaseous path between the main electrodes and the discharge through the positive column is initiated.
  • V Fig. 1 illustrates conventionally a tube constructed in accordance 'with the principles of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the general form of the characteristic of an ordinary tube
  • Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the characteristic of a tube constructed in accordance with the present invention and operating on alternating current;
  • Fig. 4 isl a diagram illustrating the same tube but operated with direct current
  • Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing a modified form of tube.
  • ordinary electrodes 11 which may be of standard construction such as iron cylinders enclosed within sleeves 12 of ceramic insulating material, such as isolantite. These electrodes are mounted on the ends of lead-in wires 13 and the internal area of the cylinders which is the active area may be approximately 150 square mms. In the tube illustrated, the distance between the ends of the electrodes may be approximately 10 inches andthe tube may have a diameter of 15 mms. In such a tube containing a filling of neon at a pressure of 10 mms. or more, the electrodes will operate with a substantially normal cathode fall of potential and with a low rate of vaporization. In the operation of the tube, energy is supplied to the electrodes from a suitable source through the leadin wires. n
  • This conductor is entirely disconnected electrically within the tube from the electrodes, although it runs to within a few millimeters of the ends thereof.
  • the conductor is preferably of a material which'will not sputter readily when employed as an electrode in a tube 0f this sort and may conveniently be of iron and have a diameter of .005 inch.
  • the wire may be mounted at its ends in stirrups 15 attached to the insulating sleeves 12 in such manner that the wire lies substantially at the axis of the tube.
  • Fig. 4 The characteristic illustrated in Fig. 4 is that of a tube similar to the one above described and embodying the principles of the new invention when operatedon direct current. Here again, it will beobserved that after conduction starts, the
  • the device By reason of the new device having a voltage characteristic having a sharp change, the device 'tias many applications in the arts other than for illuminating purposes, for example, as an oscillator or amplier, etc.
  • the critical point in the electrical characteristic is also associated with a critical change in the light output, making the device suitable for use in the electrical transmission of still or motion pictures by wire or radio, and for recording sound photographically, etc.
  • the device can be used as a rectier, as, for example, by maintaining a direct current through the starting path of insufficient value to eiect the transfer of the discharge tothe operating path and applying the alternating current to be rectified to the main electrodes.
  • the particular shape ofthe characteristic of the new tube and the point at which the main positive column starts can be regulated over wide limits by a proper choice of the factors which govern the two alternative paths through the tube.
  • the flow through the initial or starting path willbe generally controlled bythe normal current density of the particular material chosen, in the particular gas at the particular pressure, and accordingly a material will be chosen for the conductor with regard to its characteristics as a negative electrode, such for example, as its normal current density and normal cathode drop in the particular gas to be used, a material having a low normal current density being generally preferred.
  • the factors which govern the characteristics of the alternative path through the main column of the tube are the kind of gas, the pressure of the gas, the diameter of the tube, and the current which passes through the positive column.
  • a pressure may cause sputtering diiiiculties due to the fact that the discharge passesthrough the starting path including the conductor at the beginning of each cycle and with a higher pressure, the normal current density of the conductor rapidly increases and thus the discharge continues along this path long enough to cause sputtering, whereas with a lower pressure, the discharge would transfer to the operating path more promptly and sputtering would be lessened.
  • Another arrangement that-may be employed includes mounting a shield between the conductor and the Wall, this shield being so constructed that no continuous sputtered lm of substantial length in a direction parallel to the conductor can be deposited on it and having openings to permit passage of ions therethrough into the main gas column. This shield may be limited to that portion of'the conductor at which the most active sputtering takes place.
  • the principles of the invention may be embodied in longer tubes in which a plurality of conductors will be used, spaced along the tube and laid end for end with gaps between.
  • Any convenient means may be provided for mounting the conductors end to end, as, for example, that illustrated in Fig. 5, in which the conductors 14' are each connected at one end to the electrode and at the other to a piece of suitable insulating materi'al 16.
  • the gaps between the adjacent ends of the conductors are of the order of a few millimeters and in that respect similar to the gaps between the ends of the conductors and the electrodes.
  • An electric discharge tube which comprises an envelope containing a gas, a pair of spaced electrodes within the envelope, lead-in wires extending frorn the electrodes through the wall of the envelope for connection to a source of energy, and a pair of paths for the discharge between the electrodes, one path including the'gas within the envelope and having a relatively low starting potential and a substantially falling voltage characteristic in operation, and the second path including a solid conductor in'the envelope and without electrical connection to said electrodes, y
  • said conductor lying in the space in the envelope normally occupied by the discharge during operation, and said second path having a relatively high starting potential and a substantially rising voltage characteristic in operation.
  • An electric discharge tube which comprises an envelope containing a gas, a pair of spaced electrodes withinthe envelope, lead-in wires extending from the electrodes through the wall of the envelopefor connection to a source of energy and a pair of ,paths for the discharge in parallel between the electrodes, the rst of said paths having 'a positive voltage characteristic within the range of current values from zero to normal operating current and ⁇ including a solid conductor Within the envelope, electrically disconnected from the electrodes, and lying in the space in the envelope normally occupied by the discharge during operation, and the second path including said gasand having a negative voltage characteristic within said range.
  • a .n electric discharge tube which comprises an envelope containing a gas, a pair of spaced electrodes within the envelope, lead-in Wires extending from the electrodes through the wall of the envelope for connection to a source of energy and a pair of paths for the discharge in parallel between the electrodes, the voltage characteristics of the two paths being convergent Within conductor within the envelope, electrically disconnected from the electrodes, and lying in the space in the ,envelope normally occupied by the discharge during operation.
  • An electric discharge tube which comprises an envelope containing a gas, a pair of spaced electrodes within the envelope, lead-in wires extending from the electrodes through the Wall of .the envelope for connection to a source of energy yand a pair of paths for the discharge between the electrodes, the voltage characteristics of the two paths being convergent within the range of current values from zero to normal operating current, and having at least one value in common, one of said paths including a solid conductor Within said envelope, electrically disconnected 'from the electrodes, and lying in the space normally occupied by the discharge during. operation.
  • An electric discharge tube which comprises an envelope containing a gas, a pair of spaced electrodes within the envelope, and means wholly within the tube and electrically disconnected from the electrodes for producing ions in the region within the tube between said electrodes, said means including a solid conductor lying in the space normally occupied by the discharge during operation.
  • An electric discharge tube which comprises an envelope containing a gas, a pair of spaced electrodes within the envelope, and a conductor solid within the tube electrically independent of the electrodes and extending from a point closely adjacent to one electrode to a point closely adjacent to the other, said conductor lying in the space normally occupied by the discharge during operation of the tube.
  • An electric discharge tube which comprises an envelope having electrodes sealed within it, insulating coatings on the electrodes, and a conductor mounted on the coatings and extending between the electrodes.
  • An electric discharge tube which comprises' an envelope having spaced electrodes within it, an insulating sleeve enclosing each electrode, a neon lling in the envelope at a sub-atmospheric pressure, and a solid conductor within the tube ex-v tending from a point near one electrode to a point near the other.
  • An electric discharge tube which comprises an envelope having a gaseous lling, spaced electrodes within the envelope, and a plurality of solid conductors disposed end for end in spaced relation in a row lengthwise of the tube, the conductors being disconnected from one another and from the electrodes.
  • An electric discharge tube which comprises an envelope having electrodes sealed within it, and a conductor mounted on the electrodes but insulated therefrom and extending between thel electrodes, said conductor lying wholly within the path of the discharge between the electrodes.
  • An electric discharge tube which ycomprises an envelope having lelectrodes sealed within it, a gaseous filling in the envelope at sub-atmospheric pressure, and a solid conductor connected mechanically but not electrically to the electrodes and extending between them, said conductor lying in the space between the electrodes normally occupied by the discharge during operation of the tube.
  • An electric discharge tube which comprises an envelope with spaced electrodes within it, a neon filling within the envelope, and a solid conductor of low ohmic resistance connected mechanically to each electrode but electrically insulated therefrom, said conductor lying in the space between the electrodes normally occupied by the discharge during operation of the tube.
  • An electric discharge tube which comprises an envelope, a pair of spaced electrodes within the envelope, and ⁇ a pair of paths for the discharge between the electrodes, one path consisting of a body of gas and the other path including a solid conductor electrically disconnected from the electrodes and small gaps lled with the gas between the conductor and the electrodes, the conductor extending substantially the entire length of and in the space between the electrodes normally occupied by the positive co1- umn during operation of the tube.

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  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Gas-Filled Discharge Tubes (AREA)
US464077A 1930-06-26 1930-06-26 Luminous discharge tube Expired - Lifetime US1961617A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE380856D BE380856A (en(2012)) 1930-06-26
US464077A US1961617A (en) 1930-06-26 1930-06-26 Luminous discharge tube
GB17906/31A GB389512A (en) 1930-06-26 1931-06-20 Luminous electric discharge tube
FR719038D FR719038A (fr) 1930-06-26 1931-06-23 Tube luminescent

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US464077A US1961617A (en) 1930-06-26 1930-06-26 Luminous discharge tube

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US1961617A true US1961617A (en) 1934-06-05

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US464077A Expired - Lifetime US1961617A (en) 1930-06-26 1930-06-26 Luminous discharge tube

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US1961617A (en(2012))
BE (1) BE380856A (en(2012))
FR (1) FR719038A (en(2012))
GB (1) GB389512A (en(2012))

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB389512A (en) 1933-03-20
FR719038A (fr) 1932-02-01
BE380856A (en(2012))

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