US2061255A - Electric discharge device - Google Patents

Electric discharge device Download PDF

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Publication number
US2061255A
US2061255A US746631A US74663134A US2061255A US 2061255 A US2061255 A US 2061255A US 746631 A US746631 A US 746631A US 74663134 A US74663134 A US 74663134A US 2061255 A US2061255 A US 2061255A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
cathode
electrode
anode
deionization
electric discharge
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
US746631A
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English (en)
Inventor
Jr George H Rockwood
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.)
AT&T Corp
Original Assignee
Bell Telephone Laboratories 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 BE408730D priority Critical patent/BE408730A/xx
Application filed by Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc filed Critical Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc
Priority to US746631A priority patent/US2061255A/en
Priority to GB8352/35A priority patent/GB436060A/en
Priority to FR790003D priority patent/FR790003A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2061255A publication Critical patent/US2061255A/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
    • H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/50—Thermionic-cathode tubes
    • H01J17/52—Thermionic-cathode tubes with one cathode and one anode
    • H01J17/54—Thermionic-cathode tubes with one cathode and one anode having one or more control electrodes
    • H01J17/56—Thermionic-cathode tubes with one cathode and one anode having one or more control electrodes for preventing and then permitting ignition, but thereafter having no control

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electric discharge devices and more particularly to such devices of the trigger type wherein the initiation of a discharge between a cathode and an anode is controllable by the potential of a third electrode.
  • One object of this invention is to decrease the deionization time in electric discharge devices of the trigger type.
  • auxiliary electrode which may be operated with a momentary large negative bias from a low impedance source and used solely for deionization purposes.
  • the grid electrode may be associated with a high impedance source and utilized solely -to perform the usual control function.
  • an electron discharge device comprises an enclosing vessel having an ionizable atmosphere therein, an incandescible cathode and a rod-like anode.
  • a cylindrical shell, serving as the control electrode, encompasses the cathode and is provided with a lateral opening in juxtaposition to the anode, through which the cathode-anode discharge may occur.
  • a deionization electrode which may be a helical grid or a cylindrical mesh grid, encompasses the cathode and is disposed between the cathode and the control electrode.
  • the deionization electrode preferably comprises closely spaced elements 'so that it will present a large surface for collecting positive ions during the deionization period.
  • the invention maybe embodied also in devices, such as disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 746,630, filed October 3, 1934, including a plurality of anodes and wherein the cathode, control electrode, and anodes are so constructed and arranged that the breakdown characteristics of the several anodes are different,
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electric discharge device illustrative of one embodiment of this invention, portions of the control electrode being broken away to show the inner electrodes more clearly;
  • Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line 22 of the electrodes in the device illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the configuration and relative disposition of the electrodes;
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modification of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which the deionization electrode is a cylindrical mesh grid;
  • Fig. 4 is another perspective view showing the invention embodied in an electric discharge device including a plurality of anodes having different breakdown characteristics;
  • Fig. 5 is an elevational view in cross-section of the electrode assembly embodied in the device illustrated in Fig. 4.
  • the electric discharge device shown in Fig. 1 comprises an enclosing vessel 10 having a stem I I terminating in a press I2 from which the electrodes of the device are supported.
  • the vessel I is filled with an ionizable medium, such as argon at a pressure of the order of 0.25 millimeter of mercury.
  • An insulating cap or base I3 is suitably secured to the enclosing vessel and carries a plurality of terminal prongs M for associating the electrodes of the device with an external circuit.
  • An equipotential heater type cathode is supported from the press l2 and includes an insulating core 15 having a heater filament, not shown, threaded therethrough and a metallic sleeve 16 encompassing the core l and having a coating of thermionic material, such as barium and stron-,
  • the ends I! of the heater filament are secured to rigid wires l8 embedded in the press 12 and electrically connected to two of the terminal prongs M by conductors IS.
  • the cathode sleeve 16 is provided at opposite ends with integral extensions 20 and 2
  • is secured to a bent metallic stub 24 which is embedded in an insulating bead 25 supported from a metallic upright or rod 26 extending from the press, by a short wire 21.
  • a control electrode comprising a cylindrical portion 28 having a lateral opening 29 and coaxially disposed about the cathode, and a fiange portion 30 suitably secured to the upright or rod 26, as by Welding.
  • the upright or rod 26 is electrically connected to one of the terminal prongs I l by a conductor 3! and serves as the lead-in for the control electrode.
  • a metallic rod 32 is embedded at one end in the press l2 and extends in proximity to the, v opening 29, the rod serving as the anode of the device and being connected to one of the terminal prongs l4 by a conductor 33.
  • the lower portion of the rod anode 32 is encased in an insulating sleeve 34, such as a glass tube.
  • the electrode 28 may be utilized .as a trigger to control the initiation of a discharge between the cathode l6 and the anode 32, the control characteristics'of the electrode 23 being dependent upon the area of the opening 29,
  • The'deionization time of a device thus operated that is the period required to reduce the number of positive'ions in the cathode-anode field sufficiently to render the device non-conductive, is dependent in large measure upon the impedance of the circuit including the control electrode, and in general the greater the impedance of this circuit, the longer'the deionization time. It is frequently desirable, however, to have a relatively short deionization time in such devices included in systems wherein the impedance of the control electrode circuit is relatively great.
  • the short deionization time is obtained by providing an auxiliary or deionization electrode, which may be operated with a momentary large negative bias from a low impedance source, serving to rapidly reduce the number. of 'the cathode-anode field.
  • the auxiliary or deionization electrode may be a helical wire grid 35 disposed between the cathode it and positive ions in control electrode "28 and coaxial therewith.
  • the grid 35 is carried by a rigid metallic upright or rod 36, which is supported at one end by a rigid metallic stub or wire 31 embedded in the insulating bead 25 and is coupled to the upright or rod 26 through rigid wires or stubs 38 and 39 embedded in an insulating bead 40.
  • the auxiliary or deionization electrode is electrically connected to a terminal cap 4! afiixed to the enclosing vessel I0, by a conductor 42 affixed to the cap 4! and to the wire or stub 37.
  • the turns thereof preferably are closely spaced.
  • the insulating bead 25 may be coupled to the anode 32 by a rigid wire or stub 44,
  • the invention may be embodied also in electric discharge devices of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 746,630, filed October 3, 1934, comprising a plurality of anodes having different breakdown characteristics.
  • a device illustrative of this type is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 and comprises an enclosing vessel 45 having a stem terminating in a press 46 from which a unitary electrode assembly is supported.
  • This assembly includes a control electrode having a cylindrical portion 41 provided with diametrically opposite apertures 68 and 49 of unequal areas, and supporting flanges 50 which are suitably secured, as by welding, to uprights or rods 5
  • the rods 55 and 56 which constitute anodes of the device, are disposed in alignment with the apertures 48 and t9 and are electrically connected with two of the terminal prongs M by conductors 58 and 59 respectively sealed in the press 43.
  • an equipotential cathode including a metallic sleeve 50 coated with a thermionic material and extending through a central aperture in the insulating disc 54.
  • the sleeve 60 is afiixed at its upper end to a short guide or wire 6
  • a flattened bell shaped shield 62 which encloses the leading-in conductors 18 for the cathode heater filament and is carried by two rigid metallic members or wires 63 embedded in the press, one of the metallic members or wires 6
  • the shield 62 serves to prevent the establishment of a discharge between the heater filament and the cathode.
  • a helical wire deionization electrode 66 encompasses the cathode 60 and is supported by two uprights or wires Tl which are fitted in apertures in the insulating discs 53 and 54.
  • One of the uprights or wires 11 is electrically connected to a terminal cap 4
  • An electric trigger device comprising an enclosing vessel having an ionizable atmosphere therein, a cathode, a cylindrical control electrode encompassing said cathode and having a lateral discharge opening therein, an anode in juxtaposition to said opening, and a deionization electrode encompassing said cathode and disposed between said cathode and said control electrode, said deionization electrode being composed of a plurality of metallic elements spaced closely adjacent to provide a large area surface for the collection of positive ions.
  • An electric discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having an ionizable atmosphere therein, a linear incandescible cathode, a rodlike anode parallel to said cathode, a cylindrical control electrode between said cathode and anode and encompassing said cathode, and a helical deionization grid within said control electrode and encompassing said cathode, the turns of said grid being spaced of the order of 0.5 millimeter from each other.
  • An electric discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having an ionizable atmosphere therein, a linear cathode, a shell electrode encompassing said cathode and coaxial therewith, said shell electrode having a lateral discharge opening, a rod anode outside of said shell electrode and disposed in alignment with said cathode and said opening, and a cylindrical electrode between said cathode and said shell electrode and coaxial therewith, said cylindrical electrode being perforated to provide an unimpeded discharge path between said cathode and said anode through said lateral opening.
  • An electric discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having a stem and having also an ionizable atmosphere therein, a support extending from said stem, a cylindrical shell electrode carried by said support, said shell electrode having a lateral opening, insulating members mounted on said support in spaced relation, a cathode within said shell electrode and coupled to one of said insulating members, an anode outside of said shell electrode and in alignment with said opening, and a cylindrical electrode supported from said insulating members, disposed within said shell electrode and encompassing said cathode, said cylindrical electrode being perforated to provide an unimpeded discharge path between said cathode and said anode through said lateral opening.
  • An electric discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having a stem and having also an ionizable atmosphere therein, a support extending from said stem, a shell electrode carried by said support and having a lateral opening, a pair of insulating members carried by said support and disposed adjacent opposite ends of said shell electrode, a rigid member within said shell electrode and supported from said insulating members, a cylindrical grid carried by said rigid member and disposed within said shell electrode,
  • a cathode within said grid and supported from one of said insulating members, and an anode outside of said shell electrode and in juxtaposition to said opening, said grid being perforated toprovide an unimpeded discharge path between said cathode and said anode through said opening.
  • An electric discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having an ionizable atmosphere therein, a cathode, a plurality of anodes, a shell control electrode between said cathode and said anodes, said control electrode having a plurality of apertures of unequal areas disposed each in juxtaposition to a corresponding one of said anodes, and a deionization electrode between said cathode and said control electrode.
  • An electric discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having an atmosphere of argon at a pressure of the order of 0.25 millimeter of mercury therein, a cylindrical shell control electrode having a lateral opening, insulating members extending across the ends of said control electrode, a cathode and a helical grid electrode disposed within said control electrode and positioned by said insulating members, the turns of said helical grid being spaced approximately 0.5 millimeter from each other, and an anode disposed in alignment with said opening, said anode extending between said insulating members and being supported thereby.
  • An electric discharge device comprisng an enclosing vessel having a stem, said vessel having an ionizable atmosphere therein, a plurality of supports extending from said stem, a rigid control electrode carried by said supports and in cluding a cylindrical portion having lateral apertures of unequal areas, insulating discs extending across and seated against opposite ends of said cylindrical portion, a plurality of rod anodes extending between and carried by said insulating discs, each of said anodes being disposed in juxtaposition to a corresponding one of said apertures", a cathode within said cylindrical portion and having end portions fitted in said insulating discs, a plurality of rigid uprights disposed within said cylindrical portion and fitted at opposite ends in said insulating discs, and a helical deionization electrode carried by said uprights and encompassing said cathode.

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  • Discharge Lamp (AREA)
  • Fixed Capacitors And Capacitor Manufacturing Machines (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
US746631A 1934-10-03 1934-10-03 Electric discharge device Expired - Lifetime US2061255A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE408730D BE408730A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1934-10-03
US746631A US2061255A (en) 1934-10-03 1934-10-03 Electric discharge device
GB8352/35A GB436060A (en) 1934-10-03 1935-03-18 Improvements in or relating to electric discharge devices
FR790003D FR790003A (fr) 1934-10-03 1935-05-14 Perfectionnements aux dispositifs à décharges électroniques

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US746631A US2061255A (en) 1934-10-03 1934-10-03 Electric discharge device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2061255A true US2061255A (en) 1936-11-17

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ID=25001664

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US746631A Expired - Lifetime US2061255A (en) 1934-10-03 1934-10-03 Electric discharge device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US2061255A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE408730A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR790003A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB436060A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2963601A (en) * 1957-08-07 1960-12-06 Westinghouse Electric Corp Ionization vacuum gauge
US2975319A (en) * 1951-03-06 1961-03-14 Tesla Np Tacttron

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2975319A (en) * 1951-03-06 1961-03-14 Tesla Np Tacttron
US2963601A (en) * 1957-08-07 1960-12-06 Westinghouse Electric Corp Ionization vacuum gauge

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE408730A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR790003A (fr) 1935-11-12
GB436060A (en) 1935-10-03

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