US2212643A - Discharge tube for keeping voltages constant - Google Patents

Discharge tube for keeping voltages constant Download PDF

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Publication number
US2212643A
US2212643A US97332A US9733236A US2212643A US 2212643 A US2212643 A US 2212643A US 97332 A US97332 A US 97332A US 9733236 A US9733236 A US 9733236A US 2212643 A US2212643 A US 2212643A
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United States
Prior art keywords
discharge
electrodes
electrode
tube
auxiliary
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Expired - Lifetime
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US97332A
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English (en)
Inventor
Koros Ladislaus
Toennies Jan Friedrich
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STABILOVOLT GmbH
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STABILOVOLT GmbH
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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
    • H01J17/38—Cold-cathode tubes
    • H01J17/40—Cold-cathode tubes with one cathode and one anode, e.g. glow tubes, tuning-indicator glow tubes, voltage-stabiliser tubes, voltage-indicator tubes
    • H01J17/42—Cold-cathode tubes with one cathode and one anode, e.g. glow tubes, tuning-indicator glow tubes, voltage-stabiliser tubes, voltage-indicator tubes having one or more probe electrodes, e.g. for potential dividing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/02—Details
    • H01J17/30—Igniting arrangements

Definitions

  • Non-ohmic conductors which are preferably connected in parallel with the consumers terminals.
  • Potentiometer arrangements are also known which consist of a plurality of series-connected non-ohmic conductors ⁇
  • non-ohmic conductors that is, conductors, the potential drop of which is practically constant independently of the passage of current
  • glow discharge tubes As is well known in the art, a glow discharge tube vis a tube lled with a rarefied inert gas, electrodes being disposed Vinside the tube in spaced relation to one another. The electrodes thus form gaps between which a special discharge called glow discharge takes place when the electrodes are connected to an electric current source of suitable voltage.
  • a special feature of glow discharge tubes is the fact that electric current owing through such a tube does not behave in accordance with Ohms law. Glow discharge tubes are thus non-ohmic resistances and it is a characteristic feature that their potential output is practically constant, irrespective of fluctuations in the in-put current within certain limits.
  • a description of a glow discharge tube is contained for example in U. S. Patent No.
  • the invention solves the existing problem by 50 incorporating in the discharge tube'an additional path which supplies electrons or ions to the'space of the path of the glow discharge to be started.
  • the constructional design of this arrangement is preferably realised by giving the intermediate electrode between the auxiliary path according to the invention and the main discharge path a perforated form.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates diagrammatically an arrangement in simple form
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a more complex arrangement in which several main discharge paths are lncorporated in a common envelope
  • Fig. 3 represents a vertical section through one constructional form of a glow discharge tube potentiometer device according to the invention
  • Fig. 4 represents a plan view of the tube. of Fig. 3, and
  • Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of a circuit arrangement embodying the tube of ⁇ Fig. 3, by way of example.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates the principle of the invention in an arrangement which employs only one discharge path for keeping voltages constant.
  • the invention can equally be employed in arrangements where several discharge paths cooperate in a manner well-known per se for keeping voltages constant. Such arrangements are illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5.
  • a glass envelope K In the arrangement according to Fig. 1, three electrodes I, 2 and 3 are contained in a glass envelope K.
  • the main discharge space H is formed by the ⁇ electrodes I and 2.
  • the useful load, which is connected in parallel with the main discharge space H, is denoted by N. It is only symbolically illustrated in the figure.
  • the supply of the feeding voltage is eiected in Wellknown manner through a resistance W.
  • the circuit so far described corresponds to that which 'is well-known.
  • the electrode 2 is perforated for the purposes of the present invention, as indicated diagrammatically in the figure.
  • the envelope K contains a third electrode 3, by which a discharge path Z is produced between the electrodes 2 and 3.
  • the electrode 3 is connected to the positive side of the supply voltage through a series resistance V.
  • the starting path Z is not loaded by a consumer. If the supply voltage is connected to the arrangement, the static voltage exists ai; the electrode 3 and the starting operation is immediately initiated between the electrodes 2 and 3. The static voltage does not exist at the path H, as the useful resistance N is connected in parallel and a current immediately commences to flow through N on insertion, that is, the necessary voltage required for starting does not exist at the discharge path H. In
  • the invention may be, and preferably is applied to glow'discharge potentiometers with series-connected discharge paths, which are incorporated in a common envelope.
  • a plurality of main discharge paths is provided in a common envelope, there being allotted to each main discharge path an auxiliary path, by which electrons or ions are supplied to the main discharge path.
  • an auxiliary path by which electrons or ions are supplied to the main discharge path.
  • the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2 has the advantage that certain starting is obtained.
  • the electrodes are constructed in disc form. However, the electrodes may also have cylindrical, hemispherical orother shape for the purpose of increasing the surface area.
  • the electrodes by winch the main discharge paths are formed are denoted by the reference numbers I-B in Fig.v 2.
  • the electrodes 1 8 are auxiliary electrodes for producing the auxiliary discharge.
  • the electrodes are supported by an insulator system II), which comprises, for instance, individual rings connected together.
  • the supply leads connected to the main electrodes are led out to the right and the supply leads connected to the auxiliary electrodes to the left.
  • the supply voltage is connected at the terminals I I and I2.
  • the electrodes 5, 4 and 2, 3 respectively are electrically connected together, so that a potentiom.
  • the potentiometer thus formed from the main discharge paths is connected through the series resistance I3 to the supply voltages.
  • the three consumers voltages are derived at they terminals I4-I ⁇ I.
  • the starting electrodes are connected, for instance, through series resistances I8-20, to the positive terminal II of the supply voltage.
  • 'I'he whole potentiometer is surrounded by an envelope 2
  • the supply leads are protected within the envelope by insulating sleeves 22.
  • the electrodes I, 3 and 5 belonging to the main discharge paths have apertures at the centre.
  • a plurality of perforations may also be provided. Only the immediate surroundings of the perforation are decisive for the development of the discharge. Therefore, it; is possible to ll the space between the auxiliary electrodes and the respective perforated electrodes largely with insulating material and to allow the discharge to arise only in the immediate surroundings of the apertures.
  • the discharge does not arise between the electrodes of the auxiliary ionisation chamber and the agjacent main electrodes (e. g., auxiliary electr de and main electrode 4)
  • This can be preve ⁇ t by making the distance, e. g., between the auxiliary electrode 9 and the main electrode 4, greater than the distance between the electrodes forming a main discharge path, or by covering the auxiliary electrodes'or main electrodes, or even both, on the particular sides which come into question with insulating material or, alternatively, in the case of activated tubes, by not activating the opposite surfaces at which starting is not to take place.
  • a potentiometer tube is shown in winch electrons or ions are supplied to only one of the main discharge paths. It is particularly advantageous to employ such a potentiometer tube in circuits which serve for feeding amplifying arrangements. In such arrangements, for example, one discharge path is used for deriving the grid biases and the remaining paths are used for deriving the anode voltages. Itis then particularly important to ensure satisfactory starting of the discharge path from which the grid voltages are derived.
  • the electrodes are denoted by the reference numbers I to 4, and are constructed in cap form, that is, the electrodes each consist substantially of a cylinder closed at one end. The open ends of the electrodes are closed by a plate 5 of insulating material. In the insulating material grooves are provided, in which the caps are seated. 'I'he discharge paths are formed in wellknown manner between the electrodes I, 2; 2, 3 and 3, 4 respectively.
  • the electrode 4 is connected to the positive pole of a supply voltage through a suitable series resistance, while the electrode I is connected to the negative pole of I is circumferentially interrupted and is surrounded at this zone by an electrode 6, which, in turn, is insulated from the electrode I by interposed insulating material I but is supported by the electrode I. It is not necessary to effect a circumferential interruption, but it is suicient to provide the cap I at different points with apertures.
  • the ring 6 may be connecter to a supply through the supply lead 8 which (as illustrated) is led out of the top of the potentiometer tube, but may be led out at any other suitable point.
  • the lead 8 is preferably insulated by anAinsulating sleeve 9.
  • auxiliary discharge path which supplies electrons or ions to the main discharge path I, 2.
  • the voltage necessary for producing the auxiliary discharge is derived in the same manner as in Fig. l, from the positive pole of the supply voltage through a series resistance I0.
  • the mode of operation is the same as described above with reference to Fig. 1.
  • the projection of ions and electrons from the auxiliary electrode into the space between the main electrodes greatly facilitates the electric discharge between the main electrodes.
  • a glow discharge potential divider comprising a container, a plurality of electrodes disposed in said container parallel to one another and one behind the other, said electrodes forming a plurality of series interconnected glow discharge gaps, a current inlet terminal and a current outlet terminal connected to the rst and last of said electrodes, the said last electrode being periorated, an auxiliary electrode for emitting electrons to the space of the path of the glow discharge and being spaced from said perforated electrode and disposed in said container for cooperation with the latter, whereby the starting of the glow discharge in said series interconnected discharge gaps is facilitated.
  • the breakdown resistances between the said electrodes forming a plurality of glow discharge gaps and the said auxiliary electrode are of predetermined values in relation to the operating currents, whereby glow discharge is limited to the said glow dischargel gaps aforementioned, while glow discharge is prevented between the said auxiliary electrode and any other electrode, and in which the said electrodes are cup-shaped structures nested within each other, the said perforated electrode being formed by the outer-most cup, and an insulating member surrounding each perforation of said perforated electrode being interposed between the latter and the said auxiliary electrode.

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US97332A 1935-08-26 1936-08-22 Discharge tube for keeping voltages constant Expired - Lifetime US2212643A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE460398X 1935-08-26

Publications (1)

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US2212643A true US2212643A (en) 1940-08-27

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US (1) US2212643A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR804594A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB460398A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL51361C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2415980A (en) * 1943-03-09 1947-02-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electronic discharge device
US2629837A (en) * 1945-06-27 1953-02-24 James M Benade Radioactive resistor
US2862134A (en) * 1954-10-22 1958-11-25 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electron discharge device
US3379910A (en) * 1965-07-09 1968-04-23 Navy Usa Plasma extraction guns and applications therefor
US3382402A (en) * 1965-09-20 1968-05-07 Gen Electric Multi-stable series connected gaseous discharge devices

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE754656C (de) * 1937-11-12 1952-07-07 Stabilovolt G M B H Glimmentladungsroehre zur Gleichspannungsregelung

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2415980A (en) * 1943-03-09 1947-02-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electronic discharge device
US2629837A (en) * 1945-06-27 1953-02-24 James M Benade Radioactive resistor
US2862134A (en) * 1954-10-22 1958-11-25 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electron discharge device
US3379910A (en) * 1965-07-09 1968-04-23 Navy Usa Plasma extraction guns and applications therefor
US3382402A (en) * 1965-09-20 1968-05-07 Gen Electric Multi-stable series connected gaseous discharge devices

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB460398A (en) 1937-01-27
FR804594A (fr) 1936-10-27
NL51361C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

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