US2453978A - Electrode structure - Google Patents

Electrode structure Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2453978A
US2453978A US692505A US69250546A US2453978A US 2453978 A US2453978 A US 2453978A US 692505 A US692505 A US 692505A US 69250546 A US69250546 A US 69250546A US 2453978 A US2453978 A US 2453978A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
electrode structure
cylinder
electrode
lead
wires
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
US692505A
Inventor
Duryea E Elmendorf
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
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Priority to US692505A priority Critical patent/US2453978A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2453978A publication Critical patent/US2453978A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01JELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J17/00Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/38Cold-cathode tubes
    • H01J17/40Cold-cathode tubes with one cathode and one anode, e.g. glow tubes, tuning-indicator glow tubes, voltage-stabiliser tubes, voltage-indicator tubes
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01JELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/64Cathode glow lamps
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01JELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J2893/00Discharge tubes and lamps
    • H01J2893/0064Tubes with cold main electrodes (including cold cathodes)
    • H01J2893/0065Electrode systems
    • H01J2893/0067Electrode assembly without control electrodes, e.g. including a screen

Definitions

  • This invention relates to gaseous electric discharge devices and more particularly to an electrode structure in which the cathode glow is utilized as a source of light or electronic control means.
  • Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved inexpensive electrode struc' ture possessing mechanical strength and rigidity which may be produced by automatic machinery.
  • a further object of my invention is to provide an electrode structure in which the cathode glow is confined to predetermined areas.
  • a still further object of my invention is to provide an electrode structure which will operate on alternating or direct current
  • Fig. i is a plan View of the electrode structure.
  • Fig. 2 is a variation of the electrode structure shown in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1,
  • electrode structure i therein comprises a customary stem press or squeeze 2 employed to furnish simultaneously a mechanical support for lead-in wires 3 and d and to allow these wires, as indicated, to pass from the exterior of a vessel structure (not shown) and to permit electrical connection to the electrode structure from a source of current.
  • An exhaust tube 5 is provided for exhaustion and filling of a vessel employing this type of stem press with a suitable atmosphere.
  • An insulating cylinder 8, for example a lime glass cylinder, provided with a pair of electrodes l and 53 comprising annular bands or films of suitable conductive material surround cylinder 8 and are spaced longitudinally to define a gap 9 therebetween and which form the electrodes of the structure.
  • Both electrodes 7 and B may be constructed of, or coated with materials I, whi h reduce the starting or operating potential required for an electrical discharge therebetween.
  • Materials such as alkaline earth oxides, like barium or strontium oxides or mixtures thereof, are a few of the high electron emissive materials known in the art and which may be used for this purpose;
  • Cylinder 8 is supported from stem press 2 by the insulating material in order to increase the mechanical rigidity of the structure, and also to obviate undesired electrical discharge, or gas ionization which might occur between the lead-in wires 3 and B.
  • One example in which this may be accomplished is by providing a vitreous cylinder t fused to the end of the stem press.
  • the cylinder being constructed out of lime glass it is obvious that various other electrode co w. tions will be possible using this means of formation and support.
  • ceramic or other similar insulating material which is capable of degasification as well as capability-of withstanding temperature elevations produced during op eration of the tube may be used.
  • Lead-in wire 3 extends through and outwardly of the distal end of cylinder 5 and is electrically connected to electrode l. Lead-in wire 3 extends along the outside of cylinder t and terminates in electrical contact with electrode '8. In this manner the lead-in wires are insulated from each other by means of the cylinder t.
  • Fig. 2 is a variation of the electrode structure shown in Fig. 1 incorporating the above described corresponding parts. This view indicates one method of providing more insulation between the lead-in wires near the stem press 2 by closing or flattening that end of the cylinder which is fused to the stem press.
  • Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1 showing more in detail the electrode structure.
  • I provide a new and improved electrode structure possessing rigidity which may be inexpensively manufactured on automatic machinery. Accordingly, I provide an electrode structure in which the electrode or cathode glow is confined to predetermined areas, and one which will have a long and useful life operating on either alternating or direct current.
  • I provide a unique electrode structure wherein large yet well defined emissive and illuminating surfaces are provided.
  • the electrodes and electrode surfaces may be provided in several ways.
  • One way in which the electrodes may be formed is by spraying a film material such as nickel or other suitable metal on the vitreous cylinder 8.
  • a further arrangement within the purview of my invention is the provision of ribbons of metal, which may be closed and which snugly surround the vitreous cylinder 8.
  • the electrode surfaces may 3 be coated with electron emissive material such as oxides oi the alkaline earth metals.
  • An electric glow discharge lamp comprising an enclosing envelope, a stem having a, sealed. press portion, an insulating vitreous hollow cylinder msed at one end to said stem press portion to constitute a unitary extension of said stem and being lead-in wires.

Landscapes

  • Discharge Lamp (AREA)

Description

NOV E, 19. ELMENDQRF 2,453,978
ELECTRODE STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 23, 1946 INVENTOR= DURYEA E. ELMENDORF, BY MW HIS ATTQRNEY Patented Nov. 16, 1948 N IT 2,453,978 nnno'rnons STRUCTURE Duryea E. Elniendorf, Cleveland, Ohio, assignmto General Electric Companyy a-corporation of New York Application August 23, 1946, Serial No. 692,505
(Cl.r-176'126) 1 Claim.
i This invention relates to gaseous electric discharge devices and more particularly to an electrode structure in which the cathode glow is utilized as a source of light or electronic control means.
An object of my inventlon'is to provide a new and improved electrode structure.
Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved inexpensive electrode struc' ture possessing mechanical strength and rigidity which may be produced by automatic machinery.
A further object of my invention is to provide an electrode structure in which the cathode glow is confined to predetermined areas.
A still further object of my invention is to provide an electrode structure which will operate on alternating or direct current,
Further features and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description and species thereof.
For a better understanding of my invention reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claim.
Fig. i is a plan View of the electrode structure. Fig. 2 is a variation of the electrode structure shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1,
Referring to Fig. l. electrode structure i therein comprises a customary stem press or squeeze 2 employed to furnish simultaneously a mechanical support for lead-in wires 3 and d and to allow these wires, as indicated, to pass from the exterior of a vessel structure (not shown) and to permit electrical connection to the electrode structure from a source of current. An exhaust tube 5 is provided for exhaustion and filling of a vessel employing this type of stem press with a suitable atmosphere. An insulating cylinder 8, for example a lime glass cylinder, provided with a pair of electrodes l and 53 comprising annular bands or films of suitable conductive material surround cylinder 8 and are spaced longitudinally to define a gap 9 therebetween and which form the electrodes of the structure. For example nickel may be used as one form of a suitable conductive material. Both electrodes 7 and B may be constructed of, or coated with materials I, whi h reduce the starting or operating potential required for an electrical discharge therebetween. Materials such as alkaline earth oxides, like barium or strontium oxides or mixtures thereof, are a few of the high electron emissive materials known in the art and which may be used for this purpose;
Cylinder 8 is supported from stem press 2 by the insulating material in order to increase the mechanical rigidity of the structure, and also to obviate undesired electrical discharge, or gas ionization which might occur between the lead-in wires 3 and B. One example in which this may be accomplished is by providing a vitreous cylinder t fused to the end of the stem press. Instead of the cylinder being constructed out of lime glass it is obvious that various other electrode co w. tions will be possible using this means of formation and support. For example, ceramic or other similar insulating material which is capable of degasification as well as capability-of withstanding temperature elevations produced during op eration of the tube may be used. Lead-in wire 3 extends through and outwardly of the distal end of cylinder 5 and is electrically connected to electrode l. Lead-in wire 3 extends along the outside of cylinder t and terminates in electrical contact with electrode '8. In this manner the lead-in wires are insulated from each other by means of the cylinder t.
Fig. 2 is a variation of the electrode structure shown in Fig. 1 incorporating the above described corresponding parts. This view indicates one method of providing more insulation between the lead-in wires near the stem press 2 by closing or flattening that end of the cylinder which is fused to the stem press.
Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1 showing more in detail the electrode structure.
In accordance with my invention, I provide a new and improved electrode structure possessing rigidity which may be inexpensively manufactured on automatic machinery. Accordingly, I provide an electrode structure in which the electrode or cathode glow is confined to predetermined areas, and one which will have a long and useful life operating on either alternating or direct current.
It will be observed that I provide a unique electrode structure wherein large yet well defined emissive and illuminating surfaces are provided. The electrodes and electrode surfaces may be provided in several ways. One way in which the electrodes may be formed is by spraying a film material such as nickel or other suitable metal on the vitreous cylinder 8. A further arrangement within the purview of my invention is the provision of ribbons of metal, which may be closed and which snugly surround the vitreous cylinder 8. In both instances the electrode surfaces may 3 be coated with electron emissive material such as oxides oi the alkaline earth metals.
What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent oi the United States is:
An electric glow discharge lamp comprising an enclosing envelope, a stem having a, sealed. press portion, an insulating vitreous hollow cylinder msed at one end to said stem press portion to constitute a unitary extension of said stem and being lead-in wires.
, 4 rectly to the outer surface 01 said cylinder and in electrical contact with respective ones 0! said DURYEA E. ELMENDORF.
REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:
UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,985,058 Rath Dec. 18, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS 15 Number Country Date 150,957 Great Britain Dec. 9, 1921 371,551 Germany Mar. 16, 1923 404,012
Germany Oct. 11. 1924
US692505A 1946-08-23 1946-08-23 Electrode structure Expired - Lifetime US2453978A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US692505A US2453978A (en) 1946-08-23 1946-08-23 Electrode structure

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US692505A US2453978A (en) 1946-08-23 1946-08-23 Electrode structure

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2453978A true US2453978A (en) 1948-11-16

Family

ID=24780849

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US692505A Expired - Lifetime US2453978A (en) 1946-08-23 1946-08-23 Electrode structure

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US2453978A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2942123A (en) * 1956-01-31 1960-06-21 Westinghouse Electric Corp Time delay control device
US4904900A (en) * 1987-12-30 1990-02-27 Gte Products Corporation Glow discharge lamp

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB150957A (en) * 1919-09-09 1921-12-09 Ernst Schaeffer Improvements in or relating to luminous electric discharge lamps
DE371551C (en) * 1923-03-16 Paul Kuestermann Glow lamp as a test lamp
DE404012C (en) * 1922-09-20 1924-10-11 Patra Patent Treuhand Electrode for electric gas or glow lamps
US1985058A (en) * 1932-02-18 1934-12-18 Radio Patents Corp Gas discharge device

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE371551C (en) * 1923-03-16 Paul Kuestermann Glow lamp as a test lamp
GB150957A (en) * 1919-09-09 1921-12-09 Ernst Schaeffer Improvements in or relating to luminous electric discharge lamps
DE404012C (en) * 1922-09-20 1924-10-11 Patra Patent Treuhand Electrode for electric gas or glow lamps
US1985058A (en) * 1932-02-18 1934-12-18 Radio Patents Corp Gas discharge device

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2942123A (en) * 1956-01-31 1960-06-21 Westinghouse Electric Corp Time delay control device
US4904900A (en) * 1987-12-30 1990-02-27 Gte Products Corporation Glow discharge lamp

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2654042A (en) Integrally capacitively ballasted discharge lamp
US2847605A (en) Electrode for fluorescent lamps
US2549355A (en) Fluorescent lamp
US2201720A (en) Thermionic cathode structure
US4277715A (en) Electric gas discharge lamp
US2177703A (en) Electric gaseous discharge device
GB810301A (en) Improvements in electrodes for fluorescent electric discharge lamps
US2125280A (en) Electron discharge apparatus
US2453978A (en) Electrode structure
US2098301A (en) Glow discharge device
US2056613A (en) Electric gaseous discharge device
US3069580A (en) Fluorescent lamp
US2518944A (en) Electric discharge device seal
US2087759A (en) Gaseous electric discharge device
US1989786A (en) Base and based electric device
US2273450A (en) High pressure metal vapor lamp
US2748309A (en) Gas or vapor discharge tube
US2709767A (en) Electric discharge device
US1861621A (en) Combination gap and condenser for high frequency circuits
US3265922A (en) Electric lamp
US1368584A (en) Cathode for audions
US2142047A (en) Electric discharge lamp
US2020722A (en) Gaseous electric discharge device
US2076286A (en) Electric gaseous discharge device
US1914762A (en) Cathode glow discharge device