US2606309A

US2606309A - Glow discharge device

Info

Publication number: US2606309A
Application number: US168227A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark A Townsend
Original assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc
Current assignee: AT&T Corp
Priority date: 1950-06-15
Filing date: 1950-06-15
Publication date: 1952-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 1969-08-05

Description

Aug. 5, 1952 M, A TOWNSEND 2,606,309

GLOW DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed June l5, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 COMMON ANODE conv/:0 b3 /NPUT i 4Z A 0/ 0 ii l im 00] o 577% @EAD/,ve 0 "9 "a f3@ PULSES STOP PULSE COMMON A/VODE M'. A. TOW/VSE' ATTORNEY Aug. 5, 1952 M. A. TowNsEND GLOW DISCHARGE DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June'l, 195o /Nl/E/vro/CP M A. TOW/VSEND A TTOR/VEJ/ Patented Aug. 5, 1952 GLOW DISCHARGE DEVICE Mark A. Townsend, Berkeley Heights, N. J., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York kAllmlcitlatinll June 15, 1950, Serial No. 168,227

17 Claims. (C1. 315-323) This invention relates to glow discharge devices and more particularlyto such devices which comprise a plurality of cold cathodes and are especially suitable for utilization in switching or translating systems. g n

There are in the prior art v.devices capable of performing the same general types of switching and translating functions as devices constructed in accordance with the present invention. Some of such devices are punched card translators, relays, groups of conventional cold cathode or hot cathode triodes or pentodes, and cathode-ray tubes. The arrangements described herein are faster than mechanical or electromechanical devices and are less complicated than other electronic devices capable of performing similar functions, especially where codes are used involving numbering systems having a base greater than two.

One general object of this invention is to improve the performance and speed of operation of translating and switching devices.

Another object is to simplify the construction of electronic translating and switching devices.

More specific objects of the invention are vto assure stepping of the glow discharge in one direction only along one of a plurality of paths, reduce the number of external connections necessary to cause 'stepping oi the glow discharge from one electrode to another, and lessen 4the number of electrodes necessary to electronically perform translating or switching functions.

A further object of the invention is the improvement of electronic translating ,and switching apparatus in general.

The invention embodies a cold ucathode glow discharge device having branching rows of cathodes therein and an anode common to all the cathodes. The rows begin from an apex and each beginning row is then subdivided one or more times into two or -more branches. Each cathode is divided into two-portions having different electron discharge sustaining efliciencies. These different portions are alternately arranged in each of the rows thus providing a preference with respect to the transfer of a glow discharge from one cathode to an adjacent cathode. For a more detailed description of the glow discharge stepping mechanism reference is made to M. A. Townsend application Serial No. 101,322 filed June 25, 1949, now Patent Number 2,575,370, is.- sued November 20, 1951.

The cathodes are interconnected so that a particular series of input code pulses will cause the glow discharge to step along from one cathode to another, following a particular path in accordance with the particular series of input code pulses. Only every alternate cathode defining one group, designated as the B group of cathodes, is capable of receiving an input pulse, the remaining vcathodes, designated as the A group of cathodes and normally biased negatively with respect to the B group of cathodes, being rest cathodes to which a glow discharge will transfer from the preceding cathode upon termination of the input code pulse which, upon initiation, had caused the glow discharge to transfer to the preceding cathode.

In one embodiment of the invention, the selection of the particular branching rows which a glow discharge traverses is determined by the time sequence application of a series of input code pulses on a plurality of input conductors each connected to diiferent groups of cathodes in accordance with the code.

In another embodiment, the selection of the glow discharge path is determined by the presetting of switches which are capable of selectively connecting various groups of the B cathodes to the input conductor in accordance with a code.

One oi the features of this invention involves branching rows of cathodes wherein a glow discharge can be stepped along one particular` path to one of a plurality of output-s, in accordance with a particularseries of input code pulses, the output code pulse being determined by the nal position of the discharge. The number of nal positions is determined by the number of times each original row branches into two or more other rows. In one embodiment of the invention, two rows of cathodes branch out from an apex and each is subdivided twice again into two more rows so as to form a total of eight rows, corresponding to eight output positions. v

I-n accordance with another feature of the invention, the glow discharge is ransferred along the branching rows in a particular path to a particular output position by means of a particular series of input code pulses. A series of stepping pulses is then applied to cause the glow discharge to step across from row to row until it reaches the last row, at which time a stop voltage pulse is initiated which terminates the stepping pulses. The number of stepping pulses constitutes the output signal. This feature is applicable to both embodiments of the invention mentioned. hereinbefore,

These and other objects and features of the invention will be more clearly understood from into a decimal code is accomplished byselecting the path through the tube in of switches;

Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment: including a three-stage binary deoodingtube wherein the tube is arranged to produce output pulses advance by .means on a single output lead, theA number olf-pulses Y corresponding to a decimal equivalent of thebinary input information;

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment having the same type of output as thatof Fig. '3 but embodying the advance selection of the path by means of codingv switchesl similarV to the method utilized in Fig. 2; l j m v Fig. 5 `is a top view of a two-stagentubexillustrative ofone embodiment of lthis invention Fig. 6 is a perspective view ofthe tube shown in Fg 5; .V1.M.

Fig. 'I illustrates one type of cathode that may be used in the tube Vshown in Figs. 5 and 6; and

Fig. 8 illustrates a form of common anode that may be utilized in the device.

Referring now to Fig. l the cold cathode gas tube is schematically shown as being comprised of a normalizing cathode N, a plurality of other cathodes divided into a B group of transfer cathodes 'and an A group of rest cathodesv and arranged in branching rows, andan anode" Iii common to all the cathodes. Each cathode, such as A0, is divided into two portions having different glow discharge sustaining eiciencies. The' part having the greater of these eic'iencies is represented by the portion such as I2-and that having th'e lesser is'repre'sented by a portion such as II. This is true of all the cathodes except the normalizing cathode N which may have but just one electron discharge sustaining eiciency throughout its length. Each row of cathodes is composed alternatelyof cathodes from the A and B groups of cathodes beginning with a cathode from the B group and ending with a cathode from the A group. The yA or rest cathodes are arranged in successive stages with B or transfer cathodes positioned between'these stages.

Cathodes A1, A0, A11, A10, A01 and 'Aooai'e all connected together to ground. Cathodes A111, A110, vA101, A100, A011, VA010, A001 and A000 are al1 connected to ground through individual resistances such as resistance I3, they outputvbeing taken from across these resistances. Cathodes B1, B11. B01, B111, B101, B011 and B001 are connected electrically to conductor I4. The remaining B cathodes B0, B00, B10, B000, B010, B0100 and B110 are connected electricallyV to conductor I5. Normalizing cathode N is connected to conductor "I5 which is grounded through resistance I'I.

The tube is normalized by a negative voltage pulse applied to cathode N through conductor I6, which initiates a glow discharge between cathode N and the anode I0. The code to be translated, in this instance a binary code, is applied to the electrodes of the gas tube through conductors I4 and I5; the I input being applied to conductor I4 and the 0 input being applied to conductor I5. The time sequence of the application of a series of "I and/or U input pulses determines the nal position of the electron discharge. Pulses to the I input select the upper of the two B cathodes in any given branch while pulses to the 0 input select the VVAwer of the two B cathodes in any given branch.

' For example, consider the operation when the binary code pulse |00 is sent in, corresponding to the decimal number 4. The starting pulse, at

time t0, initiates a glow discharge between the anode II) and the normal cathode N. At time t1 ya pulse I9 applied .to the I input causes transfer of the vdischarge to the cathode B1 and the release of 'this pulse I9 causes transfer of the discharge to the A1 cathode because upon ter- .'minationY of saidpulse, the A1 cathode assumes the .potential negative with respect to the B1 cathode and the glow discharge thereupon transfers from the higher eiliciency portion I2 of the cathode B1 to the lower eciency portion II of cathode A1. -The glow discharge will immediately move over-to-the-greatereciency portion I2 of cathode A1,'thus placing the lesser 'eiiiciency portions of cathodes B11 and B10 in close proximity t o saidl glow discharge. Thefn'ext input pulse 2Ijjattime t2 is applied to the input lead I5 andV causes transfer of the glow discharge to B10, since the -input pulse is negative and drives cathode B10 negativewith respect to cathode A1. Upon termination ofthe first-Il input pulse 2I the glow-discharge transfers to cathode A10. The second Il input pulse 20, whichfis the third input pulse. transfersv the glow discharge to cathode A ina similar manner.

In the embodiment of the'inven'tion described above binary coded input signals are supplied to either one or the other of two leads I4 or I5. the time sequence of the input pulses determining the final position reached by the glow discharge. It is also possible to do the decoding by selecting the path through the tube in ad- Vance.` y Fig-2 shows a way of accomplishing this byA means of switches. The tube construction is the sam'e as that shown on Fig. 1. However, in Fig. 2 the connections of the B group of cathodes B1 and B0 are connected to conductor 25 through the

resistances

26 and 21 respectively. It is possible to connect either cathode B1 or B0 to ground through switch S1. Cathodes B11 and B01 and cathodes B10 and B100 are connected to conductor 25 through

resistances

28 and 29 respectively. Either pair of these .four cathodes may be connected rdirectly to ground through switch S2. Cathodes B11 and B101, B011, and B001 are connected to conductor 25 through resistanceSl and cathodes B110, 'B100.`B010 and B000 are connected to conductor 25 Vthrough resistance 3| and cathodes B110, B100, B010 and B000 are connected to conductor 25 through resistance'SI. Either of these latter groups of cathodes may also be connected to lground through switch S3.

The normalizing pulse 24 is applied Vto normalizing cathode N throughconductor I6 which is grounded through resistance I1. Itis to be noted that the switches S1, S2 and S3 allow either the lowerqor the upepr of each pair of B cathodes to be grounded- As illustrated in Fig. 2, the switches lare in positions which ground cathode Bo in the first stage, B01 and B11 in the second Stage, and B001, B011, B101 and B111 in thethrd stage. This represents the binarylcode |00. The input pulse Sli'will cause the glow discharge to transfer Afrom the normalizing cathode N to cathode B1 and upon termination of said first pulse 34.will cause the glow discharge to transfer to cathode A1. The second input pulse 33 Will cause :cathode Bic to become vnegative with respect to cathode A1 and thus effect a transfer of the glow discharge to cathode Bio, and upon the termination of pulse 33 the glow discharge will transfer to cathode A10. The third driving pulse 32 will transfer the glow discharge to cathode B100 and thence to cathode A100.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown therein an arrangement whereby the output pulses are produced on a single output lead said output `corresponding to the decimal equivalent of the binary input code information. The tube can be identical with that shown in Fig. 1 except that ladditional B cathodes b1, b2, ba, b4, b5, be and bi are used in the nal row. This group of b cathodes is normally biased positively with respect to the A cath-odes in the final eight positions. normalizing input pulse 4l is applied to normalizing cathode N through lead I6 which is grounded through resistance l1. The coded

input pulses

42, 44, and 43 are applied to different groups of B cathodes through

conductors

45 and 45. Since the glow discharge is transferred from one A cathode tor another A cathode by the application of a. negative input pulse to a B cathode positioned thereinbetween in exactly the same way as was described with respect to Fig. 1, such descriptions of that part of the operation of the tube illustrated in Fig. 3 will not be repeated. However, the similarity ends when the glow discharge reaches the last A cathode in one of the eight possible rows. In Fig. 1 the output position is determined by the final row wherein the glow discharge is stepped, whereas in Fig. 3 the output is determined by the number of pulses applied to conductor 4G. This number of pulses is determined in the following manner. The

input code pulses

42, 44, and 43 cause the glow discharge to transfer to anode Arco in a manner described hereinbefore. After the glow discharge has reached the last anode A100 a series of reading pulses such as 41, 48, 49, 50, etc. are applied to conductor 5l. The stepping or reading pulse 5U causes the glow discharge to transfer to oathode b4 since portion li of cathode b4 constitutes the only portion of all the b group of cathodes close enough to the glow vdischarge to cause it to transfer thereto. Upon termination of reading pulse Sil, cathode b4 will become positive with respect to cathode A011 and the glow discharge will transfer to cathode A011. The second reading pulse 49 will cause the glow discharge to transfer to cathode b3 and thence to cathode A010. In a similar

manner reading pulses

48 and 41 will cause the glow discharge to transfer to the cathode Aoco at which time a stop pulse 39 will be transmitted through conductor 52 back to the source of the reading pulses and will cause a cessation of transmission of said reading pulses. It will be noted that the number of reading pulses applied to conductor 40 is determined by the position of the glow discharge in the final column of A cathodes.

In Fig. 4 there is shown the same type of output as is shown in Fig. 3 combined with the advance selection of the glow discharge path by means of coding switches S4, S5 and Se. The B cathode input code pulse lead 60 serves the dual purposeV of transmitting the input code pulses such as 6l, 62 and B3 to the B cathodes as well as transmitting the reading pulses such as 64, 465, 6-6 and 61 to the B pulse signal output. lThe The switches S4, S5 and Ss are preset to operate in l,the same manner as described with respect to Fig. 2. In Figa pulse 6| is transmitted through resistance B8 to advance the glow discharge from normalizing cathode N to cathode A1, pulse 82 through resistance 69 advances the electron discharge to cathode A10 and pulse 63 transmitted through resistance 10 advances the glow discharge to c-athode A100. The reading pulses are then transmitted; reading pulses 64 stepping the electron discharge down to cathode A011 and in a similar manner stepping pulse E5, 66, 61 stepping the electron discharge down to cathode Aoco at which time a stopping pulse 1l is transmitted over conductor 12 tc the source of the reading pulses to cause cessation of the transmission of said reading pulses.

In Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 there is illustrated one construction of a two-stage tube. The top view, Fig. 5, illustrates the branching rows arrangement of the cathodes which are divided into two main groups, the B cathode group and the A cathode group. Normalizing cathode N is the apex of the arrangement. Cathodes Bc and B1 comprise the beginning of two main rows, each of which is followed by an A cathode. Each of these two A cathodes if followed by two B cathodes each o-f which forms the beginning of a new row. Following each of these latter B cathodes is another A cathode which in the design shown in this drawing constitute the four final possible positions of electron discharge. Anode i@ is common to all of the cathodes.

ln Fig. 6, element l0 is the anode common to all the cathodes. Cathcdes Bcn and Bc are supported on wire 8i which is in turn supported by lead-in conductor 82. Cathode B10 is supported by conductor 8d. which is secured to conductor 82. Cathodes B01, B1 and B11 are supported on

conductors

88, and 93, respectively; the three latter conductors being in turn supported by conductor 84 and lead-in conductor 9|. Conductors S3 and 81 support cathodes A0 and A1, respectively. Cathode N is supported by conductor 83. The anode l0 has for its support conductors 89 and 9S which are shown only in part.

Fig. '1 shows one of the cathodes used in either the A cr B groups of cathodes. Portion H has a lesser electron discharge sustaining eciency than does portion l2 since an electron discharge will normally concentrate in a geometric surface such as exemplied by portion l2 rather than on the surface embodied in portion Il.

Fig. 8 illustrates the anode which is common to all the cathodes. It may be constructed of any suitable anode material.

Although the tube construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6 has only two stages therein, it is apparent that a three or four-stage tube can be constructed merely by adding another row of B cathodes and another row of A cathodes.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described, is to be taken as preferred examples of same, that various changes in shape, size, arrangement of parts and/or substitution of circuit elements may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A glow discharge device comprising a plurality of cathodes therein and an anode common to all of said cathodes, said plurality of cathodes comprising an A group of cathodes, a B group of cathodes, and a starter cathode, each cathode of said A and B groups of cathodes having a greater and4 al lesserdischarge sustaining efliciency portion,fsaid-A and YB groups of cathodes arranged in rows beginning froman apex, each row comprised of cathodes of said-A and B groups of cathodes alternately arranged, each row further having lesser and greater glow discharge efficiency portions alternatelyarranged therein, said starter cathode comprising said apex.

2. A glow discharge device comprising a plurality of cathodes arranged in branching rows, a starter cathode forming the apex of said branchingrows, and an anode common to all of said cathodes. each of said plurality of cathodes comprised of a lesser and agreater glow discharge sustaining efficiency portion alternately arranged in each row. said plurality of cathodes being divided into an A group of cathodes and a B group of cathodes. cathodes from said A and B groups of cathodes being alternately arranged in each row, a rst two of saidV rows branching from said apex, each of said first two rows branching into a pair of second rows, and each of said second rows branching into a pair of third rows to form eight rows, each of said first, second, and third rows beginning with a B cathode, and each of said eight rows being terminated by an A cathode. Y

3. A glow discharge device in accordance with claim 2 comprising a second plurality of cathodes alternately arranged with said terminating A cathodes so that one of said second plurality of cathodes is positioned between each two adjacent terminating A cathodes, each of said second plurality of cathodes having a lesser and a greater glow discharge sustaining efficiency portion, said lesser and greater glow discharge sustaining eiiiciency portions of said terminating A cathodes and said cathodes of said second plurality of cathodes being alternately arranged.

4. Translating means comprising a glow discharge deviceA having a plurality of cathodes therein, each of said cathodes having two portions of diierent glow discharge sustaining efflciencies, and an anode common to all saidcathodes, said cathodes" arranged in first branching rows having an apex, each of said branching rows comprising second branching rows, said cathodes being arranged in said rows so that the lesser elciency portions and the greater efficiency portions are alternately arranged, said plurality of cathodes being divided into a plurality of groups, the rst of said groups being electrically connected together, said cathodes of said rst of said groups being arranged alternately with cathodes of the other of said groups of cathodes in each of said rowscircuit means to apply input code pulses to said other of said groups of cathodes to cause a glow discharge to step from one cathode to another from said apex, selecting its path along said branching rows of cathodes in accordance with said input code pulses.

5. Translating means comprising a glow discharge device having aplurality of cathodes, a starter cathode, and an anode common to all of said cathodes,each of said plurality of cathodes other than said starter cathode having two portions of different glow discharge sustaining siiiciencies, said plurality of cathodes arranged in branching rows with said starter cathode at the apex of lsaid branching rows, the lesser` and greater glow discharge sustaining eiciency portions being alternately arranged in each row, each of said branching rows being subdivided into second branching rows, said plurality of cathodes being divided into a VB'group of cathodes 'and an A group of cathodes, each row of cathodes being composed of cathodes of said A and B groups alternately arranged, said A group of cathodes being connected together, a circuit means, switch means connecting said B cathodes to-said circuit means in accordance with a code, means to initiate a glow discharge between said starter cathode and said main anode, means to apply a series of input pulses to said` circuit means in accordance with said code to cause said glow discharge to step along said branching rows in a path in accordance with said code.

6, A translating device comprising a vplurality of cathodes arranged in branching rows, a starter cathode forming the apex of said branching rows, and an anode common to all of said cathodes, each of said plurality of cathodes comprised of lesser and greater glowdischarge sustaining emciency portions alternately arranged in each row. said plurality of cathodes being divided into an A group of cathodes and a B group of cathodes, cathodes from said A and B groups of cathodes being alternately arranged in each row, said A group of cathodes being connected together, each new branching row being started by a B cathode, a rst circuit means for applying a normalizing Vpulseto said starter cathode, a rst and second input means, a rst two of said rows branching from said apex, each of said rst two rows branching into a pair of other second rows, and each of said second rows branching into a pair of other third rows, each of said first, second, and third rows beginning with a B cathode, one each of the pair of the B cathodes starting each new pair of rows being connected to one of said first and second input means, and means for applying input pulses in accordance with a code to cause a glow discharge to step from cathode to cathode along a particular path.

7. A translating device comprising a plurality of cathodes arranged in branching rows, a starter cathode forming the apex of said branching rows, and an anode common to all of said cathodes, eachyof said plurality of cathodes composed of lesserV andv greater glow discharge sustaining efficiency portions alternately arranged inV each row, saidplurality vof cathodes being divided into an A group of cathodes and a B group of cathodes, cathodes from said A and B groups of cathodes being alternately arranged in each row, said A group of cathodes being connected together, each new branching row being started by a B cathode, a first pair of said plurality of rows of cathodes branching from said apex, each of said rst pair of rows branching into a pair of second rows, and each of said pair of second rows branching into a pair of third rows, a common conductor, each of said rst, second, and third rows beginning with a B cathode, each of said B cathodes starting a row being connected to said common conductor through a resistance switching means to selectively conn-ect in accordance with a code either B cathode of said first, second, or third pairs of B cathodes starting a row to a potential adapted to render said B cathodes incapable of causing a glow discharge to transfer thereto, means for applying input pulses to said common conductor in accordance with said code to cause a glow discharge to step along the branching rows in a particular path.

V8. A translating device comprising an A group of` cathodes, a B group of cathodes, a b group of cathodes,l a normalizing cathode, and an anode common to all of said cathodes, eachv cathode of said A, B and b groups of cathodeshaving a greater and a lesser glow discharge sustaining efficiency portion, said A and B groups of cathodes arranged in branching rows from an apex, said normalizing cathode being positioned at said apex, each row of cathodes being comprised cf cathodes from said 'A and B groups of cathodes alternately arrangedgthe greater and lesser glow discharge sustaining eiiiciency portions being alternately arranged in each row, a first pair of said rows branchingfromsaid apex, each of said first pairs of rows branching into asecond pair of rows, each of said second pairs of rows branching into a third pair of rows to make eight rows, each of said eight rows of cathodes being terminated by an A cathode, a b cathode positioned between every two adjacent terminating A cathodes, the greater and lesser glow discharge sustaining eiiiciency portions of said b cathodes and said terminating A cathodes being alternately arranged, a first circuit meansto initiate a glow discharge between said main anode and said starter cathode, first and second input conductors, a second circuitmeans selectively connecting said B cathodes to said rst and second input conductors in accordance with a code, means to apply input pulses to said rst and second input conductors in accordance with the said code to cause a glow discharge to step along the branching rows of cathodes in a particular path, a third input conductor connecting said b catliodes in parallel, means to apply a series of second pulses to said third input conductor to step said glow discharge along said terminating A cathodes, and circuit means to terminate said second pulse when said glow discharge reaches a predetermined one of said terminating A cathodes.

9. A translating device comprising an A group of cathodes, a B group of cathodes, a b group of cathodes, a normalizing cathode, and an anode common to all of said cathodes, each cathode oi said A, B, and b groups of cathodes having a greater and a lesser glow discharge sustaining efciency portion, said A and B groups of cathodes arranged in branching rows from an apex, said normalizing cathode being positioned at said apex, each row of cathodes being comprised of cathodes from said A and B groups of cathodes alternately arranged, the greater and lesser glow discharge sustaining eciency portions being alternately arranged in each row, a iirst pair of said rows branching from said apex, each of said first pair of rows branching into a second pair of rows, each of said second pair ci rows branching into a third pair of rows to make eight rows, each of said eight rows of cathodes being terminated by an A cathode, a b cathode positioned between each two adjacent terminating A cathodes, the greater and lesser glow discharge sustaining efiiciency portions of said b cathodes and said terminating A cathodes being alternately arranged, a common conductor, each B cathode being connected to said common conductor through a resistance, one said resistance individual to each of said B cathodes, a plurality of switches adapted to selectively connect certain of said B cathodes in accordance with a code to a potential which will render them incapable of causing a glow discharge to transfer thereto upon application of an input pulse thereto, means for applying input pulses to said common ccni ductor in accordance with said code to cause said glow discharge to step along the branching rows in a particular path, a first circuit means for initiating a glow discharge between said common anode and said starter cathode, a second conductor connecting said b cathodes in parallel, means to apply a series of second pulses to said second conductor to step the glow discharge along said terminating A cathodes, and circuit means to terminate said second pulses when said glow discharge reaches a predetermined one of said terminating A cathodes.

10. A glow discharge device comprising a plurality of cathodes arranged in a branching array, said cathodes comprising a starter cathode at the initial lpoint of said array, a plurality of stages of rest cathodes in order in said array each having twice the number of cathodes of the preceding stage, said plurality of stages including a rst stage of two rest cathodes. alternative transfer cathodes between said starter cathode and said first stage of two rest cathodes, and alternative transfer cathodes between each rest cathode' and two rest cathodes of the succeeding stage, and an anode adjacent all of said cathodes.

11. A glow discharge device in accordance with claim 10 wherein one group of said alternative transfer cathodes are electrically connected together and the other group of said alternative transfer cathodes are electrically connected together.

12. A glow discharge device in accordance with claim 10 wherein each of said rest and transfer cathodes has a greater and a lesser discharge sustaining eiiiciency portion, the portion of lesser eiiiciency being adjacent the preceding cathode in the array.

13. A glow discharge device in accordance with claim 10 wherein a terminating cathode is positioned adjacent each of the rest cathodes in the last stage of said array.

14. Translating means comprising a glow discharge device having a plurality of cathodes arranged in a branching array, said cathodes coinprising a starter cathode at the initial point of said array, a plurality of stages of rest cathodes in order in said array including a. rst stage oi two rest cathodes, each stage having twice the number of cathodes of the preceding stage, alternative transfer cathodes between said starter cathode and said first stage of two rest cathodes, and alternative transfer cathodes between each rest cathode and two rest cathodes of the succeeding stage, said alternative transfer cathodes being electrically connected together in two groups, an anode adjacent all of said cathodes, and circuit means to apply input code pulses to said alternative transfer cathodes to cause a glow discharge to step from said starter cathode at the initial point of said array to rest cathodes in successive stages, selecting its path in accordance with said input code pulses applied to said transfer cathodes.

15. Translating means in accordance with claim 14 wherein each of said rest cathodes eX- cept those in the last stage in said array is connected to ground and each of said rest cathodes of said last stage is connected to ground through a resistance and comprising output means individually connected to each of said rest cathodes of said last stage.

16. Translating means comprising a glow discharge device having a plurality of cathodes arranged in a, branching array, said cathodes comprising a starter cathode at the initial point of said array, a plurality of stages of rest cathodes in order in said array including a first stage oi two rest cathodes, each stage having twice the number of cathodes of the preceding stage, alternative transfer cathodes between said starter cathode and said iirst stage of two rest cathodes,

and alternative transfer cathodes between each rest cathode and two rest cathodes of the succeeding stage, said alternative transfer cathodes being electrically connected together in two groups, each of said rest and transfer cathodes having a greater and a lesser discharge eiciency portion, the portion of lesser eiciency being adjacent the preceding cathode in the array, and an anode adjacent all of said cathodes, a first input means connected to one group of said alternative transfer cathodes, a second input means connected to the other group of said alternative transfer cathodes, means for applying a normalizing pulse to said starter cathode, and means to apply input pulses to said rst and second input means in accordance with a code to cause the glow discharge to step from said starter cathode along a particular path.

17. Translating means comprising a glow discharge device having a plurality of cathodes arranged in a branching array. said cathodes comprising a starter cathode at the initial point of said array, a plurality of stages of rest cathodes in order in said array including a iirst stage of two rest cathodes, each stage having twice the number of cathodes of the preceding stage, alternative transfer cathodes between said starter cathode and said first stage of two rest cathodes, and alternative transfer cathodes between each rest cathode and two rest cathodes of the succeeding stage, said alternative transfer cathodes being electrically connected together in two groups, each of said rest and transfer cathodes having a, greater and a lesser discharge eicency portion, the portion oflesser eiciency being adjacent the preceding cathode in the array, and an anode adjacent all of said cathodes, a common conductor, a plurality of resistances connecting said alternative transfer cathodes to said common conductor, switching means adapted to selectively connect certain of said alternate transfer cathodes in accordance with a code to a potential which will render them incapable of transferring a glow discharge upon application of an input pulse, and means for applying input pulses to said common conductor in accordance with said code to cause a glow discharge to step from said starter cathode at the initial point of said array to rest cathodesin successive stages, selecting its path in accordance with said input code pulses applied to said transfer cathodes.

MARK A. TOWNSEND.

No references cited.