US2967966A - Electric discharge device - Google Patents

Electric discharge device Download PDF

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Publication number
US2967966A
US2967966A US24692A US2469260A US2967966A US 2967966 A US2967966 A US 2967966A US 24692 A US24692 A US 24692A US 2469260 A US2469260 A US 2469260A US 2967966 A US2967966 A US 2967966A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
cathode
envelope
current
wall
contact
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
US24692A
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English (en)
Inventor
Howard E Zuvers
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 US24692A priority Critical patent/US2967966A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2967966A publication Critical patent/US2967966A/en
Priority to GB14722/61A priority patent/GB974419A/en
Priority to SE437661A priority patent/SE218419C1/sl
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
    • H01J13/00—Discharge tubes with liquid-pool cathodes, e.g. metal-vapour rectifying tubes
    • H01J13/02—Details
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J2893/00—Discharge tubes and lamps
    • H01J2893/0072—Disassembly or repair of discharge tubes
    • H01J2893/0073—Discharge tubes with liquid poolcathodes; constructional details

Definitions

  • Electric arc discharge devices of the type including an anode, a liquid metal pool cathode and means for initiating an arc discharge between the anode and cathode are well known.
  • the devices are characterized by unilateral current conduction between the anode and cathode and have been widely used for the controlled transfer of current of large magnitudes from one operating circuit to another.
  • the devices are required to switch extremely high currents at high voltages.
  • the presence of a magnetic field other than that produced by the inter-electrode current can result in the aforementioned difliculties and, therefore, it becomes increasingly important that such a field not be present in the region between the anode and cathode.
  • the conductive wall of the envelope of the device has been utilized as part of the tube circuit.
  • a low-resistance conductive ring fitted with a laterally-extending cathode connector has been mounted about the upper end of the tube wall in an effort to insure uniform concentric distribution of the tube current.
  • the current it is still possible with this form of structure for the current to become non-uniformly distributed in the current path and thus result in the presence of an unsymmetrical magnetic field in the device which may subject the device to the same A type of difiiculty encountered before recognition of the basic problem by Bedford.
  • My invention contemplates the provision of means effective for insuring uniform circumferential distribution of the returning tube current and thereby maintaining desired centering of the discharge are at substantially all values of current and voltage.
  • I provide a pool-cathode electric discharge device including a cylindrical conductive wall conductively contacted by the cathode pool and extending about the device upward toward the anode. Bonded to the anode end of the wall is'coaxial combined mounting flange and electrical contact.
  • the Wall and contact are both formed of a material of predetermined electrical resistance, whereby the current from the cathode is force-paralleled through the wall and coaxial contact for insuring uniform distribution of the current circumferentially about the device regardless of the current and voltage requirements placed on the device.
  • my arrangement insures against the presence of unsymmetrical magnetic fields in the discharge space and maintains the arc centered in the device. Additionally, my arrangement facilitates both manufacture of the device and mounting thereof in equipment.
  • a primary object of my invention is to provide a new and improved arc discharge device of the pool-cathode type adapted for uniformly low arc drop and resultant greater operating efliciency over a substantially wide high current range.
  • Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved are discharge device of the pool-cathode type including improved means for insuring a magnetic fieldfree arc region therein.
  • Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved arc discharge device including improved means for providing both a uniform coaxial cathode connection and facilitating mounting of the device in equipment.
  • Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved electric discharge device envelope structure adapted for insuring a uniformly magnetic field-free arc region between the anode and cathode thereof regardless of current requirements placed on the tube and in a manner which is substantially simpler than prior art structures from both the structural and manufacturing standpoints.
  • an arc discharge device comprising an envelope containing an anode and a mercury pool cathode in mutually spaced relation.
  • the envelope includes spaced inner and outer walls defining a coolant passage and at least the outer wall comprises a cylinder formed of a high electrical resistance ferrous material which extends the full length of the envelope and is electrically contacted by the cathode.
  • To the rim of the upper end of the cylinder is circumferen- 3 tially welded theinner rimof'a combined coaxial cathode contact and mounting flange formed of the same material as the cylinder.
  • Figure l is a partially sectionalized elevational'view of anarc discharge device incorporating an embodiment of my invention
  • Figure 2 is a planview of the device illustrated in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a plan'view of a modified form of my inventlon.
  • FIG. 1 an arc discharge device constructed according toan embodiment of my invention and generally designated 1.
  • the device'l includes a generally cylindrical metal envelope 2 comprising spaced inner and outer walls 3and 4, respectively, defining a coolant circulating chamber. Additionally, the envelope includes upper and lower header constructions 5 and 6, respectively.
  • the coolant chamber is provided with coolant inlet and outlet connectors 7 and8, respectively.
  • a liquidous cathode it ⁇ Contained in the lower end of the envelope is a liquidous cathode it ⁇ which can'comprise a pool of mercury.
  • the cathode it) can be formed of a mixture of liquid cathode pool materials or can comprise one of the well known sponge-type cathodes which are constituted of a porous member imbued with an active liquid cathode material.
  • anode 11 Suitably sealed and supported in the upper header 5 in axially spaced and insulated relation with respect to the cathode 10 is an anode 11 which is coaxially located with respect to the envelope and cathode. Connected to the anode in a suitable electrically conductive manner is an external anode terminal 12. Also provided in the envelope is an arc initiating element13 which is adapted for initiating operation of the device in a well-known manner.
  • the bottom of the metal envelope is electrically contacted by the pool cathode, and at least the outer wall 4 of the envelope is formed of a high electrical resistance ferrous material having a resistance preferably in the range of from approximately 7 to 20 microhm-cm. and which can advantageously comprise stainless or mild steel.
  • a coaxial planar or plate-like member 14 which is preferably formed of the same material as the envelope wall and is effective for serving as both a mounting flange and a coaxial electrical contact for the cathode. Additionally, the member 14 extends completely about and makes equal electrical connection with all circumferential portions of the upper end of the high electrical resistance envelope wall.
  • the contact member 14 can be substantially rectangular or oblong in configuration al lowing for the location therein, and preferably on the major thereof, of mounting bolt apertures 15 without subtracting from the fully circumferential nature of the connection of the member 14 to the envelope wall, or in other words, without affecting the provision of high resistance conductive material between the outer wall of the envelope and all edges of the contact member 14.
  • the contact member 14 is adapted for engaging a combined coaxial electrical contact and support member of the type generally designated 16 and shown in dash lines in Figure land can be held in place by mounting bolts also shown in dash lines.
  • the illustrated contact and support member would be provided in equipment incorporating the tube'as a component part thereof.
  • the coaxial contact member comprises a circular plate 17 having the inner edge thereof welded circumferentially to the upper end of the outer wall 4 of the envelope 2.
  • the member 17 can also be advantageously formed of a stainless or mild steel to afford the desired high electrical resistance.
  • the member 17 can include any number of circumferentially spaced mounting bolt apertures 18 while still affording a substantial amount of high resistance conductive material between the envelope wall and outer edge of the member.
  • the current flowing from the cathode to the equipment contact 16 is maintained circumferentially uniform, regardless of the high current requirements that may be placed on the device, such as in welding apparatus.
  • the device is assuredly protected against the presence therein of unsymmetrical magnetic fields which can adversely affect the operation of the device.
  • my invention insures against unsymmetrical return of current flow through the wall of the device, completely from the cathode to the contact 26 and thus insures against the presence in the device of undesired magnetic fields which can adversely affect tube operation. The absence of such undesired fields insures centering of the arc in the device.
  • my structure affords ease of mounting the tube. Further, my structure provides both these advantages and yet is structurally simpler than those devices found in the prior art. This simplicity of structure also greatly facilitates manufacture since, from the manufacturing standpoint, it involves simply the circumferential welding of the coaxial contact to the outer cylinder and, further, since the welding required is between members which can both be formed of stainless or mild steels which are readily weldable. Still further, inasmuch as the coaxial contact in my structure serves as both a coaxial contact and a mounting flange, my invention obviates the need for providing separate cathode connectors and tube mounting means on the envelope.
  • An arc discharge device comprising a generally cylindrical metal envelope, a liquidous cathode within said envelope at one end thereof and electrically contacted by the lower end of the wall of said envelope, an anode supported within said envelope in axially spaced and insulated relation with respect to said cathode, a coaxial contact member circumferentially welded to the wall of said envelope above said anode, and the wall of said envelope and said coaxial contact both being formed of high electrical resistance materials, whereby circumferentially uniform current conduction about said device from said cathode to means engaged by said coaxial contact member is insured, thereby to insure against presence of undesirable magnetic fields in said device.
  • An arc discharge device according to claim 1, wherein said envelope wall and said coaxial contact member are formed of a conductive material having an electrical resistance in the range of from approximately 7 to 20 microhm-cm.
  • An arc discharge device comprising a generally cylindrical envelope including spaced inner and outer cylindrical walls defining a coolant chamber, a pool cathode within said envelope at one end thereof and electrically contacted by the lower end of said envelope, and anode supported coaxially Within said envelope in spaced and insulated relation with respect to said cathode, a coaxial combined mounting flange and contact comprising a centrally apertured plate extending transverse the longitudinal axis of said envelope and having the edge of the aperture therein circumferentially welded to the upper rim of said outer wall and at least a pair of diametrically opposed hold-down bolt apertures, and said walls and plate being formed of high electrical resistance materials, whereby circumferentially uniform current conduction about said device from said cathode and through said wall and said coaxial contact member is insured for insuring against the presence of undesired magnetic field in said envelope.
  • said high resistance material is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and mild steel
  • said coaxial contact has a generally oblong configuration, is dimensioned for alfording a substantially uniform high resistance current path therethrough completely about said envelope, and said apertures are located on the major axis of said contact.
  • An electric discharge device wherein said high resistance material is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and mild steel, said coaxial contact is circular, is dimensioned for affording a substantially uniform high resistance current path therethrough completely about said envelope, and said apertures are circumferentially spaced equally about said envelope.

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  • Discharge Heating (AREA)
  • Arc Welding Control (AREA)
US24692A 1960-04-26 1960-04-26 Electric discharge device Expired - Lifetime US2967966A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US24692A US2967966A (en) 1960-04-26 1960-04-26 Electric discharge device
GB14722/61A GB974419A (en) 1960-04-26 1961-04-24 Electric arc discharge device
SE437661A SE218419C1 (enrdf_load_html_response) 1960-04-26 1961-04-26

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US24692A US2967966A (en) 1960-04-26 1960-04-26 Electric discharge device

Publications (1)

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US2967966A true US2967966A (en) 1961-01-10

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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US (1) US2967966A (enrdf_load_html_response)
GB (1) GB974419A (enrdf_load_html_response)
SE (1) SE218419C1 (enrdf_load_html_response)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2634382A (en) * 1952-01-30 1953-04-07 Gen Electric Electric discharge device apparatus

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2634382A (en) * 1952-01-30 1953-04-07 Gen Electric Electric discharge device apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE218419C1 (enrdf_load_html_response) 1968-01-23
GB974419A (en) 1964-11-04

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