US3054920A - Glow-discharge indicator tube - Google Patents

Glow-discharge indicator tube Download PDF

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Publication number
US3054920A
US3054920A US74982A US7498260A US3054920A US 3054920 A US3054920 A US 3054920A US 74982 A US74982 A US 74982A US 7498260 A US7498260 A US 7498260A US 3054920 A US3054920 A US 3054920A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
cathode
auxiliary
glow
anode
apertures
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
US74982A
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English (en)
Inventor
Frouws Simon Mari
Horseling Jan
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US Philips Corp
North American Philips Co Inc
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US Philips Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by US Philips Corp filed Critical US Philips Corp
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Publication of US3054920A publication Critical patent/US3054920A/en
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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
    • H01J17/48—Cold-cathode tubes with more than one cathode or anode, e.g. sequence-discharge tube, counting tube, dekatron
    • H01J17/49—Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes, e.g. making use of direct current
    • H01J17/491—Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes, e.g. making use of direct current with electrodes arranged side by side and substantially in the same plane, e.g. for displaying alphanumeric characters

Definitions

  • This invention relates to glow-discharge indicator tubes in which the position of the glow light is determined by a voltage applied to an auxiliary electrode and which contain, in addition to a main anode and a main cathode, at least one auxiliary anode.
  • the invention also relates to devices comprising such glow-discharge indicator tubes.
  • a glow-discharge indicator tube in which a plurality of auxiliary anodes is arranged adjacent the main cathode so that, when the anode voltage and the auxiliary anode voltages are applied, the glow discharge is ignited and keeps burning in the vicinity of that auxiliary anode which has a low positive voltage with respect to the other auxiliary anodes. Since a plurality of auxiliary electrodes is provided, the glow discharge may occupy a diiferent position on the cathode as a function of the auxiliary anode which exhibits a low potential difference.
  • the anode is in the form of a wire parallel to the flat plate-shaped cathode, the auxiliary anodes being regularly distributed along the cathode and terminating adjacent the perpendiculars from the anode to the cathode.
  • the annular cathode is arranged between two annular anodes, one having apertures, if desired in the form of figures, adjacent the burning positions of the glowdischarge on the cathode, whereas rod-shaped auxiliary anodes extend through the other anode ring and through circular apertures in the cathode, which apertures have a diameter equal to the diameter of the auxiliary anodes, increased by twice the distance at which the minimum ignition voltage occurs in the relevant filling gas of the tube.
  • the ignition voltage between the auxiliary anodes and the cathode is hardly any more dependent on the positions of the rod-shaped auxiliary anodes in the apertures of the cathode since between the edge of each aperture and the associated auxiliary anode there can always be found a distance corresponding to the minimum ignition voltage, even when the rod lies eccentrically in the aperture. Due to the presence of two anodes one on each side of the cathode, it is insured that, if at least sufficient current is supplied in the circuit, the discharge also invariably occurs on the desired side of the cathode, independently of any small diiferences in the discharging conditions at the upper and lower surfaces of the cathode ring.
  • the cathode ring in order to prevent the glow-discharge from applying to an area other than the area to be indicated, is covered between the burning areas which surround the apertures through which the auxiliary anodes extend, with a thin layer of a metal having a high cathode fall in the glow-discharge such, for example, as nickel, or an insulator.
  • the cathode ring is in addition, narrower between the burning areas in order to avoid dissipation of heat during the degassing of the burning areas.
  • the distance between the auxiliary anodes and the edges of the apertures in the cathode are equal to a large extent
  • use may be made of neon and 1% of argon as a filling gas, the composition of which Varies due to burning away to a lesser extent than in the case of neon and 0.1% of argon.
  • the distance between the anode and the cathode may then be smaller due to the steeper Paschen curve, resulting in a decrease of the parallax upon observing the glow-light through the anode ring.
  • the tube is suitable for mass production.
  • FIGURE is a perspective view of a tube according to the invention.
  • reference numeral 31 indicates the glass bulb of the tube which is partly cut open.
  • a powdery glass disc 32 Parallel to the base of the tube is a powdery glass disc 32 which carries a lower anode ring 33 having tongues 34 which embrace the side of the disc 32.
  • the ring 33 is provided with ten apertures 35 each having a diameter of about 1.5 mm.
  • Rods 36 of Fernico material each having a thickness of 0.6 mm. are located in the apertures 35 of the powdery glass disc 32.
  • the rods 36 which constitute the auxiliary anodes of the tube, then extend into apertures 37 of a cathode ring 38, which apertures each have a diameter of 1.1 mm.
  • the cathode ring 38 consists of molybdenum and a sectorwise nickel coating 39 which has been provided by spraying with nickel oxide and reducing the nickel oxide in hydrogen.
  • the cathode ring 38 is supported by means of five bent spokes 40 which are supported by means of a central pin 41.
  • the powdery glass disc 32 contains another five rods 42 which are electrically connected to the lower anode ring 33 and which also support an upper anode ring 44. Between the two anodes the rods 42 are surrounded by ceramic spacers 43.
  • the upper anode ring 44 is provided with recesses in the form of figures opposite the portions of the cathode which are not covered with nickel.
  • the upper and lower anode rings are provided with slots 45 to ensure proper distribution of the energy over the three rings upon high-frequency heating.
  • the anode rings consist of stainless steel and the gas-filling of the tube consists of neon and 1% of argon at a pressure of mms. of
  • the thickness of the anode rings and the cathode rings is 0.07 and 0.15 mm., respectively, and the distance between them is 2.0 mms.
  • the wall is covered with an atomized cathode layer 46 obtained by atomizing the cathode at a high current intensity. Due to the high pressure of the gas in the tube, this cathode layer is present almost exclusively on the cylindrical side Wall of the tube adjacent the electrodes so that the position of the glow-light upon viewing the tube in an axial direction may be observed unhindered through the figure-shaped apertures.
  • a glow-discharge indicator tube in which the position of the glow-light is determined by a voltage applied to an auxiliary electrode and which contains, in addition to a main anode and a main cathode, a plurality of auxiliary anodes arranged adjacent the main cathode so that, when the anode voltage and the auxiliary anode voltage are applied, the glow discharge is ignited and keeps burning in the vicinity of that auxiliary anode which has a low positive voltage with respect to the other auxiliary anodes characterized in that the annular cathode is arranged between two annular anodes, one having apertures, if desired in the form of figures, adjacent the burning positions of the glow-discharge, the rod-shaped auxiliary anodes extending through the other anode ring and through circular apertures in the cathode, which apertures have a diameter equal to the diameter of the auxiliary anodes, increased by twice the distance at which the minimum ignition voltage occurs in the relevant filling gas in the tube.
  • a glow-discharge indicator tube in which the position of the glow-light is determined by a voltage applied to an auxiliary electrode comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous medium at a glow-discharge pressure, a pair of spaced annular main anodes, one of which is provided with circular apertures and the other of which is provided with character-shaped apertures, an annular cathode disposed between and spaced from either of said anodes, said cathode being provided with circular apertures in substantial alignment with the apertures in both of said anodes, auxiliary rod-like electrodes extending through the circular apertures of the anode and cathode and terminating adjacent the character-shaped apertures of the other anode, said circular apertures having a diameter equal to the diameter of the rod-like electrode plus twice the distance at which the minimum ignition voltage occurs in the gas whereby with positive voltages applied to the main anode and auxiliary electrodes, a glow discharge is initiated and maintained in the vicinity of an auxiliary anode having a small positive voltage
  • a glow-discharge indicator tube in which the position of the glow light is determined by a voltage applied to an auxiliary electrode comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous medium at a glow-discharge pressure, a pair of spaced annular main anodes, one of which is provided with circular apertures and the other of which is provided with character-shaped apertures, an annular cathode disposed between and spaced from either of said anodes, said cathode being provided with circular apertures in substantial alignment with the apertures in both of said anodes, a layer of material having a relatively high cathode fall covering surfaces of the cathode between the surface areas adjacent the apertures, auxiliary rod-like electrodes extending through the circular apertures of the anode and cathode and terminating adjacent the character-shaped apertures of the other anode, said circular apertures having a diameter equal to the diameter of the rod-like electrode plus twice the distance at which the minimum ignition voltage occurs in the gas whereby with positive voltages applied to the main ano
  • a glow-discharge indicator tube in which the position of the glow light is determined by a voltage applied to an auxiliary electrode comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous medium at a glow-discharge pressure, a pair of spaced annular main anodes, one of which is provided with circular apertures and the other of which is provided with character-shaped apertures, an annular cathode disposed between and spaced from either of said anodes, said cathode being provided with circular apertures in substantial alignment with the apertures in both of said anodes, a layer of nickel covering surfaces of the cathode between surface areas adjacent the apertures to increase the cathode fall at the so-covered cathode surfaces, auxiliary rod-like electrodes extending through the circular apertures of the anode and cathode and terminating adjacent the character-shaped apertures of the other anode, said circular apertures having a diameter equal to the diameter of the rod-like electrode plus twice the distance at which the minimum ignition voltage occurs in the gas whereby with voltages
  • a glow-discharge indicator tube in which the position of the glow light is determined by a voltage applied to an auxiliary electrode comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous medium at a glow-discharge pressure, a pair of spaced annular main anodes, one of which is provided with circular apertures and the other of which is provided with character-shaped apertures, an annular cathode disposed between and spaced from either of said anodes, said cathode being provided with circular apertures in substantial alignment with the apertures in both of said anodes, a layer of insulating material covering surfaces of the cathode between surface areas adjacent the apertures to increase the cathode fall at the so-covered cathode surfaces, auxiliary rod-like electrodes extending through the circular apertures of the anode and cathode and terminating adjacent the character-shaped apertures of the other anode, said circular apertures having a diameter equal to the diameter of the rod-like electrode plus twice the distance at which the minimum ignition voltage occurs in the gas whereby
  • a glo -discharge indicator tube in which the position of the glow light is determined by a voltage applied to an auxiliary electrode comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous medium at a glow-discharge pressure, a pair of spaced annular main anodes, one of which is provided with circular apertures and the other of which is provided with character-shaped apertures, an annular cathode disposed between and spaced from either of said anodes, said cathode being provided with circular apertures in substantial alignment with the apertures in both of said anodes, said annular cathode being narrower between the apertures and having a layer covering the surfaces between the apertures consisting of a material which increases the cathode fall, auxiliary rod-like electrodes extending through the circular apertures of the anode and cathode and terminating adjacent the character-shaped apertures of the other anode, said circular apertures having a diameter equal to the diameter of the rod-like electrode plus twice the distance at which the minimum ignition voltage occurs in the gas
  • a glow-discharge indicator tube in which the position of the glow-light is determined by a voltage applied to an auxiliary electrode comprising an envelope containing neon and 0.1% of argon at a glow-discharge pressure, a pair of spaced annular main anodes, one of which is provided with circular apertures and the other of which is provided with character shaped apertures, an annular cathode disposed between and spaced from either of said anodes, said cathode being provided with circular apertures in substantial alignment with the apertures in both of said anodes, auxiliary rod-like electrodes extending through the circular apertures of the anode and cathode and terminating adjacent the character-shaped apertures of the other anode, said circular apertures having a diameter equal to the diameter of the rod-like electrode plus twice the distance at which the minimum ignition voltage occurs in the gas whereby with voltages applied to the main anode and auxiliary electrodes, a glow discharge is initiated and maintained in the vicinity of an auxiliary anode having a small positive voltage relative to the

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  • Gas-Filled Discharge Tubes (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
US74982A 1959-01-06 1960-12-09 Glow-discharge indicator tube Expired - Lifetime US3054920A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL234888 1959-01-06
NL246291 1959-12-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3054920A true US3054920A (en) 1962-09-18

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US74982A Expired - Lifetime US3054920A (en) 1959-01-06 1960-12-09 Glow-discharge indicator tube
US81900A Expired - Lifetime US3085174A (en) 1959-01-06 1961-01-10 Glow-discharge indicator tube

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US81900A Expired - Lifetime US3085174A (en) 1959-01-06 1961-01-10 Glow-discharge indicator tube

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (2) US3054920A (sv)
CH (1) CH386569A (sv)
DE (1) DE1147317B (sv)
FR (1) FR1244702A (sv)
GB (1) GB931079A (sv)
NL (3) NL113382C (sv)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB911402A (en) * 1961-05-23 1962-11-28 South African Council Scientif Improvements in or relating to electrical spark producing apparatus
GB980339A (en) * 1962-06-01 1965-01-13 Ericsson Telephones Ltd Multi-electrode cold-cathode discharge tube

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE345859C (de) * 1919-10-26 1922-03-03 Michel Schmierer Glimmlichtroehre zur Erzeugung leuchtender Zeichen, Zeichnungen o. dgl., insbesondere fuer Reklame
US2142106A (en) * 1934-05-09 1939-01-03 Hans P Boswau Signaling system and glow lamps therefor
US2433809A (en) * 1947-02-01 1947-12-30 Sylvania Electric Prod Crater lamp
US2769939A (en) * 1950-06-12 1956-11-06 Northrop Aircraft Inc Read-out tube circuit
US2618760A (en) * 1950-11-06 1952-11-18 Northrop Aircraft Inc Glow tube anode construction
US2632128A (en) * 1951-01-09 1953-03-17 Northrop Aircraft Inc Glow tube cathode support
GB721973A (en) * 1952-07-29 1955-01-19 Hivac Ltd Improvements in or relating to cold cathode gaseous discharge tubes
GB777562A (en) * 1953-03-09 1957-06-26 Ericsson Telephones Ltd Improvements in or relating to electric discharge tubes
US2946921A (en) * 1957-10-19 1960-07-26 Gugelberg Hans Luz Von Glow discharge tubes and circuits therefor
US2937318A (en) * 1958-10-27 1960-05-17 Baird Atomic Inc Counting tube read out system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1244702A (fr) 1960-10-28
US3085174A (en) 1963-04-09
CH386569A (de) 1965-01-15
NL246291A (sv)
DE1147317B (de) 1963-04-18
NL234888A (sv)
GB931079A (en) 1963-07-10
NL113382C (sv)

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