US3111599A - Gaseous discharge device - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 19, 1963 w. F. KAZUK ETAL GASEOUS DISCHARGE DEVICE '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 26, 1961 INVENTOR5 Wz/fe/ Z Kazuk Pic/74rd J Pasco ATTORNEY Nov. 19, 1963 w. F. KAZUK ETAL 3,111,599

GASEOUS DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed Dec. 26, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Wa/fer f Kazuk 4 Richard J. Pasca ATTORNEY Nov. 19, 1963 w. F. KAZUK ETAL 3,111,599

GASEOUS DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed Dec. 26, 1961 "5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR5 Wa/fer E Kazuk a? Ric/70rd J Passe BYQWZW ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,111,599 GASEGUS DISCHARGE DEVECE Walter F. Kamila, Montoursville, and Mchard J. Pasco, South Wiliiamspoit, la., assignors to Sylvania Electric Products inc, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 26, 196i, Ser. No. 161,877 9 Claims. (Cl. 313188) This invention relates to a multi-electrode gaseous discharge device and more particularly to a counter tube employing a central anode disc surrounded by a plurality of spaced electrodes successively functioning as counting cathodes.

In multi-electrode gaseous discharge devices, such as switching or counter tubes, groups of electrodes are operated sequentialy at different potentials to transfer the discharge from one cathode to another relative to the anode. In a four output cathode counter tube, for example, there is a central anode disc peripherally surrounded by four counting cathodes and two sets of four guide or transfer cathodes to provide a total of thirteen electrodes. Adequate spacings and necessary electrode supports are derived from several mica spacers and ceramics as well as from specific stem constructions. Numerous structural Welds and buss connections are utilized to structurally and eiectrically join the numerous electrodes to the pertinent stem leads so that the resultant tube may function in the desired manner. Even with such a relatively simplified :four output cathode counter tube the large number of welds and the complexity of the structure makes it dniicult and expensive to produce and inherently susceptible to failure from open welds.

The stem of these tubes, with its surmounted electrode structure, is provided with a suitable envelope, thereby producing a tube of resultant height which is, on occasion, increased by the addition of a base' The large size of this structure is often a disadvantage since tube height is a deciding factor in many applications.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to decrease the aforementioned disadvantages by improving the compactness and reliability of the gaseous discharge device and by enhancing the ease of fabrication thereof.

A further object is to simplify and improve the manner of supporting the tube electrodes.

The foregoing objects are achieved in one aspect of the invention by the provision of a gaseous discharge tube having a base including a tubulation formed to support an anode disc. About the periphery of the anode are positioned a plurality of electrodes formed to function as cathodes and guides. A dome is sealed to the base so that the aforementioned electrodes, being radially positioned in the plane of the seal, are hermetically incorporated into the dome-base seal. If desired, buss conductors may be bonded to the exterior surface of the tube to facilitate electrical connections of like functioning electrode groupings.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is sectional view illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

PEG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates in section an alternate tubulation structure with a surmounted anode disc adaptable for use in the tubes as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a counter tube using bonded conductors for electrically connecting certain electrode groupings together;

3,1 l 1,599 Patented Nov. 1Q, 1963 FIG. 5 shows in enlarged detail an alternate electrical conductor having means for interconnecting the electrodes; and

FIGS. 6 through 10 sequentially illustrate various steps in the fabrication of the type of gaseous discharge devices shown and described herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, a counter tube 12 is shown comprising a hemispherical or cup-shaped base 13 of glass, alumina, steatite or the like having a tubulation 14- of Kovar or copper alloy supported therein by an axial seal 15. A metal anode disc 17, having a center perforation i8, is aflixed to the inner end of tubulation 14 as by brazing, Welding or the like. Thus, tubulation 14 is formed to function as an exhaust and gas filling channel, as a support for anode disc 17, and after tubulation sealing, as an external electrical connection for the anode 17.

In the counter tube 12, a plurality of substantially L-shaped electrodes 25) are equally spaced in radial array about the rim of the cupshaped base 13 so that the internal end portions 21 of the leads lie substantially perpendicular to and equidistant from the periphery of anode disc 17. A substantially cup-shaped dome 25 of glass, alumina, steatite or the like is inverted and positioned so that its rim is congruent with the rim of the base, and a seal 27 is made to hermeticaly join together the base 13, dome 25 and the electrodes Eli which are positioned in the seal plane therebetween. These electrodes, which are hermetically fixed in the seal plane, function either as output cathodes or guide cathodes. All of the output cathodes and all of the guide cathodes may tenninate as similarly formed individual electrodes. The guide groups may be tied together in external socket connection or in external conductive bondings 67 and 69, as shown in FIG. 4.

It can be seen that tube 12 is enclosed by a substantially spherical shaped envelope having an anode electrode connection protruding axially from the bottom of the base and a plurality of electrodes 21? extending exteriorly from the seal plane in a radial arrangement. The exterior portions of electrodes 2% may be straight radial projections extending outwardly as shown in FIG. 10, or they may have extensions angularly welded to the exterior ends thereof to form base pins 23. The straight radial projections may be of suflicient length to enable external bending to form the base pins if desired.

Further height compaction can be achieved with the tube structure shown in FIG. 2 wherein both the base 29 and dome 32 are substantially flattened cup or saucershaped. In this construction the electrode inner section 36 is straight and lies in the seal plane which is co-extensive with the plane of anode 45. The outer portions of electrodes 4% may employ attached pins 4-3 or may be otherwise bent to form the pins.

Another form of a tubulation structure is shown in FIG. 3 wherein a tubulation 53 of glass, alumina, steatite or the like is utilized. There is sealed or brazed to the inner end of this tubulation a metal anode disc-like structure 55 having a center perforation 57. To this disc 55 there is joined, as by a weld 59, a conductor such as a wire or metal ribbon 61 which extends through the length of the tubulation to form an external anode connection 63. Tubulation 53 may be used with the tube structures shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In counter tube operation the number one guide cathode group and the number two guide cathode group are joined together in two separate groupings and preferably have a single external connection for each group. For tubes described herein, this circuit connection may be accomplished by specially fabricated sockets. In cases where it is desirable for the tube to provide this circuitry, the

connections may be achieved by bonding conductors 6'7 and 69 to the outside surface of tube 12. as shown in PEG. 4.

The electrically conductive material s7 and 59 may be painted, printed, overlaid or otherwise applied to the outer surface of the tube envelope to electrically connect together the respective out r projections of each guide cathode grouping. When the electrode groupings are so connected, there is need for only one external connection for each guide group. Therefore, only one guide electrode 71 and 1 3 from each of the two guide groups is required for operation. The external portions of the other guide electrodes may be removed, thereby leaving short length stubs like those shown as stubs 75 and '77 from the respective groupings proiecting outwardly from the seal plane jointure.

Alternate conductor means are shown in FIG. 5 with an annular crown 79 formed or" thin metal which is prefabricated and formed to fit the contour of the tube 12. This crown '79 has split-lip contacts 80 formed to snap over and contact the electrodes by encirclement as they emerge from the seal jointure. An application of cold setting electrically conductive cement to each electrodecontact area insures positive bond ng if desired. The use of two such crowns 79* on each tube, adequately sep arated from one another, accomplishes the desired connections for each guide cathode grouping.

The steps performed during fabrication of the tubes described herein are shown in FIGS. 6 through 10. The cup-shaped or substantially hemispherical base 13 is hermetically sealed to tubulation 14 which contains anode disc-like structure 17. The electrodes 29 are properly spaced from the anode and are positioned in a substantially equidistant radial arrangement about the rim of the base. Subsequently, dome 25, having a substantially hemispherical or cup-shaped contour, is inverted with respect to base 13 and aligned with the base and the array of leads 2%. These aligned parts are brought together and sealed to provide circular seal plane 27. The seal may be supported on the dome and base by contoured molds or" suitable refractory materials if heat is used for sealing. During this operation a pressure of inert gas, as of nitrogen, may be introduced into the envelope by means of the tabulation id. The pressure of this gas is such as to maintain the desired shape of the envelope during the heating and sealing operation. After sealing, processing is continued by exhausting the inert gas and other gaseous contaminants and filling the tube with a prescribed operating gaseous mixture. The tubulation 14 is then pinched or tipped oil to provide hermetic seal 39. This sealed tubulation may serve as the external anode connection for the tube.

Electrical conductors 67 and 69, connecting the guide cathode groupings, may be added, if desired, as described in conjunction with FIG. 4.

The invention described herein provides a multi-electrode gaseous discharge tube having a simplified compact structure. The reduction in the number of structural parts and welds provides a tube having a high degree of ruggedness and reliability, and one that is economical to manufacture in large scale production.

While there has been shown and described what are :at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. A multi-electrode gaseous discharge device having a cup-shaped base, a tribulation extending axially through said base, an anode structure supported internally upon the tubulation above the cup-shaped base, conductive 'means integral with the tubulation to provide an external electrical connection for the anode, a cup-shaped dome inverted relative to said base and hermetically joined thereto to pro seal plane, and "city of electrodes internally spaced from one another and radially spaced from st id anode extending outwardly through the seal plane to provide external electrical connections for said electrodes.

2. A multi-el-ectrode gaseous discharge device having a cup-shaped base, a tribulation extending axially through said base, an anode structure supported internally upon the tribulation above the cup-shaped base, conductive means extending through the tribulation to provide an external electrical connection for the anode, a cup-shaped dome inverted relative to said base and hermetically joined thereto to provide a seal plane, and a multiplicity of electrodes internally spaced from one another and radially spaced from said anode extending outwardly through the seal plane to provide external electrical connections for said electrodes.

3. A multi-electrode gaseous discharge device having a cup-shaped base, a tubulation of insulating material extending axially through said base, an anode structure supported internally upon the tubulation above the cupshaped base, a conductor joined to the anode structure and extending through the tubulation to provide an external electrical connection for the anode, a cup-shaped dome inverted relative to said base and hermetically joined thereto to provide a seal plane, and a multiplicity of electrodes internally spaced from one another and radially spaced from said anode extending outwardly through the seal plane to provide external electrical connection for said electrodes.

4. A multi-electrode gaseous discharge device having a cup-shaped insulated base, an electrically conductive .tubulation extending axially through said base, an anode structure connected to and supported internally upon the tabulation above the cup-shaped base to provide an external electrical connection for the anode, a cup-shaped dome inverted relative to said base and hermetically joined thereto to provide a seal plane, and a multiplicity of electrodes internally spaced from one another and radially spaced from said anode extend ng outwardly through the seal plane to provide external electrical connections for said electrodes.

5. A multi-electrode gaseous discharge device having a cup-shaped base, a tubulation extending axially through said base, an anode structure supported internally upon the tribulation above the cup-shaped base, conductive means integral with the tabulation to provide an external electrical connection for the anode, a substantially hemispherical dome inverted relative to said base and hermetically joined thereto to provide a seal plane, a multiplicity of substantially L-shaped electrodes with the short legs thereof forming internal electrodes lying substantially perpendicular to the seal plane in a spaced radial array, said short legs being substantially equidistantly spaced from said anode, and the long legs of the Lsh-aped electrodes extending radially and outwardly through the seal plane to provide external electrical connections therefor.

6. A multi-electrode gaseous discharge device having a cup-shaped base, a tribulation extending axially through said base, an anode structure supported int rnally upon the tubulation above the cup-shaped base, conductive means integral with the tubulation to provide an external electrical connection for the anode, a cup-shaped don e inverted relative to said base and hermetic-ally joined thereto to provide a seal plane, and a multiplicity of of electrodes internally spaced from one another and radially spaced from said anode extending outwardly through the seal plane and having extremities positioned to provide base pins.

7. A multi-electrode gaseous discharge device having a substantially saucer-shaped base, a tribulation extending axially through said base, an anode structure supported internally upon the tribulation within the saucershaped base, conductive means integral with the tubulation to provide an external electrical connection for the anode, a substantially saucer-shaped dome inverted relative to said base and hermetically joined thereto to provide a seal plane COXtIlSlVC with the anode plane, a multiplicity of substantially straight electrodes internally spaced in radial array in a plane coextensive with the anode and seal planes, said electrodes having their inner ends substantially equidistantly spaced from said anode and extending from the inner ends radially and outwardly through the seal plane to provide external electrical connections for said electrodes.

8. A multi-electrode gaseous discharge device having a cup-shaped base, a tubulation extending axially through said base, an anode structure supported internally upon the tubulation above the cup-shaped base, conductive means integral with the tubulation to provide an externa electrical connection for the anode, a cup-shaped dome invented relative to said base and hermetically joined thereto to provide a seal plane, a multiplicity of electrodes including at least two groups of alternately positioned guide cathodes internally spaced from one another and radially spaced from said anode extending through the seal plane to provide external electrical connections for said electrodes, and an annular electrical conductor ex- 6 ternally bonded to the dome portion of the tube to electrically connect together one group of guide cathodes, and a second annular electrical conductor externally bonded to the base portion or" the tube to electrically conmeet together a second group of guide cathodes.

9. A process for manufacturing -a multi-electrode gaseous discharge device having a hermetic envelope comprising the steps of supporting a substantially hemispherical envelope base relative to a tribulation having an anode structure mounted thereon, axially sealing the tubulation to said base, orienting a multiplicity of similar electnodes in a substantially equidistant radial arrangement about the rim of the base, positioning a substantially hemispherical envelope dome in a position inverted to that of the base and aligning the base and the dome with said electrodes therebetween, heat sealing the base and the dome With the electrodes therebetween While introducing an inert gas into the enveloped device to exert a pressure and maintain envelope shape during sealing, exhausting said inert gas, filling the envelope with a prescribed operating gaseous mixture, and sealing the tubulation of said device.

No references cited.

Claims (1)

1. A MULTI-ELECTRODE GASEOUS DISCHARGE DEVICE HAVING A CUP-SHAPED BASE, A TUBULATION EXTENDING AXIALLY THROUGH SAID BASE, AN ANODE STRUCTURE SUPPORTED INTERNALLY UPON THE TUBULATION ABOVE THE CUP-SHAPED BASE, CONDUCTIVE MEANS INTEGRAL WITH THE TUBULATION TO PROVIDE AN EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR THE ANODE, A CUP-SHAPED DOME INVERTED RELATIVE TO SAID BASE AND HERMETICALLY JOINED

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