US3323011A - Circuit arrangement for controlling a gas discharge tube - Google Patents

Circuit arrangement for controlling a gas discharge tube Download PDF

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Publication number
US3323011A
US3323011A US300310A US30031063A US3323011A US 3323011 A US3323011 A US 3323011A US 300310 A US300310 A US 300310A US 30031063 A US30031063 A US 30031063A US 3323011 A US3323011 A US 3323011A
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United States
Prior art keywords
tube
voltage
control
cathode
anode
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Expired - Lifetime
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US300310A
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English (en)
Inventor
Peter Hubertus Gerardu Vlodrop
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US Philips Corp
North American Philips Co Inc
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US Philips Corp
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/36—Controlling
    • H05B41/38—Controlling the intensity of light
    • H05B41/39—Controlling the intensity of light continuously
    • H05B41/392—Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor
    • H05B41/3921—Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor with possibility of light intensity variations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/02—Details
    • H01J17/04—Electrodes; Screens
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H7/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions
    • H02H7/10—Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions for converters; for rectifiers
    • H02H7/12—Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions for converters; for rectifiers for static converters or rectifiers
    • H02H7/1213—Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions for converters; for rectifiers for static converters or rectifiers for DC-DC converters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M1/00—Details of apparatus for conversion
    • H02M1/02—Circuits specially adapted for the generation of grid-control or igniter-control voltages for discharge tubes incorporated in static converters
    • H02M1/04—Circuits specially adapted for the generation of grid-control or igniter-control voltages for discharge tubes incorporated in static converters for tubes with grid control
    • H02M1/042—Circuits specially adapted for the generation of grid-control or igniter-control voltages for discharge tubes incorporated in static converters for tubes with grid control wherein the phase of the control voltage is adjustable with reference to the AC voltage

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a circuit for controlling the angle of ignition of an electric discharge tube by means of positive voltage pulses having a progressively rising leading edge which are applied to said electrode.
  • the pulses are superimposed on the voltage of a bias voltage source, which has its .positive terminal of which is connected to the cathode of the discharge tube.
  • the invention provides a solution of the problem caused by said extension of the control-voltage pulses.
  • the circuit arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the circuit of the control-electrode of the discharge tube includes a resistor connected in series with the main current path of an auxiliary discharge tube, one of the main current path electrodes of which is connected to the negative terminal of the bias voltage source.
  • the positive voltage pulses are applied across the main current path of said auxiliary discharge tube in. a manner such that the auxiliary discharge tube ignites after the first-mentioned discharge tube.
  • the negative voltage of the bias voltage source is applied to the controlelectrode of the first discharge tube via the auxiliary dis charge tube and the resistor after each ignition of the first discharge tube and extinguishes the discharge between its cathode and control electrode.
  • the control-electrode of the main discharge tube is biased negatively by the bias voltage source immediately :after the ignition of this tube.
  • the sustained ascending portion of the progressively rising leading edge of the control-voltage pulse is suppressed and any ion flow passing through the circuit of said controlelectrode is limited by a resistor connected in series with the main current circuit of the auxiliary discharge tube.
  • the extinction of the main discharge tube is obtained reliably within a wide controlrange of, for example, 240 or more, even if the anode of said tube is supplied with direct voltage since it is impossible for this tube to remain statically conducting.
  • FIG. 1 shows the circuit diagram of one embodiment of the circuit arrangement according to the invention and FIG. 2 shows time diagrams of the voltage at difierent points of said circuit arrangement.
  • the circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 1 comprises a gas discharge tube 1, for example, a thyratron having a cathode, an anode, and a control or ignition electrode which is to be controlled by means of positive voltage pulses.
  • a gas discharge tube 1 for example, a thyratron having a cathode, an anode, and a control or ignition electrode which is to be controlled by means of positive voltage pulses.
  • an alternating voltage V having a peak value of, for example, volts is derived from the supply voltage by means of a transformer 14 between the points A and B.
  • said alternating voltage charge charges a capacitor 4 or, for example, Znf, which is discharged during the remaining part of the same period via a resistor 5 of, for example, 15 K ohms.
  • the time constant of the RC-network 4, 5, with respect to one period of the alternating voltage, is chosen to be sufiiciently high so that the discharge curve is substantially linear.
  • the voltage V across the capacitor 4 between the points A and C is therefore substantially a sawtooth voltage, superimposed on a negative, rectified voltage.
  • This voltage is superimposed on a variable bias voltage applied between the point A and the cathode of the tube 1 (point E), consisting of a fixed negative voltage of, for example, 28 volts of a first source 6 and of a variable part derived via a branch of a potentiometer 8 of, for example, 10 K ohms from the positive voltage of a second source 7 of, for example, volts.
  • the total voltage between the points C and E is applied, via two series resistors '9 and 10 of 10 and 22 K ohms respectively, between the cathode and the control-electrode of the tube 1.
  • the anode of the tube 1 is supplied from a directvoltage source 11 of, for example, 150 volts which charges, via a resistor 12 of for example, 6 K ohms a capacitor 13 of the eg 1 ,uf.
  • a directvoltage source 11 of, for example, 150 volts which charges, via a resistor 12 of for example, 6 K ohms a capacitor 13 of the eg 1 ,uf.
  • the second line of FIG. 2 illustrates the control of the instant of ignition. It is assumed in this case that with an alternating voltage V having a peak value of 160 volts, the discharge of the capacitor 4 extends from t to t or over a period which is equal to approximately 300 of the alternating voltage, V so that the amplitude of the sawtooth pulses amounts to about 80 volts. It is furthermore supposed that the tube 1, for example, of the type PL 5557, ignites at an anode voltage V of about +125 volts and a grid voltage of about 2 volts and has an arc voltage between the anode and the cathode of 12 volts.
  • the peak of the sawtooth lies at +5 Volts relative to point B (horizontal time axis passing through 0') and the tube 1 ignites at the instant t with a very long delay, about 180 after the beginning of the corresponding period of the alternating voltage.
  • the voltage V is equal to +148 volts
  • the valley of the sawtooth lies at -12 volts relative to point B (horizontal time axis passing through 0") and the tube 1 ignites at the instant I with a considerable advancement, about 60 prior to the beginning of the corresponding period of the alternating voltage.
  • the voltage V increases further after the ignition of the tube 1 for about one and a half halfperiods of the alternating voltage V and is highly positive at the instant I when the tube 1 must extinguish.
  • the path between the conrolelectrode and the cathode of the tube 1 is not deionised and the tube continues to conduct.
  • its anode current is limited by the resistor 12 to a value of The capacitor 13 cannot be charged again until the tube 1 has extinguished, which can occur shortly before or after the instant t when the voltage V has again become negative and reaches its minimum value.
  • capacitor 13 begins to charge again. However, the voltage V is still rising positively, and at some instant before time 21 the capacitor voltage may rise to a value sulficient to ignite tube 1, since its control electrode is at a high positive voltage too. As a result, tube 1 ignites prior to time 1 producing a weak output pulse at the wrong point of the cycle. At the next following instant of time t capacitor 13 may or may not have reached a sufiicient voltage to ignite tube 1, but even if it does ignite, the
  • a second gas or vapor-filled discharge tube 2 is employed, in accordance with the invention, the main current circuit of which is connected, via the resistor 10 and the source 6 of negative bias voltage, in parallel with the path between the control-electrode and the cathode of the tube 1.
  • the tube is a gas-filled tetrode, e.g., of the type PL 2 D 21. Its cathode is connected to the common point D of the source 6 of negative bias voltage and of the variable part of the source 7 (tapping of the potentiometer 8) and its anode is connected to the common point of the resistors 9 and 10.
  • the first grid of the control-electrode of the tube 2 is connected to the tapping of a potentiometer formed by resistors 16 and 1-7 of and 200 K ohms respectively, said potentiometer being connected in parallel with the cathode-anode path of the tube 2.
  • the second grid of tube 2 is connected via a resistor 18 of, e.g.
  • the control-voltage V applied to this tube abruptly decreases and becomes immediately negative due to the discharge of the tube 2.
  • This voltage remains negative, e.g., equal to 20 volts, until the sawtooth voltage has decreased to an extent such that the tube 2 extinguishes and from this instant it becomes still further negative with the voltage V
  • a negative voltage of at least 20 volts is applied between the control-electrode and the cathode, this tube is rapidly deionised subsequent to the discharge of the capacitor 13 via the anode-cathode path. In this way, tube 1 extinguishes with certainty in spite of the fact that the control-voltage V increases further or tends to increase further.
  • the resistor 10 serves to limit any ion flow passing through the negative control-electrode of the tube 1.
  • output pulses of constant width and amplitude can be produced, as is illustrated by the third line of FIG. 2, independent of the phase of these pulses relative to the alternating voltage V which is variable over a range of more than 240.
  • the circuit arrangement according to the invention may also be employed when the anode of the main tube is energized in a manner differing from that shown in FIG. 1, for example, if it is energized by a sinusoidal or nonsinusoidal alternating voltage, superimposed or not superimposed on a direct voltage. However, this voltage must become lower or tend to become lower than the arc voltage of the main tube at least once per period of the sawtooth control-voltage.
  • An electric circuit comprising a first gas or vapor electric discharge tube having an anode, cathode and control electrode, an output circuit connected to said anode comprising means for applying thereto a varying voltage, means for producing a discontinuous control voltage having 'a progressively varying leading edge, a control circuit connected to said control electrode and including input means for applying said control voltage to said control electrode to control the ignition of said tube, said control circuit further comprising a resistor, a source of direct bias voltage, a second electric discharge tube having an anode and cathode which define a current path therein, and means for connecting said resistor, said second tube and said bias voltage source in series circuit across said control electrode and cathode of the first tube with said bias voltage source connected in the reverse bias sense, and means for applying said control voltage across the current path of said second tube so as to ignite said second tube a given period of time after said first tube is ignited thereby to connect said bias voltage source to said first tube control electrode via said second tube current path and said resistor in said reverse bias sense to
  • a circuit as described in claim 1 further comprising a second resistor serially connected between said control voltage producing means and the current path of said second tube.
  • said output circuit voltage applying means comprises means for .pro ducing a varying direct voltage which periodically attains an amplitude equal to the tube arc voltage.
  • a circuit as described in claim 4 further comprising a second source of variable direct bias voltage serially connected with said control voltage producing means across said control circuit input means thereby to adjust the ignition point of said first tube.
  • An electric circuit comprising a first gas or vapor electric discharge tube having an anode, cathode and control electrode, an output circuit connected to said anode comprising means for applying thereto a varying voltage, means for producing control voltage pulses having a progressively rising leading edge, a source of bias voltage having its positive terminal connected to said first tube cathode, means for superimposing said control voltage on said bias voltage, means for applying said superimposed control voltage to said control electrode to control the ignition of said tube, a resistor, a second electric discharge tube having an anode and cathode which define a main current path in said tube, means connecting said resistor in series with said second tube current path between said control electrode and the negative terminal of the bias voltage source, and means for applying said control voltage pulses across the main current path of said second tube so that said second tube ignites after said first tube, whereby the negative voltage of the bias voltage source is applied to the control electrode of said first tube via a path comprising a second tube and the resistor to extinguish any discharge between the catho
  • a circuit as described in claim 7 further comprising a second resistor connected in series between said pulse applying means and the main current path of said second tube.
  • said second tube further comprises a control electrode, a voltage divider connected in parallel with the main current path of said second tube, and means connecting the control electrode of said second tube to a tap on said voltage divider.
  • said second tube is a gas or vapor filled discharge tube having its anode connected to the junction between said first and second resistors and its cathode connected to the negative terminal of said bias voltage source.
  • An electric circuit comprising a first gas or vapor electric dicharge tube having an anode, cathode .and control elect-rode, an output circuit connected to said anode comprising means for applying thereto a varying voltage, a source of direct bias voltage having its positive terminal connected to said first tube cathode, a second electric discharge tube having an anode and a cathode, means connecting said second tube cathode to the negative terminal of said bias voltage source, a resistor connected between said second tube anode and said first tube control electrode, a source of control voltage having a linearly varying leading edge, means connecting the positive terminal of said control voltage source to the junction oi said second tube cathode and said negative terminal oi the bias voltage source, and means connecting the negative terminal of said control voltage source to the junction of said second tube anode and said resistor thereby to successively ignite said first tube and said second tube, in that order, the ignition of said second tube effectively suppressing the remaining portion of the leading edge of said control voltage from afiec

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Generation Of Surge Voltage And Current (AREA)
  • Power Conversion In General (AREA)
US300310A 1962-08-27 1963-08-06 Circuit arrangement for controlling a gas discharge tube Expired - Lifetime US3323011A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL282548 1962-08-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3323011A true US3323011A (en) 1967-05-30

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US300310A Expired - Lifetime US3323011A (en) 1962-08-27 1963-08-06 Circuit arrangement for controlling a gas discharge tube

Country Status (6)

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US (1) US3323011A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS4013210B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH427048A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR1373862A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1052591A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL282548A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2490562A (en) * 1943-01-26 1949-12-06 Hartford Nat Bank & Trust Co Current interrupting circuit
DE1105073B (de) * 1955-04-23 1961-04-20 Siemens Ag Einrichtung zur Steuerung des Endzeitpunktes der Brenndauer von elektrischen Metalldampf- oder Gas-entladungsgefaessen mittels einer Anordnung zum Anlegen eines gegenueber der Kathode des Strom-richtergefaesses negativen Potentials an eine vom Plasma derHauptentladung bespuelte Hilfselektrode

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2490562A (en) * 1943-01-26 1949-12-06 Hartford Nat Bank & Trust Co Current interrupting circuit
DE1105073B (de) * 1955-04-23 1961-04-20 Siemens Ag Einrichtung zur Steuerung des Endzeitpunktes der Brenndauer von elektrischen Metalldampf- oder Gas-entladungsgefaessen mittels einer Anordnung zum Anlegen eines gegenueber der Kathode des Strom-richtergefaesses negativen Potentials an eine vom Plasma derHauptentladung bespuelte Hilfselektrode

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4013210B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1965-06-26
CH427048A (de) 1966-12-31
GB1052591A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1966-12-30
NL282548A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR1373862A (fr) 1964-10-02

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