US3471734A - Periodic electrode structure for vacuum gap devices - Google Patents

Periodic electrode structure for vacuum gap devices Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3471734A
US3471734A US639843A US3471734DA US3471734A US 3471734 A US3471734 A US 3471734A US 639843 A US639843 A US 639843A US 3471734D A US3471734D A US 3471734DA US 3471734 A US3471734 A US 3471734A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
electrode
electrode members
arc
current
members
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
US639843A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Joseph A Rich
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
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3471734A publication Critical patent/US3471734A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/66—Vacuum switches
    • H01H33/664—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings
    • H01H33/6646—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings having non flat disc-like contact surface
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/02—Details
    • H01H33/04—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H33/20—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts using arcing horns

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to vacuum gap devices adapted to operate at high current without the formation of anode spots therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to such devices in which the formation of anode spots is avoided by the configuration and position of the electrodes such that essentially no magnetic field exists within the interelectrode gap.
  • a pair of primary arc-electrodes comprising a plurality of electrode members are generally assembled so that the individual electrode members interleave with one another to form a periodic structure which renders magnetic fields normal to the conduction paths within the interelectrode gaps vanishingly small to prevent the formation of anode spots.
  • I form an inner electrode from a re-entrant cylinder wherein the current path is folded-back upon itself, and form the other electrode from a concentric cylinder surrounding the first electrode.
  • Current flow in the outer cylinder is longitudinal and thus, by Amperes law, current flow within the exterior cylinder results in no net magnetic field within the confines of the cylinder.
  • current in one direction within the re-entrant structure is substantially equal to current in the opposite direction in the other section thereof and, hence, the net magnetic field is essentially zero exterior of the re-entrant inner-electrode.
  • the interelectrode gap which is a cylindrical annulus between the two concentric cylindrical electrodes, is essentially magnetic field-free and essentially no body force acts upon the current paths between the concentric electrodes.
  • the current paths are, therefore, not caused to bunch-up at one end of the device, thus causing the formation of destructive anode spots.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide vacuum arc discharge devices which are capable of carrying very high currents without the formation of anode spots and utilizing replaceable electrode members in the event of failure.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide vacuum arc devices in which the interelectrode gaps are substantially free of magnetic fields which tend to cause bunching of the electric paths and the consequent formation of anode spots in a configuration that is simple, economical to manufacture and easily maintained.
  • I provide improved vacuum arc discharge devices having high current thresholds for the formation of anode spots and including a pair of primary arc-electrode assemblies, each of which includes a plurality of electrode members and which are assembled together with the individual electrode members interleaved or interdigitated together so as to provide a plurality of interelectrode gaps, each of which is substantially free from magnetic fields transverse to the path of current conduction between the individual electrode members.
  • a pair of primary arc-electrode assemblies each of which includes a plurality of electrode members and which are assembled together with the individual electrode members interleaved or interdigitated together so as to provide a plurality of interelectrode gaps, each of which is substantially free from magnetic fields transverse to the path of current conduction between the individual electrode members.
  • conduction between opposite poled electrode members is initiated by the injection of an electron-ion plasma into the interelectrode gap by the pulsing of the trigger electrode assembly.
  • electron-ion plasma is created within the interelectrode gaps by the opening of a starter electrode which strikes an initial arc filling the device with plasma.
  • FIGURE 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a triggerable vacuum gap device constructed in accord with the present invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view, with parts broken away, of a vacuum switch constructed in accord with another embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGURE 3 is a horizontal section view taken along lines 3-3 in FIGURE 1,
  • FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view, with parts broken away, of an alternative embodiment of the trigger vacuum gap device of FIGURE 1,
  • FIGURE 5 is a horizontal plan view in section illustrating an alternative configuration to that illustrated in FIGURE 3,
  • FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the field configuration in the vicinity of four electrode members of the device of FIGURE 4,
  • FIGURE 7 is a schematic illustration of current conduction paths between adjacent electrode members of the devices of FIGURES 1 and 4, respectively,
  • FIGURE 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view, with parts broken away, of a triggerable vacuum gap device constructed in accord with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIGURE 8,
  • FIGURES 10 and 11 are horizontal section views of alternative structures to that illustrated in FIGURE 9.
  • the current threshold marking the onset of the formation of anode spots is a function of electrode geometry and electrode material. For a given material, therefore, the formation of anode spots is a function of electrode geometry. In the plane-parallel geometry, frequently utilized in switches in general and vacuum switches in particular, the threshold is relatively low, since a spot is formed at any point at which the current density becomes high, either due to surface irregularities or anchoring of the are due to the interaction of electric currents and magnetic fields.
  • One means of inhibiting the formation of anode spots is to use electrodes having a very large area so that the current paths between the arc-electrodes are diffused over a very large area to lower the current density and prevent the formation of anode spots.
  • Yet another means utilized to avoid the formation of anode spots, or to facilitate the carrying of high currents without destructive action of anode spots is to utilize electrode configuration and magnetic fields, either caused by the current conduction paths or an external magnetic field, to interact to cause the arc to move over the electrode surface, most generally to rotate about the P p y Of a disc-Shaped electro e,- his tends to keep the burning and erosion at any given point of the anode to a minimum.
  • concentric cylindrical conductors are utilized with the inner conductor being re-entrant in structure to cause a foldingback of current therein with a net zero contribution to the azimuthal magnetic field in the interelectrode gap.
  • Such structures give greater freedom for the construction of vacuum are devices and facilitate the dissembly of a device that has failed to remove one or more electrode members without having to discard the entire device.
  • FIGURE 1 illustrates a triggered vacuum gap device constructed in accord with the present invention.
  • triggerable vacuum gap 10 includes an upper electrode assembly 11 and a lower electrode assembly 12 joined with a cylindrical sidewall member 13 which is hermetically sealed to lower electrode member 12 by a dielectric or insulating seal 14.
  • Upper electrode assembly 11 includes a base plate or disc 15 and a plurality of downwardly depending electrode members 16.
  • Lower electrode assembly 12 includes a plurality of upwardly depending electrode members 18 and a base plate or disc 17.
  • Each of the individual, downwardly depending electrode members 16 includes a central post 19 and a concentric cylindrical member 20 which is connected to central post 19 at the inward end thereof by disc member 21.
  • each of the upwardly-depending electrode members 18 includes a central post 22 and a concentric cylindrical mber 23 which is joined to central post 22 at the inner end thereof by disc member 24.
  • the periodic structure caused by the interleaving of downwardly-depending electrode members 16 and upwardly-depending electrode members 18 causes the creation of a plurality of interelectrode gaps 25.
  • the active surfaces of the arc-electrode members include the cylindrical members 20 and 23 of electrode members 16 and 18 respectively and the end caps 21 and 24. These materials are prepared from a high purity, high vapor pressure material as for example, copper or any of the materials set forth in Patent 2,975,- 256, to Lee et al., Patents Nos.
  • Trigger assembly 27 includes a trigger anode 28 and a trigger cathode 29 in electrical contact with arcelectrode assembly 12.
  • Trigger electrode 28 may conveniently comprise a metallized ceramic cylinder with a scored gap therein with the metal on one side of the gap connected electrically to trigger cathode 29 and the metal on the other side of the gap connected to a trigger anode lead 32.
  • any suitable trigger assembly operative to inject a cloud of electronion plasma into the interaction space between the arcelectrode members is suitable.
  • Some such triggers are illustrated, for example, in the copending applications, Ser. Nos. 516,941; 516,942; and 516,943, of J. M. Lafferty, filed Dec. 28, 1965.
  • the plurality of interelectrode gaps 25 between individual electrode members 16 and 18 become the site of a number of small arcs or conduction paths with the conduction paths spreading rapidly over the many broad areas presented by the closest surfaces of the individual electrode members.
  • the conduction paths are limited to the interelectrode gaps 25 because these are the shortest distances between any points in the device 10 which are electrically at the potential of the primary arc-electrodes.
  • FIGURE 1 of the drawing is not meant to be exact scale, it is to scale in the respect that it clearly represents that the distance between the outermost, upwardly-depending electrode members 18 and the base plate of upper arc electrode assembly 11 is much greater than the interelectrode gaps 25. Similarly, the distance from downwardly-depending arc-electrodes 16 to the lower plate 17 or arc-electrode 12 is much greater than the distance of interelectrode gaps 25, as also is the distance between the outwardly-disposed downwardly-depending electrodes 16 and annular flange 26 which protects insulator 14 from Sputtering and short-circuiting.
  • the substantially equal and opposite conduction paths and magnitude thereof causes a substantial cancellation of the external magnetic field due to the conduction path therein and the entire assembly between the individual arc-electrodes is substantially field-free.
  • sidewall members 13 surrounds the entire interaction space, there is no conduction of electric current therein and no effect upon the magnetic field, either favorable or unfavorable results from the presence of member 13.
  • each of arc-electrode members 16 and 18 it is a simple matter to cause each of arc-electrode members 16 and 18 to be individually removable as for example, with a screw-thread from base members 15 and 17 to make it possible to dissemble device 10 at seal 14, remove any damaged or eroded arc-electrode member and re-assemble the device, evacuate and re-seal.
  • devices in accord with the present invention it is possible to conduct currents of the order of hundreds of thousands of amperes at voltages of 50,000 to 100,000 volts in devices having a volume of approximately one cubic foot with substantially no arcing or erosion of the electrode members.
  • FIGURE 2 of the drawing illustrates a vacuum switch constructed in accord with the present invention.
  • Vacuum switch 40 of FIGURE 2 comprises a first upper electrode assembly 11 and a second lower electrode assembly 12 having a plurality of downwardly-depending electrode members 16 and upwardly-depending electrode members 18, respectively, as in FIGURE 1.
  • Downwardly-depending electrode members 16 are comprised of a central post and a concentric cylindrical member capped with a planar disc 21, as are upwardly-depending electrode members 18.
  • the electrode members are interleaved with one another in alternating fashion, so as to form a periodic structure as in the device of FIGURE 1.
  • the envelope enclosing the interaction space of device 40 comprises upper electrode assembly 11 and lower electrode assembly 12 joined with a cylindrical, insulating dielectric sidewall member which may, for example, be fabricated from a high temperature glass such as Pyrex or Vycor or a high dielectric strength ceramic, as for example high density alumina, or a fosterite.
  • Sidewall member 41 supports an insulator shield 42 which is supported by a flange 43 imbedded in an annular bead 44 which is integral with the inner portion of cylindrical sidewall member 41.
  • Means to provide a quantity of ionized particles to cause breakdown between arc-electrode members 16 and 18 are provided in the form of a starter electrode 45 mounted upon an actuating rod 46, which is reciprocably movable and in contact with disc 21 of individual downwardly-depending electrode member 16 by means of a Sylphon bellows 48 which is suitably fastened to the outer periphery of an aperture 49 in lower base plate 17 and similarly fastened in hermetic seal by plate 48 to actuating rod 46.
  • Starter electrode 45 is conveniently constructed of a refractory, low vapor-pressure material, as for example, tungsten or molybdenum.
  • a force is applied to actuating arm 46, withdrawing starter electrode 45 from plate 21, causing an initial arc to be struck.
  • Electrode 45 is completely withdrawn and seated within orifice 49 in plate 17.
  • the arc is preferentially caused to spread out into the spaces between oppositely-poled electrodes and almost instantaneously the arc spreads out between the individual electrode members 16 and 18.
  • one starter electrode is shown, any number may be used.
  • device 40 utilizes a non-conducting sidewall member 41 with an associated shield member 42 and that the device of FIGURE 1 utilizes a metallic sidewall member 13. Since the sidewall members bear no significance to the electrical characteristics of the device, the device of FIGURE 1 may be constructed with the insulating sidewall member of the device of FIGURE 2. Similarly, the device of FIG- URE 2 may be constructed with the metallic sidewall member of the device of FIGURE 1. Actual structural details depend upon the intended use and the environment of the device.
  • FIGURE 3 of the drawing illustrates a plan sectional View of the device of FIGURE 1 taken along section lines 3-3.
  • the periodic structure of upwardly depending electrode members 18 and downwardlydepending electrode members 16 may readily be seen.
  • the interelectrode distance 25 represented by arrows A which are the conduction paths between adjacent, oppositely-poled individual electrode members, are the shortest distances between any opposite polarity member of the device.
  • the distance between upwardly-depending electrode members 18 and metallic sidewall member 13, which is at the same electrical potential as downwardly-depending electrode members 16, is much greater than the interelectrode spacing 25.
  • each individual electrode member (other than those of the periphery of the periodic array) is surrounded by four symmetrically-located, oppositely-poled electrode members. Since the azimuthal magnetic field around any individual electrode member which would be orthogonal to conduction paths between adjacent electrode members is substantially zero due to current conduction therein and the folded-back structure thereof, the orthogonal magnetic field within the interaction space within the device is substantially zero, and substantially zero net body force is eifective upon any given conduction path to cause a bunching thereof and formation of destructive, erosive anode spots.
  • FIGURE 4 illustrates an alternative structure for a triggerable vacuum gap device constructed in accord with the present invention.
  • the gap device includes a first upper arc-electrode member 11 and a second lower arc-electrode assembly 12 joined in hermetic seal with insulating dielectric sidewall member 41, as in FIGURE 2.
  • Sidewall member 41 is protected from the deposition of sputtered or evaporated metallic particles and short-circuiting thereof by a shield member 42 which is imbedded by a flange 43 in an annular bead 44 on the inner surface of sidewall member 41.
  • Upper electrode assembly 11 includes a base or end wall plate 15 and a plurality of downwardly-depending electrode members 50, which are solid, but which may be hollow provided it has sufiicient thermal conductivity, and are terminated at end 51.
  • Lower arc-electrode assembly 12 includes a flat base plate 17 and a plurality of upwardly-depending solid electrode members 52 terminated at ends 53.
  • the downwardly-depending electrode members 50 and the upperwardlydepending electrode members 52 of upper and lower electrode assemblies 11 and 12, respectively, are interleaved between one anotehr to form a periodic structure as in the devices of FIGURES 1 and 2.
  • Means for producing an ionized electron-ion plasma to cause the device of FIGURE 4 to be rendered conductive is provided in the form of a trigger electrode assembly 25, similar to that of FIGURE 1 of the drawing.
  • Means for connecting the device in circuit with an electric load to be switched, protected, or otherwise controlled, is provided by means of terminal lugs 30 and 31.
  • FIGURE of the drawing illustrates, in horizontal plan view, a section taken through lines 5-5 of FIG- URE 4.
  • This plan view of the device of FIGURE 4 illustrates square or rectangular symmetry, rather than circular symmetry as is illustrated in the device of FIGURE 3.
  • the square or rectangular symmetry of FIGURE 5 may be utilized with the devices of FIGURES 1 and 2 and the circular symmetry of FIGURE 3 may be utilized with the device of FIGURE 4.
  • FIGURE 5 it may be readily seen that the periodic structure illustrated in FIGURE 3 is maintained herein, with each of upwardly-depending electrodes 52 being surrounded by a plurality of downwardly-depending electrodes 50 (except at the periphery of the array).
  • the inter-electrode spacings 25 are smaller than any spacings between any individual electrode member and any other member having the same potential as the oppositely-poled electrode members.
  • the individual electrode members are solid, rather than composed of a concentric structure as in the devices of FIGURES l and 2 illustrated in plan view in FIGURE 3.
  • FIGURE 6 illustrates a schematic illustration of the field configuration surrounding an assembly of four juxtaposed electrodes 50 and 52 as in FIGURE 5 of the drawing. This view is taken with all four electrodes in section.
  • interelectrode gaps 25 exist between oppositely-poled electrodes 50 and 52.
  • there is no re-entrant structure in the device of FIGURE 4 to cause a folding-back of current conduction path and a net zero magnetic field exterior of each electrode it is apparent that there will be some magnetic field. It has been found, however, that the periodic array of these electrode structures does not depart markedly from the ideal array in the ideal field configuration obtained in the devices of FIGURES l and 2.
  • the annular area 60, immediately surrounding each of electrodes 52 represents a moderately dense azimuthal magnetic field in the direction indicated by the arrows therein (assuming current into the paper).
  • the annular section 61, immediately surrounding electrodes 50 represent a moderate azimuthal magnetic field in the direction of the arrows as shown. Because of the opposite direction of the magnetic fields in the interelectrode gaps the majority of the space 62 existing outside of annular regions 60 and 61'is substantially magnetic field-free and the center portion of the array 63 is exactly magnetic field-free. Although this field configuration has some effect upon the conduction paths between electrode members 50 and 52, it is not as drastic as one may think and the principles of the present invention may still be substantially realized in such a structure. This will be evident from a consideration of FIGURE 7.
  • FIGURE 7 a schematic representation of current conduction paths between an upper electrode assembly 11 and a lower electrode assembly 12 having only one individual downwardly-depending electrode member 50 and one upwardly-depending electrode member 52 is shown.
  • Current paths within arc-electrode members 50 and 52 are represented by arrows C. If electrode members 50 and 52 were of the reentrant type as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawing, the conduction paths between electrode members 50 and 52 would be the sheath enclosed within arrows D. It is apparent, in view of the great area encompassed by the sheath over electrodes 50 and 52 that the principles of the present invention are realized almost ideally in that conduction paths are greatly spread out over the electrode surfaces with essentially no bunching.
  • the moderate azimuthal magnetic fields 60 and 61 immediately surrounding the individual electrode members 52 and 50, respectively, tend to exert a moderate body force upon the conduction paths in the immediate vicinity of the electrodes. Since, however, these body forces acting upon the current paths are opposite in direction, the conduction paths are urged in opposite directions in the immediate vicinity of electrodes 50 and 52, causing the current paths to occupy the shaded area represented at E in FIGURE 7.
  • FIGURE 8 of the drawing illustrates still another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • a triggerable vacuum gap device 70 includes an upper electrode assembly 11 and a lower electrode assembly 12, connected in hermetic seal with a cylindrical insulating sidewall member 41.
  • Upper electrode assembly 11 includes a base plate or disc 15 and a plurality of downwardly-depending individual electrode members 16, each of which is a thin planar vane and which are arranged radially about the longitudinal axis of device 70.
  • Lower electrode assembly 12 comprises a base plate or disc 17 and a plurality of upwardly-depending individual electrode members 18, each of which like the electrode members 16, is a substantially thin planar vane, and which are radially disposed about the longitudinal axis of device 70.
  • the vanes 16 and the vanes 18 are interleaved between one another so as to form a periodic structure with alternate vanes connected to one electrode assembly and other alternate vanes connected to the opposite electrode assembly. Assembly is made so that the interelectrode distance between any given pair of oppositely-poled electrode members 16 and 18 is equal to the same distance between any other pair of oppositely-poled electrode members 16 and 18 within device 70.
  • a vapor shield 42 supported from a flange 43 inbedded in annular bead 44 on the inner surface of cylindrical sidewall member 13 protects the inner surface thereof from becoming covered with metal lic particles and short-circuiting. Contact to the electrode assemblies is made through terminal lugs 30 and 31, respectively.
  • the individual vanes which constitute the electrode members are shorter than the length of the device so that the closest distance between any portion of the oppositelypoled electrode assemblies or any other material at the same potential is the interelectrode gap existing between adjacent electrode members.
  • Conduction between electrode assemblies 11 and 12 is initiated by trigger electrode assembly 27, which has the identical or functionally similar structure to that of the trigger electrode assemblies of the devices of FIGURES l and 4.
  • the device 70 is rendered conductive by an electrical pulse to trigger lead 32, to cause the injection of an electron-ion plasma into the space between individual electrode members 16 and 18 to cause electrical breakdown therebetween.
  • FIGURE 9 illustrates, in horizontal section along the lines 9-9 in FIGURE 8, a cross-sectional view of the triggerable vacuum gap 70 illustrated in FIGURE 8.
  • FIGURE 9 illustrates, in horizontal section along the lines 9-9 in FIGURE 8, a cross-sectional view of the triggerable vacuum gap 70 illustrated in FIGURE 8.
  • downwardly-depending electrode members 16 and upwardly-depending electrode members 18 are alternately interleaved in an annular pattern and define a plurality of interelectrode gaps 25.
  • Trigger assembly 27 is visible at the center of base plate 17. Since the electrode members of the device of FIGURE 8 are not folded-back to cause the elimination of all magnetic fields, between electrode members 16 and 18, the principles upon which the present device operates is somewhat modified from that of the device of FIGURES 1 and 2, and resembles more nearly the operation of the device of FIGURE 4, although there is a substantial difference.
  • any two adjacent electrode members are surrounded by a substantially equal magnetic field due to current flow in the same direction in the adjacent electrode vanes. Since, however, with respect to the current represented by arrow A, the radial components of the magnetic fields due to current conduction in respective electrode members substantially cancel in the intervening space betwen the electrodes and the azimuthal component of the magnetic fields due to current conduction in adjacent electrode vanes is additive. As a result of this characteristic of the magnetic field in this configuration of the present embodiment, the resultant magnetic field (except in the immediate vicinity of each electrode vane) is an azimuthal field which is substantially parallel with current conduction paths between adjacent arc-electrodes.
  • the product approaches zero and substantially no body force (other than that which causes the so-called rail-gun configuration illustrated at E in FIGURE 7) is operative upon current conduction paths between the arc-electrode members.
  • current conduction path bunching at the anode is avoided and destructive anode spots do not form.
  • the configuration illustrated in FIG- URE 9 and incorporated in the device of FIGURE 8 is operative, with a relatively simple construction, to achieve substantially the same result as the more complicated structures of FIGURES 1 and 2, and to permit the carrying of exceedingly large values of current within the device 70, without causing a high current density to exist at any place within the device to cause the formation of destructive anode spots.
  • the current threshold for the formation of anode spots is greatly increased and the current carrying capacity of the device is exceedingly high as compared with prior art devices.
  • the foregoing is particularly advantageous, since the construction of the device of FIGURE 8, like that of the device of FIGURE 4, is relatively simple and needs no complicated arrangement requiring close tolerances. Similar to the device of FIGURE 4, the individual electrode vanes may be made removable so that the device may be dissembled by breaking the seal in the vicinity of upper or lower base plate, replacing one or more arcelectrode members and re-assembling the device with a new seal and placing the device back in service for a very small fraction of the cost it would take to fabricate an entirely new device.
  • a limiting factor to the effectiveness of the configuration of the device of FIGURE 8, illustrated in plan view in FIGURE 9, is the lack of parallelism between the adjacent arc-electrode members 16 and 18. This may readily be remedied by rendering each arc-electrode member 16 and 18 wedged-shaped, either in a solid wedge as illustrated in plan view in FIGURE 10, or in a bent V-type wedge as illustrated in plan view in FIGURE 11.
  • devices constructed with the plan view illustrated in FIGURES and 11 are substantially the equivalent of that illustrated in plan view in FIG. 9, although improved operating characteristics and higher current thresholds for the formation of anode spots are obtained.
  • the individual electrode members although illustrated with certain crosssectional areas, mainly circular, may be square, triangular, polygonal, or ay other configuration which provides a broad area of substantially parallel interelectrode spacings to increase the number of conduction paths between opposite electrodes and minimize the current density.
  • circular symmetry may be replaced with a plurality of elongated parallel electrode members which alternate and which may be folded or vanes, as desired.
  • a vacuum arc discharge device adapted to carry high currents without the formation of anode spots comprising:
  • a first primary arc-electrode assembly disposed Within said envelope and including a first plurality of spaced substantially parallel cylindrical electrode members extending substantially normal to a first endwall member;
  • a second primary arc-electrode assembly within said envelope and including a second plurality of spaced substantially parallel cylindrical electrode members extending substantially normal to a second endwall member and interleaved in alternating parallel spaced relationship between the spaced electrode members of said first arc-electrode assembly;
  • said first electrode assembly includes an upper base member and a plurality of downwardly-depending electrode members and said second electrode assembly includes a base member and a plurality of upwardly-depending electrode members.
  • each of said upwardly-depending and downwardly-depending electrode members is comprised of a central post and a concentric cylindrical member which is joined to said central post at the end thereof that is remote from said base member.
  • each of said electrode members is in the form of a solid member projecting from said base member.
  • each electrode member of said first electrode assembly is surrounded by a plurality of symmetrically arrayed electrode members of said second electrode assembly except at the periphery of said device.
  • the device is a vacuum switch and the means for supplying an electron-ion plasma therein is a starter electrode adapted to establish a starter arc discharge therein.

Landscapes

  • Plasma Technology (AREA)
  • Physical Vapour Deposition (AREA)
  • High-Tension Arc-Extinguishing Switches Without Spraying Means (AREA)
US639843A 1967-05-19 1967-05-19 Periodic electrode structure for vacuum gap devices Expired - Lifetime US3471734A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US63984367A 1967-05-19 1967-05-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3471734A true US3471734A (en) 1969-10-07

Family

ID=24565784

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US639843A Expired - Lifetime US3471734A (en) 1967-05-19 1967-05-19 Periodic electrode structure for vacuum gap devices

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3471734A (fr)
JP (1) JPS4814341B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE1765420A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR1564388A (fr)
GB (1) GB1223873A (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3969598A (en) * 1975-02-03 1976-07-13 General Electric Company Vacuum-type circuit interrupter with a plurality of sets of contacts in parallel
US4029921A (en) * 1975-07-01 1977-06-14 General Electric Company Vacuum-type circuit interrupter with two sets of contacts electrically in parallel
US20040113287A1 (en) * 2002-11-12 2004-06-17 Katsushi Kishimoto Semiconductor device manufacturing unit and semiconductor device manufacturing method

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3769538A (en) * 1972-03-20 1973-10-30 Gen Electric Vacuum arc devices with ferrous electrodes
JPS57147099U (fr) * 1981-03-12 1982-09-16

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3356894A (en) * 1966-10-14 1967-12-05 Gen Electric Multiple stage cascaded triggered vacuum gap devices
US3356893A (en) * 1966-03-21 1967-12-05 Gen Electric High power vacuum discharge device having a pair of interleaved multivaned arcing electrodes

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3356893A (en) * 1966-03-21 1967-12-05 Gen Electric High power vacuum discharge device having a pair of interleaved multivaned arcing electrodes
US3356894A (en) * 1966-10-14 1967-12-05 Gen Electric Multiple stage cascaded triggered vacuum gap devices

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3969598A (en) * 1975-02-03 1976-07-13 General Electric Company Vacuum-type circuit interrupter with a plurality of sets of contacts in parallel
US4029921A (en) * 1975-07-01 1977-06-14 General Electric Company Vacuum-type circuit interrupter with two sets of contacts electrically in parallel
US20040113287A1 (en) * 2002-11-12 2004-06-17 Katsushi Kishimoto Semiconductor device manufacturing unit and semiconductor device manufacturing method
US7722738B2 (en) * 2002-11-12 2010-05-25 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Semiconductor device manufacturing unit and semiconductor device manufacturing method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1223873A (en) 1971-03-03
FR1564388A (fr) 1969-04-18
DE1765420A1 (de) 1971-07-22
JPS4814341B1 (fr) 1973-05-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3679474A (en) Periodic electrode structure for vacuum gap devices
US3798484A (en) Series multiple break vacuum arc discharge devices
US3980850A (en) Vacuum interrupter with cup-shaped contact having an inner arc controlling electrode
US3071667A (en) Vacuum-type circuit interrupter
US3185800A (en) Vacuum type circuit interrupter with improved vapor-condensing shielding
US3792214A (en) Vacuum interrupter for high voltage application
US3471734A (en) Periodic electrode structure for vacuum gap devices
US3465205A (en) Vacuum gap devices with metal ionizable species evolving trigger assemblies
US3509404A (en) Vacuum arc devices with doubly reentrant coaxial arc-electrode structure
US3643047A (en) Series double break rod array vacuum switch
US3323002A (en) Triggered vacuum gap device having field emitting trigger assembly
EP0076659A1 (fr) Interrupteur à vide
US3450922A (en) Triggerable vacuum gap having offset trigger
US3509406A (en) Vacuum arc devices utilizing symmetrical coaxial electrode structures
US3356893A (en) High power vacuum discharge device having a pair of interleaved multivaned arcing electrodes
US3997748A (en) Vacuum interrupter with primary electrode surrounded by high dielectric strength shield
US3356894A (en) Multiple stage cascaded triggered vacuum gap devices
US3719852A (en) Coaxial electric arc discharge devices
US4233480A (en) Low voltage vacuum switch with three internal contacts including a center floating contact
US3471733A (en) High current vacuum gap devices
US3911239A (en) Vacuum arc devices with non-welding contacts
US3283101A (en) Double-break vacuum switch with bellows mounted movable bridging contact
US3303376A (en) Triggered vacuum gap device employing gas evolving electrodes
US3854068A (en) Shield structure for vacuum arc discharge devices
CA1104635A (fr) Dispositif de decharge a arc avec electrodes allant s'amincissant vers le bout