US3845345A - Frequency sensitive preionizer - Google Patents

Frequency sensitive preionizer Download PDF

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Publication number
US3845345A
US3845345A US00376433A US37643373A US3845345A US 3845345 A US3845345 A US 3845345A US 00376433 A US00376433 A US 00376433A US 37643373 A US37643373 A US 37643373A US 3845345 A US3845345 A US 3845345A
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United States
Prior art keywords
spark gap
preionizer
frequency sensitive
base
preionizing
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
US00376433A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Kresge
S Miske
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General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Priority to US00376433A priority Critical patent/US3845345A/en
Priority to DE2431401A priority patent/DE2431401A1/de
Priority to CH908274A priority patent/CH578269A5/xx
Priority to SE7408817A priority patent/SE398027B/xx
Priority to JP49075909A priority patent/JPS5033445A/ja
Priority to GB2994674A priority patent/GB1474440A/en
Priority to FR7423392A priority patent/FR2236293A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3845345A publication Critical patent/US3845345A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T2/00—Spark gaps comprising auxiliary triggering means
    • H01T2/02—Spark gaps comprising auxiliary triggering means comprising a trigger electrode or an auxiliary spark gap

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT This frequency sensitive preionizer uses integrated circuitry in providing a resistance, a capacitance, and a preionizing spark gap deposited on an insulating base
  • the capacitance is connected in series with a parallel combination of the preionizing spark gap and the resistance, and impulse overvoltages are readily conducted by the capacitance causing the preionizing spark gap to emit photons for initiating preionization of a spark gap prior to sparkover.
  • a preionizer is used in conjunction with a spark gap to inject a photon or quantum of energy into the spark gap.
  • the photon upon striking one of the charged electrodes of the spark gap, causes ions or electrons to be emitted which ionize the medium between the electrodes of the spark gap.
  • An ionized medium between the electrodes will readily conduct and support sparkover when the voltage between the electrodes exceeds a predetermined magnitude. Without a preionizer, sparkover would depend greatly upon the probability that a naturally occurring ion or photon would initiate ionization of the medium in the spark gap.
  • a preionizer is essential in providing reliable overvoltage protection.
  • preionizer known in the art is a field sensitive preionizer.
  • the field sensitive preionizer is responsive to the voltage sensed between the electrodes of the spark gap and emits photons after the voltage between the electrodes has risen above the normal operating level.
  • the overvoltage for which a gap is required to sparkover is always a fast impulse.
  • a type of preionizer which solves the erratic performance problems of the field sensitive preionizer is a frequency sensitive preionizer.
  • the frequency sensitive preionizer is a frequency sensitive circuit which responds only to impulse overvoltages by producing photons to ionize the spark gap but remains inoperative at low frequencies, such as the normal Hz. electrical supply frequency. Electrical theory holds that an impulse is comprised of a number of very high frequencies, and a circuit which will respond to very high frequencies will likewise respond to an impulse.
  • the frequency sensitive preionizer senses the very high frequencies of the impulse overvoltage and responds by emitting photons. As the overvoltage continues to rise in magnitude, the overvoltage attains a level at which sparkover occurs and the overvoltage is removed from the conductor. Thus, the frequency sensitive preionizer is actually impulse sensitive.
  • frequency sensitive preionizer being impulse responsive, provides the inherent advantage of consistent preionization only during an impulse type of overvoltage, which is the only time some gaps are required to sparkover.
  • frequency sensitive preionizers provide reliable sparkover of such gaps, for example cascade gaps.
  • the present invention provides the desirable performance of a frequency sensitive preionizer and is also of a construction which allows adequate control of the values of the frequency sensitive elements for reliable operation.
  • the small and compact construction allows the frequency sensitive preionizer to be manufactured separately from the spark gap assembly, and the structure of the preionizer is such that it allows the spark gap assemblies to be serially stacked to form a spark gap arrestor.
  • the frequency sensitive preionizer comprises an insulating base having first and second sides on which first and second preionizer electrodes, respectively, are deposited in the form of an integrated circuit.
  • a plate of metallic material is deposited on the first side. and capacitance is formed by a portion of the second preionizer electrode, the plate, and the base therebetween.
  • a resistive element is also deposited on the first side and electrically interconnects the metallic plate and the first preionizer electrode.
  • a preionizing spark gap separates the plate from the first preionizer electrode.
  • This frequency sensitive circuit causes the preionizing spark gap to spark over and emit photons for initiating ionization of the spark gap when the circuit is subjected to an impulse or surge overvoltage, because the low impedance of the capacitance to the high frequencies in herent in the impluse overvoltage causes the overvolt age to appear across the resistive element and the preionizing spark gap, thereby causing the preionizing spark gap to spark over and emit photons.
  • FIGS. la and lb are top and side views, respectively, of the preferred embodiment of a frequency sensitive preionizer incorporating this invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the invention
  • FIGS. 30 and 3b are partial top and side views of the frequency sensitive preionizer of this invention as employed in a spark gap assembly.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a number of serially stacked spark gap assemblies employing such frequency sensitive preionizers.
  • the preionizer includes a base 12 constructed of insulating dielectric material, such as a ceramic material or other material typically used in integrated circuitry which has electrical insulating properties and to which integrated electronic elements may be secured. As best seen in FIG. lb, the base has a first side 14 and a second side 16 which may occupy parallel planes displaced from one another by the thickness of the base as reflected by the thickness dimension 18.
  • a first preionizer electrode 20 and a second preionizer electrode 22 are deposited on the first side 14 and the second side 16, respectively, of the base 12, as seen in FIGS. la and lb.
  • the preionizer electrodes 20 and 22 are deposited on the base I2 by well-known methods employed in integrated circuitry for depositing integrated electronic elements to a base. As employed in carrying out this invention, depositing is intended to include vapor depositing, glue ing or any other known method of incorporating electronic components in an integrated circuit.
  • a capacitance can be conveniently provided by a plate 24 of metallic material deposited on the first side 14 of the base 12, a portion 220 of the second preionizer electrode 22, and the base material therebetween.
  • the plate 24 and the portion 220 may be directly opposite in position on the first and second sides, respectively, ofthe base 12, as is best seen in FIG. lb, and are, therefore, separated or spaced by that amount of insulative dielectric material as measured by the thickness dimension 18 of the base l2.
  • the plate 24 on the first side of the base is spaced from the first preionizer electrode 20 a predetermined distance, as best shown in FIG. la, thereby forming a preionizing spark gap 26 between the first preionizer electrode 20 and the plate 24.
  • the plate 24 is electrically interconnected by a resistive element 28 to the first preionizer electrode 20.
  • the resistance element 28 is any well-known resistance material used in integrated circuitry and is deposited on the first side 14 of the base I0 in a manner similar to that previously described.
  • the frequency sensitive preionizer is used in conjunction with a main spark gap 30 formed by a pair of spaced main spark gap electrodes 32 and 34, which make up spark gap assembly 36.
  • the first preionizer electrode 20 is electrically connected to one of the main spark gap electrodes, for example 32, by an electrical conductor 38.
  • the second preionizer electrode 22 is connected to the other main spark gap electrode, for example 34, by another electrical conductor 40.
  • the plate 24 and the portion 220 of the second preionizer electrode 22 form a capacitance or other similar frequency sensitive impedance element which exhibits low impedance to high frequencies and high impedance to low frequencies.
  • the capacitance is electrically connected in series with the preionizing spark gap 26 or other similar means for emitting photons and projecting the photons onto at least one of the main spark gap electrodes.
  • the capacitance and preionizing spark gap are electrically connected between the pair of main spark gap electrodes 32 and 34, and the resistive element 28 is electrically connected in parallel with the preionizing spark gap 26. Connected in this manner, the frequency sensitive preionizer 10 will emit photons to initiate ionization of the main spark gap 30 upon the occurrence of an impulse overvoltage.
  • the frequency sensitive preionizer Under normal operating voltage magnitudes and frequencies, the voltage appearing across the main spark gap 30 is insufficient to cause the main spark gap 30 to spark over.
  • the capacitance exhibits a very high impedance at normal operating frequencies, causing substantially all the voltage across the main spark gap 30 to appear across the capacitance and very little or no voltage to appear across the resistive element 28 or the preionizing spark gap 26.
  • the preionizing spark gap 26 does not spark over to emit photons to preionize the main spark gap 30.
  • the high frequencies of the impulse are readily conducted by the capacitance which exhibits low impedance to the high frequencies, and substantially the total magnitude of the impulse overvoltage is present across the resistive element 28 and the preionizing spark gap 26.
  • the magnitude of the impulse overvoltage causes the preionizing spark gap 26 to spark over and emit photons to preionize the main spark gap 30.
  • the photons from the frequency sensitive preionizer Upon the impulse overvoltage reaching a magnitude sufficient to cause the main spark gap 30 to spark over, the photons from the frequency sensitive preionizer have readied the main spark gap for reliable and accurate sparkover. Thus, the main spark gap 30 is preionized before it sparks over.
  • FIGS. 30 and 3b where the frequency sensitive preionizer is illustrated in conjunction with the main gap 30.
  • the main spark gap 30 is formed by the pair of spaced main spark gap electrodes 32 and 34 mounted within an insulating housing 42 to form a spark gap assembly 36.
  • Retaining means such as the bolts 44 attach the main spark gap electrodes 32 and 34 to the housing 42, and electrically connect the stacked spark gap assemblies in series to form a spark gap arrestor.
  • the first and second preionizer electrodes are adapted to be connected to the main spark gap electrodes 32 and 34 by the electrical conductors 38 and 40.
  • FIG. 3b illustrates in a side view how the compact and concisely constructed preionizer has a low profile which eliminates any problems in stacking the spark gap assemblies 36 to form a spark gap arrestor.
  • the electrical conductors 38 and 40 readily connect the frequency sensitive preionizer to the spark gap assembly and allow the preionizer to be manufactured as a unitary structure separate from the spark gap assembly.
  • FIG. 4 shows how a plurality of spark gap assemblies 36, employing the frequency sensitive preionizers 10 of this invention, may be stacked together very compactly to form a spark gap arrestor.
  • the base of the preionizer was formed from a ceramic slab having a thickness of 0.055 inch which resulted in a capacitance in the range of 0.1 to l picofarad.
  • the value of the capacitance may be changed by merely varying the thickness of the base or by varying the area of the plate 24 or of the portion 220 of the second preionizing electrode 22 forming part of the capacitance.
  • Well-known resistive materials easily provide a value of l to l00 megaohms for the resistive element, thereby insuring that the time constant falls within the range indicated. It was also found that the width of the preionizing spark gap secures the best performance when in the range of 0.005 to 0.010 inch.
  • a base of insulating dielectric material having a first and a second side
  • said plate being spaced from said first preionizer electrode a predetermined distance to form a preionizing spark gap therebetween;

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  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Thermistors And Varistors (AREA)
  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
US00376433A 1973-07-05 1973-07-05 Frequency sensitive preionizer Expired - Lifetime US3845345A (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00376433A US3845345A (en) 1973-07-05 1973-07-05 Frequency sensitive preionizer
DE2431401A DE2431401A1 (de) 1973-07-05 1974-06-29 Frequenzempfindliche vorionisationseinrichtung
CH908274A CH578269A5 (de) 1973-07-05 1974-07-02
SE7408817A SE398027B (sv) 1973-07-05 1974-07-04 Frekvenskenslig forjoniserare
JP49075909A JPS5033445A (de) 1973-07-05 1974-07-04
GB2994674A GB1474440A (en) 1973-07-05 1974-07-05 Preionizer for a spark gap
FR7423392A FR2236293A1 (de) 1973-07-05 1974-07-05

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00376433A US3845345A (en) 1973-07-05 1973-07-05 Frequency sensitive preionizer

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3845345A true US3845345A (en) 1974-10-29

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US00376433A Expired - Lifetime US3845345A (en) 1973-07-05 1973-07-05 Frequency sensitive preionizer

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3845345A (de)
JP (1) JPS5033445A (de)
CH (1) CH578269A5 (de)
DE (1) DE2431401A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2236293A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1474440A (de)
SE (1) SE398027B (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0458505A1 (de) * 1990-05-16 1991-11-27 Varian Associates, Inc. Entladungsvorrichtung

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1115469B (it) * 1977-05-06 1986-02-03 Sits Soc It Telecom Siemens Dispositivo ad effetto di campo per la protezione da sovratensioni
YU286278A (en) * 1978-12-07 1983-12-31 Esref Halilovic Photoactive ionizing high-voltage pulsator of a system for starting engines having carburetors
JPS6024540U (ja) * 1983-07-28 1985-02-19 印刷機械貿易株式会社 手動によるインク供給量の制御を容易にする表示を設けた印刷機用版
GB2200243B (en) * 1987-01-27 1990-09-05 English Electric Valve Co Ltd Protection device
GB8826307D0 (en) * 1988-11-10 1988-12-14 Cooper Uk Ltd Surge arresters

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3087093A (en) * 1959-05-13 1963-04-23 Mallory & Co Inc P R Capacitor protection
US3223874A (en) * 1963-12-13 1965-12-14 Gen Electric Preionizer for use in overvoltage protective devices
US3259780A (en) * 1964-07-06 1966-07-05 Gen Electric Electric gap device using porous material in the arc chamber
US3489949A (en) * 1967-11-13 1970-01-13 Gen Electric Lightning arrester with main and preionizing gaps

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3087093A (en) * 1959-05-13 1963-04-23 Mallory & Co Inc P R Capacitor protection
US3223874A (en) * 1963-12-13 1965-12-14 Gen Electric Preionizer for use in overvoltage protective devices
US3259780A (en) * 1964-07-06 1966-07-05 Gen Electric Electric gap device using porous material in the arc chamber
US3489949A (en) * 1967-11-13 1970-01-13 Gen Electric Lightning arrester with main and preionizing gaps

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0458505A1 (de) * 1990-05-16 1991-11-27 Varian Associates, Inc. Entladungsvorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2236293A1 (de) 1975-01-31
GB1474440A (en) 1977-05-25
CH578269A5 (de) 1976-07-30
DE2431401A1 (de) 1975-01-30
JPS5033445A (de) 1975-03-31
SE398027B (sv) 1977-11-28
SE7408817L (de) 1975-01-07

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