Low voltage drop, cross-field, gas switch and method of operation
US10256067B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 2, 2018 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 2, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01T2/02
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A gas switch includes an anode and a cathode spaced apart from the anode, wherein the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a plurality of magnets arranged to generate a magnetic field that defines an annular path over a portion of the conduction surface at a radial distance from a switch axis, and a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode. In operation, the control grid is arranged to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode, wherein, in the presence of the conducting plasma, a voltage drop between the anode and the cathode is less than 150 volts, and wherein the conducting plasma forms a cathode spot that circles the annular path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.