Stabilized radial pseudospark switch
US5502356A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05G2/007
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A pseudospark switch performs the rapid commutation of high electric currents at moderately high voltage, with minimal statistical uncertainty in the delay between triggering and commutation. The switch includes multiple parallel pseudospark channels, the channels being arranged radially. The switch is triggered by an injection of electrons from an auxiliary discharge present in a common hollow cathode region of the pseudospark channels. Structures within the cathode inhibit spontaneous firing of the switch. In particular, the operating voltage of the switch is greatly increased by the presence of an axial stabilizing electrode element inside the hollow cathode, which stabilizes the open circuit state of the switch. A bias electrode within the hollow cathode provides further stabilization when held at positive potential and enhances triggering when biased negatively relative to the hollow cathode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.