Low pressure spark gap triggered by an ion diode

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:865386

Prono, Daniel S ^[1]

---

1. Livermore, CA

Spark gap apparatus for use as an electric switch operating at high voltage, high current and high repetition rate. Mounted inside a housing are an anode, cathode and ion plate. An ionizable fluid is pumped through the chamber of the housing. A pulse of current to the ion plate causes ions to be emitted by the ion plate, which ions move into and ionize the fluid. Electric current supplied to the anode discharges through the ionized fluid and flows to the cathode. Current stops flowing when the current source has been drained. The ionized fluid recombines into its initial dielectric ionizable state. The switch is now open and ready for another cycle.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4507589
• OSTI ID: 865386
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

pressure
spark
gap
triggered
diode
apparatus
electric
switch
operating
voltage
current
repetition
rate
mounted
inside
housing
anode
cathode
plate
ionizable
fluid
pumped
chamber
pulse
causes
emitted
move
ionize
supplied
discharges
ionized
flows
stops
flowing
source
drained
recombines
initial
dielectric
cycle
mounted inside
repetition rate
electric current
spark gap
current source
current supplied
/315/313/