Thermionic gas switch

Patent · 05 April 1984

OSTI ID:6120722

Hatch, G L; Brummond, W A; Barrus, D M

The present invention is directed to an improved temperature responsive thermionic gas switch utilizing a hollow cathode and a folded emitter surface area. The folded emitter surface area of the thermionic switch substantially increases the on/off ratio by changing the conduction surface area involved in the two modes thereof. The improved switch of this invention provides an on/off ratio of 450:1 compared to the 10:1 ratio of the prior known thermionic switch, while providing for adjusting the on current. In the improved switch of this invention the conduction area is made small in the off mode, while in the on mode the conduction area is made large. This is achieved by utilizing a folded hollow cathode configuration and utilizing a folded emitter surface area, and by making the dimensions of the folds small enough so that a space charge will develop in the convolutions of the folds and suppress unignited current, thus limiting the current carrying surface in the off mode.

• DOE Contract Number: AT03-78SF71032
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): None
• Application Number: ON: TI85006426
• OSTI ID: 6120722
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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