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Anode initiated surface flashover switch

Patent ·
OSTI ID:921178

A high voltage surface flashover switch has a pair of electrodes spaced by an insulator. A high voltage is applied to an anode, which is smaller than the opposing, grounded, cathode. When a controllable source of electrons near the cathode is energized, the electrons are attracted to the anode where they reflect to the insulator and initiate anode to cathode breakdown.

Research Organization:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Sponsoring Organization:
United States Department of Energy
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Number(s):
6,555,961
Application Number:
09/947,106
OSTI ID:
921178
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (6)

Surface-discharge switch design: the critical factor journal April 1991
Partial discharge in a high voltage experimental test assembly report July 1998
Mechanism of pulsed surface flashover involving electron‐stimulated desorption journal March 1980
Plasma development in the early phase of vacuum surface flashover journal January 1994
Electron avalanche and surface charging on alumina insulators during pulsed high‐voltage stress journal August 1974
Bilinear signal processing using acoustic surface waves journal January 1974

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