A method for achieving ignition of a low voltage gas discharge device

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:866514

Kovarik, Vincent J ^[1]; Hershcovitch, Ady ^[2]; Prelec, Krsto ^[3]

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1. Bohemia, NY
2. Mt. Sinai, NY
3. Setauket, NY

An electronic device of the type wherein current flow is conducted by an ionized gas comprising a cathode of the type heated by ionic bombardment, an anode, means for maintaining a predetermined pressure in the region between the anode and the cathode and means for maintaining a field in the region. The field, which is preferably a combined magnetic and electric field, is oriented so that the mean distance traveled by electrons before reaching the anode is increased. Because of this increased distance traveled electrons moving to the anode will ionize a larger number of gas atoms, thus reducing the voltage necesary to initiate gas breakdown. In a preferred embodiment the anode is a main hollow cathode and the cathode is a smaller igniter hollow cathode located within and coaxial with the main hollow cathode. An axial magnetic field is provided in the region between the hollow cathodes in order to facilitate gas breakdown in that region and initiate plasma discharge from the main hollow cathode.

• Research Organization: Associated Universities, Inc., Upton, NY (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4728862
• OSTI ID: 866514
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
achieving
ignition
voltage
gas
discharge
device
electronic
type
current
flow
conducted
ionized
comprising
cathode
heated
ionic
bombardment
anode
means
maintaining
predetermined
pressure
region
field
preferably
combined
magnetic
electric
oriented
mean
distance
traveled
electrons
reaching
increased
moving
ionize
larger
atoms
reducing
necesary
initiate
breakdown
preferred
embodiment
main
hollow
igniter
located
coaxial
axial
provided
cathodes
facilitate
plasma
ionized gas
axial magnetic
hollow cathode
plasma discharge
discharge device
predetermined pressure
electric field
magnetic field
preferred embodiment
current flow
gas comprising
gas discharge
gas atoms
voltage gas
electronic device
gas breakdown
type heat
/315/313/