Abstract: A pulsed metal plasma thruster (MPT) cube has a plurality of thrusters, each having a first cathode electrode and a trigger electrode separated from the first electrode by an insulator sufficient to support an initiation plasma, and a porous anode electrode positioned a separation distance from the face of all of the cathode electrodes. The cathode electrode can be either the inner electrode or the outer electrode. A power supply delivers a high voltage pulse to the trigger electrode with respect to the cathode electrode sufficient to initiate a plasma on the surface of the insulator. The plasma transfers between the anode electrode and cathode electrode of selected thrusters, thereby generating a pulse of thrust.

Abstract: A circuit closer includes: a vacuum interrupter in which one of a pair of electrodes oppositely disposed in a vacuum vessel, wherein a gap d between the pair of electrodes always satisfies d>0, and a gap d1 between the pair of electrodes in a state in which closing of a circuit is completed, is shorter than a distance d2 at which insulation between the pair of electrodes is broken down by a charge voltage V of the circuit that is to be closed, and is longer than a distance d3 at which the pair of electrodes are bridged by a deposition of an electrode metal after a closing operation, the deposition resulting from evaporation caused by heat of an arc generated when the circuit is closed.

Abstract: A dry-break electrical disconnect is provided between an induction melting furnace and a component of the electric induction melting assembly in which the furnace is removably installed for melting in a vacuum or otherwise controlled environmental chamber. Electric power connections are made to the induction melting furnace in a sealed interior volume of the assembly component that can be pressurized and of a different environment than that in the controlled environmental chamber. The assembly component may be a tilting cradle installed in the controlled environment chamber.

Abstract: An ion generator including a vacuum chamber; an anode in the chamber, and two movable cathodes in the chamber whereby the distance of the cathodes relative to the anode can be varied. A servo actuated motor can be operably connected to each movable cathode to move the cathodes in the chamber and modify the plasma generated.

Abstract: A melting furnace is provided, that may contain a furnace shell, a furnace shell moving mechanism that supports the furnace shell so as to be movable on an installation surface, a pipe or a wiring that has one end fixed to the furnace shell and has at least partially, a flexible portion, and a stand. The stand may contain a supporting part that supports a halfway portion of the pipe or the wiring, and a stand moving part that is coupled to the supporting part and moves the supporting part on an installation surface in synchronization with movement of the furnace shell, in which the stand is mounted on the installation surface so as to be movable up and down with respect to the furnace shell.

Abstract: An expansion mount, electrode arrangement and a surface treater station include a mounting block with one or more clamps pivotally coupled to the mounting block to move between a connect position and a release position. When the mounting block is coupled to a surface treater, the one or more clamps are configured to engage the electrode in the connect position and disengage from the electrode in the release position.

Abstract: A dry-break electrical disconnect is provided between an induction melting furnace and a component of the electric induction melting assembly in which the furnace is removably installed for melting in a vacuum or otherwise controlled environmental chamber. Electric power connections are made to the induction melting furnace in a sealed interior volume of the assembly component that can be pressurized and of a different environment than that in the controlled environmental chamber. The assembly component may be a tilting cradle installed in the controlled environment chamber.

Abstract: A spark plug having a ground electrode with a precious metal pad welded to the ground electrode through a series of weld steps. The precious metal pad is a Pt-based pad which is attached to a side surface of the ground electrode via an attachment process that includes a resistance tack weld to initially secure the pad in place, a coining step to flatten the pad, a second resistance weld to form a permanent weld of the pad to the ground electrode, and a laser capping weld about the exposed periphery of the pad to seal the resistance weld. The laser capping weld comprises numerous overlapping weld spots that together form an annular weld bead located at or just below the discharge surface of the pad.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an electron beam source for exposing selected portions of a surface to electrons comprises a plurality of nanoscale electron emitters and, associated with each electron emitter, a directional control element to direct the emitter toward a selected portion of the surface. In a preferred embodiment, the emitters are nanotubes or nanowires mounted on electrostatically controlled MEMS directional control elements. An alternative embodiment uses electrode directional control elements.

Abstract: A glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope containing an ionizable medium, a bimetallic electrode including a first bimetallic element having a curved portion and a free end, and a counter electrode. A first discharge gap having a predetermined spacing is formed between the free end of the first bimetallic element and the counter electrode. The starter includes a second bimetallic element having an end secured to the counter electrode. A portion of the second bimetallic element is positioned adjacent the curved portion of the first bimetallic element such that a second discharge gap having a predetermined spacing is formed therebetween. In the event that the starter encounters a dc current of the wrong polarity, a portion of the second bimetallic element contacts the first bimetallic element so as to extinguish the arc discharge and prevent electrode damage.

Abstract: A spark gap producing apparatus that introduces an auxiliary gap in the electrical path between the spark source and the spark plug of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The spark apparatus can be permanently installed such that it maintains a reliable auxiliary gap. Alternatively, it may be installed in a motorized form such that it can be computer controlled. the computer would control the gap size and, therefore, the capacitance of the spark gap apparatus. Thus, depending on the efficiency needs of the engine, the computer would compensate. In still another embodiment, the driver himself would have direct manual control over the gap size. Since spark "hotness" is controlled by the gap size, the driver would have complete control over the efficiency and power of the engine.

Abstract: A pair of starting electrodes are provided for an electrodeless high-intensity-discharge lamp of the type having an arc tube situated within the bore of an excitation coil and in the interior of which tube is to be provided a plasma arc discharge driven by the excitation coil. Each of the starting electrodes is a conductive ring actuated by a piezoelectric bender to move from a normal rest position away from the arc tube to a starting portion disposed adjacent to an associated one of an opposed pair of envelope surfaces. A high-voltage pulse coupled between the starting electrodes causes an electric field to be produced sufficient to create a glow discharge in the arc tube, and cause an almost instantaneous transition to a high-current solenoidal discharge to form the discharge plasma responsive to the normal field provided by the excitation coil; thereafter, the benders are de-activated and the starting electrodes move back to the rest positions.

Abstract: In a multipole linear accelerator such as of a quadrupole type, fine positional adjustment of the tip portions of the electrodes constituting the multipole structure can be made with electric contact kept substantially unaffected between the electrodes and the cavity drum in which the electrodes are mounted. Each of the electrodes are provided with a series of contact plates on both sides of the root portion of the electrode over the whole length thereof. Each of the contact plates, which are held to the root portion of the electrode by means of an adjusting screw bolt, slantwise bridges the root portion of the electrode and the inner surface of the cavity drum with elastic contact pieces interposed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for advancing an electrode-holder elem in particular mounted on a pulse generating apparatus of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,559,227 to Rieber. This advance device comprises a radially projecting element fast with the rear part of the electrode-holder element and member for controlling same, the radially projecting element being formed by a toothed wheel of fixed axial position with respect to the insulating support and controlled in rotation by two pistons mounted symmetrically on either side of the wheel to control a rotation in both directions. This device allows a greater precision of the advance of the electrodes and an increase in the efficiency of destruction of the targets.

Abstract: An ion generating apparatus utilizing a vacuum chamber, a cathode and an anode in the chamber. A source of electrical power produces an arc or discharge between the cathode and anode. The arc is sufficient to vaporize a portion of the cathode to form a plasma. The plasma is directed to an extractor which separates the electrons from the plasma, and accelerates the ions to produce an ion beam. One embodiment of the appaatus utilizes a multi-cathode arrangement for interaction with the anode.

Abstract: A device for rapidly discharging without arcing a high-tension DC voltage source includes a cylinder of an insulative material in which slide two electrode pistons. These are equipped with internal auxiliary pistons which carry needles which can be deployed so as to project beyond the domed ends of the electrode pistons. The electrode pistons are connected to the terminals of the high-tension voltage source. When compressed air is fed into the central part of the cylinder, the electrode pistons and the auxiliary pistons are driven towards the ends of the cylinder. The rounded domes and the increased pressure of the air provide a high degree of insulation. Once the high-tension DC voltage source has been switched off, the center of the cylinder is vented to atmosphere. The auxiliary pistons are driven towards one another by springs, entraining the electrode pistons and deploying the needles.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with automatically replenishable cold cathode structures and the like wherein the monitoring of a predetermined variation in electron beam performance caused by erosion of the cathode material generates control signals for advancing reserve cathode material into operative position.

Abstract: An ionization chamber comprises a plurality of cylindrical electrodes which are coaxially arranged, and a casing which holds the cylindrical electrodes in it under the condition allowing the axial shifting of the edges of the cylindrical electrodes but preventing the radial shifting of the cylindrical electrodes whereby the slight relative deviation of parts for the ionization chamber can be minimized during use at high temperature or during a severe thermal cycle.

Abstract: An electron gun asembly comprising direct heated cathodes each having an electron emitting member fixed on a filament which is stretched between a pair of support means disposed face to face with each other on a substrate and a plurality of grid electrodes containing first grids, said cathodes and grid electrodes being secured with predetermined distance with one another by insulative support rods. Each of the cathodes has a means adjusting the spacing between the first grid electrode and the electron emitting member.

Abstract: An area beam of electrons capable of delivering large doses of electron irradiation at small dose rates and having a predetermined distribution pattern is provided by an electron accelerator comprising plural discrete cathodes positioned as required to achieve the desired pattern. An individual emission control is provided for the filament of each cathode. In a preferred embodiment plural cathodes are movably mounted in a row extending transversely of the transport path of material to be irradiated, a plurality of such rows being positioned along the direction of transport.

Abstract: An electric discharge tube comprising wire probes located close to the electrodes for collecting electrons, and bimetallic support for each wire probe to vary in response to operative temperature, the distance of the wire probe from the electrode.