Abstract: A triggerable ceramic gas tube voltage breakdown device, particularly adapted for use in an electrical circuit for controlling the light output of a photoflash lamp, includes means for reducing the attenuation of an electrical trigger pulse in the region of the electrode gap due to the ceramic spacer tube. The electric field intensity in the region of the electrode gap resulting from the trigger pulse may be enhanced by disposing annular conductive material in the region and by connecting that material to a source of the trigger pulses. Alternatively or in conjunction therewith, the configuration of the ceramic spacer tube may be altered by removing material from the ceramic spacer tube in the region of the electrode gap, thereby enhancing the electric field intensity in that region resulting from the trigger pulses.

Abstract: A pair of main electrodes are hermetically mounted, by fusion of a low melting point metal, onto both end openings of an insulative cylindrical member, respectively. Main electric discharge surfaces of the electrodes oppose each other in said cylindrical member with a gap interposed therebetween. A recessed portion is provided in the main electric discharge surface of one of the pair of main electrodes. A pair of trigger electrodes are conductively connected to the pair of main electrodes, and oppose each other in the recessed portion to thereby form a trigger electric discharge gap therebetween. The pair of main electrodes are formed of electrically conductive material having a thermal coefficient of expansion greater than that of the insulative cylindrical member.

Abstract: A "Jacob's Ladder" type spark gap for use in a television receiver or the like includes an alumina substrate having a pair of divergent wires mounted thereon for extinguishing arcs thereacross. The bottom ends of the wires are formed into plug-in terminals. Both upper and lower portions of the wires are supported in suitable apertures in the substrate and soldered to silver pads formed thereon for rigidity purposes. A flameproof housing encloses the substrate and has air vents at the bottom and is open at the top.

Abstract: A bi-polar discharger for a coaxial conducting cable is formed by threading rod elements into the ends of a central passage through an internal electrode so as to be electrically conductive therewith. A casing around the internal electrode comprises a cylindrical outer electrode closed at each end by a bead of glass or ceramic which is fitted within an outer metal ring and the casing is sealed with a controlled atmosphere of an inert gas at low pressure by sealing of the outer rings to the cylindrical external electrode and sealing of the rod elements within the beads.

Abstract: A triggered spark gap discharger having a small auxiliary gap in the trigger pulse path. The auxiliary gap provides ultraviolet radiation to liberate electrons at the trigger probe and allow prompt firing of the trigger gap and primary gap, particularly in aged discharger units.

Abstract: A socket assembly for a CRT includes a socket mounted on a printed circuit board having a plurality of spark gaps interposed between an open grounding ring and the terminals of the socket. The spark gaps associated with the cathode and heater socket terminals have larger width dimensions than those associated with the other electrode terminals and are positioned adjacent to the portion of the open grounding ring farthest from the connection to the CRT "dag".

Abstract: To protect a load circuit on a printed circuit board, a pair of input circuit conductors are placed close together to form a spark gap. A load limiting resistor is placed in one of the conductors. A tape with adhesive around its perimeter is secured to the circuit board over the spark gap to trap air or other gas at the spark gap. A conformal coating covers the circuit board including the tape and the resistor.

Abstract: An electrode is made of a metallic composite material including a matrix with embedded tubes having high burn-off resistance. A filler material, which differs from the material of the matrix and tubes, is used as a core material for the tubes. Such filler material promotes the emission of electrons from the electrode surface.

Abstract: An improved hermetically sealed gas tube surge arrester includes at least a pair of gap electrodes separated by an insulating spacer to form an electrode gap and a separate trigger electrode disposed about the region of the electrode gap for increasing the electrical field intensity in the region of the electrode gap. Preconditioning means is provided to direct an impulse voltage surge to the trigger electrode, prior to being impressed across the gap electrodes, thereby to precondition the electrode gap to breakdown at a relatively low impulse breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A spark gap device adapted for a direct, low-inductance connection to a foil strip transmission line having a pair of foil conductor strips located on the opposite sides of an insulator strip. The device includes a pair of electrodes spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other such that an arc discharge current can selectively flow from one electrode to the other. One electrode includes an integral threaded shaft projecting from its back side through a hole in the transmission line, where a clamp ring and retaining nut make electrical contact with the foil conductor strip on the transmission line's far side. The other electrode includes an integral cylindrical wall surrounding the first electrode and terminating in a ring-shaped surface that makes electrical contact with the foil conductor on the transmission line's near side.

Abstract: An excess voltage arrester of the kind comprising a gas-filled enclosure having an electrode structure (1, 11, 13) within the enclosure which defines at least one discharge gap. A portion of at least one electrode (13) is adapted to melt on overheating of the arrester so as to take up a generally spherical form (19) under the action of surface tension and thereby contact another electrode (1).

Abstract: Overvoltage arrester having a gas-filled housing, including two overvoltage arrester electrodes disposed across from each other in the housing, a tubular insulator body spacing the overvoltage arrester electrodes apart from each other, a ring-shaped flange integral with one of the overvoltage arrester electrodes forming a first spark gap electrode, a ring-shaped metal cap forming a second spark gap electrode being superimposed on the first spark gap electrode and pressed in on the tubular insulator body, the first and second spark gap electrodes forming a spark gap having a given clearance therebetween, and a contact spring connecting the second spark gap electrode to the other of the overvoltage arrester electrodes.

Abstract: In an electric lamp, the lamp bulb has a flat pinch, on the minor faces of which there are recesses into which projections on the cap are locked. The lamp bulb is thus secured against rotation and translation in the cap, and the power leads are not under mechanical stress.

Abstract: An overvoltage surge protector and housing for telephone communication lines to protect equipment connected thereto includes an insulated housing having one terminal disposed therein which is adapted to be connected to earth ground and a second terminal disposed in a removable assembly which includes the means for connection to the communication line as an integral part thereof. The overvoltage surge protector device is adapted to be retained within the second terminal and, when removed for replacement by a service technician, requires that the communication line affixed to the terminal be removed from the terminal in order to remove the protector device, thus requiring the communication lines to be reconnected when the defective protective device is removed and/or replaced.

Abstract: An improved spark gap device and configuration for coupling the device in circuit with equipment such as television receivers are disclosed. The spark gap device includes three conductive pads, the first and second of which are separated by a first gap. The third pad is separated from the other pads by a second gap which intersects the first gap. By coupling the first and second pads across A.C. power lines in the equipment, and by coupling the third pad to earth ground, the energy associated with a high voltage transient on the power lines causes the air in one of the gaps to ionize. Hence, a spark jumps the gap to shunt the transient energy to ground. The intersection of the gaps causes ionization to spread to the second gap and thereby provide an additional path to ground for the energy associated with the transient, thereby protecting components within the equipment.

Abstract: Gas-discharge surge arrester having two axially opposing main electrodes defining a discharge gap therebetween and a middle electrode coaxially and annularly surrounding the discharge gap and connected to the main electrodes, respectively, by a tubular insulating housing, at least one strip of electrically conductive material disposed on the inner surface of the tubular housing and extending over a part of the length thereof, including respective transition members disposed at the ends of the tubular insulating housing, the transition members respectively forming a part of the main electrodes, the main electrodes being double-cylindrically formed into steps inwardly and forming a discharge path, the middle electrode being formed as a hollow cylinder having a conically profiled outlet and forming a respective main discharge path with both of the main electrodes, the main electrodes and the middle electrode being mutually overlapping at a region whereat they are provided with an electrode activating material.

Abstract: An overvoltage protecting element of the invention has a pair of main electrodes, the discharging surfaces of which oppose each other with a gap therebetween in a cylindrical body of an insulator, and a conductive member which is formed on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical body to oppose the main electrodes with a gap therebetween, and a plurality of extended parts of which extending in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body being connected in the axial direction of the cylindrical body. The main electrodes and the conductive member are electrically connected to each other by capacitive coupling.

Abstract: A gas tube overvoltage protector has two opposed electrodes sealed in a tubular dielectric housing, the outer ends of the electrodes extending from the housing. The inner ends of the electrodes define a primary gap at sub-atmospheric pressure. The lower electrode has an extension of reduced diameter on its outer end. An auxiliary gap is formed by pushing on a metal cap over the lower end of the dielectric housing, with a thin flexible dielectric member between the cap and the outer end of the bottom electrode, the extension extending through the dielectric member and cap. One or more apertures in the thin dielectric member define the auxiliary gap, between metal cap and bottom electrode. A further feature is that the cage, within which the protector is positioned, has one or more legs preformed such that their lower ends are pushed into positive contact with the metal cap when assembled into a closed ended hollow cap for assembly into a protector block.

Abstract: A spark arrestor for protecting a high intensity, gaseous discharge lamp, ballast and other circuit components against being damaged or destroyed by a large build up of voltage. The arrestor includes a multi-sided low dielectric disc with star-like conductive material on each side, the points of the star being opposite the mid-points of the sides. Terminals for connecting the spark arrestor across the secondary of the ballast, or other similar location, are connected to each of the star-like conductive materials. There is a non-conductive tubular shield around the disc to protect againt spreading of the spark, but the terminals extend from the ends of the shield for connection purposes.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube socket, including a thick film ceramic plate mounted thereon and forming electronic control circuitry in association with the socket structure.

Abstract: An overvoltage or surge protector, particularly for telephone lines, has two electrodes in opposition in a housing. The gap between the inner ends of the electrodes is set by a layer of dielectric material on the center portion of one or both end surfaces of the electrodes. Breakdown occurs with assistance from dielectric stimulation of the arc, resulting from an electrical field across the dielectric. The center portions are surrounded by annular grooves, which are also covered with a dielectric layer. The end surfaces external to the center portions can be convex, and also roughened.

Abstract: This safety ignition device intended notably for controlling the valve through which gaseous fuel is supplied to a burner injector comprises essentially built-in means for protecting the circuitry from transient overvoltages and current surges, notably a varistor for limiting peak voltages and currents, absorbing disturbing energies and stabilizing pressures.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube socket is provided which provides spark gap protection to terminal pins operating at selected high potentials through a distinct spark gap protection system, including a structure for disrupting the corona discharge track and minimizing the effects of corona discharge.

Abstract: The spark gap device disclosed herein comprises at least two sets of electrodes enclosed within a common chamber. A delay line is connected between successive sets of electrodes. An arc which develops across the first set of electrodes as a result of a voltage transient ionizes the gas in the chamber. The voltage transient is delayed by the time required to travel through the delay line. When the voltage transient arrives at the second set of electrodes, an arc develops in less time than was required at the first set of electrodes due to the fact that the gas in the chamber has been at least partially ionized.

Abstract: A surge arrester with a parallel-connected improved spark gap structure has a flanged ring connected to one of the two electrodes of the surge arrester which forms the first electrode of the spark gap structure, an axially aligned insulator disc having recesses therein seated on the flanged ring, and an annular metal contact seated on the opposite side of the insulator ring forming the second electrode of the spark gap structure through the recesses in the insulating ring has the improvements of the metal contact forming the second electrode of the spark gap being an annular cup having a base seated against the insulator ring and a conical wall connected via contact springs with the other electrode of the surge arrester, and the base of the annular cup has projections in registry with the insulator ring recesses extending a distance therein such that the spark gap is formed between the flanged ring and the highest elevation of the projections.

Abstract: A valve arrester comprises a serial arrangement which includes at least one nonlinear resistor and spark gaps implemented as arcing horns which are housed in slit-type arc extinction chambers whose walls are made of an electric insulation material and form a single helical blade. The latter is arranged on a central cylindrical member and adapted to produce a single helical arc which is formed from arcs struck during the arrester breakdown in the spark gaps, said arcs being joined together during their movement.

Abstract: In an overvoltage arrester composed of two electrodes spaced apart to define a gas spark gap presenting an arc discharge region, and a spacer member of insulating material interposed between the electrodes and forming with the electrodes the walls of a chamber communicating with the arc discharge region, elements are disposed in the chamber to establish therein a labyrinth gas flow path between the arc discharge region and the spacer member.

Abstract: A circuit board formed with a spark gap for protecting a circuit element such as a transistor connected to a picture tube of a television receiver when spark discharge occurring within the picture tube produces a current under a high voltage tending to destroy the transistor. The spark gap comprises a pair of metal balls disposed respectively on the confronting tip portions of a pair of discharge electrodes disposed opposite to each other on an insulator substrate so that spark discharge can always occur across these metal balls without occurring across the electrodes.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube socket assembly incorporating controlled, or tuned, spark gaps coupling the high voltage focus grid system to ground to prevent television receiver damage caused by CRT arc-over. Incorporated within the CRT socket assembly are a high voltage spark gap connected to the CRT's G.sub.4 focusing grid and a lower voltage spark gap connected to G.sub.3 focusing grids, each spark gap including ridged sections defining an inter-electrode aperture. By varying the size of the inter-electrode aperture and its distance from each electrode, the spark gap's arc-over threshold voltage and breakdown voltage range from initial arc-over to continuous corona discharge may be precisely controlled.

Abstract: Power gaps for protection of electrical equipment against overvoltages and having high current handling capacity consisting of two carbon electrodes mounted in an arrangement in which the lower cylindrical electrode has an inner conductive sleeve reaching proximate to but spaced from the end of the electrode for providing a centrally located, relatively stable, low resistance path for the arc current.

Abstract: A spark gap switching device for high peak currents including a pair of main electrodes with protruding, opposing sub-electrodes, surrounded by high permeability cores typically of ferrite material. Small air gaps separate the sub-electrodes. The switch is activated by an over voltage or the like causing one of the sub-electrodes to breakover producing a flux time rate of change in the core. A voltage is induced in the non conducting sub-electrodes causing aligned pairs to rapidly increase in potential difference until one by one they all conduct.

Abstract: In a cathode ray tube socket, contacts to be respectively connected with terminal pins of a cathode ray tube are housed in a body, which has formed therein a chamber for a pair of electrode holders, the electrode holders being removably and adjustably supported in position within the chamber by cooperating projections and depressions, each electrode holder having fitted therein an electrode plate, and semispherical electrode portions projecting from the electrode plates are disposed adjacent each other to define therebetween a spark gap, one of the electrode plates being electrically connected with a contact for high voltage use.

Abstract: A surge arrester of compact construction includes a housing formed preferably of elastomeric material through which a pair of spaced terminals protrude and between which a stack of metal oxide varistor discs is disposed and connected in series therewith. Disposed below the lower one of the discs and in contact therewith is a conductive base plate and an electrode is spaced somewhat from the lower surface of the base plate to form a gap and is provided with shunt means connecting the electrode with the upper surface of the lower disc so that an overvoltage surge condition and the resulting arc across the gap establishes a shunt circuit around the lower disc.

Abstract: In a protective gap device for protecting a circuit breaker, there are provided a cylindrical metalic shell, a high voltage electrode unit, and a low voltage electrode unit. The high and low voltage electrode units are respectively provided with a main electrode, a trigger electrode, and a cylindrical electrode plate, each of the trigger electrodes having a rod-shaped electrode so as to form a trigger gap between the main electrode and the trigger electrode.

Abstract: The tube socket is especially adapted for use with a longitudinal extending cathode ray tube of the type having one or more high voltage pins and a plurality of relatively low voltage pins. The socket provides structure for spark gap grounding of the high voltage pin or pins, with or without spark gap grounding of the low voltage pins, the latter spark gap protection being essentially conventional. The structure is inexpensive and easy to mold and assemble as compared with prior art socket structures performing the same or equivalent functions.

Abstract: In a spark gap device a number of arc-resistant insulating elements are stacked in spaced relationship to form spaces between adjacent insulating elements with each element having a through-hole. At least two metallic electrodes are sandwiched between the respective surfaces of adjacent insulating elements in spaced relation to form a spark-over gap therebetween. Each electrode includes a recessed portion and the recessed portions of aligned electrodes on respective opposite sides of an insulating element extend through each of the through-holes in contacting relationship. The insulating elements each include at least one elevation which projects snugly into the recessed portion of an associated electrode.

Abstract: A current limiting spark gap for use in a high voltage valve type lightning or surge arrester includes a plurality of insulating gap plates assembled together in a vertical stack to define a generally horizontally extending arc elongation and cooling chamber between adjacent plates. Series gap electrodes are disposed along opposite sides of each plate and are double electrodes formed by a unitary piece of wire preformed to slide into position onto each plate. A gap spacer is provided in each arc chamber interfitting with the series gap electrodes and the insulating plates for accurately defining and enclosing the series gap and for maintaining the spark gap as an assembly. A new and improved spark initiator with two, resilient, ionizing arms is provided in each arc chamber for consistently achieving low impulse voltage sparkover.

Abstract: An applique or attachment for a station protector spark gap device includes an insulated enclosure housing a gas tube spark gap device together with fail safe shorting means located circumferentially therearound. Auxiliary gaps in parallel with the gas tube spark gap device are provided as back up should the gas tube vent. Wire leads welded to end plates within the enclosure make connection with the ends of the gas tube spark gap device, the fail safe shorting mechanism and the auxiliary gaps.

Abstract: Means is provided for expeditiously securing a socket to the finned base of an electron tube. Upon seating the base in the socket, a discretely formed locking pin is positioned within a slanted bore traversing the end portion of a fin, whereby the terminal end of the pin abuts the surface of the socket thus effecting securement of the socket-to-base combination. The invention is particularly useful in electronic equipment wherein cathode ray tubes are employed.

Abstract: A protective cap is provided for a cathode ray tube-base assembly. The cap incorporates discrete means for maintaining alignment and protection of an array of tube pins at least one is spatially encompassed within a tubular isolation structure of the base.

Abstract: A tube socket is especially adapted for use with a longitudinally extending cathode ray tube of the type having a plurality of high voltage pins and a plurality of relatively low voltage pins spaced apart, with each of the high voltage pins being encased in a protective silo. The socket includes a cap member defining a silo filler open at the bottom thereof and adapted to enter the tube silo. High voltage terminals mounted on the cap member extend into the silo fillers and are adapted to conductively receive the high voltage pins.

Abstract: Much electrical equipment, such as telephone station apparatus, exposed to occasional, destructively high, voltage surges (e.g., lightning strikes) is protected by a device, placed in parallel with the equipment. This device includes two electrodes defining a fixed narrow spark gap. Such a device is designed to arc over with each surge, shorting the destructive energy to ground, and to recover afterward, restoring the line to its original condition. The predominant failure mode of such devices is the occurrence of a permanant short across the narrow gap, due to electrode damage produced during the protective arcing mode. In the disclosed devices, the electrodes bound an annular narrow gap region, determining the protective breakdown voltage, and a central wider gap region, sustaining the major part of the electrode damage.

Abstract: A grounded cylindrical metallic housing is hermetically closed at one end and an electric insulation hermetically extends through the other closed end of the housing to form in the housing a space filled with an electrically insulating gas. An arrester element disposed in the space has the incoming-line side connected to a terminal extended and sealed through the insulation and the ground side electrically connected to the housing. The incoming-line side of the arrester element is surrounded by both the insulation and a shield ring embedded therein.

Abstract: A spark gap protector includes a gas tube spark gap device received in a supporting base. A failsafe device for permanently shorting the spark gap protector to ground after an extended discharge includes a spring biased cage and a solder pellet. An extended surge current fuses the solder pellet resulting in movement of the shorting cage to a failsafe, shorted condition. The cage normally grasps a conducting ring spaced from a shorting contact member by a thin insulating spacer defining an auxiliary gap thereacross. In case the spark gap device vents so as to become substantially inoperative, and the cage does not operate to short the device, the auxiliary gap provided backup protection at a breakdown voltage somewhat greater than ordinarily supplied by the gas tube spark gap device.

Abstract: A laminated current surge protector comprising a flexible, conformable arrestor having a metal conductor encapsulated between a wear resistant tape adhered to the outer surface of the conductor and a dielectric tape adhered to the inner surface of the conductor. The arrestor is adhered to metal members by a bonding agent and extends across the joint between the members which includes an electrical insulating medium separating the members. The dielectric tape has a plurality of apertures therein exposing the encapsulated conductor to the metal members to provide a gap through which excessive surges of current in the metal members can pass through the conductor from one metal member to the other and thereby by-pass the joint and prevent injury thereto.

Abstract: A triggered vacuum gap tube includes an evacuated envelope with high voltage terminals at opposite ends of the envelope. The envelope is divided into two chambers by a mid-plate therein having a centrally located aperture therethrough. The first of the two chambers has an end plate mounting one of the high voltage terminals and also mounting an array of rods or electrodes which extend inwardly toward the mid-plate. The second of the two chambers also has an end plate mounting the other high voltage terminal and also having an array of rods or electrodes extending therefrom toward the mid-plate. The mid-plate has mounted therein an array of through rods or electrodes which extend in one direction into the first chamber and in the opposite direction into the second chamber. The through mid-plate mounted electrodes lie in side-by-side spaced relation with the end plate mounted electrodes in both the first and second chambers.

Abstract: One of a pair of electrodes forming a spark gap is connected to a flexible coupling link and the other is extended to form an electrode terminal pin. A molding piece for fixing the spark gap is mounted by molding on at least one pair of electrodes. A common terminal is formed as a unitary structure with the coupling link. The coupling link is bent to conform to a cathode ray tube socket and incorporated therein.

Abstract: A surge protector or arrester for providing surge protection for relatively low voltage or secondary equipment, circuits and systems includes a vertically stacked, parallel arrangement of two, independent, spark gap and valve block assemblies, the components of which are generally horizontally disposed within a triangularly shaped surge protector housing. The triangular shape of the housing enables maximum spacing of the three electrode contacts associated with the two assemblies to prevent their flashover while maintaining minimum exterior housing dimensions. The components of the two assemblies are disposed horizontally within the housing after a sealing and insulating compound has been applied to the entrance portions of the three contacts. Each of the three contacts includes an integrally formed crimp contact, an integrally formed lead-in electrode and an integrally formed spring contact.

Abstract: A knob type surge voltage arrester has electrodes with conical or semi-circular shape. A coating consisting of electrically conductive material (an ignition aid) is provided on the insulating member. The conductive coating on the insulating body is positioned at a level corresponding to the center of the discharge path defined by active electrode surfaces of the electrodes. The spacing of the active electrode surfaces from one another is smaller than the spacing of the active electrode surfaces relative to the coating.

Abstract: An axially compact and highly arc protective base-socket system for use with a color television picture tube having a narrow neck terminated by a cylindrical coaxial tubulation. The tubulation is surrounded by a number of axially extending electrically conductive low-voltage pins and at least one high voltage pin. The base-socket system comprises a base and a socket. The base fits over and is secured to the tubulation and passes the pins extending from the neck of the tube. The base comprises: a plurality of axially and radially outwardly extending insulating walls, the low voltage pins lying between the walls; means defining an axially extending deep narrow cavity which receives the high voltage pin, the cavity having a depth at least twice as great as the largest transverse dimension thereof; and a cavity lip surrounding the mouth of the cavity.