Abstract: A structure associated with a ceramic envelope gas filled electron tube whereby a series of concentric holes are formed through grid radiator rings which thus simulates the outer neutral gas region of a typical glass envelope tube structure. In this manner, one has created a neutral non-ionized gas flow path which shunts the main discharge in such a thyratron and which is contained within the metal internal axial structure. The apertures, as formed in the grid radiator rings, thereby provide a source path for neutral molecular hydrogen from the gas reservoir located at the base of the tube to allow the gas to be directed to the anode/grid region of the tube, where electrons are pumped and the gas is collisionally ionized. The effect serves to enhance the maximum thyratron operating frequency by allowing cool neutral gas molecules to flow into the gap region through the parallel path and then into the discharge volume of the ceramic thyratron tube.

Abstract: At least two discharge units (2, 3; 14, 15, 16; 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29) are ocated adjacent each other, each of the discharge units preferably including a unitary U-shaped tube having two longitudinal leg portions (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) extending parallel to each other, and a cross portion (4, 5) connecting the leg portions at the base of the U. The free ends of the U are pinch-sealed and air-tight, and the two discharge units are so positioned relative to each other that the longitudinal leg portions extend parallel to each other, selectively, in a single plane, in parallel planes, or angled with respect to each other; the cross elements are located at adjacent end portions of the respective units.

Abstract: A short-arc discharge lamp includes a combination of electrodes arranged in an opposing relation in a discharge space surrounded by silica glass. An expansion and contraction member made of a shape-memory alloy, which contracts at high temperatures, is fixed on one of the electrodes. A lighting start-up discharge terminal is formed at a free end of the expansion and contraction member. A free end of the lighting start-up discharge terminal is in contact with the other electrode at room temperature but is separated from the other electrode at high temperatures.

Abstract: To provide for pre-heating of low-power small metal halide high-pressure charge lamps (1), at least one of the electrodes (16) is formed as a heater wire by introducing a thin tungsten wire, in V shape, into one end of the elongated bulb (2), and carrying out each one of the legs of the V, separately, and electrically insulated within an end press seal (4) by parallel foils (10, 11) externally of the bulb. Continuous heater current is caused to flow through the V-shaped wire electrode, thus heating the discharge vessel, to complete vaporization of the fill. To start the lamp, the two legs of the V, of the heater electrode, are connected in parallel and across the lamp operating voltage and then a high-voltage pulse is applied between the V-shaped heater electrodes, for example between one or both of the external conductors and the other electrode (9). Light output, upon starting, is substantially accelerated from a lamp of this type with respect to non-preheated lamps.

Abstract: A thyratron comprises an anode and control grids between which is located a double layer screen grid. Thermionic cathode material is inserted in an aperture in the part of the screen grid furthest from the anode, and in operation this is heated to the required temperature by hot plasma which surrounds it, thus eliminating the need for a cathode heater.

Abstract: A gas discharge device includes an anode, an enclosure member having an aperture therein and substantially enclosing a volume of a gas filling, and a mechanism for injecting electrons into the volume of gas filling to produce ionization of the gas filling within the volume so that during operation of the device, the enclosure member and the ionization within the enclosure member constitute a cathode, and a conduction path is established between the interior of such cathode and the anode through the aperture of the enclosure member.

Abstract: A spark gap switch is disclosed with a pumping system which utilizes flowing gas to replenish the interelectrode region between conductive pulses. The spark gap switch typically consists of a housing enclosing a gas filled chamber in which there are two end electrodes with an intervening trigger plane electrode that may be inserted at other than midplane. To initiate switch closure, a trigger pulse is applied between one end electrode and a trigger plane electrode causing the gas in the intervening gap to ionize and conduct and thereby bring on complete switch closure. To achieve proper gas flow each end electrode is configured as a truncated cone and gas is caused to flow from a multiplicity of ports spaced equidistantly around each cone base. The gas ascends the conical outer surface of each end electrode, sweeps over the crown and exhausts out through an opening in the center of each electrode.

Abstract: A thyratron includes an envelope containing a gas filling, an anode, an intermediate grid, control grids and a cylindrical structure which acts as a cathode heat shield in a conventional thyratron. In operation the intermediate grid is maintained at cathode potential and, when triggering pulses are applied to the control grids, the gas filling ionizes and the thyratron becomes conducting. The main part of the current comes from the intermediate grid which acts as a "hollow" cathode, and enables the thermionic cathode conventionally used to be dispensed with if desired.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp in which a rare gas and mercury are provided in an outer bulb, which in turn contains therein a plurality of bent inner tubes, each having an opening at an end and an electrode at the other end thereof. A starting probe is provided between the openings in the outer bulb. An operating circuit or starter is connected to the electrodes. Further, a starting probe circuit is connected to the starting probe to apply a high voltage to the starting probe at the time of ignition.

Abstract: In a discharge tube lighting system for use in a vehicle, a heat generating element, which is made of metal material, is formed on an outer surface of a tube element of the discharge tube along the longitudinal direction of the tube element, and a temperature detecting element is provided on a surface of the heat generating element. The heat generating element is electrically driven to heat the discharge tube at a starting period of lighting the discharge tube when a temperature of the heat generating element detected by the temperature detecting element is lower than a predetermined temperature. The heat generating element is formed in a rectangular shape and conformally disposed on a portion of the tube. The heater element has first and second ends which are disposed with respect to the electrodes of the tube to cause an electric field to be provided between each electrode and the corresponding end of the heater element.

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 thyratron utilizable as a circuit interrupting protective device is provided. The thyratron includes an apertured grid between anode and cathode which is divided transversely into two parts separated by an insulating layer. Both surfaces of the composite grid remote from the insulating layer carry conductive meshes which meshes cover the exits of the apertures in the composite grid. The thickness of the insulating layer and the dimensions of the meshes are such that no point within an aperture is further from a part of the grid or a mesh than the Debye distance whereby the effects of Debye shielding tend to be reduced when a negative potential is applied between two said parts of said grid to quench a discharge previously initiated by applying positive potential to both parts of the grid.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp in which a rare gas and mercury are provided in an outer bulb, which in turn contains therein a plurality of bent inner tubes, each having an opening at an end and an electrode at the other end thereof. A starting probe is provided between the openings in the outer bulb. An operating circuit or starter is connected to the electrodes. Further, a starting probe circuit is connected to the starting probe to apply a high voltage to the starting probe at the time of ignition.

Abstract: A discharge lamp of non-linear configuration employs a solid wire, internal starting aid and a mount which includes a third lead-in wire whereby the starting aid can be electrically connected into a circuit.

Abstract: A trigger apparatus and method for striking an electrical arc at the surface of a coating source material within a vapor deposition chamber is disclosed. A plunger member is mounted for axial movement in a housing configured for attachment to an inlet port of a deposition chamber. The plunger has one end adapted to carry an arc-initiating wire contact. A pneumatic drive cylinder axially reciprocates the plunger member with positive force strokes in both directions such that the wire contact alternately engages and disengages the surface of the cathode source material. Seal means are provided for maintaining a vacuum seal of the deposition chamber through the trigger apparatus. Dynamic shield means are mounted adjacent the inlet port for protecting the seal members from being coated by vapor particles within the deposition chamber. Alignment means cooperatively engage the plunger member for maintaining a positive angular position of the plunger member during reciprocal motion thereof.

Abstract: A flat-panel display employs an electronic focusing system which utilizes a repeller anode to repel low energy electrons emitted from a gas-discharge plasma which is controllably moved across a generally planar array of hollow-cathode elements.

Abstract: A discharge device for use with pulsed, CO.sub.2 laser power conditioner tems, is disclosed. The device is comprised of Elkonite or molybdenum electrodes in a controlled nitrogen-xenon-oxygen environment, and having long life potential of close to twenty million discharges possible.