Abstract: In a high-pressure discharge lamp that includes a bulb formed from a light emitting part having a discharge space therein and a pair of sealing parts connected to the light emitting part, and an electrode pair disposed within the discharge space, a section of a proximity conductor is wound substantially spirally around one of the sealing parts within a predetermined range from the light emitting part, while the remaining section of the proximity conductor crosses over the light emitting part and is electrically connected to the electrode nearer the other sealing part. By initiating a discharge after applying a high-frequency voltage of 1 kHz to 1 MHz to a high-pressure mercury lamp having this structure, the breakdown voltage can be suppressed to at least 8 kV.

Abstract: In a high-pressure discharge lamp that includes a bulb formed from a light emitting part having a discharge space therein and a pair of sealing parts connected to the light emitting part, and an electrode pair disposed within the discharge space, a section of a proximity conductor is wound substantially spirally around one of the sealing parts within a predetermined range from the light emitting part, while the remaining section of the proximity conductor crosses over the light emitting part and is electrically connected to the electrode nearer the other sealing part. By initiating a discharge after applying a high-frequency voltage of 1 kHz to 1 MHz to a high-pressure mercury lamp having this structure, the breakdown voltage can be suppressed to at least 8 kV.

Abstract: A discharge lamp of the short arc type having an arc tube, a hermetically sealed tube at each of opposite ends of the, a pair of electrodes which are located in the arc tube, electrode rods which support the electrodes, support parts which are each formed by part of one of the hermetically sealed tubes, optionally cylindrical retaining bodies which are each located within and welded to a respective one of the support parts and in which a respective one of the electrode rods time is held securely, and a trigger component which is located on an outer side surface of the support parts, the support parts of the respective hermetically sealed tube and/or the cylindrical retaining bodies are formed of a material that contains a metal or a metallic compound for increasing the dielectric constant. In this way, even with a great distance between the electrodes of the lamp and a high gas filling pressure, the operating properties of the lamp can be improved and it can be reliably operated at a low breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a device to be activated by electrical energy and a micro-switch that includes conductors and an element between the first and second conductors selected from the group consisting of: a dielectric element capable of being modulated to provide a conductive path in response to receipt of electrical energy; and an element moveable in response to application of an electrical energy. The micro-switch may be formed of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology or microelectronics technology.

Abstract: In a lamp device provided with an arc tube, a principal reflection mirror, and a sub-mirror; a decrease in illumination light, caused by a trigger line disposed to improve the turn-on characteristics of the arc tube, being suppressed. The lamp device include an arc tube having a bulb portion that incorporates electrodes and sealing portions; a principal reflection mirror; a sub-mirror; leads connected to an electrode at an end portion of each of the sealing portions; and a trigger line. The trigger line has a ring-like portion wound around the sealing portion. The trigger line extends from the ring-like portion and has a wiring path that passes a neighborhood of the bulb portion without coming into contact with the bulb portion, further extends along the sealing portion and is connected to the lead. The wiring path is in the same plane that extends through an optical axis.

Abstract: An AC type plasma display panel includes a plurality of pairs of display electrodes, a dielectric layer, a data electrode and a float electrode. A pair of the plurality of pairs of display electrodes are disposed parallel to each other on a front substrate and form a discharge gap for emitting light for display. The dielectric layer is formed on the front substrate and covers the plurality of pairs of display electrodes excluding at least a part of the discharge gap. The data electrode is disposed on a rear substrate, which is placed facing the front substrate across a discharge space, in a manner to cross under the display electrodes. The float electrode is disposed at the discharge gap on the front substrate.

Abstract: A discharge tube includes a cylinder having first and second end planes, first and second discharge electrodes coupled to the respective first and second end planes, the first and second discharge electrodes having respective upper and lower discharge planes forming therebetween a discharge gap, and one or more discharge trigger wires disposed in a portion of the cylinder that encompasses the discharge gap.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a device to be activated by electrical energy and a micro-switch that includes conductors and an element between the first and second conductors selected from the group consisting of: a dielectric element capable of being modulated to provide a conductive path in response to receipt of electrical energy; and an element moveable in response to application of an electrical energy. The micro-switch may be formed of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology or microelectronics technology.

Abstract: A discharge tube is disclosed that includes: an airtight tube having first and second end surfaces each including a metallized surface; first and second discharge electrodes joined to the respective metallized surfaces; and multiple trigger lines formed on the inner wall surface of the airtight tube to extend along the axial directions of the airtight tube. The first and second discharge electrodes are joined to the metallized surfaces so that a discharge gap is formed between the first and second discharge electrodes and the airtight tube is hermetically sealed. The trigger lines include one or more first trigger lines connected to the metallized surfaces and multiple second trigger lines isolated from the metallized surfaces. The second trigger lines are formed at equal intervals on the inner wall surface of the airtight tube and each first trigger line is formed between a corresponding pair of the second trigger lines.

Abstract: A spark gap device that is formed in an integrated circuit (IC). The IC has a dielectric substrate upon which a high-voltage switch is disposed. The switch includes an anode element and a cathode element separated from each other by a spark gap. A trigger electrode is disposed on the substrate material in the spark gap. A capacitor is electrically coupled to the trigger electrode. The cathode and anode elements and the trigger electrode preferably are at least partially covered with a dielectric material. When the capacitor is charged, the charge on the capacitor exerts a strong electric field on the cathode and anode elements that causes ions to migrate in the cathode and anode elements toward the spark gap. When the trigger electrode is excited by an electrical current, the ions arc across the gap and a conductive path is created between the cathode element and the anode element.

Abstract: A discharge tube includes a cylinder having first and second end planes, first and second discharge electrodes coupled to the respective first and second end planes, the first and second discharge electrodes having respective upper and lower discharge planes forming therebetween a discharge gap, and one or more discharge trigger wires disposed in a portion of the cylinder that encompasses the discharge gap.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In a discharge lamp, at least one of two main electrodes disposed at both ends of the discharge lamp includes one main electrode that comprises a sintered metal member having a slope with respect to another main electrode. A tip of the slope is positioned within a space covered by a trigger electrode coated on an outer surface of the discharge lamp in a limited area with respect to the entire circumference of a bulb of the lamp. This structure allows the discharge lamp to emit light at a stable level constantly. An electronic flash device using this discharge lamp can emit the light precisely.

Abstract: A switch for use in various applications, including downhole applications, includes a first conductor and a second conductor and an insulator electrically isolating the first and second conductors. A device responsive to an applied voltage generates a plasma to perforate through the insulator to create an electrically conductive path between the first and second conductors. In another arrangement, a switch includes conductors and at least one element separating the conductors. The at least one element is adapted to electrically isolate the conductors in one state and to change characteristics in response to an applied voltage to provide an electrically conductive path between the conductors. Other types of switches may include electromechanical or mechanical elements.

Abstract: At least main electrodes for a low pressure gas discharge arranged at a distance from each other are present in such switches, the main electrodes forming a cathode and an anode of a discharge path in an interrupter chamber for the gas discharge which is fired by increasing electron density in a cathode cavity. For this purpose, at least the cathodes have at least one opening, preferably the cathode and anode, having opposite aligned openings for triggering the discharge. In such an arrangement, an arrangement for the generation of a magnetic field superimposed on the discharge may be present. At least one slot is present in at least one of the main planar electrodes for generating a radial magnetic field. A single slot maybe provided which runs in the form of a spiral from the area of the electrode center to the area of the electrode edge.

Abstract: A lampholder in accordance with the invention can suitably be used for a low-pressure discharge lamp (a) which operates at a high frequency and which comprises an elongated, tubular discharge vessel (b), said lamp being provided with a pair of electrodes (c, c') for maintaining an electric discharge in the discharge vessel. The lampholder (0) has contacts (1, 1') for connecting a high-frequency power supply (4), said contacts being electrically connected to a first (2) and a second terminal (2') for connecting the lamp. The second terminal is further removed from the contacts than the first terminal. A compensation conductor (6) extending between the first (2) and the second terminal (2') is connected to said first terminal (2). This leads to a reduction of conducted interference.

Abstract: A switch for switching large currents and large charges includes an anode separated from a cathode with a cylindrical trigger electrode located around the anode and the gap. The cathode is of a metal such as zinc, cadmium, tin or magnesium. During operation, a suitable potential applied to the trigger electrode causes a main discharge to occur between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A cold cathode vacuum discharge tube, and method for making same, with an interior surface of the trigger probe coated with carbon deposited by carbon vapor deposition (CVD) or diamond-like carbon (DLC) deposition. Preferably a solid graphite insert is employed in the probe-cathode structure in place of an aluminum bushing employed in the prior art. The CVD or DLC probe face is laser scribed to allow resistance trimming to match available trigger voltage signals and to reduce electrical aging.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a discharge cathode device comprising: a substrate, an Al layer formed on the substrate, and a layer of hexabonide of either lanthanum, a lanthanide or yttnium formed on the Al layer. There is also provided a method for manufacturing the same and a gas discharge display device having the same. This cathode device including a multilayer structure exhibits excellent conductivity, flexibility, and thermal oxidation resistance and also can be produced at low cost. The gas discharge display device achieves superior insulation and can be produced with a small number of steps.

Abstract: An improved gas discharge trigger for a pseudogap cold cathode thyratron. Electrical trigger pulses are capacitively coupled through the vacuum envelope wall (16) causing a gas discharge adjacent to the rear of the hollow cathode (26). Coupling apertures (12) between the trigger discharge region and the hollow cathode allow ionization to propagate into the rear of the hollow cathode and trigger the pseudogap from a non conducting to conducting state.

Abstract: A gas tube protector includes a new coating for the electrodes. The coating, which eliminates the need for conditioning the electrodes prior to using or testing the protector, includes barium titanate and titanium.

Abstract: A triggerable switching spark gap has two main electrodes, which are insulated from each other, and a galvanically controllable trigger electrode, which is configured in the center of a circular opening of one main electrode. A clearance (a) between the two main electrodes is greater by the factor 1.1 to 2.3, preferably by the factor 1.4 to 1.7, than the width (b) of the ring gap between the trigger electrode and the corresponding main electrode. Furthermore, the circumferential edge of the trigger electrode (6) arranged to be flush with the discharge surface of the corresponding main electrode has a radius of curvature less than or equal to 0.1 mm and the trigger electrode and the corresponding main electrode are coated with a silver-containing activating mass. The delay time of the switching spark gap is able to be reduced to values less than or equal to 0.5 .mu.s.

Abstract: A spark gap switch is disclosed. The spark gap switch comprises an anode and a cathode having facing surfaces separated by a predetermined gap, a trigger electrode located in the vicinity of such gap, and a piezoelectric generator connected between the trigger electrode and the cathode for triggering the spark gap switch.

Abstract: A cathode is arranged at one end of an envelope of a fluorescent lamp, and a plurality of anodes are arranged at the other end. A discharge path-forming structure is disposed between the cathode and anodes. The structure comprises a vessel having an open end at the position adjacent to the anodes and an inner space, and also comprises a dividing element for dividing the inner space into a plurality of divided discharge paths each including a corresponding anode. A fluorescent material layer is coated on the inner surface of the vessel in a manner whereby the lamp generates different color light beams.

Abstract: An overvoltage arrester for handling high surge currents including a pair of electrodes one of which includes a blind bore into which the second electrode projects, thereby providing at least one discharge gap between the two electrodes. The arrester of the present invention has a long useful life and a high surge current carrying capability.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp has an envelope tube forming a gas-tight enclosure about a pair of externally-energizable filaments which generate a plasma discharge for conversion to visible light; a keep-alive electrode is located adjacent to at least one filament. A dimming control circuit individually externally energizes each keep-alive electrode to generate an auxiliary discharge, between that keep-alive electrode and the adjacent filament, at a magnitude sufficient to maintain the adjacent filament in the spot mode of operation even if the main plasma discharge current is varied over a range sufficient to change the visible light output of the lamp over at least a 10:1 range.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical driving and recovery system for a high frequency environment. The recovery system can be applied to drive present day direct-current or alternating-current loads for better efficiency. It has a low-voltage source coupled to a vibrator, a transformer and a bridge-type rectifier to provide a high voltage pulsating signal to a first capacitor. Where a high-voltage source is otherwise available, it may be coupled directly to a bridge-type rectifier, causing a pulsating signal to the first capacitor. The first capacitor in turn is coupled to a high voltage anode of an electrical conversion switching element tube. The switching element tube also includes a low voltage anode which is connected to a voltage source by a commutator and a switching element tube. Mounted around the high voltage anode is a charge receiving plate which is coupled to an inductive load to transmit a high voltage discharge from the switching element tube to the load.

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 shield is disposed about the electrode of a metal halide arc discharge lamp in order to improve lamp performance. The construction and location of the shield are such as to not lower the cold-spot temperature of the arc tube.

Abstract: A vacuum switch with an isolated trigger probe which is not directly connected to the switching electrodes. The vacuum switch within the plasmatron is triggered by plasma expansion initiated by the trigger probe which travels through an opening to reach the vacuum switch elements. The plasma arc created is directed by the opening to the space between the anode and cathode of the vacuum switch to cause conduction.