US3611023A - Circuitry for triggering a spark gap - Google Patents

Circuitry for triggering a spark gap Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3611023A
US3611023A US12550A US3611023DA US3611023A US 3611023 A US3611023 A US 3611023A US 12550 A US12550 A US 12550A US 3611023D A US3611023D A US 3611023DA US 3611023 A US3611023 A US 3611023A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
spark gap
pair
triggering
electrodes
electrode
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US12550A
Inventor
Jesse A Souza Jr
Robert D Culbertson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Varian Medical Systems Inc
Original Assignee
Varian Associates Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Varian Associates Inc filed Critical Varian Associates Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3611023A publication Critical patent/US3611023A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H03ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03KPULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/51Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the components used
    • H03K17/52Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the components used by the use, as active elements, of gas-filled tubes
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42DBLASTING
    • F42D1/00Blasting methods or apparatus, e.g. loading or tamping
    • F42D1/04Arrangements for ignition
    • F42D1/045Arrangements for electric ignition
    • F42D1/05Electric circuits for blasting
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H03ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03KPULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K3/00Circuits for generating electric pulses; Monostable, bistable or multistable circuits
    • H03K3/02Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses
    • H03K3/53Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use of an energy-accumulating element discharged through the load by a switching device controlled by an external signal and not incorporating positive feedback
    • H03K3/537Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use of an energy-accumulating element discharged through the load by a switching device controlled by an external signal and not incorporating positive feedback the switching device being a spark gap

Definitions

  • Moore ABSTRACT A circuit for triggering breakdown of an arc path through a gaseous atmosphere between a pair of spark gap defining electrodes is disclosed.
  • the spark gap includes an auxiliary triggering electrode disposed between the pair of spark gap defining electrodes.
  • a voltage divider network is connected across the pair of spark gap defining electrode with the output of the voltage divider being applied to the triggering electrode.
  • the voltage divider includes a series connection of a first resistive means and a second resistive means.
  • the first resistive means includes one or more four-layer diodes which switch rapidly from a nonconductive state to a conductive state at a certain threshold voltage applied thereacross, whereby when the potential applied across the spark gaping defining electrodes reaches a certain predetermined value the four-layer diodes break into conducting to apply the triggering output potential to the trigger electrode to trigger an arc across the pair of electrodes defining the spark gap.
  • FIG. 2 m GERED PA K GAP I EXPLOSIVE CHARGE PATENTEU um 5 I97! FIG. 2
  • spark gaps have included triggering electrodes for triggering an arc across the main spark gap of the device when a certain predetermined potential was applied across the spark gap.
  • the voltage divider included a series connection of a first resistive means and a second resistive means; being a thyratron such that when a certain potential was applied across the main gap of the spark gap and also across the voltage-divider network the thyratron would be triggered to apply an output from the voltage divider to the triggering electrode to trigger the main spark gap.
  • thyratrons in such a voltage-divider network
  • a spark gap is placed in series with a detonator device for detonating explosive charges, rockets and the like and it is especially important that the spark gap be triggered at precisely a predetermined voltage as applied across the voltage-divider network and thus across the main electrodes of the spark gap. Therefore, a need exists for an improved spark gap triggering circuit for triggering spark gaps at certain predetermined threshold voltages.
  • the triggering threshold voltage should preferably have a tolerance on the order of to percent or less.
  • the principal object of the present invention is the provision of an improved circuit for triggering a spark gap.
  • One feature of the present invention is the provision, in a spark gap triggering circuit having a voltage-divider network, the output of which is applied to a triggering electrode for triggering a spark gap, of the inclusion of a four-layer diode in one of the arms of the voltage divider, such diode serving to switch from a nonconductive state to a conductive state precisely at a certain predetermined threshold voltage applied thereacross, whereby the spark gap is triggered at a precisely predetermined voltage applied across the gap and-the' voltage divider.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the same as the preceding feature including the provision of a current limiting resistor connected in series with a plurality of the four-layer diodes in one arm of the voltage-divider network for limiting the current drawn through the four-layer diodes during conduction therethrough.
  • the voltage-divider network includes a series connection of a plurality of four-layer diodes with a resistive means connected in parallel with each of the four-layer diodes, each of such parallel connected resistors having a resistance substantially greater than that of the other resistive arm of the voltage-divider network, whereby the voltage applied across each of the four-layer diodes is precisely established as a certain fraction of the voltage applied across the voltage-divider network to stabilize triggering of the four-layer diodes.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a detonator circuit incorporating features of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic line diagram of a four-layer diode.
  • the detonator circuit 1 includes a triggered spark gap device 2 series connected with a detonating .wire 3 imbedded in an explosive charge 4.
  • a source of potential 5, as of 1,350 volts, is connected across the triggered spark gap device'2 and detonating wire 3 via a pushbutton actuating switch 6and a low-pass filter 7 consisting of a series connection of a resistor 8 and a shunt capacity 9.
  • a voltage divider network 11 is connected across the triggered spark gap device 2 in parallel with the spark gap device and detonating wire 3.
  • the triggered spark gap device 2 includes a dielectric insulative envelope structure 12 containing an ionizable gas atmosphere, as of dry nitrogen.
  • a pair'of spark gap defining electrodes 13 and 14 pass through the envelope 12 and the space between the inner tips of the electrodes 13 and 14 defines the spark gap.
  • An auxiliary triggering electrode 15 is disposed in the gaseous atmosphere between the pair of spark gap defining electrodes for triggering breakdown of an arc path through the gaseous atmosphere between the pair of spark gap defining electrodes 13 and 14 when a certain predetermined potential is applied across the pair of spark gaps defining electrodes and the triggering electrode 15.
  • the triggering potential is derived from the output of the voltage divider network 1 l.
  • the voltage divider network 11 includes a series connection of first and second resistive circuit arm 16 and 17 with the output of the voltage divider network 11 being derived from the node between the two arms 16 and 17.
  • the first resistive arm 16 of the voltage divider network 11 includes a series connection of a current limiting resistor 18, as of 10 k.0, connected in series with a plurality of four-layer diodes 19.
  • a suitable four-layer diode comprises type UF 200--C commercially available from Unitrode Corporation of Watertown, Massachusetts.
  • the four-layer diode 19 has a maximum forward current of 1.5 amps, a forward breakdown voltage of 200 volts and a maximum surge current of 15 amps.
  • the turn on time for each diode is 0.1 to 0.5 microseconds with a turnoff time of between 2 to 5 microseconds.
  • a typical four-layer diode is a device 19, as shown in FIG; 2, and comprises four layers of alternating P- and N-type semiconductive material with PN junctions formed between each of the adjacent layers.
  • the device is characterized by regenative feedback which produces an extremely fast semiconductive switch for switching substantial current loads in switching times less than one microsecond.
  • the four-layer diode 19 is characterized by having an extreme-, ly precise and predictable voltage breakdown level.
  • Each of the fourlayer diodes 19 includes a resistor 21 of relatively high resistance, as of 3.9 megaohms, connected in parallel with each of the diodes 19.
  • the series connection of the relatively high value resistance resistors 21 serves to stabilize the potential applied across each of the four-layer diodes 19.
  • Each of the resistors 21 has a value of resistance much higher than current limiting resistor 18 and of the resistance of the other arm 17 of the voltage-divider network 11.
  • the second resistive arm 17 of the voltage divider 11 comprises a resistor 22, as of 15 kt).
  • pushbutton 6 is depressed to apply the 1,350 volts from power supply 5 across the voltage-divider network 11 and the triggered spark gap device 2.
  • the 1,350 volts is insufficient, by itself, to break down the arc path between spark gap defining electrodes 13 and 14.
  • the voltage is sufficient to break down the chain of four-layer diodes 19 such that substantially half of the applied voltageappears between trigger electrode 15 and the closest one of the spark gap defining electrodes 13.
  • the spacing between the trigger electrode 15 and the nearest spark gap defining electrode 12 is dimensioned such that the applied voltage from the output of the voltage divider will break down the gap between the trigger electrode and the spark gap electrode 13.
  • the spark gap trigger electrode 15 assumes essentially the potential of the spark gap electrode 13 and, thus, the applied potential of 1,350 volts appears between the trigger electrode 15 and the other main spark gap electrode 14. This shifts the are from the trigger electrode to the other spark gap electrode 14 such that the arc is shifted or triggered between the main spark gap defining electrodes 13 and 14.
  • the voltage drop across the triggered spark gap device 2 and the four-layer diodes 19 drops to a very low level and the diodes become nonconductive and the discharge is sustained between the electrode 13 and 14.
  • Current passed by the discharge in the triggered spark gap device 2 energizes the detonating wire 3 to detonate the explosive charge 4.
  • Premature detonation of the explosive charge 4 is prevented by having a precisely predetermined breakdown voltage determined by the series connection of the four-layer diodes 19, such that the applied triggering DC voltage must reach the predetermined voltage level, as of 1,350 volts.
  • Low-pass filter 9 prevents high-frequency transient components from actuat ing the triggered spark gap device 2.
  • a circuit for triggering breakdown of an arc path through a gaseous atmosphere between a pair of spark gap defining electrodes an auxiliary triggering electrode disposed in the gaseous atmosphere between said pair of spark gap defining electrodes, first circuitry means for connecting a source of potential across said pair of spark gap defining electrodes, second circuitry means for interconnecting said pair of spark gap defining electrodes and said auxiliary triggering electrode for applying a triggering potential between said auxiliary electrode and one of said spark gap defining electrodes to initiate an arc between said pair of spark gap defining electrodes at a precisely predetermined potential as applied across said pair of spark gap defining electrodes, said second circuitry means including a voltage-divider means with the output of said voltage divider being applied to said auxiliary triggering electrode, said voltage-divider means having a series connection of first and second resistive means with an output connection to said auxiliary electrode disposed therebetween.
  • said first resistive means includes a four-layer diode which switches rapidly from substantially a nonconductive state to a conductive state at a certain threshold voltage applied thereacross, whereby at the precisely predetermined potential applied across said pair of spark gap defining electrodes and said voltage divider network said four-layer diode breaks into conduction to apply an output triggering potential to said auxiliary trigger electrode to trigger an arc across said pair of electrodes defining said spark gap.
  • said first resistive means includes a series connection of a current limiting resistor and a plurality of series connected four-layer diodes.
  • said first resistive means includes a series connection of a plurality of resistors each of which is connected in parallel across each of said fourlayer diodes and each of which has a resistance substantially greater than that of said second resistive means of said voltage divider means.

Abstract

A circuit for triggering breakdown of an arc path through a gaseous atmosphere between a pair of spark gap defining electrodes is disclosed. The spark gap includes an auxiliary triggering electrode disposed between the pair of spark gap defining electrodes. A voltage divider network is connected across the pair of spark gap defining electrode with the output of the voltage divider being applied to the triggering electrode. The voltage divider includes a series connection of a first resistive means and a second resistive means. The first resistive means includes one or more four-layer diodes which switch rapidly from a nonconductive state to a conductive state at a certain threshold voltage applied thereacross, whereby when the potential applied across the spark gaping defining electrodes reaches a certain predetermined value the four-layer diodes break into conducting to apply the triggering output potential to the trigger electrode to trigger an arc across the pair of electrodes defining the spark gap.

Description

United States Patent [72] lnventors Jesse A. Souza, Jr.
San Jose; Robert D. Culbertson, Campbell, both of Calif. [211 App]. No. 12,550 [22] Filed Feb. 19, 1970 [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [73] Assignee Varian Associates Palo Alto, Calif.
[54] CIRCUITRY FOR TRIGGERING A SPARK GAP 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.
521 US. Cl 315 200, 315/208, 102/28 [51 1 Int. Cl I -l 05b 37/00, C06c 3/00 [50] Field of Search 307/284, 305; 315/185, 189, 200, 203, 205, 207, 208, 330, 335, 332; 102/18, 19.2, 28, 70.2, 70.2 A; 317/80 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,293,527 12/1966 .lulich 317/80 X 3,320,889 5/1967 Holtz l02/28X Primary ExaminerRoy Lake Assistant ExaminerLawrence J. Dahl Attorneys-Stanley 2. Cole and Gerald L. Moore ABSTRACT: A circuit for triggering breakdown of an arc path through a gaseous atmosphere between a pair of spark gap defining electrodes is disclosed. The spark gap includes an auxiliary triggering electrode disposed between the pair of spark gap defining electrodes. A voltage divider network is connected across the pair of spark gap defining electrode with the output of the voltage divider being applied to the triggering electrode. The voltage divider includes a series connection of a first resistive means and a second resistive means. The first resistive means includes one or more four-layer diodes which switch rapidly from a nonconductive state to a conductive state at a certain threshold voltage applied thereacross, whereby when the potential applied across the spark gaping defining electrodes reaches a certain predetermined value the four-layer diodes break into conducting to apply the triggering output potential to the trigger electrode to trigger an arc across the pair of electrodes defining the spark gap.
m GERED PA K GAP I EXPLOSIVE CHARGE PATENTEU um 5 I97! FIG. 2
JE SE ROBER D EXPLOSIVE CHARGE NW2" R.
. CULBERTSON BY %|MJLL f Mm ATTORNEY CIRCUITRY FOR TRIGGERING A SPARK GAP DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART l-leretofore, spark gaps have included triggering electrodes for triggering an arc across the main spark gap of the device when a certain predetermined potential was applied across the spark gap. Typically, the voltage divider included a series connection of a first resistive means and a second resistive means; being a thyratron such that when a certain potential was applied across the main gap of the spark gap and also across the voltage-divider network the thyratron would be triggered to apply an output from the voltage divider to the triggering electrode to trigger the main spark gap. One of the problems associated with the use of thyratrons in such a voltage-divider network is that they consume relatively large amounts of power and do not break down reliably at the certain predetermined threshold voltage. In many applications, such as in detonator circuits, a spark gap is placed in series with a detonator device for detonating explosive charges, rockets and the like and it is especially important that the spark gap be triggered at precisely a predetermined voltage as applied across the voltage-divider network and thus across the main electrodes of the spark gap. Therefore, a need exists for an improved spark gap triggering circuit for triggering spark gaps at certain predetermined threshold voltages. The triggering threshold voltage should preferably have a tolerance on the order of to percent or less.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The principal object of the present invention is the provision of an improved circuit for triggering a spark gap.
One feature of the present invention is the provision, in a spark gap triggering circuit having a voltage-divider network, the output of which is applied to a triggering electrode for triggering a spark gap, of the inclusion of a four-layer diode in one of the arms of the voltage divider, such diode serving to switch from a nonconductive state to a conductive state precisely at a certain predetermined threshold voltage applied thereacross, whereby the spark gap is triggered at a precisely predetermined voltage applied across the gap and-the' voltage divider.
Another feature of the present invention is the same as the preceding feature including the provision of a current limiting resistor connected in series with a plurality of the four-layer diodes in one arm of the voltage-divider network for limiting the current drawn through the four-layer diodes during conduction therethrough.
Another feature of the present invention is the same as any one or more of the preceding features wherein the voltage-divider network includes a series connection of a plurality of four-layer diodes with a resistive means connected in parallel with each of the four-layer diodes, each of such parallel connected resistors having a resistance substantially greater than that of the other resistive arm of the voltage-divider network, whereby the voltage applied across each of the four-layer diodes is precisely established as a certain fraction of the voltage applied across the voltage-divider network to stabilize triggering of the four-layer diodes. v
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon a perusal of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS F16. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a detonator circuit incorporating features of the present invention, and
FIG. 2 is a schematic line diagram of a four-layer diode.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a detonator circuit 1 incorporating features of the present invention. The detonator circuit 1 includes a triggered spark gap device 2 series connected with a detonating .wire 3 imbedded in an explosive charge 4. A source of potential 5, as of 1,350 volts, is connected across the triggered spark gap device'2 and detonating wire 3 via a pushbutton actuating switch 6and a low-pass filter 7 consisting of a series connection of a resistor 8 and a shunt capacity 9. A voltage divider network 11 is connected across the triggered spark gap device 2 in parallel with the spark gap device and detonating wire 3.
The triggered spark gap device 2 includes a dielectric insulative envelope structure 12 containing an ionizable gas atmosphere, as of dry nitrogen. A pair'of spark gap defining electrodes 13 and 14 pass through the envelope 12 and the space between the inner tips of the electrodes 13 and 14 defines the spark gap. An auxiliary triggering electrode 15 is disposed in the gaseous atmosphere between the pair of spark gap defining electrodes for triggering breakdown of an arc path through the gaseous atmosphere between the pair of spark gap defining electrodes 13 and 14 when a certain predetermined potential is applied across the pair of spark gaps defining electrodes and the triggering electrode 15. The triggering potential is derived from the output of the voltage divider network 1 l.
The voltage divider network 11 includes a series connection of first and second resistive circuit arm 16 and 17 with the output of the voltage divider network 11 being derived from the node between the two arms 16 and 17.
The first resistive arm 16 of the voltage divider network 11 includes a series connection of a current limiting resistor 18, as of 10 k.0, connected in series with a plurality of four-layer diodes 19. A suitable four-layer diode comprises type UF 200--C commercially available from Unitrode Corporation of Watertown, Massachusetts. The four-layer diode 19 has a maximum forward current of 1.5 amps, a forward breakdown voltage of 200 volts and a maximum surge current of 15 amps. The turn on time for each diode is 0.1 to 0.5 microseconds with a turnoff time of between 2 to 5 microseconds.
A typical four-layer diode is a device 19, as shown in FIG; 2, and comprises four layers of alternating P- and N-type semiconductive material with PN junctions formed between each of the adjacent layers. The device is characterized by regenative feedback which produces an extremely fast semiconductive switch for switching substantial current loads in switching times less than one microsecond. Furthermore, the four-layer diode 19 is characterized by having an extreme-, ly precise and predictable voltage breakdown level.
Each of the fourlayer diodes 19 includes a resistor 21 of relatively high resistance, as of 3.9 megaohms, connected in parallel with each of the diodes 19. The series connection of the relatively high value resistance resistors 21 serves to stabilize the potential applied across each of the four-layer diodes 19. Each of the resistors 21 has a value of resistance much higher than current limiting resistor 18 and of the resistance of the other arm 17 of the voltage-divider network 11. The second resistive arm 17 of the voltage divider 11 comprises a resistor 22, as of 15 kt).
In operation, pushbutton 6 is depressed to apply the 1,350 volts from power supply 5 across the voltage-divider network 11 and the triggered spark gap device 2. The 1,350 volts is insufficient, by itself, to break down the arc path between spark gap defining electrodes 13 and 14. However, the voltage is sufficient to break down the chain of four-layer diodes 19 such that substantially half of the applied voltageappears between trigger electrode 15 and the closest one of the spark gap defining electrodes 13. The spacing between the trigger electrode 15 and the nearest spark gap defining electrode 12 is dimensioned such that the applied voltage from the output of the voltage divider will break down the gap between the trigger electrode and the spark gap electrode 13. When this happens, the spark gap trigger electrode 15 assumes essentially the potential of the spark gap electrode 13 and, thus, the applied potential of 1,350 volts appears between the trigger electrode 15 and the other main spark gap electrode 14. This shifts the are from the trigger electrode to the other spark gap electrode 14 such that the arc is shifted or triggered between the main spark gap defining electrodes 13 and 14. When the arc shifts to the main electrodes 13 and 14, the voltage drop across the triggered spark gap device 2 and the four-layer diodes 19 drops to a very low level and the diodes become nonconductive and the discharge is sustained between the electrode 13 and 14. Current passed by the discharge in the triggered spark gap device 2 energizes the detonating wire 3 to detonate the explosive charge 4.
Premature detonation of the explosive charge 4 is prevented by having a precisely predetermined breakdown voltage determined by the series connection of the four-layer diodes 19, such that the applied triggering DC voltage must reach the predetermined voltage level, as of 1,350 volts. Low-pass filter 9 prevents high-frequency transient components from actuat ing the triggered spark gap device 2.
Since many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely difierent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
What is claimed is:
1. In a circuit for triggering breakdown of an arc path through a gaseous atmosphere between a pair of spark gap defining electrodes, an auxiliary triggering electrode disposed in the gaseous atmosphere between said pair of spark gap defining electrodes, first circuitry means for connecting a source of potential across said pair of spark gap defining electrodes, second circuitry means for interconnecting said pair of spark gap defining electrodes and said auxiliary triggering electrode for applying a triggering potential between said auxiliary electrode and one of said spark gap defining electrodes to initiate an arc between said pair of spark gap defining electrodes at a precisely predetermined potential as applied across said pair of spark gap defining electrodes, said second circuitry means including a voltage-divider means with the output of said voltage divider being applied to said auxiliary triggering electrode, said voltage-divider means having a series connection of first and second resistive means with an output connection to said auxiliary electrode disposed therebetween. THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN, said first resistive means includes a four-layer diode which switches rapidly from substantially a nonconductive state to a conductive state at a certain threshold voltage applied thereacross, whereby at the precisely predetermined potential applied across said pair of spark gap defining electrodes and said voltage divider network said four-layer diode breaks into conduction to apply an output triggering potential to said auxiliary trigger electrode to trigger an arc across said pair of electrodes defining said spark gap.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first resistive means includes a series connection of a current limiting resistor and a plurality of series connected four-layer diodes.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first resistive means includes a series connection of a plurality of resistors each of which is connected in parallel across each of said fourlayer diodes and each of which has a resistance substantially greater than that of said second resistive means of said voltage divider means.

Claims (3)

1. In a circuit for triggering breakdown of an arc path through a gaseous atmosphere between a pair of spark gap defining electrodes, an auxiliary triggering electrode disposed in the gaseous atmosphere between said pair of spark gap defining electrodes, first circuitry means for connecting a source of potential across said pair of spark gap defining electrodes, second circuitry means for interconnecting said pair of spark gap defining electrodes and said auxiliary triggering electrode for applying a triggering potential between said auxiliary electrode and one of said spark gap defining electrodes to initiate an arc between said pair of spark gap defining electrodes at a precisely predetermined potential as applied across said pair of spark gap defining electrodes, said second circuitry means including a voltage-divider means with the output of said volTage divider being applied to said auxiliary triggering electrode, said voltage-divider means having a series connection of first and second resistive means with an output connection to said auxiliary electrode disposed therebetween, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN, said first resistive means includes a four-layer diode which switches rapidly from substantially a nonconductive state to a conductive state at a certain threshold voltage applied thereacross, whereby at the precisely predetermined potential applied across said pair of spark gap defining electrodes and said voltage divider network said four-layer diode breaks into conduction to apply an output triggering potential to said auxiliary trigger electrode to trigger an arc across said pair of electrodes defining said spark gap.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first resistive means includes a series connection of a current limiting resistor and a plurality of series connected four-layer diodes.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first resistive means includes a series connection of a plurality of resistors each of which is connected in parallel across each of said four-layer diodes and each of which has a resistance substantially greater than that of said second resistive means of said voltage divider means.
US12550A 1970-02-19 1970-02-19 Circuitry for triggering a spark gap Expired - Lifetime US3611023A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1255070A 1970-02-19 1970-02-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3611023A true US3611023A (en) 1971-10-05

Family

ID=21755495

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12550A Expired - Lifetime US3611023A (en) 1970-02-19 1970-02-19 Circuitry for triggering a spark gap

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3611023A (en)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4840122A (en) * 1988-04-18 1989-06-20 Honeywell Inc. Integrated silicon plasma switch
US6851370B2 (en) * 2002-04-30 2005-02-08 Kdi Precision Products, Inc. Integrated planar switch for a munition
US20050228372A1 (en) * 2000-08-01 2005-10-13 Sciogen, Inc. Voltage threshold ablation apparatus
US20080097425A1 (en) * 2005-03-24 2008-04-24 Csaba Truckai Electrosurgical ablation apparatus and method
US8323280B2 (en) 2011-03-21 2012-12-04 Arqos Surgical, Inc. Medical ablation system and method of use
US9204918B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2015-12-08 RELIGN Corporation Medical ablation system and method of use
US9247983B2 (en) 2011-11-14 2016-02-02 Arqos Surgical, Inc. Medical instrument and method of use
US9585675B1 (en) 2015-10-23 2017-03-07 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US9603656B1 (en) 2015-10-23 2017-03-28 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US9681913B2 (en) 2015-04-21 2017-06-20 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US10004556B2 (en) 2013-05-10 2018-06-26 Corinth MedTech, Inc. Tissue resecting devices and methods
US10022140B2 (en) 2016-02-04 2018-07-17 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US10595889B2 (en) 2016-04-11 2020-03-24 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11065023B2 (en) 2017-03-17 2021-07-20 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11172953B2 (en) 2016-04-11 2021-11-16 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11207119B2 (en) 2016-03-11 2021-12-28 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11426231B2 (en) 2017-01-11 2022-08-30 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3293527A (en) * 1964-09-01 1966-12-20 Julich Harry Electronic contact fuze
US3320889A (en) * 1965-02-12 1967-05-23 Aerojet General Co Detonation initiator

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3293527A (en) * 1964-09-01 1966-12-20 Julich Harry Electronic contact fuze
US3320889A (en) * 1965-02-12 1967-05-23 Aerojet General Co Detonation initiator

Cited By (36)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4840122A (en) * 1988-04-18 1989-06-20 Honeywell Inc. Integrated silicon plasma switch
US8333763B2 (en) 2000-08-01 2012-12-18 Arqos Surgical, Inc. Voltage threshold ablation apparatus
US20100305565A1 (en) * 2000-08-01 2010-12-02 Arqos Surgical, Inc. Voltage threshold ablation apparatus
US7744595B2 (en) * 2000-08-01 2010-06-29 Arqos Surgical, Inc. Voltage threshold ablation apparatus
US20050228372A1 (en) * 2000-08-01 2005-10-13 Sciogen, Inc. Voltage threshold ablation apparatus
US6851370B2 (en) * 2002-04-30 2005-02-08 Kdi Precision Products, Inc. Integrated planar switch for a munition
US20080097425A1 (en) * 2005-03-24 2008-04-24 Csaba Truckai Electrosurgical ablation apparatus and method
US8221404B2 (en) 2005-03-24 2012-07-17 Arqos Surgical, Inc. Electrosurgical ablation apparatus and method
US9277954B2 (en) 2011-03-21 2016-03-08 Arqos Surgical, Inc. Medical ablation system and method of use
US8323280B2 (en) 2011-03-21 2012-12-04 Arqos Surgical, Inc. Medical ablation system and method of use
US11712282B2 (en) 2011-03-21 2023-08-01 RELIGN Corporation Medical ablation system and method of use
US10292751B2 (en) 2011-03-21 2019-05-21 RELIGN Corporation Medical ablation system and method of use
US11672586B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2023-06-13 RELIGN Corporation Medical ablation system and method of use
US9204918B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2015-12-08 RELIGN Corporation Medical ablation system and method of use
US9592085B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2017-03-14 RELIGN Corporation Medical ablation system and method of use
US11229477B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2022-01-25 RELIGN Corporation Medical ablation system and method of use
US9795434B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2017-10-24 RELIGN Corporation Medical ablation system and method of use
US10342603B2 (en) 2011-11-14 2019-07-09 RELIGN Corporation Medical instrument and method of use
US9247983B2 (en) 2011-11-14 2016-02-02 Arqos Surgical, Inc. Medical instrument and method of use
US10004556B2 (en) 2013-05-10 2018-06-26 Corinth MedTech, Inc. Tissue resecting devices and methods
US9681913B2 (en) 2015-04-21 2017-06-20 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US10582966B2 (en) 2015-04-21 2020-03-10 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US10327842B2 (en) 2015-10-23 2019-06-25 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US9603656B1 (en) 2015-10-23 2017-03-28 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US10568685B2 (en) 2015-10-23 2020-02-25 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US9585675B1 (en) 2015-10-23 2017-03-07 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11419670B2 (en) 2015-10-23 2022-08-23 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11234759B2 (en) 2015-10-23 2022-02-01 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US10022140B2 (en) 2016-02-04 2018-07-17 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11771456B2 (en) 2016-02-04 2023-10-03 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11207119B2 (en) 2016-03-11 2021-12-28 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11172953B2 (en) 2016-04-11 2021-11-16 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11622784B2 (en) 2016-04-11 2023-04-11 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US10595889B2 (en) 2016-04-11 2020-03-24 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11426231B2 (en) 2017-01-11 2022-08-30 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods
US11065023B2 (en) 2017-03-17 2021-07-20 RELIGN Corporation Arthroscopic devices and methods

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3611023A (en) Circuitry for triggering a spark gap
US3018392A (en) Monostable multivibrator employing four zone semiconductive gate in series with at least a transistor
US3040270A (en) Silicon controlled rectifier circuit including a variable frequency oscillator
US2866106A (en) Voltage sensitive control device
US3745505A (en) Semiconductor device-metal oxide varistorheat sink assembly
US3271700A (en) Solid state switching circuits
US3655936A (en) Apparatus for electroerosively etching a workpiece
US3886432A (en) Overvoltage protective circuit for high power thyristors
US3206696A (en) Oscillator using a semi-conductor controlled rectifier capable of being switched on and off at its gate
US3723887A (en) Discharge flash tube high energy switch
US3293449A (en) Solid state thyratron replacement
US3404293A (en) Thyristor switch utilizing series diodes to improve dynamic breakdown capability and reduce time to restore for ward blocking
US3254236A (en) Voltage sharing circuit
GB1150288A (en) Semiconductor Controlled Rectifier.
US3371227A (en) Transistor-s.c.r. circuitry providing a thyratron equivalent
US3299297A (en) Semiconductor switching circuitry
US2492850A (en) Discharge initiating circuit
US3230459A (en) High speed overload protection circuit
US3030547A (en) High voltage, high current spark gap switch
US3274397A (en) Solid state and hybrid modulators
US3774054A (en) Voltage variable solid state line type modulator
US3317752A (en) Switching circuit utilizing bistable semiconductor devices
US3040194A (en) Bistable circuit utilizing pnpn diode in series with transistor
US3715614A (en) Three electrode spark gap apparatus
US4246499A (en) Pulse generating circuit