The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 15, 1991
Filed:
May. 31, 1990
George F Kirkman-Amemiya, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Integrated Applied Physics, Inc., Pasadena, CA (US);
Abstract
Provided is a means for triggering certain high voltage electronic, gas discharge switches that are a novel type of high power thyratron. Triggering of switches of the so-called 'backlighted thyratron' type (a type of cold cathode thyratron) is enhanced by the inclusion of a very small, photoemissive cathode, separate and isolated from the main switch electrodes, to initiate the triggering discharge. The trigger cathode is protected from destruction by the main discharge current through the switch by mechanically and electrically isolating it from further participation in the discharge once the triggering process has been initiated. Alternatively, photosensitive material is coated on the backside of one of the main switch electrodes. A light source located externally of the switch directs light through a sealed aperture into the interior of the switch where it is incident on the photosensitive material generating electrons which in turn trigger the main switch discharge.