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:
Nov. 30, 1990
Nikolaos Barakitis, Salem, MA (US);
Marvin S Corrales, Gravilias San Jose, CR;
Jorge C Rodrigues, San Jose, CR;
GTE Products Corporation, Danvers, MA (US);
Abstract
A glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope containing an ionizable medium, a bimetallic electrode including a bimetallic element, and a counter electrode. The bimetallic element has a free end adapted to form first and second discharge gaps with the counter electrode. The first discharge gap has a spacing which varies during operation of the glow discharge starter. The spacing of the second discharge gap remains relatively constant. Problems associated with high ambient temperatures can be overcome by increasing the initial spacing of the first discharge gap without affecting the electrical breakdown voltage of the glow discharge starter. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the free end of the bimetallic element has a first portion substantially parallel to the counter electrode and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the counter electrode. Preferably, the initial spacing of the first discharge gap measured at 25 degrees Celsius is within the range of from about 0.020 inch to about 0.030 inch. The spacing of the second discharge gap is within the range of from about 0.006 inch to about 0.010 inch.