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:
Jun. 06, 2006
Filed:
May. 24, 2001
Bruce A. Seiber, Arden Hills, MN (US);
Bruce A. Seiber, Arden Hills, MN (US);
Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, NJ (US);
Abstract
A gas discharge tube, such as a ring laser gyroscope, includes a block, a cathode, and an anode. At least a portion of the block is maintained at a reference potential. The cathode may be biased at a higher potential than the reference potential, and the anode may be biased at a higher potential than the cathode. Alternatively, the cathode may be biased at a lower potential than the reference potential, and the anode may be biased at a higher potential than the reference potential. These biases enhance the flow of negative oxygen ions and impede the flow of positive alkali ions to increase sputter life of the gas discharge tube. Additionally or alternatively, a biasing electrode may be applied to the block to overlie the plasma supporting passage between the cathode and the anode. The biasing electrode has a bias to attract positive alkali ions.