LOW VOLTAGE SURGE PROTECTION NETWORK

• US 3,890,543 A
• Filed: 09/14/1973
• Issued: 06/17/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gaylord D. Jonassen
• Original Assignee: Gaylord D. Jonassen
• Inventors: Jonassen, Gaylord D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James D.
• Application Number:
  US05/397,258
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 317/16,31,61,61.5 179/184
• US Class Current: 361/56
• CPC Class Codes: H01T 1/14 Means structurally associated with spark gap for protecting it against overload or for disconnecting it in case of failure H01T1/15, H01T1/16, H01T1/18 take precedence; emergency protective circuit arrangements for spark gap arrestors H02H7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 9/06 using spark-gap arresters

Abstract

A low Voltage Surge Protection Network comprising a multielectrode gas tube arrester having an optional integral temperature sensitive lift-off capability wherein the multielectrode gas tube arrester has directly coupled across it, backto-back zenier diodes, such that voltage imbalance conditions induced across a line pair are corrected within a time interval sufficient to prevent damage to low voltage operating equipment electrically coupled across said line pair.

Claims

1. A low voltage surge protection network for protecting from a line imbalance electrical apparatus coupled across an energy source, said network comprising:

a. a pair of semiconductor switching devices electrically coupled in series, in an oppositely poled back-to-back configuration, said electrical characteristics providing for instantaneous triggering upon the occurrence of a line imbalance;

b. a multi-electrode gas tube arrester wherein one of said electrodes is electrically coupled to ground, said multielectrode gas tube arrester being rendered conductive by a voltage level that is below that which would cause the destruction of said pair of Zener Diodes;

c. means for providing direct electrical coupling of said Zener Diode configuration across the ungrounded electrodes of said multi-electrode gas tube arrester;

d. means for electrically coupling said network across said source of energy and in shunting configuration with said electrical apparatus; and

e. thermal responsive means for interrupting the flow of electrical energy to said network upon having said network reach a predetermined temperature level, wherein said means for interrupting the flow of electrical energy to said network comprises a hollow electrically conductive lining electrically coupled at one end to an ungrounded electrode of said multielectrode gas tube arrester and the other end of said hollow electrically conductive lining being electrically coupled to said means for electrically coupling said network across said source of energy, said electrically conductive lining being encapsulated within a thermal and electrically insulative material.

2. A low voltage surge protection network as described in claim 1 wherein said pair of semiconductor switching devices comprise a pair of Zener Diodes.

3. A low voltage surge protection network as described in claim 2 wherein said pair of Zener Diodes have matched electrical characteristics.

4. A low voltage surge protection network as described in claim 1 wherein said multi-electrode gas tube arrester is of a three electrode design.

5. A low voltage surge protection network as described in claim 2 wherein current limiting impedance is in series coupling between each Zener Diode and the respective electrode of said multi-electrode gas tube arrester to which said Zener Diode is electrically coupled.

6. A low voltage surge protection network for protecting, from a line imbalance, electrical apparatus coupled across an energy source, said network comprising:

a. a first of two parallel electrical paths, said first electrical path comprising, in series relationship, a pair of semiconductor switching devices electrically coupled in an oppositely poled back-to-back configuration having electrical characteristics wherein an electrically conductive shunting path across said electrical apparatus is provided upon there occurring a voltage differential independent of polarity across said electrical apparatus;

b. a second of two parallel electrical paths, said second electrical path comprising a multi-electrode gas tube arrester having one of said electrodes coupled to ground, said multi-electrode gas tube arreSter having electrical characteristics such that said multi-electrode gas tube arrester is rendered conductive upon there occurring a voltage differential across said electrical apparatus that is of a magnitude that would be destructive of said pair of Zener Diodes, said second electrical path, when said multi-electrode gas tube arrester is rendered conductive, providing an electrically conductive path whose impedance characteristics are less than the impedance characteristics of said first electrical path when said first electrical path is in a conductive state, as well as providing a conductive shunting path across said electrical apparatus and said first of two parallel electrical paths which also is coupled to ground;

c. means for electrically coupling said first parallel electrical path and the ungrounded electrodes of said multi-electrode gas tube arrester of said second parallel electrical path across said electrical apparatus; and

d. thermal responsive means for interrupting the flow of electrical energy to said network upon having said network reach a predetermined temperature level, wherein said means for interrupting the flow of electrical energy to said network comprises a hollow electrically conductive lining electrically coupled at one end to an ungrounded electrode of said multi-electrode gas tube arrester and the other end of said hollow electrically conductive lining being electrically coupled to said means for electrically coupling said network across said source of energy, said electrically conductive lining being encapsulated within a thermal and electrically insulative material.

7. A low voltage surge protection network as described in claim 6 wherein said pair of semiconductor switching devices comprise a pair of Zener Diodes.

8. A low voltage surge protection network as described in claim 7 wherein said pair of Zener Diodes have matched electrical characteristics.

9. A low voltage surge protection network as described in claim 6 wherein said multi-electrode gas tube arrester is of a three electrode design.

10. A low voltage surge protection network as described in claim 7 wherein current limiting impedance is in series coupling between each Zener Diode and the respective electrode of said multi-electrode gas tube arrester to which said Zener Diode is electrically coupled.