Triggering technique for multi-electrode spark gap switch
First Claim
1. A spark gap switch comprising:
- a pair of primary electrodes, biased to a predetermined potential;
at least one mid-plane electrode biased at a predetermined intermediate potential; and
pull down means connected between one of said primary electrodes and said mid-plane electrode, for adjusting a potential on said mid-plane electrode to be approximately equal to that of one primary electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spark gap switch having a mid-plane or triggering electrode is brought o a conductive state using a photoconductive switch or other suitable switch, closed by a laser pulse on other pulsed light source. The photoconductive switch is connected between one of the primary electrodes and the mid-plane electrode and brings the potential of the mid-plane electrode to the same potential as the primary electrode when the photoconductive switch is closed. The use of the photoconductive switch permits shorter closing times and eliminates the need for high voltage auxiliary triggering circuits. Plural photoconductive switches, which are triggered in a precise predetermined sequence, improve the operation of Marx generators and other multi-spark gap switch applications.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A spark gap switch comprising:
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a pair of primary electrodes, biased to a predetermined potential; at least one mid-plane electrode biased at a predetermined intermediate potential; and pull down means connected between one of said primary electrodes and said mid-plane electrode, for adjusting a potential on said mid-plane electrode to be approximately equal to that of one primary electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for triggering a spark gap switch having first and second primary electrodes and at least one mid-plane electrode, the method comprising the steps of:
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biasing said primary electrodes to a predetermined potential; biasing said mid-plane electrode to a predetermined intermediate potential; and adjusting said predetermined intermediate potential on said mid-plane electrode to be approximately equal to a potential on a first primary electrode, whereby current flows between said primary electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A Marx generator comprising:
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a plurality of capacitors connected in parallel; a plurality of impedances connected between each pair of said capacitors; a plurality of spark gap switch means for connecting pairs of said capacitors in series; an output spark gap switch means for connecting a series of said capacitors to an external load; each said spark gap switch means and output spark gap switch means comprising a pair of primary electrodes, at least one mid-plane electrode, and a switch connected between a first primary electrode and a first mid-plane electrode, for adjusting a potential on said mid-plane electrode to be approximately equal to that on said first primary electrode. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A triggering arrangement for a spark gap switch having a pair of primary electrodes, at least one trigger electrode and at least one photoconductive switch connected between a first primary electrode and said trigger electrode, said photoconductive switch having an inherent composite resistance and inductance;
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said primary electrodes and said mid-plane electrode arranged so that a first set of capacitances exists between said trigger electrode and said primary electrodes and a second capacitance exists between said primary electrodes, a resonant loop being formed by one of said first capacitances, said total inductance and said total resistance of said triggering arrangement resonates at a predetermined frequency; said predetermined frequency having a time period less than a time period necessary to break down said spark gap switch when said photoconductive switch is closed, wherein a voltage larger than said bias voltage temporarily exists between a second primary electrode and said trigger electrode when said photoconductive switch is closed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification