Abstract:
A triggerable vacuum gap discharge device having non-welding contacts is described as comprising a pair of electrode assemblies having interleaved vanes for establishing electrically parallel discharge paths therebetween and a pair of electrical contacts positioned outside the region of the discharge path, one of said contacts being movable into and out of engagement with the other contact. Triggering means are provided for injecting a concentration of charged conduction carriers into the electrically parallel gaps to cause electrical breakdown between the electrode assemblies whenever a voltage surge occurs in an electrical circuit in which the triggerable vacuum arc device is connected. If the voltage surge persists for more than a few cycles, the movable electrical contact moves into engagement with the other contact to prevent excessive erosion of the arc electrode assemblies.
Abstract:
Sublimation getter pump includes, in one embodiment, a cathode electrode made of an active gas gettering material, an anode electrode closely juxtaposed to the cathode electrode and defining therewith an electric discharge gap, and a trigger electrode assembly in close juxtaposition to the cathode electrode. Upon the application of a suitable pulse to the trigger electrode assembly, an electric discharge is established between the cathode and anode electrodes, causing the evolution of active gas gettering material from the cathode electrode. Active gas gettering material is deposited in a clean film upon a closely adjacent surface where it reacts with and removes from the atmosphere active gases, causing the reduction of pressure within the pumped volume.