(19)
(11) EP 0 534 507 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
02.06.1993 Bulletin 1993/22

(43) Date of publication A2:
31.03.1993 Bulletin 1993/13

(21) Application number: 92121014.2

(22) Date of filing: 05.09.1989
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5H01J 13/06, H01J 13/34
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB IT NL

(30) Priority: 12.10.1988 US 256673

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
89910285.9 / 0416044

(71) Applicant: Hughes Aircraft Company
Los Angeles, California 90045-0066 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Eckhardt,Wilfried O.
    Malibu, California 90265 (US)
  • Gallagher,Hayden E.
    Malibu, California 90265 (US)
  • Fleig,Roland G.
    Oxnard, California 93030 (US)

(74) Representative: KUHNEN, WACKER & PARTNER 
Alois-Steinecker-Strasse 22
85354 Freising
85354 Freising (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
   
     
    Remarks:
    This application was filed on 09 - 12 - 1992 as a divisional application to the application mentioned under INID code 60.
     


    (54) Orientation independent ignitron with grooved cathode


    (57) An orientation independent ignitron (OII) has an anode (32), a cathode (2) with a plurality of spaced grooves (4) facing the anode, and a cooling mechanism (8) which causes liquid metal vapor to condense as a film which is retained on the grooved cathode surface by surface tension and forms reservoirs within the grooves. The cathode and anode are preferably cylindrical and coaxial, with the inner surface of the cathode having parallel annular grooves facing the outer anode surface. Igniters are preferably introduced into convex areas between adjacent grooves along radial lines, with individual igniters (10) providing ignition for a pair of adjacent grooves. The igniters can be operated simultaneously or in sequence, depending upon the desired repetition rate and current capacity. A liquid metal film is initially formed by placing the OII on its side, introducing liquid metal into the lower ends of the grooves, and causing arcing between the anode and liquid metal to flow the liquid metal and wet the adjacent groove surface. Some of the liquid metal also evaporates and re-condenses on other portions of the cathode, establishing a continuous film.







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