LOW IMPEDANCE ELECTRON BEAM CONTROLLED DISCHARGE SWITCHING SYSTEM

摘要

ABSTRACTA high voltage switching system switches large loadcurrents in short periods. Gas is contained within an envelopeat a pressure of the order of magnitude of at least 0.1 atmos-phere. The gas provides a relatively high electron drift vel-ocity at a relatively low electric field strength. A pair ofelectrodes are spaced apart within the envelope and are con-nected to respective switch terminals for connecting to a load.The voltage gradient between the electrodes so spaced is insuf-ficient at rated voltage to produce any substantial secondaryionization. The gas is ionized by a beam of high energy elec-trons introduced into the gas through the envelope. Means isprovided for turning the beam on and off, thereby closing andopening the current path through the gas and effecting theswitching of current through the load.