An apparatus for maintaining a constant hydrogen pressure in a pressurized container, in particular an electric discharge roehre of the device shown in fig.

摘要

A source of hydrogen comprises a rare earth metal containing hydrogen in solid solution, which liberates hydrogen when subjected to an elevated temperature, said metal being arranged in an electrically heated holder which comprises a ceramic material containing alumina, the holder being closed by one or more porous plugs. The holder preferably consists of pure alumina and whilst the porous plugs may be of a ceramic material they preferably consist of a mass of thin pure tungsten wire. The holder is preferably a cylindrical tube surrounded by an electric heater and sealed at both ends by a porous plug. The above hydrogen source is used as a hydrogen replenisher to maintain a constant pressure of hydrogen in a hydrogen thyratron.