US Patent:
20180274448, Sep 27, 2018
Inventors:
- Liberty SC, US
Charles T. FLEETWOOD - Easley SC, US
International Classification:
F02C 7/266
F02P 15/00
H01T 13/05
Abstract:
A spark gap assembly includes a sealed chamber, at least two discharge electrodes, and a non-radioactive gas fill within the sealed chamber. The sealed chamber includes first and second end plugs and a vitreous tube having opposite ends, each end being sealed by one of said end plugs. The discharge electrodes extend through the first and second end plugs, respectively, from an exposed portion outside of the sealed chamber to an enclosed portion inside the sealed chamber. The discharge electrodes each have a discharge portion that includes a surface from which electrons of a spark discharge exit or are received, with the discharge surfaces of the discharge portions facing each other to thereby define a spark discharge gap between the discharge surfaces of the two discharge electrodes. The gas fill within the sealed chamber includes one or more non-radioactive isotopes of one or more noble gases.