GB1052513A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,052,513. Discharge tubes. EGERTON, GERMESHAUSEN & GRIER Inc. Feb. 24, 1964 [June 26, 1963], No. 7597/64. Heading H1D. An electric arc-discharge device comprises a body having a passage therethrough constituting the electrode chamber of the device, and being formed to constitute a vessel for circulating coolant around the passage; the vessel being such that when filled with coolant, the coolant therein surrounds the passage over substantially its entire length. The flash device shown comprises electrodes 7 and 11 e.g. of tungsten, of which at least one is preferably sintered, attached to copper tubing connectors 2 and 10 to which are bonded end caps 3 and 9 which are bonded by glass to metal seals or by solder seals to the surface of a chamber 5 having an inlet 4 and outlet 8 for a fluid coolant and on which is wound a wire trigger electrode 14. The discharge chamber 13 may be filled with xenon or argon. Alternative embodiments are described (Figs. 2-4, not shown) in which : (a) internal end caps are used; or (b) the discharge chamber is enclosed by but separate from the coolant chamber; or (c) the device is bent to a helical or other non-linear configuration. The flash device may be used as a source of light or for switching purposes, and may have an air filling or be evacuated. A dye may be added to the coolant to control the wavelength of the light output. A fluid may be pasteurized by passing it through the coolant chamber. The device may be used to subject a liquid or gaseous chemical substance to a flash of light to either effect a chemical reaction or to act as a catalyst in a chemical reaction.