ABSTRACTS OF THE CORREAS' US PATENTS
I. United States Patent 5,416,391
Correa et. al. May 16, 1995
Electromechanical transduction of plasma pulses
Inventors: Correa; Paulo N. and Correa; Alexandra N.
Appl. No.: 961,531
Filed: Oct. 15, 1992
Related US Application Data
Continuation-in-part of Ser No. 922,863, Jul. 31, 1992, abandoned
Abstract
A direct current power transducer for driving alternating current devices utilizes a discharge tube connected across a current source, the construction of the tube and characteristics of the source being such as to maintain endogenous pulsed abnormal gas discharge within the tube. The tube is capacitatively coupled to an external load including an alternating current device, typically an electric motor. Electric motors of the asynchronous induction or synchronous types are particularly suitable, but other alternating current devices may be used. By adjustments to the current source, the capacitance in parallel with the discharge tube, and connections to auxiliary electrodes, the pulse repetition frequency of the discharge may be adjusted, thus allowing variable speed control of types of alternating current motor not normally amenable to such control.
13 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures
Intl. Cl.: H03K 3/37
U.S. Cl.: 318/558; 307/106; 313/581
Current U.S. Class: 318/558
Field of Search: 318/558, 700, 727; 307/106; 313/581; 361/230, 231; 378/122
References Cited
3,205,162 Sept., 1965 MacLean
3,471,316 Oct., 1969
Manuel
3,628,164 Dec., 1971 Tikhomirov
3,663,855 May, 1972 Boettcher
3,678,510 Jul., 1972 Walthard et al.
4,063,130 Dec., 1977 Hunter, Jr.
4,194,239 Mar., 1980 Jayaram et al
Primary Examiner: Ro; Bentsu
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ridout & Maybee
II. United States Patent 5,449,989
Correa et. al. Sept. 12, 1995
Energy conversion system
Inventors: Correa; Paulo N. and Correa;
Alexandra N.
Appl. No.: 054,111
Filed: Apr. 15, 1993
Related U.S. Application Data- Continuation-in-part of Ser No. 922,863,
Jul. 31, 1992, abandoned and Ser No. 961,531, Oct. 15, 1992, Pat. No. 5,416,391.
Abstract
An energy conversion device includes a discharge tube which is operated in a pulsed abnormal glow discharge regime in a double ported circuit. A direct current source connected to an input port provides electrical energy to initiate emission pulses, and a current sink in the form of an electrical energy storage or utilization device connected to the output port captures at least a substantial proportion of energy released by collapse of the emission pulses.
23 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures
Intl. Cl.: H03K 3/37
U.S. Cl.: 318/558; 313/581; 315/111.21; 315/111.31;
315/171; 315/173; 327/533; 327/601
Current U.S. Class: 318/558
Field of Search: 318/558, 727; 313/306, 581; 315/84.51, 111.01, 111.21,
111.31,160, 171, 173, 187,
188, 193, 200 R, 207; 328/59, 60, 61, 69, 70,
85, 208, 219, 220, 225, 249, 250, 251, 260,
264; 363/116, 117
References Cited
3,205,162 Sept., 1965 MacLean
3,471,316 Oct., 1969
Manuel
3,705,329 Dec., 1972 Vogeli
3,801,202 Apr., 1974 Breaux
3,864,640 Feb., 1975 Bennett
3,878,429 Apr., 1975 Iwata
4,009,416 Feb., 1977 Lowther
4,128,788 Dec., 1978 Lowther
4,194,239 Mar., 1980 Jayaram et al.
4,443,739 Apr., 1984 Woldring
4,489,269 Dec., 1984 Edling et al.
4,527,044 Jul., 1985 Bruel et al.
4,772,816 Sept., 1988 Spence
4,896,076 Jan., 1990 Hunter et al.
5,126,638 Jun., 1992 Dethlefsen
Other References
Correa, et. al. Mar. 26, 1996
Direct current energized pulse generator utilizing autogenous cyclical pulsed abnormal glow discharges
Inventors: Correa; Paulo N. and Correa; Alexandra N.
Appl. No.: 229,931
Filed: Apr. 19, 1994
Related US Application Data
Continuation-in-part of Ser No. 922,863, Jul. 31, 1992, abandoned
Abstract
A cold cathode vacuum discharge tube is used in a circuit for generating pulsed autoelectronic emissions which are particularly intense and frequent in the abnormal glow discharge region, and involve much lower current densities than predicted by the Fowler-Nordheim vacuum arc discharge region law. The discharge tube is characterized by a large electrode area at least of the cathode, and a large interelectrode gap. The electrodes are preferably spaced at least 2 cm apart in a parallel relationship. A probe may be introduced between the electrodes to reduce still further the field required to generate the emissions. In another configuration the probe forms the anode and two plates form cathodes. The circuit is driven from a direct current source of having an impedance sufficient to prevent establishment of a vacuum arc discharge.
18 Claims, 28 Drawing Figures
Intl. Cl.: H01J 7/24
U.S. Cl.: 315/111.01; 315/339; 315/349
Current U.S. Class: 315/111.01
Field of Search: 315/111.11, 111.21, 111.01, 111.71, 111.91, 56, 61, 63,
339, 349
References Cited
