Patent ID: 6545480
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: G01N,G01R,H05H

Abstract:
The method of electrically breaking down a gaseous dielectric in a non-uniform field created within a discharge gap, comprising the steps of supplying an initial voltage to the electrodes that form a discharge gap to create a self-maintaining discharge; and then applying to the discharge gap electrodes a voltage pulse that, with the initial voltage, causes a complete breakdown of the gaseous dielectric, application of the initial voltage to the discharge gap electrodes forming a corona discharge simultaneously with formation of a space charge near the corona-forming electrode, the space charge being evenly distributed along the discharged gap prior to formation of the voltage pulse by means of a reduction of the corona current, the reduction of the corona current and voltage pulse being effected by separating the electrodes of a dynamic discharger connected in series with the source of the initial voltage from a closed condition in which the electrodes of the dynamic discharger are connected to a separated condition in which the distance between the electrodes of the dynamic discharger is greater than a distance between the electrodes of the dynamic discharger in the closed condition until an arc is produced across the electrodes of the discharge gap.