Patent ID: 7692913

Claim:
Multichannel spark-gap with multiple intervals comprising: a sealed chamber comprising two electrodes mounted apart from each other, one having a positive discharge, the other having a negative discharge, at least one intermediate electrode, provided in the sealed chamber between the two discharge electrodes so as to delimit intervals between said discharge electrodes, one of the intermediate electrodes being immediately adjacent to the negative discharge electrode, electrical connecting means adapted to allow the positive discharge electrode to be connected to a positive potential and the negative discharge electrode to a negative potential, means adapted to allow at least one intermediate triggering electrode, to be subjected to a preset potential in a charge phase, and to a different potential enabling firing to be triggered, in a firing phase, needles provided in the sealed chamber to generate discharges therein by corona effect with a view to subjecting the intervals delimited by the electrodes to intermediate potentials, means for the distribution of a gas in the sealed chamber, said spark-gap being characterised in that the negative discharge electrode comprises a corona effect needle device whereof the geometry is adapted to compensate for differences in shape between the negative discharge electrode and the immediately adjacent intermediate electrode, so as to ensure a substantially homogenous distribution of the potentials throughout the chamber.