Ignitron
Ignitron is the name of a mercury vapor rectifier that can be controlled via an ignition electrode . It was developed by Joseph Slepian at Westinghouse Electric Corporation in the 1930s .
Compared to the related thyratron , the ignitron requires very high ignition currents, but can also conduct or control higher currents than this.
The ignitron usually consists of a metal container, the lower part of which is filled with mercury (pond cathode). This metal container at the same time provides the cathode terminal is., The solid is in the upper region separated from the metal vessel by an insulator, anode made of graphite embedded. The ionization of the mercury vapor inside can be triggered via an ignition electrode (ignitor) in the lower area. The ignition point can be variable, which allows simple regulation. An ignitron thus represents a mercury vapor rectifier with adjustable output.
Due to their special structure, ignitrones can rectify and control currents of up to several 100,000 A and are therefore particularly suitable in areas of application in which very high direct currents are required, such as fused-salt electrolysis . To control alternating currents, 2 Ignitrones are connected in anti-parallel . Application was e.g. B. resistance welding .
Ignitrones were used until the 1960s to implement phase-angle controls in power rectifiers. They have now been completely replaced by thyristors in these applications . Other applications were pulse generators for the magnetrons of radar devices and is still relevant for magnet forming .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ RCA 5551-A
- ↑ Example of a glass ignitrone (AEG AJ5101)
- ↑ Ignitron NL1037: 100 kA, 20 kV
- ↑ Robert Hahn: Tools for the impulse magnetic hot joining of profiles made of aluminum and magnesium alloys , dissertation at the Technical University of Berlin 2004, page 67