OVERVOLTAGE SPARK GAP Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: electrical engineering; protection of electric circuits and equipment from abnormal voltages. SUBSTANCE: proposed spark gap has body with insulator, internal and external electrodes separated by gap. Internal electrode is built of two joined truncated cones; one cone of height h1 has angle a at base and other one of height h2, angle b; h1/h2 = 1/3. External electrode that may be made of actually any shape and is disposed coaxially to internal electrode has conical depression in the form of truncated cone of height h > h1 + h2 + d with angle c at base; external electrode fully encloses internal one ; d is size of effective spark gap; d < 1,4 (Ubr/3), where Ubr is breakdown voltage ; difference of angles c - b = 5-20 deg. Electrodes may be made of any current-conducting material. Overvoltage gap is designed for use in high-voltage or low-voltage circuits depending on its dimensions. EFFECT: improved discharge characteristics, reduced loss of energy conveyed. 1 cl, 3 dwg, 1 tbl