| 摘要 |
It is desirable not only to switch between circuits or circuit elements carrying relatively large currents but also to effect the switch-over operation extremely rapidly. Conventional thyratrons can be used to switch on the current, but they cannot easily be switched off so quickly. The invention seeks to solve this "switch-off" difficulty by using the principle of plasma particle diversion together with a new thyratron design which can be used as a "switch-over" device. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the invention provides a thyratron having: two cathodes (37 and 38) and one anode (34) such that there are two distinct current pathways through the thyratron having a common section of significant length; and switching means (41) for switching the current between the pathways, which switching means comprises in part magnetic-field-producing means for producing a plasma-diverting magnetic field acting at the cathode end of the common section and so as to divert the current-carrying plasma away from one and towards the other of the pathways, which magnetic-field-producing means is, preferably, an electromagnetic (solenoid type) coil mounted on and across the common section of pathway, whereby the current flowing along the one pathway is extinguished and replaced by a current flowing along the other pathway.
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