A hardware configuration and related control strategy is disclosed that accepts an electric power input typical of space flight systems and converts that energy into a spark pulse train with fixed/predetermined performance metrics for the following system parameters: time to first spark, peak breakdown voltage amplitude, spark repetition rate and energy delivered per spark, which have all been optimally chosen to reliably ignite certain fuel mixtures, which have been proven to be beneficial for use in aerospace applications.

The present approach relates to generating seed electrons at a spark gap in the absence of .sup.85Kr. The present approach utilizes electron emission from a triple-point instead to provide seed electrons to reduce the statistical time lag of a spark gap. In one such implementation, a spark gap a spark gap may be fabricated and/or operated without a radioactive component without otherwise changing its overall form or function of the spark gap.

An ESD protection device includes: a first insulating layer (2a); a second insulating layer (2b) stacked on the first insulating layer (2a); a first via conductor (6a) extending through the first insulating layer (2a) in a thickness direction; a discharge gap portion (10) provided so as to be in contact with the first via conductor (6a), between the first insulating layer (2a) and the second insulating layer (2b); a first wiring line (7a) that is arranged on a surface of the first insulating layer (2a) opposite to the discharge gap portion (10) and that is electrically connected to the first via conductor (6a); and a second wiring line (7b) that is arranged on one surface of the second insulating layer (2b) and that includes a portion facing the first via conductor (6a) with at least the discharge gap portion (10) interposed therebetween.

An ESD protection device includes: a first insulating layer (2a); a second insulating layer (2b) stacked on the first insulating layer (2a); a first via conductor (6a) extending through the first insulating layer (2a) in a thickness direction; a discharge gap portion (10) provided so as to be in contact with the first via conductor (6a), between the first insulating layer (2a) and the second insulating layer (2b); a first wiring line (7a) that is arranged on a surface of the first insulating layer (2a) opposite to the discharge gap portion (10) and that is electrically connected to the first via conductor (6a); and a second wiring line (7b) that is arranged on one surface of the second insulating layer (2b) and that includes a portion facing the first via conductor (6a) with at least the discharge gap portion (10) interposed therebetween.

A dielectric barrier for use with a lightning arrestor connector comprises a plurality of physically connected cells defining a hollow, tubular side wall, with each cell including a frame formed from dielectric material and an aperture that creates a void within the frame. The dielectric barrier is configured to be positioned between an inner conductor and an outer conductor and provides a low resistance path from one conductor to the other conductor when the voltage between the two conductors exceeds a threshold value.

An arrester is disclosed. In an embodiment, the arrester includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a switching contact, a first discharge space between the first and second electrodes and a short-circuiting mechanism suitable for short-circuiting the first and second electrodes and for switching a state of the arrester, wherein, in a first state, at least one electrode of the first and second electrodes is not electrically conductively connected to the switching contact and, in a second state, the at least one electrode is electrically conductively connected to the switching contact.

A multi-step tube (1) of a ceramic material comprises a tube body (1) of the ceramic material having an inner wall (11) located inside the tube body (1). A surface of the inner wall (11) is formed with a plurality of steps (2). The steps (2) are formed to extend differently far inside the tube (1). A multi-layered gas discharge tube comprises the multi-step tube (1). An inner electrode (31) is disposed on a step (21), and an outer electrode (41) is disposed on an outer surface (13) of the tube body (1). A disc (51) is partially placed on a step (22) and the inner electrode (31) between the inner electrode (31) and the outer electrode (41) so that, in case of an electrostatic discharge, the discharge will only take place in the center of the multi-step tube (1) and not at the border of the isolated ceramic disc (51).

The invention relates to an arrangement for overload protection of overvoltage protection devices, consisting of at least one type II surge arrester with or without a thermal disconnecting device that responds in the event of an of overload. According to the invention, a switching unit free of movable contacts is connected in series with the at least one surge arrester and structurally combined therewith, which switching unit has at least two fixed narrow spaced switching contacts, wherein the spacing of the switching contacts is specified in such a way that in the event of every surge current or discharge process, the switching device changes into a quasi-closed state because of the arc formed; whereas in the idle state, the voltage of the connected mains drops at the switching device, with the surge arrester arranged in series remaining free of leakage current.

The invention relates to an arrangement for overload protection of overvoltage protection devices, consisting of at least one type II surge arrester with or without a thermal disconnecting device that responds in the event of an of overload. According to the invention, a switching unit free of movable contacts is connected in series with the at least one surge arrester and structurally combined therewith, which switching unit has at least two fixed narrow spaced switching contacts, wherein the spacing of the switching contacts is specified in such a way that in the event of every surge current or discharge process, the switching device changes into a quasi-closed state because of the arc formed; whereas in the idle state, the voltage of the connected mains drops at the switching device, with the surge arrester arranged in series remaining free of leakage current.

An endoscope includes: an internal conductor that is formed of a conductive material; an external conductor that is electrically insulated from the internal conductor and is formed of a conductive material that configures a part of an exterior; a holder that holds a first conductor that is electrically connected to the internal conductor and a second conductor that is electrically connected to the external conductor such that the first conductor and the second conductor are separated from each other by a space with a predetermined spatial distance; and a water-tightness holding member that holds water-tightness in the space.