A cathode ray tube socket assembly incorporating controlled, or tuned, spark gaps coupling the high voltage focus grid system to ground to prevent television receiver damage caused by CRT arc-over. Incorporated within the CRT socket assembly are a high voltage spark gap connected to the CRT's G.sub.4 focusing grid and a lower voltage spark gap connected to G.sub.3 focusing grids, each spark gap including ridged sections defining an inter-electrode aperture. By varying the size of the inter-electrode aperture and its distance from each electrode, the spark gap's arc-over threshold voltage and breakdown voltage range from initial arc-over to continuous corona discharge may be precisely controlled.
A cathode ray tube socket is provided which provides spark gap protection to terminal pins operating at selected high potentials through a distinct spark gap protection system, including a structure for disrupting the corona discharge track and minimizing the effects of corona discharge.
This disclosure relates to a voltage surge arrestor for use with an electric device having a component to be protected from a voltage surge. The arrestor comprises at least first and second electrodes, and a spacer connected to the electrodes and mounting the first and second electrodes in spaced relation. The electrodes have portions which are spaced relatively close to each other and form a gap therebetween, and a gravity movable member is in the space between the electrodes and movable by gravity into and out of the gap, thereby changing the voltage breakdown level in the gap. The arrestor further includes a voltage and current limiting block connected to one of the electrodes. The movable member may be electrically conductive or a dielectric member, and it may be liquid or solid.
In a cathode ray tube socket which is provided with a socket body having a plurality of contacts disposed in a circle and a high voltage discharge gap housing provided on one side of the socket body, there are provided along the inside surface of both a case forming the high voltage discharge gap housing and a cover to be put on the case on the side of its open end face a plurality of plate-shaped ribs extending in a direction across a high voltage discharge in the high voltage discharge gap housing. The ribs of the case and the cover are disposed at predetermined intervals so that they do not overlap each other. A meandering ridge is formed along one of the opposed side walls of the case and cover to define a gap therebetween.
A socket assembly for a CRT includes a socket mounted on a printed circuit board having a plurality of spark gaps interposed between an open grounding ring and the terminals of the socket. The spark gaps associated with the cathode and heater socket terminals have larger width dimensions than those associated with the other electrode terminals and are positioned adjacent to the portion of the open grounding ring farthest from the connection to the CRT "dag".
