Diagnostic device for gas-filled devices for visual reproduction of the Information

Abstract

The discovery of the phenomenon of glow discharge in gases led to active scientific research and gave rise to a large number of technical means that are based on the application of the phenomenon of glow discharge in gases. This type of discharge is used in gas light tubes, daylight lamps, plasma panels, and voltage stabilizers, as well as for obtaining electron and ion beams. Gas-discharge means of visual reproduction of information have also become widely used. A constant high voltage (about 180 V) is required to power them, which can be obtained in various ways, for example, using a classic scheme – a step-down transformer, a diode bridge, and a smoothing filter. Or a circuit with a voltage multiplier on diodes and capacitors. The disadvantage of these options is the need for alternating voltage, which can be obtained either from an alternating current network or by converting a source of direct voltage into alternating voltage using additional electronic circuits. These problems limit the use of the mentioned methods and are not suitable for a mobile and compact version of the device that would provide a quick check of gas-filled devices and preventive restoration of «poisoned» cathodes immediately after their detection. But after the rapid development of chip technology, there are many options for solving these problems, for example, STEP-UP DC voltage converters using microcircuits that operate at high frequencies and can control the charge/discharge process of the choke through power switches. The paper presents the results of the development of a device that uses several STEP-UP converters for powering the indicators and a microcontroller that controls the decoder (which ensures fast scanning of the cathodes of the sign indicators), the power switch (for changing the indicators) and the power supply time. A study of the power change of gas-filled devices with an increase in the power supply voltage of the converter was carried out, and the possibility of restoring «poisoned» cathodes of sign indicators was checked. Experimentally obtained oscillograms of alternating voltage at the control points of the device’s electrical circuit.