Two distributors reduce high-voltage breakdowns and corona discharges. Both distributors are constructed to prevent air traps and facilitate servicing without soldering. Occurrence of coronas is also minimized due to smooth surfaces of device

Mcchesney, J. F., Jr.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

I.
December 1974	 B74-10242 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
High-Voltage Distributors 
.
The problem: 
High-voltage power is fed to a number of circuits by 
specially-constructed high-voltage distributors. Ordinary 
bus wires are not used because they are difficult to 
service and are subject to high-voltage breakdowns 
and corona discharges, which interfere with circuit 
operation and sometimes damage the equipment. In 
addition, when vacuum pumping is used as in space-flight 
equipment, conventional high-voltage distributors can 
retain some of the air in which coronas can occur. 
The solution: 
Two high-voltage distributors have been developed 
to reduce high-voltage breakdowns and corona dis-
charges. Both distributors are constructed to prevent 
air traps and facilitate servicing without soldering.
The occurrence of coronas is also minimized due to 
smooth surfaces of the device. 
How it's done: 
Figure 1 shows a distributor which includes a number 
of conductive washers. Each washer has a blind hole 
drilled in it for the insertion and soldering of a lead 
connected to either the power source or one of the 
circuits. The washers are held firmly against each other 
by a retaining rod. In addition, every washer has a 
venthole drilled through to reach the retaining rod and 
allow air to be removed from the retaining tod area 
during evacuation. The device is supported by two 
insulating standoffs made from tetrafluorocarbon. Each 
standoff includes a clearance hole for mounting the 
distributor. 
01
Retaining Rod 
Removable 
Venthote	
Was hers	
, Retaining Rod 
Leads
Standoff 
Thread 
Figure 1. High-Voltage Distributor
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19740000242 2020-03-17T13:53:27+00:00Z
1•] 
. 
Printed-
Circuit 
Board 
Retaining Rod 
Lead	 '-...	 , Lead
Removable 
Printed-Circuit
	 Washers 
Board
Cup
Figure 2. High-Voltage Distributor for Printed Circuits 
The second distributor, which is designed to be used 
with printed circuits, is shown in Figure 2. It also 
includes a retaining rod and washers as described 
previously. In this case, the retaining rod is screwed 
into an insulating cup. The cup is inserted into the 
printed-circuit board and is fastened with screws or 
adhesives. The base of the cup is threaded to accept the 
retaining rod. The washers permit many removals and 
replacements of supplies (for troubleshooting, etc.) 
with no threat to integrity of the wiring. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
Code 207.1 
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 
Reference: TSP74- 10242
Patent status: 
This invention is owned by NASA, and a patent 
application has been filed. Inquiries concerning non-
exclusive or exclusive license for its commercial develop-
ment should be addressed to: 
Patent Counsel 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
Code 204 
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 
Source: James F. McChesney, Jr.

Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSC- 1.1849)
. 
B74-10242	 Category 01


High-voltage distributors

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