CA2861715C - Method of activating cascaded electron tubes - Google Patents
Method of activating cascaded electron tubes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2861715C CA2861715C CA2861715A CA2861715A CA2861715C CA 2861715 C CA2861715 C CA 2861715C CA 2861715 A CA2861715 A CA 2861715A CA 2861715 A CA2861715 A CA 2861715A CA 2861715 C CA2861715 C CA 2861715C
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- Prior art keywords
- stage
- stages
- electron tube
- cathode
- cascaded
- Prior art date
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 11
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000001994 activation Methods 0.000 description 14
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000990 Ni alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000644 propagated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
- H02M3/00—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output
- H02M3/02—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac
- H02M3/04—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters
- H02M3/08—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes without control electrode or semiconductor devices without control electrode
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J9/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture, installation, removal, maintenance of electric discharge tubes, discharge lamps, or parts thereof; Recovery of material from discharge tubes or lamps
- H01J9/02—Manufacture of electrodes or electrode systems
- H01J9/04—Manufacture of electrodes or electrode systems of thermionic cathodes
- H01J9/042—Manufacture, activation of the emissive part
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03F—AMPLIFIERS
- H03F1/00—Details of amplifiers with only discharge tubes, only semiconductor devices or only unspecified devices as amplifying elements
- H03F1/02—Modifications of amplifiers to raise the efficiency, e.g. gliding Class A stages, use of an auxiliary oscillation
- H03F1/04—Modifications of amplifiers to raise the efficiency, e.g. gliding Class A stages, use of an auxiliary oscillation in discharge-tube amplifiers
- H03F1/06—Modifications of amplifiers to raise the efficiency, e.g. gliding Class A stages, use of an auxiliary oscillation in discharge-tube amplifiers to raise the efficiency of amplifying modulated radio frequency waves; to raise the efficiency of amplifiers acting also as modulators
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Amplifiers (AREA)
- Manufacture Of Electron Tubes, Discharge Lamp Vessels, Lead-In Wires, And The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Disclosed is a method of activating a plurality of cascaded electron tube stages within a common vacuum enclosure. Beneficially, energy supplied to the first stage serially propagates through any intervening stage to the final stage so as to facilitate activation of all tube stages.
Description
METHOD OF ACTIVATING CASCADED ELECTRON TUBES
[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a method of activating a plurality of electron tube stages with a cascaded structure in a common vacuum enclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Activation of electron tubes is the process by which the cathode is converted from its as-manufactured state into a functioning electron emitter. Typically, this process involves drawing current from the cathode through the anode, while the tube is still connected to a vacuum pumping system. Specific implementation varies with the type of cathode used. Activation requires supplying operating voltages equal to or greater than those normally encountered in operation of the tube. Activation takes place while the tube is still connected to an external vacuum pump system. This is done to facilitate the removal of impurities released from the cathode by the activation process. In the case of very high voltage tubes, the cost of suitable power supplies is very high. It would, therefore, be desirable to minimize the cost of high voltage power supplies and to simplify and expedite the manufacturing process.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention provides a method of activating a plurality of cascaded electron tube stages within a common vacuum enclosure. The method comprises interconnecting the plurality of cascaded electron tube stages in series, from a non-final stage to a final stage, in such a manner that in each non-final stage an electrode is connected to an electrode of a subsequent stage by a respective electrical interconnection line. At least one of said respective electrical connection line comprises a linking structure for electrically and mechanically joining an electrode of a previous stage with an electrode of a subsequent stage. The plurality of cascaded electron tube stages is placed within the vacuum enclosure and air is exhausted from the enclosure. An electrical voltage is provided between cathode and anode of a first serially-connected stage so as to supply electrical energy to the first stage. A sufficient amount of said energy serially propagates through any intervening stage to the final stage so as to facilitate activation of all tube stages.
[0005] The foregoing method avoids the drawbacks of the prior art method of activating individual tubes mentioned above. This is accomplished by using, in a preferred form, only a single power supply to activate all the stages cascaded electron tube stages nearly simultaneously. The power supply needs to only meet the voltage requirement of the first stage tube, since the increased voltage required for each succeeding stage is provided by the voltage gain of the preceding stage. This avoids the need for larger and more costly power supplies for the succeeding stages, and for larger and substantially more complex exhaust stations involving, for instance, the use of larger feedthroughs that then require a larger vacuum enclosure and increased vacuum pumping and heating requirements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] In the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view, partially cut away, of key parts of integrated, three-stage, cascaded electron tubes, with various parts omitted for clarity;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram view of a scheme for activating integrated cascaded electron tubes; and
[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram view of a variable number of stages of cascades electron tubes in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Inventive Method of Activating Cascaded Electron Tubes
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Inventive Method of Activating Cascaded Electron Tubes
[0010] Activation of an electron tube is the penultimate process step in the manufacture of the tube, just prior to pinching off the exhaust tubulation. The purpose of activation is to convert the as-manufactured cathode into a functioning electron emission element.
Typically, this process involves drawing current from the cathode through the anode, while the tube is still connected to a vacuum pumping system. Specific implementation varies with the type of cathode used. It is important to recognize that the activation process is completely independent of the electrode geometry of the tube or tube stage.
Typically, this process involves drawing current from the cathode through the anode, while the tube is still connected to a vacuum pumping system. Specific implementation varies with the type of cathode used. It is important to recognize that the activation process is completely independent of the electrode geometry of the tube or tube stage.
[0011] The present method of activating applies to the integrally series-connected electron tubes as described in connection with FIG. 1. Activation of a thermionic cathode primarily changes the chemistry of the emitting surface of the cathode, while activation of a cold cathode is used to remove impurities from the cathode.
[0012] FIG. 1 shows key parts of cascaded electron tubes 10 in accordance with an aspect of the invention. In FIG. 1, a vacuum enclosure 12 of nickel alloy, for instance, encloses non-final stages 14 and 16 and final stage 18 of cascaded electron tubes 10.
Cascaded electron tubes 10 include first stage cathode input 19a, and last stage anode output 19c.
Cascaded electron tubes 10 include first stage cathode input 19a, and last stage anode output 19c.
[0013] Non-final stage 16 includes an anode 16a, a grid 16b and a cathode 16c.
A non-final linking structure 22 supports the anode 16a of non-final stage 16, as well as supports the cathode 18c of subsequent stage 18. The linking structure 22 generally has the form of a two-tined fork on one end, with tines 22a and 22b, a cathode support 22c, and an insulator 28. At one axial end of the linking structure 22 (along the axis of cathode 16c), linking structure 22 is connected to the anode 16a. The right-hand end of linking structure 22 terminates in a cathode support 22c for final stage 18.
A non-final linking structure 22 supports the anode 16a of non-final stage 16, as well as supports the cathode 18c of subsequent stage 18. The linking structure 22 generally has the form of a two-tined fork on one end, with tines 22a and 22b, a cathode support 22c, and an insulator 28. At one axial end of the linking structure 22 (along the axis of cathode 16c), linking structure 22 is connected to the anode 16a. The right-hand end of linking structure 22 terminates in a cathode support 22c for final stage 18.
[0014] FIG. 1 omits various elements for clarity, for instance, showing only grid feedthrough 32b. Further omitted for clarity from FIG. 1 are dielectric support elements for accurate positioning and supporting the various internal tube elements.
Inclusion of such support elements will be routine to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Inclusion of such support elements will be routine to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0015] The foregoing description of FIG. 1 has focused on the second non-final stage 16.
The first stage 14 and the final stage 18 share much in common with the second stage 16, with some major differences as follows. Unlike the second stage 16, the first stage 14 has its cathode supported from a first stage cathode input 19a, rather than from a linking structure (e.g., akin to 20) from a prior stage. The final stage includes a linking structure 24 that terminates in a last stage anode output 19c, rather than a cathode support structure (e.g., 22c of second stage 16) for a following stage. The final stage 18 is electrically insulated from vacuum enclosure 12 by dielectric insulator 13.
Finally, it should be noted that in this specification like reference numerals refer to like parts, so that, for instance, the foregoing description of anode 16a for second stage 16 applies as well to reference numeral 14a for first stage 14 and to 18a of third stage 18.
The first stage 14 and the final stage 18 share much in common with the second stage 16, with some major differences as follows. Unlike the second stage 16, the first stage 14 has its cathode supported from a first stage cathode input 19a, rather than from a linking structure (e.g., akin to 20) from a prior stage. The final stage includes a linking structure 24 that terminates in a last stage anode output 19c, rather than a cathode support structure (e.g., 22c of second stage 16) for a following stage. The final stage 18 is electrically insulated from vacuum enclosure 12 by dielectric insulator 13.
Finally, it should be noted that in this specification like reference numerals refer to like parts, so that, for instance, the foregoing description of anode 16a for second stage 16 applies as well to reference numeral 14a for first stage 14 and to 18a of third stage 18.
[0016] An aspect of the invention is the use of a single power supply to activate the successive stages 14, 16 and 18 (FIG. 1), as opposed to using three discrete power supplies of progressively increasing voltages. Since the cost of power high voltage power supplies increases rapidly with increasing output voltage rating, the ability to activate a very high voltage stage with a relatively low voltage power supply is desirable. This is achieved by taking advantage of the inherent amplification provided by each stage (14, 16 and 18). The first stage 14 raises the voltage to the correct level to properly activate the second stage 16; the same process is repeated for each successive stage. In the final stage (e.g., 18 or higher), the amplification process is still required but is used internally to activate that stage.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a scheme 50 for activating integrated cascaded electron tubes 52, shown in dashed lines within a vacuum enclosure 51, which may suitably comprise the cascaded electron tubes described above in connection with FIG. 1. A variable high voltage power supply 54 feeds the input terminal 42 of amplifier 52. A load resistor 56 is connected to output terminal 44 on one end, and to a shunt resistor 58 on the other end.
The other side of shunt resistor 58 is connected to common ground 60. The center conductor of a coaxial jack 62 is connected to the common terminal of load resistor 56 and shunt resistor 58. The ground connection of coaxial jack 62 is connected to the shunt resistor ground connection 64. An exhaust means 66, shown diagrammatically, is used to exhaust air and impurities from vacuum enclosure 51.
The other side of shunt resistor 58 is connected to common ground 60. The center conductor of a coaxial jack 62 is connected to the common terminal of load resistor 56 and shunt resistor 58. The ground connection of coaxial jack 62 is connected to the shunt resistor ground connection 64. An exhaust means 66, shown diagrammatically, is used to exhaust air and impurities from vacuum enclosure 51.
[0018] To activate the cascaded electron tubes 52, air is exhausted from enclosure 51 by exhaust means 66. Electrical voltage from variable high voltage power supply 54 is applied between the anode and cathode of the first serially connected serially connected tube stage within cascaded electron tubes 52. A sufficient amount of the energy from power supply 54 is serially propagated through any intervening stage (here, the second stage) to the final stage so as to facilitate activation of all stages.
Preferably, the energy supplied by the power supply 54 to the anode and cathode of the first stage is sufficient to cause activation of all stages. Beneficially, each stage amplifies the input activation voltage to the correct value for the level of activation mentioned in the preceding two sentences by virtue of its design.
Preferably, the energy supplied by the power supply 54 to the anode and cathode of the first stage is sufficient to cause activation of all stages. Beneficially, each stage amplifies the input activation voltage to the correct value for the level of activation mentioned in the preceding two sentences by virtue of its design.
[0019] Although FIG. 2 and, by implication, FIG. 1, show three stages of cascaded electron tubes), four or more stages can be incorporated into cascaded electron tubes.
Thus, FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows, between input 42 and output 44, stages 70a, 70b, 70c and intervening, unnumbered stages, represented by a line break, until stage 70n.
These four or more stages can replace the three stages of FIGS. 1 and 2.
The interrelation of the various stages of FIG. 3 can be discerned from the interrelation of successive stages in FIG. 1. In particular, stage 70a (FIG. 3) corresponds to first stage 14 (FIG. 1), stages 70b, 70c and any further intervening stages in FIG. 3 correspond to second stage 16 in FIG. 3, and final stage 70n of FIG. 3 corresponding to final stage 18 in FIG. 1.
Thus, FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows, between input 42 and output 44, stages 70a, 70b, 70c and intervening, unnumbered stages, represented by a line break, until stage 70n.
These four or more stages can replace the three stages of FIGS. 1 and 2.
The interrelation of the various stages of FIG. 3 can be discerned from the interrelation of successive stages in FIG. 1. In particular, stage 70a (FIG. 3) corresponds to first stage 14 (FIG. 1), stages 70b, 70c and any further intervening stages in FIG. 3 correspond to second stage 16 in FIG. 3, and final stage 70n of FIG. 3 corresponding to final stage 18 in FIG. 1.
[0020] The scope of the claims should be not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
Claims (7)
1. A method of activating a plurality of cascaded electron tube stages within a common vacuum enclosure, the method comprising:
a) interconnecting the plurality of cascaded electron tube stages in series, from a non-final stage to a final stage, in such a manner that in each non-final stage an electrode is connected to an electrode of a subsequent stage by a respective electrical interconnection line;
b) at least one of said respective electrical connection line comprising a linking structure for electrically and mechanically joining an electrode of a previous stage with an electrode of a subsequent stage;
c) placing the plurality of cascaded electron tube stages within the vacuum enclosure and exhausting air from the enclosure; and d) providing electrical voltage between cathode and anode of a first serially-connected stage so as to supply electrical energy to the first stage; said energy serially propagating through any intervening stage to the final stage so as to facilitate activation of all tube stages.
a) interconnecting the plurality of cascaded electron tube stages in series, from a non-final stage to a final stage, in such a manner that in each non-final stage an electrode is connected to an electrode of a subsequent stage by a respective electrical interconnection line;
b) at least one of said respective electrical connection line comprising a linking structure for electrically and mechanically joining an electrode of a previous stage with an electrode of a subsequent stage;
c) placing the plurality of cascaded electron tube stages within the vacuum enclosure and exhausting air from the enclosure; and d) providing electrical voltage between cathode and anode of a first serially-connected stage so as to supply electrical energy to the first stage; said energy serially propagating through any intervening stage to the final stage so as to facilitate activation of all tube stages.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrical voltage between the cathode and the anode of the first serially-connected stage causes activation of all stages.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the entire length of each linking structure forms an electrical transmission line.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said electron tube is a cold cathode field emission electron tube.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical interconnection line comprises an electrical transmission line.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cascaded electron tube stages is three in number.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cascaded electron tube stages is four in number.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2861715A CA2861715C (en) | 2009-11-16 | 2009-11-16 | Method of activating cascaded electron tubes |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2861715A CA2861715C (en) | 2009-11-16 | 2009-11-16 | Method of activating cascaded electron tubes |
| CA2760154A CA2760154C (en) | 2009-05-18 | 2009-11-16 | Cascade voltage amplifier and method of activating cascaded electron tubes |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2760154A Division CA2760154C (en) | 2009-05-18 | 2009-11-16 | Cascade voltage amplifier and method of activating cascaded electron tubes |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2861715A1 CA2861715A1 (en) | 2010-11-25 |
| CA2861715C true CA2861715C (en) | 2015-08-25 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2861715A Active CA2861715C (en) | 2009-11-16 | 2009-11-16 | Method of activating cascaded electron tubes |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2861715C (en) |
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2009
- 2009-11-16 CA CA2861715A patent/CA2861715C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2861715A1 (en) | 2010-11-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20140828 |
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| EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20140828 |