GB769024A - Multi-position beam tube - Google Patents

Abstract

769,024 Electron beam apparatus. BURROUGHS CORPORATION. July 22, 1954 [July 24, 1953], No. 21440/54. Class 39(1). A multi-position beam switching tube has an elongated cathode, an inner row of V- or trough-shaped spade control electrodes and a corresponding outer row of anodes or target electrodes which overlie the space between the control electrodes with a portion of each projecting towards a control electrode. The anodes are either V- or L-shaped. As shown in Fig. 1 the cathode 11 is surrounded by spades 12, 12<1>, &c. of V-shape with their orifices towards the cathode and by target electrodes 14, 14<1>, &c. of U-shape, interleaving the spades 12, 121, &c., the electrodes being fixed in mica spacers 13. A coil 15 produces a transverse magnetic field. If one electrode 12<1> is at cathode potential and the others at a higher potential, the electron beam passes to and is locked on electrode 141. Lowering the potential of the adjacent electrode 12<1> switches the beam to target 14<111> where it is locked by the resulting current flow and potential reduction. Each spade electrode is connected through an associated resistor to the supply e.g. 120 volts. Output signals are developed across resistors in the anode circuits. Switching may be attained by reducing the potential of the adjacent spade by commutating means, or by lowering the anode potential or other variations in the characteristics of the beam path. Special beam switching elements of rod-like form may be provided in the angles of the target electrodes, Fig. 3 (not shown). The elements 22 may all be connected together, Fig. 7 (not shown) or connected in sets, Fig. 8 (not shown). In Fig. 4a the anodes 14A<1>, 14A<11> are L-shaped and beam switching elements 22, 22<1> are provided. The beam may be cathode or grid modulated. Specification 759,153 is referred to.