GB964380A - Electronic counters - Google Patents

Abstract

964, 380. Electronic counters. BURROUGHS CORPORATION. June 15, 1962 [July 10, 1961], No. 23237/62. Heading G4A. [Also in Division H3] An electronic counter including a magnetron beam switching tube having a cathode 14 and a plurality of groups of electrodes, each forming a position to which an electron beam may flow, and each comprising a spade electrode 16, is characterized by clamps, e.g. diodes 50, coupled to each spade to clamp the spade to a normal potential except when an electron beam is flowing to it, the clamps allowing a large leakage current to flow to the leading spade adjacent a position to which a beam is flowing. The circuit is further characterized by a voltage supply V ss for rapidly returning a spade to its normal potential after an electron beam has left it. As described with reference to Fig. 1, switching from one position to the next is effected by a flipflop 46, the antiphase outputs of which are connected to alternate trigger electrodes 20. Rapid return of a spade to normal is ensured by the use of a high voltage source V ss and a large resistor 58, constituting a constant current supply. In an alternative arrangement, Fig. 4 (not shown) the trigger electrodes are connected to earth; and the antiphase flipflop outputs are connected to alternate spade electrodes.