US2314302A

US2314302A - Electronic translating device

Info

Publication number: US2314302A
Application number: US417871A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ziebolz Herbert
Original assignee: ELECTRONBEAM Inc
Current assignee: ELECTRONBEAM Inc
Priority date: 1941-11-04
Filing date: 1941-11-04
Publication date: 1943-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 1960-03-16
Also published as: FR911375A; BE462379A; GB563561A

Description

March 16, 1943.

H. ZIEBOLZ 2,314,302

ELECTRONIC TRANSLATING DEVICE Filed Nov. 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 16, 1943. H. ZIEBOLZ ELECTRONIC TRANSLATING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 4, 1941 Patented Mar. 16, 1943 ELECTRONIC TRANSLATING DEVICE Herbert Ziebolz, Chicago, 111., assignor to Electronbeam, Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application November 4, 1941, Serial No. 417,871

19 Claims. (Cl. 250-151) The invention relates to an electronic translating device of the cathode-ray tube type for relaying, amplifying, converting, transforming or otherwise translating electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic signals or signals of any nature which may be converted by known means into electric, magnetic or electromagnetic signals. The invention is useful in translating signals representing physical, chemical or other conditions, such as chemical reactions, heat, sound, light, mechanical motion or displacement which may be converted by such means as thermocouples, microphones, light sensitive cells, mechanical movements or displacements of magnets, charged bodies, electromagnets, coils or cores of electromagnets.

One object of the invention is to provide means for performing these translating functions with a minimum of distortion due to any change in the characteristics of the means or of the electronic device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a translating device for performing these functionswithout reflecting any variation from the controlled means back into the signal source.

Another object of the invention is to provide means by which mechanical, electrical, magnetic and electromagnetic signals may be converted from one type into another with a minimum of distortion due to changes in the characteristics of the converting means.

Another object of the invention is to provide means by which mechanica'L'electrical magnetic, electromagnetic signals may be amplified or proportioned with a minimum of influence of changes in the characteristics of the amplifying means. 7

Another object is to provide an electronic device of this character which can be employed as a direct current amplifier.

This invention relates to a cathode-ray or vacuum type tube in which an electron stream or beam is deflected by suitable deflecting means to vary the number of electrons intercepted by electron receiving means or an anode, the deflecting means being energized in accordance with signals to be translated. A second deflecting means is provided to act upon the electron stream in opposition to the first deflecting means, and the second deflecting means is energized in accordance with variations in the number of electrons acting upon the electron receiving means or anode, the arrangement being such that the stream is deflected to establish a state of equilibrium between the two deflecting means.

Other aims and advantages of the invention will appear in the specification, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig.1 is a circuit diagram showing one form of translating device according to the invention;

Figs. 2 to 9 are fragmentary diagrammatic views showing modifications or variations in the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 10 is a diagram of curves illustrating the operation of the apparatus.

In Fig. 2, the signal deflecting means is a magnetic coil; while the balancing deflecting means comprises a pair of deflecting plates.

In Fig. 3, a magnetic coil is employed as the signal deflecting means and a movable magnetic field as the balancing deflecting means.

In Fig. 4, the signal deflection is accomplished by a pair of deflecting plates; while the balancing deflection is accomplished by a magnetic coil.

In Fig. 5, both deflecting means are shown as being deflecting plates.

In Fig. 6, the signal deflection is accomplished by a pair of deflecting plates; while the balancing deflection is accomplished by a movable magnetic field.

In Fig. 7, the signal deflection is accomplished by a movable magnetic field; while the balancing deflection is accomplished by a magnetic coil.

In Fig. 8, the signal, deflection is accomplished by a movable magnetic field and the balancing deflection involves a pair of deflecting plates.

In Fig. 9, both deflecting means comprise movable magnetic fields.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, there is diagrammatically represented a cathode-ray tube consisting of an insulating envelope 20. The internal construction of the cathode-ray tube may be of any suitable and well known type, but for the purpose of illustration, the tube has a source of electrons represented by a heater or filament 2| for heating an electron emitting cathode 22. The electrons emitted by cathode 22 are accelerated and focused into an electron beam of suitable shape directed along the axis of the tube by means of an accelerating and concentrating electrode 23 mounted in the tube with a positive potential with respect to the cathode 22 obtained by means of a suitable source of potential, represented by the battery 24. The electron beam established within the tube is indicated by dotted lines 25.

Suitable electron receiving means, represente by the

anode plates

28 and 21, are positioned shown, it will be understood that only one plate I may be employed if desired. The anodes 26 and .21 are connected to receive

suitable coupling resistances

28 and 29 and are shown as being connected to a source of positive potential, represented by the battery 30, the negative terminal or which is connected to the positive terminal of battery 24. In some instances, the battery 30 may be omitted. Moreover, it is not essential that

resistances

28 and 29 be connected to the battery 24, but they may be connected to ground. A load or output circuit or any other device 3| utilizing load current or potential is connected directly across the leads to

plates

26 and 21.

The electron beam 25 may be initially concentrated or focused on either

plate

26 or 21 or it may be focused to intercept both plates to an equal extent. In this example, the beam is defiected relative to both plates by means of a magnetic deflecting coil 32 which is energized from a suitable source 33 of signal current. The coil 32 establishes a magnetic field transversely of the beam 25, whereby the beam is deflected in a direction depending upon the direction of the field established by the coil 32.

Deflection of the beam 25 in accordance with signals from the source 33 causes corresponding variations in the number of electrons impinging upon

plates

26 and 21, thereby causing

plates

26 and 21 to vary in potential in response to the signals from source 33. Where two plates are employed and the beam is initially positioned midway between the plates, the potential variations on plate 26 are opposite to the variations on plate 21, and the difference in potential between the plates supplies the load or output circuit 3| with current or voltage which varies in accordance with the signals supplied from source 33. It will be understood that the load may be connected from either plate 26 or plate 21 to ground, or one of the plates may be omitted and the load connected between the remaining plate and ground.

A bending or counterbalancing magnetic field is established transversely of the beam 25 by means of a magnetic coil 34 which is shown as being energized by current derived from the potential variations existing between

plates

26 and 21. The amount of current supplied to coil 34 may be regulated or proportioned by means of a potentiometer 35 having its input circuit connected between

plates

26 and 21 and in parallel with the load 3|. The coil 34 is so connected that its field tends to deflect the beam 25 in an opposite direction from the deflecting coil 32.

The operation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is believed to be clear from the foregoing description. It is assumed that the field established by coil 32, tends to deflect the beam from mid-position toward the plates 26 and a potential difference is established between plates 26 and This potential difference energizes coil 34 and establishes a deflecting or counterbalancing magnetic field which tends to deflect the beam in the opposite direction or toward plate 21. In case a steady signal current is supplied to coil 32, the beam 25 will assume a position in which the deflecting actions of

coils

32 and 34 are in a, state of equilibrium and, under this condition, the potential difference existing between plates 26-and 21 will be directly proportional to the signal applied to the coil 32. The proportion or ratio between the input signal and the signal supplied to the load may be' adjusted or controlled by adjustment of the potentiometer 35.

One of the advantages of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, may be explained by reference to curves shown in Fig. 10. The abscissae of Fig. 10 represent deflections of the electron beam from its normal position and the ordinates represent the value of the potential across the load.

The curve A represents for a given tube under otherwise constant conditions, the variation in load potential as the beam is deflected from its normal position by a progressively increasing amount until the deflection reaches a point where a. maximum potential difference Am is reached. Preferably, the amount of deflection required to produce the maximum difference in potential is produced by a relatively small unbalance between the deflecting forces of the

coils

32 and 34. For example, the amount of unbalance may be only 1%. In other words, the maximum load potential is produced by only a 1% difference between the deflecting force of the coil 32 and the deflecting force of the coil 34. If it is assumed that the ordinate of a line E represents the value of the load voltage necessary to secure a balancing force in coil 34 for a given input signal, then the point of intersection of curve A with line E will give the amount of deflection of the beam required to establish equi-' librium between the two deflecting coils represented by the distance (c).

If, for any reason, the operating characteristic of the cathode ray tube should change such that it is represented by the curve B, while the input signal remains unchanged, the new amount of deflection required to produce a state of equilibrium will now be represented by a distance (d). which corresponds to the abscissa line where the curve B crosses the line E. If the ordinate of line E is maintained small in comparison with the maximum ordinates of curves A and B, the ratio between the input signal and the output signal will be substantially unaffected by variations in the characteristics of the cathode-ray tube as represented by the curves in Fig. 10. As a result of this operation, there will be a substantially linear relationship between the input signal voltage and the voltage produced across the load, and this relation is not substantially affected by changes in the operating characteristics of the cathode-ray tube.

The arrangement represented in Fig. 2 corresponds to that shown in Fig. 1, except that the opposing or balancing deflection of the beam 25 is produced by means of a pair of

electrostatic deflecting plates

36 and 31 arranged on opposite sides of the beam and supplied with energizing potential derived across the

plates

26 and 21 through a potentiometer 35. A further variation in Fig. 2 over Fig. 1 involves the use of an amplifier 38 having its input terminals connected between

plates

26 and 21 and arranged to supply amplified voltage or current to the load 3| and intensity supplied from a suitable source, represented by the permanent magnet 38, is moved in position with respect to the electron beam in accordance with potential variations developed across the

plates

26 and 21. For this purpose, the magnet 39 may be mounted upon a pivoted leverlil which is restrained in its movement by a biasing spring 4| and is moved by a solenoid 62 which, in turn, is energized by current derived from the potential difierence developed across

plates

26 and 21. With this arrangement, it must be assumed that there is no direct action on the electron beam by the currents derived from

electrodes

26 and 21, but the compensating defiection is secured solely by movement of the magnetic field, established by the permanent magnet 39.

The movement of the magnet 39 will be proportional to the value of the signal supplied to coil 32, and the position of the magnet 39 or of the lever 40 may serve to indicate the value of the input signal. In other words, the arrangement in Fig. 3 produces a mechanical displacement of the lever 40 proportional to the signal supplied to the coil 32. Therefore, the lever 40 may be used to produce corresponding mechanical movements of any device connected thereto.

In Fig. 4, theinput signal from the source 33 is supplied to electrostatic deflecting plates 43 and M to produce the primary deflection of the beam 25, and the counterbalancing deflection is secured by a magnetic coil 35 in the same manner as in Fig. 1'. The arrangement shown in Fig. 4 may be utilized for measuring electrostatic charges by inserting a suitable meter 55 in the circuit to coil 36, the indication being proportional to the pdtential difierence between the plates 53 and 59.

In Fig. 5, signal currents from the source 33 are supplied to deflecting plates 33 and M in the same manner as in Fig. 4 and the counterbalancing or compensating deflection is accomplished by means of deflecting

plates

36 and 31, as in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 6, the signal deflection is obtained by means of plates 33 and 5% as in Figs. 4 and 5, and the counterbalancing deflection is obtained by an arrangement like that shown in Fig. 3 and involving a movable magnet 39. supported on a pivoted bar 48 and operated by an electromagnet G2 which, in turn, is energized by currents derived from the cross plates 26 and'i'i.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 7 may be used for converting mechanical movements into proportional electrical variations. ment, the primary deflection of the beam 25 is secured by mechanical displacement of a deflecting magnetic field established from a suitable source represented by a permanent magnet 66 which is mounted for relative movement with respect to the tube 20. The movement of magnet 45 develops corresponding variations in. potential diflerence between

plates

26 and 21 and the counterbalancing deflection is secured by means of a magnetic coil 36 as in previous arrangements. The arrangement shown in Fig. 7 may also be employed to indicate the amount of mechanical displacement of an element movable with magnet 46 by including an indicating meter 45 in the circuit to the coil 33.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 8 is a variation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 7, in that the counterbalancing deflection is secured by means of electrostatic deflecting plates 86 and 8'9, as in Figs. 2 and 5.

In this arrange- While a number of variations in the primaryand counterbalancing deflecting means have been illustrated and described herein, it will be obvious that other arrangements are .possible and it is contemplated that one or more of the various deflecting meansdescribed herein may be employed in combination with others to produce the primary deflection or to produce the counteracting deflection.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that either the input signal or the balancing signal or both signals may be derived from any condition or conditions which can be translated into electromagnetic or electrostatic fields or into movements of such fields. Likewise, the input signal may be set or adjusted or itmay be varied and the balancing signal, which may be of a different magnitude or character, can be maintained proportional to the input signal.

Obviously,-the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiments thereof herein shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic translating device comprising, in combination, means for producing an electronic beam; means for receiving electrons from said beam; input means including a first deflecting means to variably bend the beam in accordance with signal variations and thereby vary the number of electrons intercepted by the receiving means; a second deflecting means acting on said beam; and means responsive to the variations in the number of electrons intercepted by said receiving means for variably energizing the second deflecting means synchronously with said signal variations and in a direction tending to deflect said beam in opposition to said first deflecting means and thereby establish equilibrium between said first and said second deflecting means.

2. An electronic translating device according to claim 1, wherein one of said deflecting means comprises means for establishing a variable magnetic field transversely of said electronic beam and serving to variably deflect said beam at right angles to said magnetic field.

3. An electronic translating device according to claim 1, wherein one of said deflecting means comprises a pair of deflecting plates positioned on opposite sides of said beam for establishing an electric field transversely of said beam and serving to deflect said beam in a direction parallel to said field.

4. An electronic translating device'according' to claim 1, wherein one of said deflecting means comprises means for establishing a constant magnetic field transversely of said electronic beam, and means for moving said constant magnetic field relative to said electronic beam.

5. An electronic translating device according to claim- 1, wherein both beam deflecting means comprise electrostatic fields.

6. An electronic translating. device according to claim 1, wherein both beamdeilecting means comprise magnetic fields,

8. An electronic translating device according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of the deflecting means comprises a magnetic field.

9. An electronic translating device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the deflecting means comprises mechanically movable means to produce relative displacement of the beam and the receiving means.

10. An electronic translating device comprising, in combination, means for producing an electronic beam, 8. pair of electrodes for receiving electrons from said beam, input means including a first deflecting means to variably bend the beam in accordance with signal variations and thereby vary the number of electrons intercepted by said electrodes, a second deflecting means for acting on said beam, and means responsive to the potential difference developed between said electrodes for variablyenergizing the second deflecting means synchronously with said signal variations and in a direction tending to deflect said beam in opposition to said first deflecting means and thereby establish equilibrium between said first and said second deflecting means.

11. An electronic translating device according to claim 10, wherein the second deflecting means embodies a magnetic coil for establishing a magnetic field transversely of said beam, and a circuit for energizing said coil by a current derived from the potential difference developed between.

said electrodes.

12. An electronic translating device according to claim 10, wherein the second deflecting means comprises a pair of deflecting plates arranged on opposite sides of said beam, and circuit connecpotential variations developed between said electrodes.

13. An electronic translating device according to claim 10, wherein the second deflecting means comprises means for establshing a constant magnetic field transversely of said beam, and means responsive to the potential variations developed between said electrodes for variably shifting said constant magnetic field transversely of said beam.

- 14. An electronic translating device according to claim 1, wherein the amount of deflection of said beam required for establishing equilibrium between said deflecting means is relatively small by comparisonwith the deflection required to produce the maximum variation in electrons .intercepted by said receiving means.

15. An electronic translating device according to claim 1, wherein the amount of deflection reauired to produce the maximum difference in potential on the receiv'ng means is produced by a. relatively small unbalance between the deflecting forces of the two deflecting means.

16. A translating device comprising, in combination, means for producing a beam which is capable of being deflected by an electric fleld, means for intercepting said beam, input means tions for charging said plates in accordance with including a first deflecting means coacting with the beam to vary the amount of interception by the receiving means in accordance with signal variations, a second deflecting means acting on saidbeam, and means responsive to the amount of interception by said receiving means for variablyenergizing the second deflecting means synchronously with said signal variations and in a direction tending to deflect said beam in opposition to said first deflecting means and thereby establish equilibrium between the two deflecting means.

17. An electronic translating device comprising, in combination, means for producing an electronic beam, input control means including means for deflecting said beam in accordance with signal variations, an output circuit including means controlled by said beam for establishing increasing amounts of energy ,flow in said output circuit with increasing deflection of said beam, a second deflecting means acting on said beam, and means for energizing said second deflecting means from said output circuit synchronously with said signal variations and in a direction tending to limit the amount of deflection of said beam.

18. An electronic translating device comprising, in combination, means for producing an electronic beam, an input control means including means for deflecting said beam in accordance with signal variations, an output circuit including means controlled by the deflection of said beam for establishing increasing amounts of energy flow in said output circuit with increasing deflection of said beam, at second control means acting on said beam to vary the amount of energy flow in the output circuit, and means for variably'energizing said second control means from said output circuit synchronously with said signal variations and in a direction tending to vary the output energy in opposition to the variation produced by the input control means.

19. Electronic translating apparatus comprising, in combination, a cathode ray tube having means for forming a cathode beam and means for intercepting the beam, an input system applying a deflecting force to the beam to vary the amount of interception by the intercepting means in accordance with signal variations, and a system responsive to the amount of interception by the intercepting means for establishing a force in opposition to the deflectin force of said input system, said opposing force varying synchronously with said signal variations and thereby establishing equilibrium between the two opposing forces.

HERBERT ZIEBOLZ.