US2372213A

US2372213A - Ultra-high-frequency tube

Info

Publication number: US2372213A
Application number: US334535A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles V Litton
Original assignee: International Standard Electric Corp
Current assignee: International Standard Electric Corp
Priority date: 1940-05-11
Filing date: 1940-05-11
Publication date: 1945-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1962-03-27

Description

March I27, 1945. c. v. L ITToN ULTRA-HIGH FREQUENCY TUBE Filed May l1, 1940 y3 Sheets-Sheet l IIIIIIIL March 27, 1945. c. v. Lrr-roN 2,372,213

ULTRA-HIGH FREQUENCY TUBE AT RNEY.

March 27,A 1945, Q v, MT1-QN v 2,372,213

ULTRA-HIGH FREQUENCY TUBE Filed May 11, 1940 3 sheets-sheets Patented Mar. 27, 1.945

UNITED v sTATEs Y PATENT OFFICE ULTRA-HIGH-FREQUENCY TUBE charles v. Litton, Redwood city, Calif., assigoor to International Standard Electric Corporation', New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 11, 1940, Serial `No. 334,535

2o claims. (ci. 25o-27.5)

My invention relates toultra-high frequency 'tubes and more specifically to tubes having en-` velope structures adapted foruse in ultra-high frequency circuits. l

Ultra-high frequency amplifiers and oscillators, q v

of the type wherein the groupingl of lelectrons into bundles depending on their velocities is not the primary frequency determining factor, are subject to frequency and power handling limitations, due to the circuit constants of tuned cir-` cuits external to the amplifier or oscillator tube require small electrode structures. .By my inven-` tion Iy reduce these limitations of frequency and power handling capacity by forming the tube envelope as a circuit of the resonant cavity type. With this type of tube construction greater power `output and higher frequencies can be obtainedV since increased electrode area and resonant cire cuits having a high Q are provided.

An object of my invention is to provide an ultra-high frequency tube having increased electrode areas.

A- further obect of my invention is to provide tionaly perspective of the oscillator tube of Fig. 1;`

Fig. 4 illustrates in sectional perspective an oscillator tube according to my invention;`

Fig. illustrates a modincation of the oscillator tube of Fig. 3; p Fig. 6 illustratesin sectional perspective an amplifier tube according to my invention.

In Fig. 1 a cavity type resonator in; the shape of a toroid forms the major portion of the envelope of the tube I. A plate or anode 2 having a tubular section 3 attached theretows sealed to the envelope I bymeans of the glass seal 4.

' Adjacent the plate 2 and sealed to the envelope or resonator is a grid 5 which controls the number of electrons flowing from an indirectly heated cathode 6to the plate. The cathode is heated by a filament 1 supported by a= glass seal 8 which seals the cathode to thetube envelope. If desired, suitable direct current potentials may be applied tothe grid by attaching a lead to the tube envelope, to the plate by attaching leads to the tubular extension 3, and to the cathode by means ofthe lead 9. l i v.tis is well known in the Aartthe resonator may and close inter-electrode spacings which in turn' be tuned by varying the, physical dimensions thereof and a resonator of this type has a particularly high Q. Accordingly, with this invention it is possible to provide a varying high impedance circuit for the absorption of radio frequency energy that may -be generated by the tube. This in turn `means that relatively high voltages can be used with consequent low time for ight and hence much better performance may be obtained from an oscillator tube of this type than is possible with an oscillatortube having an external tuned circuit.

vFeedback between the plate of the tube and the tuned circuit galvanically coupled to the grid is obtained by means of the capacity between the tubular extension 3 and the adjacent portion of the 'resonant envelope. This tubular extension 3 also aids in the dissipation of heat from the plate.

'I'his tube with itsresonant circuit may be used in any well known high frequencycircuits by taking the energy from the tube by means of the coaxial line I0, sealed to the tube envelope by a seal II. y

Fig. 2 illustrates a modification of the tube of Fig. 1 which has a larger power handling capacity than the oscillator previously described. The symmetrical construction of the tube of Fig. 2 is especially adapted to use as a Barkhausen type of oscillator having a positive grid and a plate that is negative with respect to the grid. In

this iigure, as in all the figures, similar reference numerals refer to corresponding `parts of the tube structures. `An annular plate 2 having discs 3 attached thereto is sealed to the resonant envelope I by means of glass` seal 4.. A cathode 6 heated by a filament I issealed to the envelope by means of the seal 8. Between the cathode 6 and the plate 2 is a grid 5 directly attached to the tube envelope. By this toroidal typek of construction large electron currents may be produced and utilized, thereby allowing large power output. As in the embodiment of Fig. 1 the output of the tube may be utilizedbymeans of the coaxial line IIJ. V

In Fig. 3 is shown another modication o-f the embodiment of Fig. 1 `wherein the grid 5 is insulated from the envelope I by the glass seal 8. The grid is coupled to the resonant envelope by means of its tubular construction and proximity to the envelope. While in this gfure I have shown the` plate 2 directly connected to the envelope and the grid capacity .coupledthereta it is also possible toconstruct the'tube sothat both the plate and the grid are coupled to the envel` ope. This type of construction has the further advantage that it is necessary to form a seal only at only one part of the tube.

-It is apparent that the features of the modifications shown in Figs. 1 and 3 could be combined with those of Fig. 2 to form a'tube in the shape of two toroidal chambers, one tor-oid having an outer diameter smaller than. the inner diameter of the other toroid, and the electrodes would then be annular rings in horizontal planes rather than annular rings in vertical planes as lshown in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 4 is illustrated an embodiment contain-- ing features of the tube described above. In thisVA figure is shown a ribbon type cathode I 2 mounted on a glass rod I3 whose base terminates in a seal for the tube envelope I. Surrounding the cathode is a wound wire grid I4 mounted on rods I5. Surrounding the Wound wire grid is a tubular member I6 which forms the `plate of the tube. The tubular member H51V is sealed to the resonant envelope I by means of seal 4f and as in the other embodiments feedback is obtained by the capacity betweenthe member I6 and theresonant envelope I.

In the embodiments thus far described the entire tube envelope has been exhausted. IThe removal of air from the envelopeA and the sealing thereof takes place in any well known manner and therefore need'y not be described in detail herein. If. it is desired-'toavoid evacuating a large chamber such as shown in Figs. 1 through 3, the tube structures of this invention may be formed in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 5. Fig. illustrates how the glass seal which sealsthe plate tothe tube envelope may be extended so that only the interior of thev tubular plate or anodeand a small portion of the.` remaining volume of the tube need be exhausted. This glass seal is designated by reference numeral I'I. The glass rod I3 is supported by a: glassfootwhichextendsa, considerable distance intothe. interior. ofy thev resonantk envelope, a seal4 being effected .by the base of the foot and the tube envelope. This type of vtube construction-may be employed. with any. of the embodiments described, as is readily apparent' tothose* skilled: in the art.

In Fig.,6 Ihave shownan amplifier tube whose'V input IU' is fed from aaseparate source. In this embodiment the tube envelope is.divided into two resonant chambers, I. andv I", which are provided for the plate andigrid, respectively. On the base of lthe. lower resonant chamber I is mounted a rod having an insulatorv I9: on the end .thereof which supports the ribben type'lcathode I2. Surrounding this cathode is. a wound grid III` mounted on rods I5. andthe gridsis, inturn, surrounded by a tubular plate or anode I6. The output circuit of; thev tube is connected to the upperl resonance chamber by a coaxialline I0, sealed thereto by seal II. Glassbeads 2II and 22 may be used to. seal the lcathode leads to the tube envelope.

In all of the embodiments-shown itis appar'- ent that the resonant envelope or chamber is tuned to the operatingffrequency. It is also apparent that the tube describedin Fig. 6 may be usedA` as an oscillator tube by inter-coupling the input and output circuits.

In the various embodiments and modifications I have described particular types4 of cathodes and grids, but. other types of grids and cathodes known to those skilled-,in the.' art may be substituted without departingfrom'thel scope of my invention.

While I have described particular embodiments of my invention for purpose of illustration, it will be understood that various modifications and adaptations thereof may be made within the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Ahigh frequency tube including a conducting, toroidal resonant shell having a gap extending generally circumferentially of an inner portion of the surface of said toroidal shell, an anode sealed to said shell on one side of said gap and electrically insulated therefrom, said anode including a generally cylindrical extension hav-ing` a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said shell and extending away from said gap, a portion of said cylindrical extension being longitudinally coextensive with a portion of said shell, a cathode, and a grid connected to said shell on the opposite side of said gap, said grid being positioned between said anode and said cathodel forc'ontrolling the number of electrons now-ing therebetween.

2. A high frequency tube according to'claim 1 whereinl a vacuum tight seal vof insulating material bridges'the gap and the portion of said tube enclosing said grid is exhausted.

3. A high frequency tube according to claim 1 wherein said shell'` is' divided into an upper and lower section each having similar gaps, saidv cathode being sealed to said lower section below the lower of said gaps, and means for connecting external circuitsto 'said'l upperk and lower sections.

4. A high frequency tube including a conducting envelope'in the form of resonant shells, said shells being in the shape of toroids having annular gaps provided'in opposed adjacent surfaces thereof, anA annular'anode capacitatively coupled to said shells on one side of said gaps, an annular cathode insulatingly sealed to said shells, and an annular grid coupled to said shells on the opposite side of said gaps, saidgrid being positioned between said. anode and said cathode for controlling the number of electrons flowing therebetween.

5. A high frequency. electron discharge device including a conducting. toroidal resonant shell having an annular gap in. a' portion of the surface thereof, an anode insulatingly sealed to said shell on one side ofsaid'gap; said' anode including a portion spaced from andsubstantially parallel to the portion oflthe .surfaceofsaid'toroidal shell to which said portion of. said, anode is sealed, a grid connected to the other side ofsaid gap, and a cathode insulatedfromsaid shell.

A6. A high frequency electron discharge device having electrodes including a cathode, a grid, and

an anode, enclosing means ofconductive material' shells, and cathode meanscommon to said two of said shells and sealedon the other side of said gaps.

8.v A highfrequency electron discharge device is insulatingly sealed to vone side of said gaps and wherein coupling means is provided for coupling i said anode to each of the shells to which it is common.

9. A high frequency `electron discharge device having a pair of electrodes including a substantially ring-,shaped cathode whose radius is substantially greater than its axial dimension, an annular anode surrounding the peripheryof and concentric with said cathode, and means forming a hollow annular resonant chamber capacitatively coupled to and coaxial with both of said electrodes.

1D. A high frequency electron discharge device comprising a substantially ring-shaped cathode whose outer radius is substantially greater than its axial dimension, an annular grid surround ing the periphery of and concentric with said cathode, an annular anode surrounding and concentric with said annular grid, and means forming a hollow annular resonant chamber capacitatively coupled to said cathode and directly con nected to said grid, and mounted coaxially with all of said electrodes.

11. A high frequency electron discharge device having a pair of electrodes including a substantially ring-shaped cathode whose outer radius is more than approximately twice its longitudinal dimension, a second ring-shaped electrode in the path of the electron stream from said cathode. and surrounding the periphery of and concentric with said cathode, means forming a. hollow annular resonant chamber coupled to and coaxial with said electrodes, and sealed envelope-forming means enclosing said electrodes.

12. The combination according to claim 11, in which 'said resonant chamber-forming means is capacitatively coupled to one electrode and directly connected to theother electrode.

13. The combination according to claim 11, in which said resonant chamber-forming means is forming a hollow annular 'resonant chamber coupled to said cathode and one of said other electrodes, and mounted co-axially with all of said electrodes,` and sealed envelope-forming means enclosing said electrodes. i

16. The combination according to claim 15, in which said resonant chamber-forming means is a conductive shell and forms a part of said sealed envelope-forming means.

f including two juxtaposed longitudinally spaced capacitatively coupled to both of said electrodes.

14. The combination according to claim 11, in

. which said resonant chamber-formingmeans is comprising a substantially ring-shaped cathode l whose outer radius is more than approximately twice its longitudinal dimension, a ring-shaped grid surrounding the periphery of said cathode concentric with said cathode, a ring-shaped anode surrounding and concentric `with said grid. means conducting toroidalshells having annular gaps in portions of the surface thereof, anode means common to said shells and connected thereto on one side of said gaps, a substantially cylindrical control grid means, common to said two shells mounted within said anode' means, coaxial with said grid means, and means sealing said shells and forming an air-tight envelope.`

18. A high frequency tube having a conducting envelope, resonators forming part of said envelope,I said resonators being in the shape of toroids having annular gaps provided in `opposed adjacent surfaces thereof, an annular anode coupled to said resonators on one side of said gaps, a substantially ring-shaped cathode whose outer radius is substantially greater than its longitudinal thickness coupled to said resonators, and

an annular grid coupled to said resonators on opposite sides of said gaps, said grid being positioned between said anode andsaid cathode for controlling the flow of electrons therebetween.

19. A high frequency tube including a conducting envelope, a hollow resonator forming part of said conducting envelope, a ring-shaped anode coupled tc one side of said resonator, a substan` tially ring-shaped cathodewhose radius is more than approximately twice its longitudinal dimension, coupled vto the other side of said resonator, anda ring-shaped grid. coupled to said resonator and positioned between said anode and cathode for controlling the flow of electrons therebetween. 20.- A high frequency electron discharge device, including a pair of hollow resonators, ring-shaped anode means common to said resonators and coupled to one side theref, ring-shaped grid means -common to said resonators and mounted concentrically within said anode means, and a substantially ring-shaped cathode whose'radius is more than approximately twice its longitudinal dimension, common to said resonators and mounted concentrically within said grid means.

CHARLES V: LITTON.

CERTIFICATE 0F' CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,572,215. March 27, 1915,

CHARLES V. LITTON.

It is hereby vcertified. that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring `czorrecticn'l als follows: Page 2, sec` ond column, line 62, claim 6, strike out -the Word "electrically" and insert the same before "coupling" in line Q4, same claim; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may co'rifom to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of .Augustf A. D. 1914.5.

Leslie Frazer `(Seal) First Assistant Commissioner of' Patents.