US2399420A - Electronic translating device - Google Patents

Description

April 30, 1946. H. zlEBoLz ELECTRONIC TRANSLATING DEVICE Filed July 24, 1942 ifa,

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yPatented Apr. 30, 1946 '2,399,420' ELECTRNIC 'EBANSLATING DEVGE lHerbert Zlebolz, Chicago, Ill., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Electronbeam, Ltd., Chicago, Ill., a partnership ot illinois Applicationiluly 2d, i942, Serial No. d52,222

(ill. 315-32) 12 Claims.

This invention relates to electronic translating devices for relaying, amplifying, converting, transforming or otherwise translating electric signals, or signals of any nature which may be converted by known means into electric signals. 'I'he invention is useful in translating .sils or variations representing physical, other conditions. The invention is also useful ior converting mechanical movements or displacements as of an object into corresponding electric variations which may be employed to control'- other devices or to operating indicating or recording devices for indicating or recording the mechanical movements or displacements.

Une object of the invention is to devise a translating device or relay in which variations in the output energy are directly proportional to the variationsin the input signal.

A further object is to devise a highly sensitive translating device embodied within an evacuatedcontainer forming the envelope of an electronic tube. a

'The invention disclosed herein is useful generally for the same purposes as the electronic relay disclosed in my earlier filed application" Ser.l No. 417,871, led November 4, 1941. My earlier translating device involves a cathode ray tube in which the cathode ray beam is deflected by an input deilecting means energlzed'or operfated from a suitable input signal or vz-iriationl electrodes is employed to vary the electron How in one or more electron paths. The input signal or variation is utilized to produce a movement of atleast one movable electrode and thereby produce a change in current iiowing between at least two electrodes of the tube, and this variation in current is employed to establish an opposing force acting upon the movable electrode tending to establish equilibrium between the two opposing forces.

A special feature of the invention is that the arrangements for mounting the movable electrodes are arranged wholly within the envelope of the tube and permit free movement of the chemical or rox electrodes with p. minimum amount of friction or restraining force.

.il number of emiments of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a diagrammatic representation oione construction of translating device in which two movable anodes of the electronic tube are mounted. on a pivot lever or beam wholly enclosed in the tube envelope; and magnetic inductive means are employed for applying a defiecting force to the lever from the input source and also an opposing force from the output circuit;

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement employing two stationary cathodes and one movable anode mounted on the movable lever and in which electrostatic means is employed to apply both the input orce and the counterbalancing force to the lever;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a third modification in which the electronic tube embodies a stationary cathode and two stationary anodes with two movable grids interposed inthe two electronic paths, the two grids being mounted upon the pivoted lever of a modiiied Kelvin balance; and

Fig. i is a fragmentary view showing a modilisation of the translating device in which the spect to the cathode by means of a suitable source represented by theV battery it, the negative terminal of the source being connected to the cathode through the adjustable connection on the potentiometer Mia connected across the source i2. Suitable coupling resistances itc and i3d are inserted in the circuits of ancdes ita and lib, respectively. As shown in the drawing, anodes lia. and ith are mounted for relative movement with respect to the cathode i i so that as one anode moves closer to the cathode, the other moves away from the cathode. One suitable mounting arrangement involves` the lever I5 which is pivoted near its center to a suitable support Illa, the two anodes I3a and i317 being supported on the lever in insulated relation and in proper positionuwith respect to the cathode I I. The electric signals or variations to be translated are applied to the terminals I8 and serve to energize the magnetic coil Ita surrounding an extension IIib formed in one side of the tube III adjacent one end of the lever I5. The coil I6a acts inductively on a magnetic core member IBb carried by the lever I5 and positioned to extend into the extension Ib. A second inductive coil I1 is positioned on a second extension IIlc formed in the wall of the tube I0 opposite extension I 0b, and this coll acts upon a second inductive core I1a carried by the lever I5 and extending into the extension IIIc.

Potential variations developed between anodes I3a and I3b are applied to the output circuit terminals I8 either directly or through a suitable ampliiier I9. Coil I 1 is energized from the output circuit and exerts a force on lever I in opposition to the force exerted on the lever by coil IBa. A suitable meter 2li indicates the value of current supplied to the coil I1.

The operation of Fig. 1 is as follows: It will be assumed that with no signal applied .to the coil I6a, lever I5 is in its neutral position and equal currents ilow in the two anode circuits. Under this condition, no potential difference is developed between the two anodes, and no voltage is applied to the output circuit or to the coil I1. As soon as the coil ISa is energized by a signal, a force is applied to the lever I5 tending to rotate it in a clockwise direction, thus tending to increase the current in the circuit of anode I3b and decreasing the current in .the circuit of anode I3a. The resulting potential difference between the two anodes impresses a corresponding potential dlfference on the output circuit and causes a current to iiow in coil I1 which opposes the force exerted on the lever I5 by the input coil ISa. The lever I5 will assume a. position where the two forces are in equilibrium, that is. where the force of coil I1 tending to rotate the lever anticlockwise is equal to the force of the coil I6a tending to rotate the lever clockwise. The amount of deflection of the lever I5 from its normal position is dependent upon the value of 'the input signal, and the amount of current supplied to coil I1 necessary to counterbalance the input force will necessarily vary in accordance with variations in the input signal. Accordingly, the indications on the meter 20 will vary in direct proportion to the strength of the input signal and meter 28 may be calibrated in units appropriate I3 is maintained at a positive potential with respect to the cathodes by the source I4, two coupling resistances I3c and i3d being interposed in the two electron current circuits. The output circuit I8 is energized in accordance with potential variations developed between the two cathodes.

Fig. 2 also shows a variation in the manner of applying the deecting force to the lever I5, but it will be understood that the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 may be used if desired. In Fig. 2, signals from the input circuit I6 are applied to conducting plates 2Ia and 2lb forming a condenser arrangement, one plate being stationary, while the other is carried by the lever I5. The electrostatic action between the two plates will exert a deilecting force on the lever I5 which will vary in accordance with the value of the input signal. The counter-balancing force may also be applied to the lever I5 from the output circuit by applying the output potential between plates 22a and 22h, one of which is stationary and the other being carried by the lever I5. In this case, a voltmeter 20a is connected to indicate the value of the output voltage which also serves to indicate the value of the input signal. It is believed that the operation of Fig. 2 will be clear in view of the foregoing description of the operation of Fig. l.

In Fig. 3 the electron tube construction involves a single stationary cathode II and two stationary anodes I3a and I3b with two movable interposed grids 23a and 23D. The grid elements are carried by the right end of-pivoted lever I5 and are suitably insulated from this lever. The cathode heating circuit and the anode supply circuits for Fig. 3 are the same as in Fig. l. The two grid elements are connected together and may be maintained at a desired potential, preferably negative, with respect to the cathode II by means of a biasing battery 24. The output circuit connections for Fig. 3 are the same as in Fig. 1.

The arrangement for applying the input deecting force and the counterbalancing force to f the lever I5 involves a modified Kelvin balance arrangement in Awhich Ithe input circuit I6 supplies current to two stationary coils I6a and Ia' arranged on opposite sides of a movable coil IIc carried by the lever I5. The interaction of these three coils exerts a force on lever I5 tending to to the input signal. The circuit as shown is usefulv for measuring or indicating the input signals. The circuit is also useful for controlling purposes by connecting the control apparatus to the output terminals I8, as will be understood by' those skilled in the art.

The inductive cores IIib and I1a may be formed of soft iron or of permanent magnets. Also, the defiecting force may be applied to the lever by the interaction of two or more coils, one of which is carried by the lever, as is shown in Fig. 3. It is not essential that two movable anodes be employed; only one may be'used since the output circuit could be energized in accordance with potential variations developed across either coupling resistance I3c or lid. v

In Fig. 2 elements which have the same function as corresponding elements in Fig. 1 are represented by corresponding reference numerals. In this arrangement, only one anode I3 is carried by the lever I5 and is mounted for movement between two spaced cathodes IIa and I Ib energized respectively by sources I2a and I2b. The anode unbalance the level in a well known manner. The three coils are connected in series, but it will be understood that the stationary coils may be separately excited and the movable coil may be connected to the input circuit, or vice versa. The counterbalancing force is applied to the lever I5 by means of two stationary coils I1 and I1b acting on a movable coil I1c carried by lever I5, the three coils being connected in series and supplied with current from the output circuit I8 through a current meter 20. The same variations in connections of these three coils is possible as in the case of the input coils. Also, any of the stationary coils may be located outside of the tube envelope if desired.

The operation of Fig. 3 is believed to be clear in view of the foregoing description of the operation of Fig. 1. In this arrangement, however, the two electron paths are not varied in length, but the amount of electron iiow in the two paths is varied in opposite directions by movement of the two grids 23a and 23h with respect to the cathode I'I.

Fig, 4 shows a further variation of the translating device in which the input signal or variation is in the form oi movement of an element yor member. In this arrangement, the movement acca-12o A to be indicated, measured, repeated or translated.

is applied to a movable rod I6' which carries a magnetic yoke |16", preferably in the form of a permanent horseshoe type of magnet. The magnet IB" has its opposinng arms positioned n opposite sides of extension lb. The two arms have inwardly projecting pole pieces which act inductively on magnetic bar lsb carried by the rent ilow between said electrodes, a movable lever mounted entirely within the envelope and carrying one f said electrodes for movement relative to another of said electrodes to vary the electrons ilowing in an electron path between two of said electrodes included in said circuit, an inductive element carried by said lever, input means for acting inductively on said inductive element to end of lever l5. The arrangement is otherwise like the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, although many variations are possible.

It Will be understood that the movement t0 be measured or indicated is applied to the rod I6@ which imparts corresponding movement to the magnet I6" which in turn imparts corresponding movement to the magnetic -bar lib and thus to the lever l5. The arrangement at the other end of the lever I may be in accordance with any of the arrangements shown above, and the operation will be clear to those skilled in the art.

In the appended claims the term inductive means is used in a broad sense to apply to-the capacity inductive means shown in Fig. 2 as well as to the magnetic inductive means shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. It is obvious that various combinations of capacity and magnetic'inductive means may be used. For example, the input inductive means may be of the capacity type while the counterbalancing inductive means may be of the magnetic type, or vice versa.

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic translating device, comprising an electronic tube having an enclosing envelope, two lectrodes mounted within said envelope," one of which emits electrons, a ,circuit including a source of current for 4establishing current flow between said electrodes, a movable member wholly within said envelope mounting one of said electrodes for movement towards and away from the other electrode to vary the electrons flowing in the electron path between said two electrodes and thereby varying the current in said circuit, input means coupled to said movable member for effecting movement of sgid movableY member, and means in said circuit and controlled by the current iiowing therein for applying a variable force to said movable member in opposition to the force applied by said input means. 1

2. A translating device according to claim 1, wherein said movable member is a balanced lever pivotally supported in said tube envelope.

3. A translating device according to claim 1, wherein the input means for effecting movement apply a force to and cause movement of said lever, and means in the circuit of said source responsive to variations in the ow of current in said circuit for exerting an opposing force on said lever to establish equilibrium between said forces.

6. 'A translating device according to claim 5, whereinthe movable lever is pivotally mounted at a point intermediate the ends thereof within the envelope, said movable electrode and said inductive element being mounted upon said lever on opposite sides of the pivotal point thereof.

'1. An electronic translating device, comprising an electronic tube having an elongated enclosing envelope, a plurality of electrodes mounted in one end of said envelope, one of said electrodes being an electron emitting element, a movable lever mounted entirely within the envelope and carrying two of said electrodes for movement re1- ative to said electron emitting element, circuit connections between said electron emitting element and said two electrodes and including a source of current for establishing current flow between said electron emitting element and said two electrodes carried by said lever, an inductive element carried by said lever, input means coupled inductively to said inductive element for applying a force to and cause movement of said lever, counterbalancing means carried by saidA lever for exerting an opposing force on said lever, and circuit connections from said electrodes carried by said lever to said counterbalancing means for energizing said counterbalancing means in accordance with the difference of potential between said two electrodes.

8. A translating device according to claim 5, wherein the lever carries a single anode movable between twospaced electron emitting elements.

9. 'A translating device according to claim 5, wherein said electron emitting element is stationary, and said plurality of electrodes includes a pair of grid electrodes carried by said lever and mounted for movement on opposite sides of said electron element, and including a pair of stationary anodes mounted on opposite sides of said electron emitting element and coof the movable member comprises an input in-, operating therewith.

ductive means coupled with the movable mem-- ber;

5. An electronic translating device, -comprising .an electronic tube having an elongated enclosing envelope, a plurality of electrodes mounted in one end of said envelope, one of said electrodes being an electron emitting element, a circuit including a source of current for establishing cur- 4. A translating device according to claim 1,l

10. A translating device according to claim 5, wherein said inductive element on the lever extends into an extension on the envelope and including magnetic field producing means embracing said extension for iniluencing said inductive element.

11. A translating device according to claim 5, wherein the inductive element carried by the lever comprises a conducting plate forming one element of an electric condenser and is inuenced by another plate constituting the other element of the condenser.

12. A translating device according to claim 5, wherein the inductive element carried by the l7o lever is in the form of one coil of a Kelvin balance.

HERBERT zrEBoLz.

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