US2640925A - Electron discharge signal-sampling device - Google Patents

Description

2 Sfiee ts-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 1952 HAVE mwZ womm INVENTOR. CHARLES J. HIRSCH KOPGJ ZOwO mmkw 2 ATTORNEY Patented June 2, 1 953 ELECTRON DISCHARGE SIGNAL-SAMPLING DEVICE Charles J. Hirsch, Douglaston, N. Y., assignor to Hazeltine Research, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 9, 1952, Serial No. 281,353

14 Claims. 1

General This invention relates to electron-discharge signal-sampling devices and, more particularly, to such devices of the type which distributively stores energy representative of a signal sampled thereby. Such a device has particular utility in a distance-measuring equipment and, hence, will be described in that environment.

One type of signal-sampling device heretofore proposed features a series of cascadecoupled electron tubes involving fairly complex circuit connections which may sometimes be objectionable. Another signal-sampling device utilizing a vapor-electric or gas-discharge tube is described in Patent No. 2,553,263, granted to Arthur V. Loughren on May 15, 1951. While such a vapor-electric tube has several advantages, it may be desirable for some applications to utilize a high-vacuum tube to provide greater operating stability. Another signal-sampling system has been proposed utilizing a time-delay device to control asignal-sampling operation of a series of diodes coupled thereto. This system is somewhat complex in circuitry and is undesirably bulky.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a new and improved electrondischarge signal-sampling device which avoids one or more of the aforementioned limitations of devices heretofore proposed.

f It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved electron-discharge signalsampling device of compact construction.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved electron-discharge signalsampling energy-storage device for distributively storing energy representative of a signal sampled thereby.

In accordance with a particular form of the invention, an electron-discharge signal-sampling device comprises first terminals for supplying a signal to be sampled and second terminals forsupplying a control pulse. The device includes a space-current electrode coupled to the first terminals and a time-delay signal-translating device coupled to the second terminals and having at least one pick-oil electrode for developing a sampling pulse and comprising a space-current electrode. The device further includes a primary space-current electrode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause space-current flow, representative of a sample of the aforesaid signal. I

For a btter'understanding of the present in vention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. l is a circuit diagram, partly schematic, of a distancemeasuring equipment including an electrondischarge signal-sampling device constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. la is a diagrammatic representation of the electrondischarge signal-sampling device of the Fig. 1 equipment; Fig. 2 is a graph representing the output signals of various units of the Fig. 1 equipment; Fig. 3 is a graph representing spacepotential distribution characteristics of elements of that equipment for use in explaining the operation thereof; while Fig. 4 diagrammatically represents an electron-discharge signal-sampling energy-storage device, constructed in acc'ordance with another form of the invention.

General. description of Fig. 1 distancemeasuring equipment Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the distance-measuring equipment there represented may be installed on an aircraft. The transmitter portion of the equipment includes, coupled in cascade, a master oscillator [0, a modulator II, and a wave-signal transmitter l2 designed to transmit challenging wave signals of pulse wave form which may comprise single pulses or groups of pulses of relatively short pulse duration and having a repetition rate of, for example, 10 cycles per second. An antenna system [3, I4 is connected to the output circuit of the transmitter i2 and also to the receiver portion of the equipment which comprises a duplexer and wave-signal receiver IS. The receiver of the unit l5 may be of any suitable type, such as a superregenerative, or a superheterodyne receiver for receiving and selecting target signals efiectively generated at remote points by, for example, ground beacons 'and intercepted by the antenna system I3, I4.

The duplexer of the unit i5 is any well-known protective device for protecting the receiver during operating intervals in which the transmitter l2 sends out a challenging signal, such as one of the devices described in Chapter XI of the text Principles of Radar, second edition, by the Masschusetts Institute of Technology Radar School Stafi', McGraw-Hill, 1946.

The output circuits ofthe modulator II and the receiver of the unit 15 are connected to input circuits of an electron-discharge signalsampling device I6 through coupling-condenser and grid-leak-resistor circuits I'I, I8 and I9, 20, respectively, having suitable sources of bias potential such as batteries 50 and respectively, connected thereto. The device [6 is constructed in accordance with'theinventionfand will be described hereinafter. The outputcircuits'of the device I6 are individually connected to condensers Zia-2m, inclusive, which have a com-- mon terminal connected to a suitable source of positive potential +3.

The noncommon terminals of condensers Zla- 2| h, inclusive, are connected to terminals na 22h, inclusive, respectively, of -a rotatable switch 22 having a rotor 23. A direct-current voltmeter 24 is connected between the rotor-23 and the negative terminal B of the source for measuring the potentials developed at the-various terminals. The noncommon terminals of condensers =2la-2I h, inclusive, are also individually- -connected to a series of contacts of'a switch unit .25 of conventional construction for making *and breaking connections between the noncommon terminals-of the condensers Zia-2lh, inclusive, and the source +B. A motor 2615 connected to drivethe switch unit 25, as indicated bythe broken lineZ'l. Units I0- I 2, inclusive, and I5, the antenna-system I3, I4,

the motor 26 an'd'theswitchunit 25-may all be of conventional construction and operation so that a detailed explanation -of the operation thereof is deemed unnecessary.

General operationcj Fig. 1 viistance measurmg "equipment Considering briefly, however, the operation of the Fig. 1 distance-measuring equipment as a whole, the masteroscillatorll] periodically applies to the modulator I l trigger pulses. having detects the modulation componentsof'thesef'sig-' nalsand applies thedetected signalsto theelectron-discharge signal-sampling device I6.

The curves ofFig. 2-representthe operation of the distance-measuring equipment during two operating perio'dsthereof. Curve A represents the amplitude-time characteristic oi -the "output signal of the modulator H applied thereby to the signal-sampling device I6 and curve B represents the amplitude time characteristic --o'f 'the output signal of thereceiver of the unit l 5,"also applied to an input circuit of the device it.

In response to the signals just mentioned, the device I-B develops acharge on one' of the icondensers 2Ia-'-2-Ih, inclusive, selected by the device in accordance with the timei'nterval to -tr between each modulator pulse of curve A and the corresponding target pulse of =curve-B,= as will be more fully explained hereinafter. The condenser selection made b the device Iii-then represents the distance between the transmitter l2 and the target. Asthe 'switcn arm 23 of-tneswit'ch'zz is the ig. l' electrondischargedevice I 6.

adjusted to the various terminals 22a-22h, inclusive, its position in conjunction with the reading of the meter 24 indicates which condenser is charged by the device I6. Accordingly, the positions of adjustment of the switch arm 23 may be calibrated in terms of distance, thereby to indicate the "distance betweerr'the transmitter I2 and the target.

Description of Fig. 1 signal-sampling device Referring now more particularly to the electron d-ischargesignahsam lin device I6 of Fig.

1, that device comprises first terminals for supplying -asignal to besampled, specifically, a pair 15 of input terminals-2B, 28 coupled to the receiver of theliini't: [5. The device also includes second terminals for supplying a control pulse comprisinga'pair'ofinput'terminals 29, 29 coupled to the modulator I I.

The device l6 further'includes a first spacecurrent electrode coupled to the terminals 28, 2B. This electrode preferably comprises an elongated first'oontrol electrcde 30hr grid-like structure.

The device alsopreferably includes a second 210- ce'lerating electrode-3i of similar structure-connectedto a bias potential-supply circuit compris ing-avoltage dropping resistor 52 and the source There is 'ailso provided at least one time-delay signal-translatmg devicecoupled to the terminals 25!,{29-"2J1Id having "at least the pick-off electrode rortlevelopinga sampling pulse. The time-delay device prererably has a plurality of's'pa'ced pickoil; :ele'ctro'des'for developing successive sampling pulses andcomprising space-current electrodes, in particular, effectively electrically isolated space-current control electrodes. More particu larly, 'the signal-saznplingdevice i=6 include one or I' more, i for example, two adjacent elongated time rlelay signal translating devices 33 arid '33' of'similar' construction positioned parallel to each other 'withan intervening space there-betweenfor tIiEDaSSa'ge 'Of space-current flO-W as represented in-Fig '1a' which-is a diagrammatic end viewof Corresponding elements represented iii-Figs. land la have the same reference numerals.

Fragmentary portions of the devices et and 33' are shown in Fig. 1 of the drawin partially in crossrseotion. The device 33 extends out of view along the device 33" andpreferably-comprises a tube 34 or rectangular cross section comprising electrostrictive' material, such" as' barium titanate bondedWi'thia-cera'mic binder. A tube 35 of-suitable'conductive material is positioned within the electrostri'ctive tube- 34. The'inner tube 35 may comprise tor example, a suitable metallic coating "on: the'innersurface of the tube 34. A plu- I "istic impedance tominimize end energy reflections.

"The fragmentary "portion of the time-delay signal translating"device 33' shown in the drawing comprises elements similarv to those just described in connection with device 33. correspond-; ing elements being designated by similar reference numerals primed, including several pick-off electrodes spaced along the portion of the device 33 not shown in a manner similar to the electrodes 36e-36h, inclusive, of the device 33. The device 33' has an input electrode 36' which together with the coating 35' is coupled to the output circuit of the modulator II for applying to the device 33'an input signal to be sampled. The output circuit of the modulator I I is also coupled in a similar manner to the device 33, as indicated by the conductors 38, 38, the devices 33 and 33 being connected in parallel.

The devices 33 and 33 preferably are permanently electrically polarized by the temporary application of a high potential across the inner and outer pick-off electrodes thereof to improve the response of the devices to applied signals. Also, for a reason which will become apparent hereinafter, adjacent pick-off electrodes on individual ones of the devices 33 and 33' preferably have overlapping response characteristics to stress pulses propagated along the individual devices.

The electron-discharge signal-sampling device I B also includes a primary space-current electrode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause spacecurrent flow representative of the successive samples of the signal to be sampled. Specifically, this primary space-current electrode comprises an elongated cathode 39 having a cathode load resistor 40. By primary space-current electrode is meant an electron-emitting electrode or an electron-collecting electrode. v

The device I6 also includes a plurality of anodes 4| a- II h, inclusive, spaced therealong and corresponding to the pick-01f electrodes 36a-3-6h, inelusive, and 36a-36h, inclusive, respectively. The anodes 4Ia-4Ih, inclusive, are connected to the noncommon terminals of condensers 2 Ia-Z Ih, inclusive, respectively. The several electrodes and the time-delay signal-translating devices 33 and 33' preferably are enclosed in a single evacuated envelope 42.

Potential-supply circuit means for maintaining normally nonconductive the individual portions of the electron-discharge signal-sampling device I6 corresponding to the spaced pick-ofi electrodes 3-Ea'-36h', inclusive, and 36a-36h, inclusive, comprise the potentialwsupply terminals connected to the various electrodes of the device I 6, for example, the terminals 28, 28 and 29, 29.

Operation of Fig. 1 signal-sampling device The bias potentials applied to the various electrodes of the signal-sampling device I6 and, in

particular, the potentials applied thereto at the terminals 28, 28 and 29, 29 are effective to maintain the device I 6 normally non-conductive along the length thereof. The modulator II periodically applies the repetitive pulses represented by curve A to the input electrodes 35', 3B of the time-delay device 33' and to the corresponding input electrodes of the time-delay device 33. These repetitive pulses are converted to corresponding mechanical expansions and constrictions of the electrostrictive elements 34 and 34' and are propagated as pulses of mechanical stress along the time-delay devices 33 and 33', respectively, at a rate determined by the time-delay characteristics thereof. As the mechanical stress pulses travel by each of the pick-01f electrodes 36a'-36h', inclusive, and Mia-36h, inclusive, of the devices 33 and 33', respectively, electrical positive-potential sampling pulses are successively developed at those pick-off electrodes. The sampling pulse developed at each pick-on electrode, however, is ineffective to render the corresponding portion of the device I-6 conductive in the absence of a simultaneous increase of the potential at the control electrode 30.

Curve B of Fig. 2 represents the output signal of the duplexer and wave-signal receiver I5 which, as a signal to be sampled, is applied to the control electrode 30 of the device IS. The signal represented by curve B periodically raises the potential of the control electrode 30 uniformly along the length thereof. Curve C of Fig. 3 represents the space-potential distribution characteristic of the control electrode 30 at the time i1 when the first pulse of curve B is applied thereto. At this time in response to the mechanical stress pulses propagated along the time-delay devices 33' and 33, there also occur increases of the potentials at corresponding selected pick-01f electrodes of the devices 33' and 33, for example, at the electrodes 36c and 360, respectively. The corresponding pick- -ofi electrodes are selected in accordance with the time-delay characteristics of the time- delay devices 33 and 33. Curve D of Fig. 3 represents the pulse-shaped space-potential distribution characteristic of each of the time- delay devices 33 and 33 at the time h.

The electrical pulse represented by curve D and developed at the pick-01f electrodes 36c and 360 and the positive potential developed at the corresponding region of the control electrode 30 at the time 121 are efiective to render conductive the portion of the device I6 corresponding thereto,

while the remainder of the device I6 remains nonconductive. Of course, the cathode 39 cooperates with the other space-current electrodes in rendering conductive the selected portion of the device I6 in response to the sampling pulses developed at the selected pick-01f electrodes at the time h to cause space-current flow representative of a sample of the output signal of the receiver of the unit I5. Further, the magnitude of the space-current fiow at the time t1 is repsentative of the magnitude of the signal which is sampled at that time and, similarly, the magnitude of space-current flow during successive intervals is representative of successive samples of the signal. Accordingly, at the time t1 a negative incremental charge having a magnitude representative of a signal sample is developed on the condenser 2 I0 corresponding to the electrodes 360 and 360. During each cycle of the operation of the distance-measuring equipment an additional incremental charge is acquired by the condenser 2 I0 until the condenser is charged to such a value that the potential of the anode 4Ic drops to a value too low to cause that portion of the device I6 to become conductive.

Since each negative incremental charge acquired by any given condenser has a magnitude representative of a corresponding signal sample, in the absence of stray signals no charges are acquired by the condensers 2Ia, 2Ib, and 2Id-2Ih, inclusive, during the intervals between the pulses of curve B of Fig. 2 because the signal to be sampled may be considered to have zero magnitude during those intervals. Further, because the condenser 2| 0 periodically acquires at the time i1 and corresponding times during successive cycles an incremental charge having a magnitude representative of a signal sample, the condenser ;2 I0 charges more rapidly than any other condenami -e25 v sers which 'may Toe-charged. inresponse to: stray signalsoccurring atfrandomrltimes.

The fact that the condenser .21 c fhas acquired arnegati-ve chargeimay be indicated byfrota'ting the switch arm 2-3 to the terminal f22c connected thereto. rsincethe positions of the adjustment of' the switch arm-may becalibrated in terms of distance, thewdistance between -the transmitter and the target causing a response at the: time h is thereby indicated. In' the'eventt'hat'a'target pulse shouldappear atia d ifieren't time after the transmission of each transmitted pulse, a different 'portion' of the :device I firwill be rendered conductive and a different condenser will be-charged, providing a diilerent indication of distance on the switch "22. As previously meritionedstray"signals may render conductive various portions of the device 215 at 'ra'n'do'm'times and-cause the corresponding condensersQla-Zilh, inclusive, slowly to acquire random charges"inadditionto the charging of the 'condenserf flic which occursin response to a' target signal. Accordinglmthe motor '26 and switch unit 25 are utilized periodically to discharge the condensers at a rate of, for example, once every-four seconds. For this purpose, the switchflun'it 25 periodically 'connects'the noncommon terminals of the condensers Z'Ia-Zlh, inclusive, to the source-+13 connected to the switchunitin a conventional manner.

Under-certain operating-conditions a pulse repr'esentative of'a target :may be derived by the receiver of the unit at a time when the stress pulse traveling along either time-delay device is intermediate two adjacent pick-off electrodes. Then, becauseof the overlapping response characteristics of the adjacent pick-on electrodes, two adjacent portions or the device [6 are rendered conductive and two corresponding condensers are charged. The fact that two condenser-s are charged indicates that the target position is intermediate the distances corresponding to the condensers and the relative instantaneous magnitudes of the charges on the conderisers during the "charging times'thereof are representative of the relation of the target position to the-distancescorresponding to the charged condensers.

Description of Fig. 4 signal-sampling energy-storage device Referring now more particularly to "Fig. 4, there is represented an electron-discharge signalsampling energy-storage device for distributively storing energy representative of a signal sampledthereby. "This device is generally similar to the Fig. 1' signal-sampling device' l6, corresponding elements being designated by similarreference numerals-primed and double-primed. 'The device IB; however, -includes a single time-delay signal-translating device 33" which has apl-urality of spaced pick-oh electrodes 3'-6a"-36h", inclusive, for developing successive sampling pulses and comprising effectively electrically isolated anodes rather than control electrodes. As described in connection with'the device 33 of Fig. 1, each pair of pick-off electrodes comprisinga portion of the inner coating 35" and one of the electrodes-36a- 36h", inclusive, is separated by dielectric material comprising an electrostrictive element 34". Accordingly, a pluralityof energystorage means comprises the pairs of pick-off electrodes which are eiTective ascon'den'sers to performthe function's Of the condensers 2 lib-=2 inclusive, of Fig. 1. "The "pick-oil electrodes 8 356F553 6'72"" inclusive; therefore, :are directly con nected to the terminals Ha -22h, inclusive, re spcctively,"or a switch 22'.

Operation of'Fig. 4 signal-sampling energy-storage device The operation of the Fig. 4 device is analogous to-that of the Fig. 1 device. While the device l6 isnormallynonconductivealong the length thereof, the appearance. of a target pulse at a given time after each corresponding transmitted pulse causes an increase of the potential at the control electrode 30'. At this time the potential 'ata selected one of the pick-oil anode electrodes 3 6a"'- -36h", inclusive, rises sufficiently to render conductive the corresponding portion of the device i'fi'gfThemagnitude of the space-current'flow at the time h is representative of the magnitude of thesignal to besampled at that time because of the control over space-current flow exerted by the control electrode til in cooperation with the selected'pick-oif electrode as an anode. Also, by successively conditioning the remaining individual portions or the device It forconduction, the pick-01f electrodes cooperate with the first spacecurrent electrode til to cause space-current flow representative of successive samples of the signal to be sampled. The pick-cit electrodes in response to the space-current flow also are effective as condensers for distributively storing energy representative of the samples. The charged pairs of pick-off electrodes may be periodically discharged in a manner similar to that explained in connection with the discharging of thecondensers Zia-21h, inclusive, of Fig. l.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it will be apparent that an electron-discharge signa'l-sampling device constructed in accordance with the invention has the advantage of compact construction and further may be so constructed as to function as an electrondischarge' signal-sampling energy-storage device for distributively storing energy representative'or a-signal sampled thereby.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will *be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as' fall'within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1.-A-n electron-discharge signal samplin device comprising: first terminals for supplying a signal to besampled; second terminals for supplyingacontrol pulse; an elongated first control electrode'coupled to said first terminals; an elongated electrostrictive time-delay signal-translating devicecoupled to said second terminals and having a plurality of spaced pick-off electrodes for developing successive sampling pulses and comprisingeffectively electrically isolated spacecurrent control electrodes; and an elongated cathode common to said first control electrode and said isolated control electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause space-current flow representative of successive samples of said signal.

2. An electron-discharge signal-sampling device comprising: first terminals for supplying a signalto be sampled; secondterminals for supplying a control pulse .a-spaoe-current electrode coupled to said .first terminals; .2. time-delay signal-translating device coupled to said second prising a space-current electrode; and a primary space-current electrode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause space-current flow representative of a sample of said signal.

3. An electron-discharge signal-sampling device comprising: first terminals for supplying a signal to be sampled; second terminals for supplying a control pulse; a space-current electrode coupled to said first terminals; a time-delay signal-translating device coupled to said second terminals and having a plurality of spaced pickoff electrodes for developing successive sampling 'pulses and comprising space-current electrodes;

and a primary space-current electrode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause space-current flow representative of successive samples of said signal.

4. An electron-discharge signal-sampling device comprising: first terminals for supplying a signal to be sampled; second terminals for supplying a control pulse; an elongated space-current electrode coupled to said first terminals; an elongated electrostrictive time-delay signal-translating device coupled to said second terminals and having a plurality of spaced pick-oil electrodes for developing successive sampling pulses and comprising space-current electrodes; and an elongated primary space-current electrode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperatin therewith to cause space-current flow representative of successive samples of said signal.

5. An electron-discharge signal-sampling device comprising: first terminals for supplying a signal to be sampled; second terminals for supplying a control pulse; a space-current electrode coupled to said first terminals; 2. time-delay signal-translating device coupled to said second terminals and having a plurality of spaced pickoff electrodes for developing successive sampling pulses and comprising effectively electrically isolated space-current control electrodes; and a primary space-current electrode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause space-current fiow representative of successive samples of said signal.

6. An electron-discharge signal-sampling device comprising: first terminals for supplying a signal to be sampled; second terminals for supplying a control pulse; a space-current electrode coupled to said first terminals; a time-delay signal-translating device coupled to said second terminals and having a plurality of spaced pickofi electrodes for developing successive sampling pulses and comprising efiectively electrically isolated anodes; and a primary space-current electrode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause spacecurrent flow representative of successive samples of said signal.

7. An electron-discharge signal-sampling device comprising: first terminals for supplyin a signal to be sampled; second terminals for supplying a control pulse; a space-current electrode coupled to said first terminals; a time-delay signal-translating device comprising an elongated tube of electrostrictive material and an elongated inner tube of conductive material concentric 7' therewith and coupled to one of said second terminals, said time-delay device having an outer tubular input electrode positioned along said electrostrictive tube and coupled to another of said second terminals and having outer tubular pick- 10 oil electrodes spaced along said electrostrictive tube and cooperating with said conductive tube for developing successive sampling pulses and comprising space-current electrodes; and a primary space-current electrode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause space-current flow representative of successive samples of said signal.

8. An electron-discharge signal-sampling device comprising; first terminals for supplying a signal to be sampled; second terminals for supplying a control pulse; a space-current electrode coupled to said first terminals; a plurality of similar time-delay signal-translating devices connected in parallel to said second terminals and having a plurality of spaced pick-off electrodes for developing successive sampling pulses and comprising space-current electrodes; and a primary space-current electrode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause space-current flow representative of successive samples of said signal.

9. An electron-discharge signal-sampling device comprising: first terminals Ior supplying a signal to be sampled; second terminals for supplying a control pulse; a space-current electrode coupled to said first terminals; a time-delay signal-translating device coupled to said second terminals and having a plurality of spaced pickoli' electrodes ior developing successive sampling pulses and comprising space-current electrodes; and a cathode common to said space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause spacecurrent flow representative of successive samples of said signal.

10. An electron-discharge signal-sampling device comprising: first terminals for supplyin a signal to be sampled; second terminals for supplying a control pulse; a cathode; a time-delay signal-translating device coupled to said second terminals and having a plurality of spaced pick- 01f electrodes for developing successive sampling pulses and comprising anodes; a space-current control electrode common to said anodes and coupled to said first terminals and positioned intermecliate said cathode and said anodes; said cathode being common to said anodes and said control electrode and cooperating therewith to cause space-current fiow representative of successive samples of said signal.

11. An electron-discharge signal-sampling device comprising: first terminals for supplying a signal to be sampled; second terminals for supplying a control pulse; a space-current electrode coupled to said first terminals; a time-delay signal-translatmg device coupled to said second terminals and having a plurality of spaced pickofi electrodes for developing successive sampling pulses and comprising space-current electrodes; potential-supply circuit means including said terminals for maintaining normally nonconductive individual portions of the electron-discharge device corresponding to said spaced pick-01f electrodes; and a primary space-current electrode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith for rendering conductive said individual portions in response to said sampling pulses and said signal and thus to cause space-current flow representative of successive samples of said signal.

12. An electron-discharge signal-sampling energy-storage device for distributively storing energy representative of a signal sampled thereby comprising: first terminals for supplying a 11 signal to be sampled; secondterminals for supplying a control pulse; aspace-current electrode coupled to said first terminals; a tune-delay signal-translating device coupled to said second terminals and having a plurality of spaced pickofi' electrodes for developing successive sampling pulses andcomprising space-current electrodes; a primary space-current electrode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause space-current flow representative of successive samples of said signal;

and a pluralityof energy-storage means individually includingsaid pick-off electrodes for distributively storing energy representative of said samples.

13. electron-discharge signal-sampling encrag y-storage devicefor distributively storing energy representative of a signal sampled thereby comprising: first terminals for supplying a Signal to be sampled; second terminals for supplying a. control pulse; a space-current electrode coupled to. said first terminals; atime-delay sigrial-translating device coupled to said second ter- -minals and having a plurality. of spaced pick-off electrodes for developing. successive sampling pulses and comprising.,spaceecurrent. electrodes; a primary space-current electrode. common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperate ing therewith to cause space-current flow-represent-ative of successive samples of said signal; and a plurality of condensers individually including said pick-01f electrodes as one plate of each thereof for distributively storing energy representative of said samples.

14. An electron-discharge signal-sampling energy-storage system for distributively storing energy representative of a signal sampled thereby comprising: an electron-discharge signalsampling device including first terminals for supplying a signal to be sampled, second terminals for supplying a control pulse, a spacecurrent control electrode coupled. to said first terminals, a time-delay signal-translating device coupled to said second terminals and having a plurality of spaced pick-01f electrodes for developing successive sampling pulses and comprising space-current control electrodes, a cathode common to the other space-current electrodes and cooperating therewith to cause space-current flow representative of successive samples of said signal, a plurality of spaced anodes individually corresponding to said spaced pick-offelectrode's; and a plurality of condensers individually coupled to said anodes for distributively storing energy representative of said samples.

CHARLES J. HIRSCI-I'.

No references cited.

Images