US2853622A - Electron discharge apparatus - Google Patents

Description

c. w. HANSEN 2,853,622

Sept. 23, 1958" ELECTRON DISCHARGE APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1955 INVEiVTORI- CARL w. HANSEN ATT'Y' c. w. HANSEN ELECTRON DISCHARGE APPARATUS Sept. 23, 1958 Filed ieb. 14, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTORI- CARL W. HANSEN wa w? Sept 3, 1958 c. w. HANSEN ELECTRON DISCHARGE APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 2 Filed Feb. 1.4!,v 1955 llll l 1NVENTOR: CARL W. HANSEN BY.- q a 0000 0 00 01 fik 000 0 0 0 a 0 00 000 0 0 0 000 0 ATT'Y Sept. 23, 1958 Q c, w, HANSEN 2,853,622

I v ELE CTRON DISCHARGE APPARATUS I l I Fi1e'd Feb. 14, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 9

l 2| llllllllgl H H nmuu 38 M l V I INVENTOR w CARL W. HANSEN ATTORNEY United States Patent ELECTRON DISCHARGE APPARATUS Carl W. Hansen, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application February 14, 1955, Serial No. 487,922

22 Claims. (Cl. 25087) The present invention relates in general to electronics and has more particular reference to the production and discharge of electrons, as in the form of an electron beam, the invention pertaining especially to improved electron discharge apparatus, including electron beam generators as well as X-ray generators, and having specific reference to X-ray generating tubes adapted for operation at high voltage.

High voltage electron generating apparatus, including electron beam generators as well as X-ray tubes, conventionally comprise elongated multiple section envelope means of generally tubular configuration and embodying alternate sleeve-like sections of glass and metal, sealed together in end-t'o-end abutting relationship, as illustrated, for example, in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,336,774, of December 14, 1943, on the invention of Howard W. Brackney, et al., relating to X-ray tube. Suitable anode and cathode means are usually disposed in co-axi'al alignment at the opposite ends of the envelope means. Where the device is constructed as an X-ray generating tube, the anode is formed as an electron target and the device may be operated for the generation of X-rays by exciting the cathode for electron emission and by applying electrical energy, at high voltage, between the anode and cathode of the tube, to thereby drive a beam of cathode emitted electrons toward and cause the same to impinge upon the electron target at the anode, whereby to constitute the same as an X-ray emitting source. Where constituted as an electron beam generator, the anode may be formed as an electron pervious window through which the electron beam may be transmitted outwardly of the device. 2

Operating energy is usually applied between the anode and cathode of an electron discharge device by means of a suitable high voltagepower transformer, while the cathode is commonly energized for electron emission by means of a cathode energizing transformer operated at relatively much lower voltage. High voltage electron discharge devices are also comm-only provided with a series of co-axially aligned electronic lens elements, comprising metal sleeves, disposed Within the envelope of the device, between the anode and cathode, said lens elements being mechanically supported on and electrically connected each with a corresponding metal envelope section, whereby the same may be maintained at desired operating potentials. To such end, the metal envelope sections may be connected with suitable electrical energy sources outwardly of the envelope, such sources conventionally comprising coil sections of the high voltage transformer, employed for energizing the ray generating tube, as shown, for example, in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,144,518 of January 17, 1939, on the invention of Willem F. Westendorp, relating to High Voltage Apparatus.

Heretofore it has been the practice, in high voltage apparatus of the character mentioned to mount the high voltage energy supply transformer and also the cathode exciting transformer, together with the associated electron discharge tube, within a common housing, and to "ice separately support the tube and the transformers in any character, having weight of the order of one thousand I pounds, or more, including the electron discharge tube, its energizing transformer means, and the enclosing housing, in which the generating equipment is contained, together with a suitable insulating medium.

An important object of the present invention is to provide high voltage equipment of the character mentioned which is relatively compact and light in weight and, hence, readily portable; a further object being to provide equipment having Weight of the order of one hundred pounds, as compared with comparable apparatus heretofore provided and weighing in excess of one thousand pounds; a still further object, in that connection, being to dispose the energy supply transformer windings in position snugly embracing the tubular envelope of an electron discharge tube, to thereby conserve space; another object being to build portions of the magnetic circuit of a transformer upon the walls of a tube enclosing housing in position encircling the tube.

Another important object of the invention is to form the secondary winding of an energy supply transformer as a plurality of axially separated, electrically interconnected coil sections, mounted in position concentrically encircling the envelope of an associated electron discharge tube; a further object being to mount certain of said coil sections each opposite a corresponding metal envelope section of an associated electron discharge tube; a further object being to electrostatically shield each metal envelope section from its corresponding coil section; a still further object being to provide for magnetically shielding the electron discharge tube from the tube encircling coil sections of the transformer to prevent inductive heating of the metal envelope sections of the generating tube by action of the surrounding coil sections; yet a further object being to provide for the electrical connection of a metal envelope section with a surrounding coil section to apply a desired coil potential upon an electronic lens element supported on said envelope section.

Another important object is to interconnect the several coil sections of the secondary winding of a transformer in series between the grounded anode and the cathode of an electron discharge tube, and to mount the primary winding of the transformer, in position closely embracing the secondary coil section, which is connected to ground; a further object being to arrange the secondary winding of a power supply transformer so that it Will operate as a resonant circuit to thereby avoid the necessity of providing a closed transformer core.

Another important object is to provide for energizing the cathode of an elongated electron discharge tube for electron emission by means of a transformer having a core portion mechanically mounted on a housing enclosing said tube and carrying primary winding means in position with the axis thereof disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of the tube; a further object being to mount the secondary winding of the cathode energizing transformer at and on the cathode end of the tube; a still further object being to form the secondary winding of the cathode energizing transformer as a toroidal ring secured at one side thereof on the cathode end of the tube; yet another object being to mount the secondary winding of the cathode energizing transformer upon a mounting bracket carried on and at the cathode end of the electron discharge tube; still another object being to support the windings of a cathode energizing transformer so that the axis of its magnetic field extends substantially norr 3 mal to that of the field produced by the coils of the tube actuating power transformer.

Another important object is to provide an electron discharge tube in a housing withtransforrner windings comprising coils encircling the tube in the housing and a laminated layer of magnetic material, forming a transformer core in position outwardly of and encircling the transformer coils; a further object being to dispose and support said laminated layer upon the inner walls ofthe housing.

Another important object is to provide a light weight sheet metal housing having an end wall, upon which a high voltage electron discharge tube, embodying a multiple section envelope, may bemounted at its anode end, to thereby enclose the tube envelope within the housing while permitting the anode portion of the generating tube to project outwardly of the housing through the said end wall; a further object being to support a ringlike layer of laminations forming a magnetic circuit component upon said end wall in position extending adjacent the primary winding of the electron discharge tube energizing transformer and a secondary winding section of the transformer immediately within said primary windmg.

Another important object is to provide a high voltage energy supply transformer comprising transformer coil sections mounted in spaced relation directly upon the envelope of an electron discharge tube; a further object being to provide a cathode energizing transformer having a secondary winding mechanically supported upon the electron discharge tube at its cathode carrying end; still another object being to mount the secondary windings of the cathode energizing and power supply transformers so that the magnetic fields thereof extend mutually at right angles.

Another important object is to provide a flanged mounting cylinder for supporting the high tension secondary winding of a power supply transformer, as well as the secondary winding of a cathode energizing transformer, including means for supporting the cylinder in position to snugly receive the multiple section envelope of an electron discharge tube, said support cylinder providing contact clip means for making electrical connection with the metal sections of the tube envelope, whereby to electrically connect the same with the high voltage secondary windings of the power supply transformer.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent when the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a sectional view taken through a high voltage electron discharge device forming X-ray generating equipment embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a modified construction embodying the present invention;

Figs. 3'and 4 are sectional views taken substantially along the lines 3-3 and 44 in Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged sectional views taken substantially along the lines 5-5 and 6--6 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a diagram of electrical connections; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the anode end of an electron discharge device embodying the invention and forming an electron beam generator tube.

To illustrate the invention, the drawings show an electron discharge tube 9, comprising a tubular anode 10, an electron emitting cathode 11, and an elongated electron emitting filament 13, the cathode being mounted and sealed within the anode remote end of the envelope 12, with the electron emitting element 13 facing toward the anode. The cathode structure may include a stem portion 14, extending outwardly of the envelope 12 and filament connected. conductors 15 likewise extending outwardly of the envelope 12, through suitable seals, may be provided for connecting the electron emitting element 13 with a source of filament energizing power, such as the secondary winding 16 of a suitable cathode energizing transformer T, said transformer having a primary winding coil 17 connected with a suitable source of electrical power.

As shown more especially in Figs. 1 and 2, the tube 9 may be constituted as an X-ray generator by forming the cathode remote end of the tubular anode 10 as a conventional electron target G, upon which electrons emitted by and at the cathode may impinge to constitute the target as a source of X-rays. Alternately, as shown in Fig. 9, the cathode remote end of the anode tube 10 may be formed with an electron pervious window comprising a plate W of material such as beryllium, aluminum, stainless steel, and the like, having thickness of the order of two mils and hence incapable of appreciably impeding the passage of electrons therethrough. Accordingly, electrons delivered from the cathode upon the windowpane W will not produce X-rays, as at the target G, but will pass .freely through the window and outwardly of the electron discharge device, in the form of a useful electron beam.

The electron discharge device 9, whether constituted as an X-ray generating tube or as an electron beam emission device, is adapted for operation in response to the application of electrical energy, at relatively high voltage values, between its anode and cathode, to thereby propel cathode emitted electrons toward the anode at high velocity. The anode and cathode are relatively widely spaced, thereby necessitating an elongated envelope structure comprising a series of sleeve-like envelope sections 18 of glass, and glass end sections 19 and 20 arranged in end-to-end abutting relationship, said sections being interconnected by means of rings, preferably comprising metal of a sort capable of forming tight glass-metal seals with the facing ends of the glass sections 18, 19 and 20.- The end section 19, at the cathode end of the envelope, may be provided with a re-entrant portion 22 forming a glass-metal seal with a suitable skirt compris ing a part of the cathode structure, whereby to seal and support said structure within the envelope section 19. The envelope section 20 may be sealed to a metal section 21' secured to and forming a part of the tubular anode 10, which thus comprises an envelope extension providing an anode target at its cathode remote end.

In order to aid in guiding and propelling electrons toward the target G, or the windowpane W, at the cathode remote end of the anode, a series of electron lens elements 23, comprising metal cylinders, may be disposed in spaced apart co-axial alignment within the envelope, between the anode and cathode, means being provided for applying electron urging potentials upon said lens elements, as by electrically connecting the same, each with a corresponding metal envelope section 21., and by electrically connecting said sections with suitable electrical power sources outwardly of the envelope, whereby to apply desired electrical potentials between said elements 23 and the cathode of the tube.

The present invention deals more especially. with improved means for applying electron driving potential between the anode and cathode of the electron discharge tube 9, for applying desired potentials upon the lens elements 23, and for energizing the electron emission filament 13, and more particularly in respect to the novel and compact arrangement of the power supply and cathode energizing transformers with respect to the electron discharge tube. To this end the device 9 may be enerass-s ss gi'zed for operationby means of electrical power supplied thereto-through a transformer 24 having a primary winding 25 and a secondary winding comprising a plurality of ring- like coil sections 26, 27, 28 and 29, interconnected in series between the preferably grounded anode and'the electron emitting filament 13 of the oathode. One of the coil sections of the secondary winding, preferably the cathode remote section 26 which is connected to the anode, is disposed concentrically within the primary transformer winding 25, which snugly surrounds said coil section 26. The coil sections 26, 27 and 23, respectively, are mounted in position, each opposite a corresponding metal envelope section 21', said coil sections being supported by mounting means providing for the electrical connection of the ground remote side of said coil sections with the corresponding envelope section, whereby thus to maintain the lens elements 23 at a desired potential with respect to the cathode as determined by the potentials across the coil sections. The coil' sections are preferably equally spaced apart, the coil section 29being supported in position substantially opposite the electron emitting end ofthe cathode structure 11.

The sectional envelope portion 12 of the electron discharge tube, together with the cathode energizing transformer T, and the power transformer 24 are mounted within and enclosed by ah ousing or casing 30, preferably formed of sheet metal andadapted to contain a fluid insulating medium, such as gaseous sulphur hexafluoride. The housing 39 may conveniently comprise a central, generally cylindrical section 31-, having peripherally flanged portions 32 and 33, an endplate 34 formed with a central opening 35, being. sealingly secured to the flanged means 32 at one end of the housing section 31, a removable closure member or cover 36 being detachably sealed" and secured on the flanged portion 33 at the oppositeend of the housing section. For convenience in carrying and manipulating the apparatus, handles 37, preferably comprising annularly configurated, tubular members, may be secured on and outwardly of the end plate- 34 and the cover 36.

The tube 9 may be firmly mounted on a support plate 38 atthe junction of the tubular anode with the sectional envelope 1 2, said plate comprising a disc formed centrally with an opening, through which the tube 9 extends and in which it isrigidly secured. The plate 38 is of sufiicient size so that its marginal edges may overlie the end plate 34 outwardly of the central opening 35, means being provided for detachably securing and sealing the peripheral edge of the member 38to the end plate 3'4, to close the housing 30 at the opening 35 and to support the electron discharge tube in position with its envelope portions 12 concentrically disposed within the housing. section 31. A conventional focusing coil F may be provided within a suitable housing F, in position-encircling the tubular anode 10 adjacent the mounting plate 38.

According to the present invention the coils 26, 27, 28, and 29 of the high voltage power transformer are made small enough to be mounted in position snugly encircling the sectional envelope 12 of the electron discharge tube, with each section provided with a magnetic shield on the inner side of the winding to prevent magnetic flux from heating the metal parts of the tube by induction. The several sections of the transformer winding preferably are designed to operate together as a resonant circuit,

to thereby avoid" the necessity of providing a closed transformer core, the primary winding 25 of the transformer being mounted in position snugly encircling that section wardly projectingcathode stem 14' may carry a' detachably mounted spider bracket 42, having a marginal rim extending outwardly of the peripheral walls of the envelope portion 12 in position to engage and support the rim-like edge of the shell 40. The marginal edge of the bracket 42 may also support a dependent sleeve 43, in position surrounding thecathode containing end of the envelope 12, said sleeve preferably comprising insulating material, such as card or fiberboard, Bakelite, transite, or similar insulating material, and serving to support the secondary winding section 29 of the transformer 24, in position encircling the envelope portion 12 substantially opposite the electron emitting end' of the cathode 1-1.

The toroidal winding 16 of the cathode energizing transformer T may be secured upon the shell 40in position extending diametrally of the tube envelope 12, with the axis of said toroidal winding disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axisof'the envelope. The shell 40 may be formed with a diametral groove or pocket 39 for receiving one side of the coil 16, which maybe snugly secured in said pocket, as by means of cement, suitable mounting clamps, or other convenient fastening means.

The primary winding 17 of the transformer T may be disposed in position mounted upon and encircling a laminated bar 44 of magnetic material extending at the axis of the toroidal coil 16 and the bar 44 may be secured at its opposite ends on mounting brackets 45 disposed within the housing section 31, on diametrically opposite sides thereof; The opposite ends of the bar 44 may be magnetically associated and interconnected with the ends of a pair of laminated bars 4'6-of magnetic material, preferably extending chordally of the housing section 31, the ends of the bars 46 remote from the bar 44 being magneticall'y interconnected, as by' means of a laminated connecting bar 46' extendingadjacent a side of the housing section 31' and" secured thereto; as by means of a mounting'bra'cket 45'. The bars 44, 46and 46 form a core providing a closed magnetic circuit interlinked with the secondary transformer winding 16, said core being suspended directly upon the housing section 31 by means of the brackets 45 and 45'.

The coil sections 26, 27, and 28 of the power transformer 24, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, are mounted directly upon and supported mechanically by the sectional envelope 12. To this end, the metal envelope sections 21 may be pro- Vided each with a plurality of radially outstanding projections 46, having preferably rounded outer e'n'ds lying substantially in the plane of the outer surfaces of the glass envelope sections. The projections 46 are disposed in position to inter'fittingly engage each with the socketed end of a correspondingset screw 47, threadingly secured in a mounting ring 48 of insulating material, such as Bakelite. A mounting ring 48 may thus be attached on each of the tube section 21, in position encircling the same, by tightening the set screws 47 of the ring'inwardly upon the mounting projections 46. The mounting rings 48, of'course, are sized to freely receive the glass envelope portions, and so may be easily moved longitudinally of the envelope, to allow the same to be assembled each in position encircling the envelope section 21, on which it is to be mounted.

The coil sections 26, 27, and 28 may each be wound upon support sleeves 49, which, like the sleeve 43' on which the coil section 29 is mounted, may comprise card or fiberboard, Bakelite, or similar insulating material. Within each of thecoil section supportsleeves 43 and 49 may be mounted a cylindrical layer 50 of transformer core laminations. A support ring 51 may be secured to and within each of the layers 50, which are carried by the sleeves 49. The laminations' which form the layers 50 arepreferably overlappingly stacked in fanned relationship, as shown more especially in-Fig. 4 of the drawings. Such fanned laminationsmay e'a'ch extend substantially tangential with respect-to the ring 51, the lamina- 7 tions being cemented in stacked relation and secured within the sleeves 43 or 49, as the case may be, and upon the ring 51, as by means of any suitable or convenient cementing material, such asBakelite or other thermo- :setting resinous cement. Each support ring 51 is preferably sized to snugly fit upon a mounting ring 48 and :any suitable or convenient means may be provided for securing the rings 48 and 51 together. As shown, the ring 51 may be formed with a flange 52 adapted tooverlie the ring 48; and fastening screws 53 may be provided for threaded engagement in the ring 48, through the flange 52, to fasten the ring 51 to the mounting ring 48.

Any suitable, convenient or expedient means may be employed to electrically connect the coils 26, 27, and 28, each with the metal envelope section on which it is mounted. As shown more especially in Fig. of the drawings, the mounting ring 48 may be provided with metal insert means 54 in electrical contact with the set screws 47 and extending to the top of the ring 48 in position to engage and make electrical contact with a fastening screw 55 mounted in the flange 52 and connected with a coil connected conductor 56.

'In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7 of the drawings, a modified arrangement is provided for supporting the primary and secondary windings of the power transformer 24. The coil sections 26, 27, 28, and 29 of the Fig. 2 embodiment may be made in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, said coil sections of the Fig. 2 embodiment being all formed upon sleeves 49 of insulating material containing a cylindrical layer 50 of lappingly fanned transformer core laminations. A cylindrical support ring 51' may be secured to and within each of the lamination layers 50 in the Fig. 2 embodiment, said support rings 51 being preferably cylindrical and sized to slidingly fit upon a series of seats 48', formed at intervals upon a cylindrical support sleeve 12, adapted to snugly embrace the envelope 12 of the X-ray tube, said sleeve 12' having an outwardly extending flange 57, by means of which it may be securely anchored upon the end plate 34 of the housing 30, in position to receive the envelope portion 20 of the X-ray tube concentrically within said support sleeve 12'. The mounting seats 48' are preferably arranged to support the coil sections 26, 27, 28, and 29 thereon, in position registering with the lens carrying rings 21 of the X-ray tube envelope and with the electron emitting end of the cathode structure 11 of the X-ray tube. The support sleeve 12' may carry a plurality of radially disposed set screws 47' at each of the seats 48', said set screws being adjustable outwardly of the support member in order to anchor the rings 51' and the transformer winding sections carried thereby upon the seats 48'.

In order to provide for electrically connecting the coil sections with corresponding envelope sections 21 of the tube, the sleeve 12' may'carry contact elements 54 comprising resilient strips of electrically conducting material secured on and within the support sleeve 12 and having inwardly flexed ends 55 adapted to wipingly engage each a corresponding metal envelope section 21, a coil section connected conductor 56' being provided for electrically connecting each of the contact members 54 with a corresponding coil section. The mounting sleeve 12' may comprise any suitable or convenient insulating material, the member preferably comprising pressure molded material containing Fiberglas in short lengths and random orientation, as a filler.

It will be seen that the rings comprising the laminations 50 in both embodiments are supported in coaxial alignment, thereby forming a low reluctance magnetic path within the coil sections 26, 27, 28, and 29,'said lamination rings thus forming magnetic shields protecting the metal components of the envelope 12, which are disposed within the said winding sections, against said heating as the result of magnetic induction when the coil sections are energized. In both embodiments: a laminated ring 58, of generally conical configuration, is mounted upon suitable bracket means 59, which serves to support said conical ring upon the end plate 34 of the housing. This laminated ring of conical configuration is disposed closely adjacent the primary winding 25 and the secondary winding section 26 of thetransformer 24 and, hence, forms with the laminated rings 50 a portion of the magnetic circuit of the power transformer. A cylindrical layer 60 of transformer core forming laminations may be mounted upon and secured to the inner walls of the housing section 31, in position disposed outwardly of and encircling the transformer windings 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29, in order to cooperate with the laminated rings 50 and 58 in forming a magnetic circuit for the power transformer.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein disclosed being preferred embodiments for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode sup-' ported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, said envelope embodying alternate sections of conducting and insulating materialbetween said anode and cathode, a power transformer for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a plurality of coil sections electrically interconnected in series to form a secondary winding adapted for connection between said anode and cathode, each of said coil sections embracing a corresponding ring comprising overlapping laminations of magnetic material forming a transformer core segment, and mounting means for supporting said rings and coil sections in coaxial alinement and axially spaced relationship outwardly of said envelope.

2. X-ray apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an electron emitting cathode and an anode forming an electron target supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, said target being adapted to receive the impingement of electrons emitted by said cathode and to emit X-rays in response to such impingement, said envelope embodying alternate sections of conducting and insulating material between said anode and cathode, a power transformer for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a plurality of coil sections electrically interconnected in series to form a secondary winding adapted for connection between said anode and cathode, each of said coil sections embracing a corresponding ring comprising overlapping laminations of magnetic material forming a transformer core segment, and mounting means for supporting said rings and coil sections in coaxial alinement and axially spaced relationship outwardly of said envelope.

3. Electron emission apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an electron emitting cathode and an anode supported at opposite ends of said envelope, said anode being formed with an electron pervious window in position to transmit therethrough and to emit outwardly of said envelope, at an end thereof, electrons transmitted from said cathode to said anode, said envelope embodying alternate sections of conducting and insulating material between said anode and cathode, a power transformer for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a plurality of coil sections electrically interconnected in series to form a secondary winding adapted for connection between said anode and cathode, each of said coil sections embracing a corresponding ring comprising overlapping laminations of magnetic material forming a transformer core segment, and mounting means for supporting said. rings and coil" sections in coaxial alinement and axially spaced relationship outwardly'of said envelope.

4. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an-electron emitting cathode supported within andat opposite-ends of'said envelope, said envelope embodying alternate sections of conducting and insulating" material between said anode and cathode, a power transformer for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a plurality of coil sections electrically interconnected in series to form a secondary winding adapted for connection between said anode and cathode, each of said coil sections embracing a corresponding ring comprising overlapping laminations of magnetic material forming a transformer core segment, and mounting means for supporting said rings and coil sections in coaxial alinement and axially spaced relationship'outwardly of said envelope, with one of said coil sections'in position encircling said cathode and the other coil sections each in position encircling corresponding envelope sections of conducting material.

'5. Electron discharge apparatus comprising'a tubular envelope, an anode'and an electron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, said envelope embodying alternate sections of conducting and insulating material between said anode and cathode, a power transformer for applying electron-driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a plurelationship outwardly of said envelope with one of said coil sections in position encircling said cathode and the other coil sections each in position encircling corresponding envelope sections of conducting material, and means to electrically connect one end of each of said coil sec.- tions with its corresponding envelope section.

6. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, said envelope embodying alternate sections of conducting and insulating material between said anode and cathode, a power transformer for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a plurality of coil sections electrically interconnected in series to form a secondarywinding adapted for connection'between said anode and cathode, each of said coil sections embracing a corresponding ring comprising overlapping lamination's: of magnetic material forming a transformer core segment, and mounting means for supporting said rings andcoil sectionsinc'oaxial alinement and axially spaced relationship outwardly of said envelope, said mounting means comprising a support collar mounted withinand supportingly secured-to a said coil embraced ring, seating means detachably secured on said envelope inposition embracing the same, said seating means forming a seat for receiving said collar, and'means for detachably fastening said collar on said seat.

7; Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, said envelope embodying alternate sections of conducting and insulating material between said anode and cathode, a power. transformer for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a plurality of coil sections electrically interconnected in series to form a; secondary winding adapted for connection between said anode'and cathode, each of said coil sections embracing coil sections in coaxialalinement and axially spacedre1a-.

said collar on said seat.

8. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends' of said envelope, said envelope embodying alternate sections of conducting and insulating material between saidanode and cathode, a power transformer for applying electron driving potential between saidanode and" cathode comprising a plurality of coil sections electrically interconnected in series to form a secondary winding adapted-for connection between said anode and cathode, each ofsaid coil sections embracing a corresponding ring comprising overlapping laminations of magnetic material forming a transformer core segment, and mounting means for supporting said rings and coilsections in coaxial alinement and axially spacedrelationship outwardly ofsaid envelope, said mounting means comprising a'supp'ort collar mounted within and supportingly secured to'each of several of said coil embraced rings, a tubular seating member detachably secured on said envelope in position embracing a plurality of said envelope sections, said member providing seats in registration each with acorresponding envelope section for supportingly' receivingsaid collars, and means for detachably securi'ng'said collars on said'seats.

9. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular 'envelope, an anode-and an electron emitting cathode supported within" and: at opposite ends of said envelope, said envelope embodying alternate sections of conductingand insulating material Between said anode and cathode, a power transformer for applying'electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a plurality of coil sections electrically interconnectedtin series to form a' secondary'winding adapted for connection between said anode and cathode, each of said coil sections embracing a corresponding ring comprising overlapping laminations of magnetic material forming atransformer core segment, and mounting means for supporting said rings and coil sections in coaxial alinement and axially spaced relationship outwardly of said envelope, said mounting means comprising a support collar mounted Within and supportingly secured to a said coil=embraced ring, seating means detachably secured on said envelope in position embracing the same, said seating means comprising a circumferential member of insulating material having sectional size" and configuration'to snugly yet slidingly enclose said tubular envelope and forming a seat for receiving said collar, and-meansfor detachably fastening said collar on said seat.

10; Electron discharge-apparatus. comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, a power transformer for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a plurality of'coil sections electricallyinterconnected inseries to forma secondary winding adapted for connection between said anode and cathode; mounting means for supporting'said coil sections in coaxial alinement and axially spaced relationship outwardly of said envelope, a primary transformer winding coil and means to mount the same in position closely coupled inductively with the coil section at the anode connected end of said secondary Winding,ta=cathodeexciting transformer comprising a secondary cathodezenergizing winding, and support means for mounting the same upon the tubular envelope in position presenting the axis of said energizing winding substantially at. right angles with respect to the alined axes of said coil sections;

11'. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode supported within andat opposite ends of said envelope,

means forapplying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode, a cathode exciting transformer comprising a secondary winding coil, and means to mount the same on said envelope at the cathode carrying end thereof in position with the axis of the coil intersecting the longitudinal axis of the envelope substantially at'right angles. g

12. Electron discharge apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein the coil is supported on the envelope in position with the medial plane of the coil lying in the diarnetral plane of the tubular envelope.

13. Electron discharge apparatus asset forth in claim 11, wherein said coil is of toroidal configuration, and

including a cup-shaped coil mounting member, supported on and at the cathode carrying end of the envelope and comprising a metal corona shield, said mounting member being formed with a groove for receiving the coil at a side thereof, and means to secure the coil on said mounting member.

14. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, said envelope embodying a hollow metal portion carrying said anode and a cathode carrying portion secured on said metal portion and comprising alternate sections of conducting and insulating material between said anode portion and the cathode carrying end of the envelope, an enclosing housing secured on said anodecarrying metal portion of the envelope in positionenclosing the said .cathode carrying portions, a powertransformer within said housing for applying electrondriving potential between said anode and cathode, said power transformer comprising a plurality of coil sections electrically interconnected in series to form a secondary winding adapted for connection between said anodeand cathode, each of said coil sections embracing a corresponding ring comprising overlapping laminations of magnetic material forming a transformer core segment, mounting means for supporting said rings andcoil sections in coaxial alinement and axially spaced relationship outwardly of said envelope, and alaminated transformer core section of hollow, sleeve-like configuration secured on said housing in position encircling said coil sections.

15. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, an enclosing housing secured to said anode carrying metal portion of the envelope in position enclosing the said cathode carrying portions, means within said. housing for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode, a cathode exciting transformer comprising a core including a bar portion supported on and Within said housing, a primary winding on and encircling said bar portion, .and a coil supported on, the cathode carrying end of said envelope in position concentrically encircling said primary winding.

16. Electron discharge apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein the bar portion of the core is supported at its opposed ends on opposite sides of the housing and is connected with additional housing supported bars forming a magnetic core circuit interlinked with the cathode energizing coil.

17. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, a power transformer for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a coil forming a secondary transformer winding, a coil mounting member sized to snugly yet slidably encircle the envelope, means to detachably secure said mounting member on the envelope, and means to secure said coil on said mounting member in position coaxially encircling said envelope.

18. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, a power transformer. for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a coil forming a secondary transformer winding, a mounting ring sized to snugly yet slidably encircle the envelope, fastening. members on and shiftable radially of said ring for engagement with the envelope to mount the ring firmly thereon, and means to secure the coil on said ring in position encircling said envelope.

19. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode sup,-

ported within and at opposite ends of said envelope,

said envelope embodying a metal section formed with spaced screw seats, a power transformer for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a coil forming a secondary transformer winding, a mounting ring sized to snugly yet slidably encircle the envelope, fastening screws on and shiftable radially of said ring for interlocking engagement with the screw seats to mount the ring firmly on the envelope, and means to secure the coil on said ring in position encircling said envelope.

20. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, said envelope embodying a hollow metal portion forming said anode and a cathode carrying portion secured on and extending from said metal portion, a power transformer for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a coil forming a secondary transformer winding, a mounting sleeve sizedto snugly yet slidingly receive said cathode carrying portion therein, means to mount said sleeve at one end thereof on said metal portion in position embracing said cathode carrying portion, said sleeve being formed with a mounting seat for said coil, and fastening members on and shiftable radially of said sleeve to secure said coil on said seat.

21. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a tubular envelope, an anode and an electron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, said envelope embodying a hollow metal portion forming said anode and a cathode carrying portion secured on and extending from aid metal portion, said'cathode carrying portion comprising alternate sections of conducting and insulating material disposed between said anode and cathode, a power transformer for applying electron driving potential between said anode and cathode comprising a coil forming a secondarytransformer winding, a mounting sleeve sized to snugly yet slidingly receive said cathode carrying portion therein, means to mount said sleeve at one end thereof on said metal portion in position embracing said cathode carrying portion, said sleeve having a resilient contact element in position to engage a said envelope section of conducting material, said sleeve being formed with a mounting seat for said coil, fastening members on and shiftable radially of said sleeve to secure said coil on said seat, and means to electrically connect said coil with said contact element.

22. Electron discharge apparatus comprising atubular envelope, an anode and anelectron emitting cathode supported within and at opposite ends of said envelope, said envelope embodying a hollow metal portion forming said anode and a cathode carryingportion secured on said metal portion, a housing secured on said metal portion adjacent and beneath said primary coil and the coil section inductively closely coupled therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent portion of the envelope in position extending immediately 10 2,521,426

UNITED STATES PATENTS Hofmann Dec. 15, 1936 Westendorp Jan. 17, 1939 Fraenckel Nov. 26, 1940 Trump et a1. Sept. 5, 1950

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