US2939045A - Traveling wave tubes - Google Patents

Traveling wave tubes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2939045A
US2939045A US429265A US42926554A US2939045A US 2939045 A US2939045 A US 2939045A US 429265 A US429265 A US 429265A US 42926554 A US42926554 A US 42926554A US 2939045 A US2939045 A US 2939045A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
traveling wave
tube
housing
wave tube
helix
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US429265A
Inventor
Jr Wilson S Geisler
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Applied Radiation Corp
Original Assignee
Applied Radiation Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Applied Radiation Corp filed Critical Applied Radiation Corp
Priority to US429265A priority Critical patent/US2939045A/en
Priority to US849835A priority patent/US3136964A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2939045A publication Critical patent/US2939045A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J25/00—Transit-time tubes, e.g. klystrons, travelling-wave tubes, magnetrons
    • H01J25/34—Travelling-wave tubes; Tubes in which a travelling wave is simulated at spaced gaps
    • H01J25/36—Tubes in which an electron stream interacts with a wave travelling along a delay line or equivalent sequence of impedance elements, and without magnet system producing an H-field crossing the E-field
    • H01J25/38—Tubes in which an electron stream interacts with a wave travelling along a delay line or equivalent sequence of impedance elements, and without magnet system producing an H-field crossing the E-field the forward travelling wave being utilised

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electron discharge devices and more particularly, to traveling wave tubes operable at microwave frequencies as broad band amplifiers.
  • traveling wave tubes are of comparatively recent vintage, little work has been done except on theoretical and experimental investigation. As a consequence, the traveling wave tubes themselves, the arrangement for coupling the microwave frequency energy into and out of the tubes, and the arrangement for focusing the electron beam, have been somewhat inefiicient and in most cases, excessively cumbersome.
  • a feature of the invention involves the provision of a traveling wave tube unit having integrated means for establishing the required external electrical connections with utmost facility.
  • Another feature involves the provision of an improved arrangement for physically mounting a traveling wave tube or similar electron discharge device.
  • a further feature is the provision of a novel and particularly effective arrangement for coupling radio frequency energy into and out of a traveling wave tube.
  • a further feature involves the provision of an eifective yet simple attenuator for utilization with such a tube.
  • a feature of the invention is directed to the actual structural features of the tube which facilitate both the assembly and operation.
  • Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a traveling wave tube unit or package embodying the present invention, with a portion of the outer housing broken away to illustrate interior details of the construction,
  • Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the traveling wave tube before its incorporation in the package
  • Figure 3 is a transverse section of the traveling wave tube unit taken along line 3--3 of Figure 1 and illustrating the manner in which the coupling and focusing means are joined physically to the tube, i
  • Figure 4 is a fragmentary section taken along line 4 -4 of Figure 3, and
  • Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of a central portion of the unit showing details of an attenuator structure.
  • the traveling wave tube constructed in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated glass body 1d of small tubular cross section throughout most of its length but enlarged at one end as indicated at 11 to enable mounting of an electron gun 12.
  • a slowwave structure in the form of a metal helix 13 is disposed to provide the desired interaction between the electrons which emerge as a beam from the electron gun 12 and f.
  • the helix 13 is provided at one end with a small hook 14 and at the other is spotwelded to a metal base 15 which preferably takes the form of a short cylindrical stub 16 substantially equal in diameter to the helix and having an annular ring 17 brazed to its exterior.
  • the described tubular glass body 10 is formed upon an accurately machined mandrel so that its inner diameter closely corresponds to the outer diameter of the helix 13 and thus enables slidable insertion, yet subsequent support of the latter.
  • the hooked end 14 of the helix 13 is inserted into the body 10 at its enlarged end 11 and is pushed therethrough until the annular ring portion 17 of the described helix base 15 comes into engagement with the shoulder formed at the enlarged end 11 of the glass body.
  • the hooked end 14 of the helix is then pulled and brought into hooked engagement over the other end of the glass body 10 and is subsequently engaged by a small metal tubulation 18 sealed to the end of the body. Such engagement maintains the helix 13 permanently in its slightly stretched position and establishes electrical connection between the helix and the tubulation.
  • the geometry of the helix 13 is such that when secured in the manner described, the phase velocity of the applied radio frequency wave along the axis corresponds very closely to the velocity of the electrons injected from the electron gun 12.
  • the electron gun 12 is generally of conventional construction including a cathode 20 supported by means of an annular ceramic spacer 21 on the interior of a cupshaped body 22.
  • the side wall of the gun body 22 is formed of a pair of copper cylinders 23, 23" having lateral flanges brazed together and to the end of one cylinder 23 a first anode 24in the form of a copper cup is brazed so that a central opening therein lies adjacent and axially aligned with the cathode 20.
  • the electron gun 12 is mounted so that the cathode 20 and first anode 24 are aligned with the axis of the helix 13, such mounting being accomplished by means of a copper cylinder 25 secured at one end to the exterior of the gun body 22, as by brazing, and being supported at its other end in vacuum-tight relation on the end of the enlarged portion 11 of the glass body 10.
  • the base of the cup-shaped gun body 22 is formed by aceramic disc 26 which is sealed to the end of the cylinder 23' of the gun body 22 and supports in vacuum-sealing relation wires 27, 28, 29 which extend therethrough to enable application of voltage to the oathode 20, to a filament 30 for heating the cathode, and additionally, to a conventional getter 31, which can be fired subsequent to evacuation of the traveling wave tube to purge all remaining impurities.
  • Evacuation of the tube is accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, through the previously described tubulation 18 at its distal end. After the tube has been pumped through this tubulation, it is carefully pinched off, as shown in the drawing, to subsequently serve as a collector for the spent electrons which have traversed the full length of the tube.
  • annular disc 32 Brazed to the exterior of the gun body 22 is an annular disc 32 which controls the longitudinal disposition of the traveling wave tube within a cylindrical housing 33 that is adapted to receive the tube.
  • this housing 33 not only serves as a protective cover for the traveling wave tube but also mounts within its interior the meansfor focusing the electron beam within the traveling wave tube and the means for coupling radio frequency energy into and out of the tube. The arrangement is such that the tube when inserted, is held in proper spaced relation to the focusing means.
  • this housing 33 constitutes an elongated metal tube as of steel, such metal tube being provided with a number of openings enabling radio frequency input and output connections to be made therethrough and additionally, enabling the insertion of cap screws 34.
  • the cap screws 34 are inserted in the openings which are preferably disposed at circumferential intervals of approximately 120 degrees.
  • Each screw 34 is adapted to enter a registering threaded bore extending radially through the dividing portions 35 on a partitioned brass spool 36 upon which are wrapped wires to form coils 37 that constitute the aforementioned focusing means (for the traveling wave tube.
  • This spool 36 after slidable insertion into the tubular housing 33 so that the threaded bores thereof register with the described openings in the housing, is then clamped securely within the housing by the cap screws 34.
  • the cap screws 34 project only a short distance into the threaded bores of the brass spool, and set screws 38 projecting inwardly from the bores are adapted to engage and support through such engagement, small tubular non-magnetic metal housings 39 for axially spaced input and output couplers and a generally similar housing 39 for an attenuator' disposed intermediately thereof.
  • These set screws 38 are held in position by lock screws 40 dis- .posed at an intermediate position in the threaded bores in the spool 36.
  • a tubular electrostatic shield 41 is supported and itself encompasses a coupling helix 42 of a diameter such that a traveling wave tube can be inserted thereinto.
  • the pitch of the coupling helix 42 is arranged so that the phase velocity of radio frequency energy applied thereto is substantially equivalent to the phase velocity of the helix 13 within the inserted traveling wave tube.
  • the electrostatic shield 41 is maintained in spaced relation to the coupling helix 42 by insulation 43 such as Teflon, so as to constitute, in efli'ect, a section of coaxial transmission line having an impedance determined by the length of the section.
  • This feed line constitutes a coaxial cable 44, the inner conductor 45 of which is soldered to one end of the coupling helix 42 and passes outwardly through a radial opening in the coupler housing 39 and the outer conductor 46 of which is soldered to the coupler housing 39.
  • the shield 41, the insulation 43, and the coupling helix 42 are maintained within the coupler housing 39 by means of packing glands at the ends thereof.
  • Each gland constitutes a rubber washer 47 which is pressed against the end of the coupling helix 42 and the surrounding insulation 43 and shield 41 by an annular nut 48, which may be screwed into the threaded interior ends of the coupler housing 39.
  • the two couplers and the attenuator are adapted to closely encompass an inserted traveling wave tube and upon tightening of the packing nuts 48, the washers 47 are squeezed so that they resiliently engage the glass body 10. Since the couplers and the attenuator are supported by the described set screws 38 held by the lock screws 40, the disposition of the traveling wave tube within the outer cylindrical housing 33 and more particularly, within the focusing coils 37 may be securely maintained. To adjust the axial disposition of the traveling wave tube, one or more of the cap screws 34 and the lock screws 40 are removed and the respective set screws 38 areturned to effect displacement of all or merely one portion of the traveling wave tube, as desired, to place the tube in properly spaced relation to the focusing coils 37. Thereafter, the lock screws 40 and capscrews 34 are reinserted to hold the unit securely in its adjusted position.
  • the intermediately mounted attenuator is similar in construction to the input and output couplers, like parts being indicated by like numerals with an added prime notation. They ditfer only in the facts that a layer 49 of aquadag or other lossy material is applied to the exterior surface of the insulation 43' and of course, that any exterior radio frequency connection is omitted.
  • This type of attenuator is to be preferred over the normal or conventional type, which merely constitutes a coating of aquadag applied to the exterior of the glass tube, in that it provides effectively a more concentrated attenuation and eliminates the so-called tube effect which deleteriously affects the phase velocity of the radio frequency wave within the traveling wave tube.
  • the coaxial cables 44 connected to the input and output couplers pass radially outward from the coupler housings 39 through radial bores in the brass spool 36 and terminate in conventional coaxial connectors 50.
  • a suitable packing gland 51 is applied to each coaxial cable 44 exteriorly of the outer housing 33 both to provide support for the cable 44 and to establish electrical ground connection between the outer conductor of the cable 44 and the housing 33-.
  • the traveling wave tube has been inserted into the housing 33 so as to be encompassed by each of the input and output couplers, as well as by the intermediate attenuator, and the packing nuts 48 are tightened to provide the described resilient support
  • the previously described annular disc 32 on the gun body 22 is then secured by screws 52 to the ends of the spool 36, supporting the focusing coils 37, thus to maintain as previously mentioned, the longitudinal disposition of the traveling wave tube within the housing 33.
  • one end of the outer housing 33 is closed by a metal cap 53 and the other end is provided with an insulated socket 54 to which leads from the various electrical elements of the traveling wave tube may be connected to thereby facilitate connection of exterior electrical power to energize the tube.
  • the described first anode 24 is tied through the copper side wall of the electron gun body 22 and the mounting disc 32 to the outer housing 33 which is, as previously mentioned, maintained at ground potential.
  • the cathode and heater wires 28, 29 which emerge from the ceramic base 26 of the electron gun 12 are secured to suitable leads which pass between the focusing coils 37 and the outer housing 33 for connection individually to prongs (not shown) in the insulated socket 54 at the other end of the housing, the cathode wire 27 being adapted for connection to a DC. supply which maintains it at 300 volts negative relative to the described first anode 24.
  • Another wire 55 connected between the socket 54 and the collector 18 at the end of the traveling wave tube is adapted to supply a positive potential of approximately 2500 volts to the collector 18 and to the helix 1'3 and its base 15 which, in effect, provides the second anode for the traveling wave tube.
  • the power is supplied to these connections by a suitable plug (not shown) and the radio frequency energy is supplied to the input coaxial connector 50, the beam in its traverse of the traveling wave tube interacts with the radio frequency wave so applied to amplify the same in the well-known manner and the amplified output is extracted through the output coaxial cable 44 and its connector 50.
  • the intermediately positioned attenuator acts effectively to preclude oscillation within the tube in a well-known manner, the incorporated shield 41' serving to enhance the effect of the aquadag layer 49.
  • the traveling wave tube unit requires only simple radio frequency input and output connections to the coaxial connectors 50 and direct current voltage connections to the insulated socket 54 on the housing 33 to enable operation. Consequently, the use of this traveling wave device is facilitated and because of the protected resilient mounting of the fragile glass body 10 of the tube, installation is enabled at points where vibration or other factors would normally prohibit such use. Additionally, because of the steel construction of the housing 33, stray magnetic fields cannot enter to defocus the beam in the traveling wave tube.
  • Mounting arrangement for a traveling wave tube comprising a housing, magnetic focusing means fixedly mounted within said housing, radio frequency couplers within said focusing means and adapted to encompass and resiliently engage the tube adjacent the input and output ends thereof, and means for adjustably supporting said couplers from said housing in spaced relation to said focusing means.
  • Mounting arrangement for a traveling wave tube comprising radio frequency couplers adapted to encompass and resiliently engage a traveling wave tube adjacent the input and output ends thereof, magnetic focusing means encompassing said couplers, and means on said focusing means for individually adjusting the disposition of said couplers whereby the encompassed tube can be shifted relative to said focusing means.
  • Mounting arrangement for a traveling wave tube according to claim 3 comprising coaxial cables connected to said couplers and extending transversely through said focusing beams.
  • Mounting arrangement for a traveling wave tube having an elongated body with a slow wave structure therein which arrangement comprises a tubular housing adapted to encompass a traveling wave tube and having apertures therein adjacent the ends of the slow wave structure therein, radio frequency couplers surrounding the tube adjacent the ends of the slow wave structure, coaxial cables for each coupler extending transversely therefrom through the openings in said housing, focusing means in the housing encompassing said tube and said couplers, and a socket at one end of said tubular housing and adapted to provide electrical connection with the encompassed traveling wave tube and with said focusing means.

Landscapes

  • Shielding Devices Or Components To Electric Or Magnetic Fields (AREA)

Description

y 1960' w. s. GEISLER, JR 2,939,045
TRAVELING WAVE TUBES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12, 1954 &, INVENTQR.
Wilson 5: Gels/95.11.
pm 5 5 am Palnnf Agent y 1960 w. s. GEISLER, JR 2,939,045
TRAVELING WAVE TUBES Filed May 12, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3 T 34 INVENTQR. Wilson 53 GG'ISIELJI.
Patent Agent United States Patent Q TRAVELING WAVE TUBES Wilson S. Geisler, Jr., Atherton, Calif, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Applied Radiation Corporation, Walnut Creek, Califi, a corporation of California Filed May 12, 1954, Ser. No. 429,265
Claims. (Cl. SIS-39.3)
This invention relates to electron discharge devices and more particularly, to traveling wave tubes operable at microwave frequencies as broad band amplifiers.
Since traveling wave tubes are of comparatively recent vintage, little work has been done except on theoretical and experimental investigation. As a consequence, the traveling wave tubes themselves, the arrangement for coupling the microwave frequency energy into and out of the tubes, and the arrangement for focusing the electron beam, have been somewhat inefiicient and in most cases, excessively cumbersome.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a traveling wave tube arranged in combination with radio frequency couplers and focusing means as a compact and efiicient unit or package.
A feature of the invention involves the provision of a traveling wave tube unit having integrated means for establishing the required external electrical connections with utmost facility.
Another feature involves the provision of an improved arrangement for physically mounting a traveling wave tube or similar electron discharge device.
A further feature is the provision of a novel and particularly effective arrangement for coupling radio frequency energy into and out of a traveling wave tube.
A further feature involves the provision of an eifective yet simple attenuator for utilization with such a tube.
Additionally, a feature of the invention is directed to the actual structural features of the tube which facilitate both the assembly and operation.
Other features of the invention, as well as the advantages obtained therefrom will become readily apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a traveling wave tube unit or package embodying the present invention, with a portion of the outer housing broken away to illustrate interior details of the construction,
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the traveling wave tube before its incorporation in the package,
Figure 3 is a transverse section of the traveling wave tube unit taken along line 3--3 of Figure 1 and illustrating the manner in which the coupling and focusing means are joined physically to the tube, i
Figure 4 is a fragmentary section taken along line 4 -4 of Figure 3, and
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of a central portion of the unit showing details of an attenuator structure.
As most clearly illustrated in Figure 2, the traveling wave tube constructed in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated glass body 1d of small tubular cross section throughout most of its length but enlarged at one end as indicated at 11 to enable mounting of an electron gun 12. Within the glass tube It} a slowwave structure in the form of a metal helix 13 is disposed to provide the desired interaction between the electrons which emerge as a beam from the electron gun 12 and f. ICE
the radio frequency wave applied to the helix 13 in a manner to be described hereinafter.
structurally, the helix 13 is provided at one end with a small hook 14 and at the other is spotwelded to a metal base 15 which preferably takes the form of a short cylindrical stub 16 substantially equal in diameter to the helix and having an annular ring 17 brazed to its exterior. The described tubular glass body 10 is formed upon an accurately machined mandrel so that its inner diameter closely corresponds to the outer diameter of the helix 13 and thus enables slidable insertion, yet subsequent support of the latter. The hooked end 14 of the helix 13 is inserted into the body 10 at its enlarged end 11 and is pushed therethrough until the annular ring portion 17 of the described helix base 15 comes into engagement with the shoulder formed at the enlarged end 11 of the glass body. The hooked end 14 of the helix is then pulled and brought into hooked engagement over the other end of the glass body 10 and is subsequently engaged by a small metal tubulation 18 sealed to the end of the body. Such engagement maintains the helix 13 permanently in its slightly stretched position and establishes electrical connection between the helix and the tubulation. The geometry of the helix 13 is such that when secured in the manner described, the phase velocity of the applied radio frequency wave along the axis corresponds very closely to the velocity of the electrons injected from the electron gun 12.
The electron gun 12 is generally of conventional construction including a cathode 20 supported by means of an annular ceramic spacer 21 on the interior of a cupshaped body 22. The side wall of the gun body 22 is formed of a pair of copper cylinders 23, 23" having lateral flanges brazed together and to the end of one cylinder 23 a first anode 24in the form of a copper cup is brazed so that a central opening therein lies adjacent and axially aligned with the cathode 20. The electron gun 12 is mounted so that the cathode 20 and first anode 24 are aligned with the axis of the helix 13, such mounting being accomplished by means of a copper cylinder 25 secured at one end to the exterior of the gun body 22, as by brazing, and being supported at its other end in vacuum-tight relation on the end of the enlarged portion 11 of the glass body 10. The base of the cup-shaped gun body 22 is formed by aceramic disc 26 which is sealed to the end of the cylinder 23' of the gun body 22 and supports in vacuum- sealing relation wires 27, 28, 29 which extend therethrough to enable application of voltage to the oathode 20, to a filament 30 for heating the cathode, and additionally, to a conventional getter 31, which can be fired subsequent to evacuation of the traveling wave tube to purge all remaining impurities.
Evacuation of the tube is accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, through the previously described tubulation 18 at its distal end. After the tube has been pumped through this tubulation, it is carefully pinched off, as shown in the drawing, to subsequently serve as a collector for the spent electrons which have traversed the full length of the tube.
Brazed to the exterior of the gun body 22 is an annular disc 32 which controls the longitudinal disposition of the traveling wave tube within a cylindrical housing 33 that is adapted to receive the tube. In accordance with the present invention, this housing 33 not only serves as a protective cover for the traveling wave tube but also mounts within its interior the meansfor focusing the electron beam within the traveling wave tube and the means for coupling radio frequency energy into and out of the tube. The arrangement is such that the tube when inserted, is held in proper spaced relation to the focusing means. i
As best shown in Figure 1, this housing 33 constitutes an elongated metal tube as of steel, such metal tube being provided with a number of openings enabling radio frequency input and output connections to be made therethrough and additionally, enabling the insertion of cap screws 34. At each of three points'longitudinally of the tubular housing 33, three of the cap screws 34 are inserted in the openings which are preferably disposed at circumferential intervals of approximately 120 degrees. Each screw 34 is adapted to enter a registering threaded bore extending radially through the dividing portions 35 on a partitioned brass spool 36 upon which are wrapped wires to form coils 37 that constitute the aforementioned focusing means (for the traveling wave tube. This spool 36, after slidable insertion into the tubular housing 33 so that the threaded bores thereof register with the described openings in the housing, is then clamped securely within the housing by the cap screws 34.
As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cap screws 34 project only a short distance into the threaded bores of the brass spool, and set screws 38 projecting inwardly from the bores are adapted to engage and support through such engagement, small tubular non-magnetic metal housings 39 for axially spaced input and output couplers and a generally similar housing 39 for an attenuator' disposed intermediately thereof. These set screws 38 are held in position by lock screws 40 dis- .posed at an intermediate position in the threaded bores in the spool 36.
Within each coupler housing 39, a tubular electrostatic shield 41 is supported and itself encompasses a coupling helix 42 of a diameter such that a traveling wave tube can be inserted thereinto. The pitch of the coupling helix 42 is arranged so that the phase velocity of radio frequency energy applied thereto is substantially equivalent to the phase velocity of the helix 13 within the inserted traveling wave tube. The electrostatic shield 41 is maintained in spaced relation to the coupling helix 42 by insulation 43 such as Teflon, so as to constitute, in efli'ect, a section of coaxial transmission line having an impedance determined by the length of the section. The length is chosen, in accordance With the present invention, to produce an impedance value equivalent to that of the feed line for the input or output couplers. This feed line, as shown in Figure 3, constitutes a coaxial cable 44, the inner conductor 45 of which is soldered to one end of the coupling helix 42 and passes outwardly through a radial opening in the coupler housing 39 and the outer conductor 46 of which is soldered to the coupler housing 39. The shield 41, the insulation 43, and the coupling helix 42 are maintained within the coupler housing 39 by means of packing glands at the ends thereof. Each gland constitutes a rubber washer 47 which is pressed against the end of the coupling helix 42 and the surrounding insulation 43 and shield 41 by an annular nut 48, which may be screwed into the threaded interior ends of the coupler housing 39.
The two couplers and the attenuator are adapted to closely encompass an inserted traveling wave tube and upon tightening of the packing nuts 48, the washers 47 are squeezed so that they resiliently engage the glass body 10. Since the couplers and the attenuator are supported by the described set screws 38 held by the lock screws 40, the disposition of the traveling wave tube within the outer cylindrical housing 33 and more particularly, within the focusing coils 37 may be securely maintained. To adjust the axial disposition of the traveling wave tube, one or more of the cap screws 34 and the lock screws 40 are removed and the respective set screws 38 areturned to effect displacement of all or merely one portion of the traveling wave tube, as desired, to place the tube in properly spaced relation to the focusing coils 37. Thereafter, the lock screws 40 and capscrews 34 are reinserted to hold the unit securely in its adjusted position.
The intermediately mounted attenuator is similar in construction to the input and output couplers, like parts being indicated by like numerals with an added prime notation. They ditfer only in the facts that a layer 49 of aquadag or other lossy material is applied to the exterior surface of the insulation 43' and of course, that any exterior radio frequency connection is omitted. This type of attenuator is to be preferred over the normal or conventional type, which merely constitutes a coating of aquadag applied to the exterior of the glass tube, in that it provides effectively a more concentrated attenuation and eliminates the so-called tube effect which deleteriously affects the phase velocity of the radio frequency wave within the traveling wave tube.
The coaxial cables 44 connected to the input and output couplers pass radially outward from the coupler housings 39 through radial bores in the brass spool 36 and terminate in conventional coaxial connectors 50. A suitable packing gland 51 is applied to each coaxial cable 44 exteriorly of the outer housing 33 both to provide support for the cable 44 and to establish electrical ground connection between the outer conductor of the cable 44 and the housing 33-.
After the traveling wave tube has been inserted into the housing 33 so as to be encompassed by each of the input and output couplers, as well as by the intermediate attenuator, and the packing nuts 48 are tightened to provide the described resilient support, the previously described annular disc 32 on the gun body 22 is then secured by screws 52 to the ends of the spool 36, supporting the focusing coils 37, thus to maintain as previously mentioned, the longitudinal disposition of the traveling wave tube within the housing 33. Thereafter,
one end of the outer housing 33 is closed by a metal cap 53 and the other end is provided with an insulated socket 54 to which leads from the various electrical elements of the traveling wave tube may be connected to thereby facilitate connection of exterior electrical power to energize the tube.
The described first anode 24 is tied through the copper side wall of the electron gun body 22 and the mounting disc 32 to the outer housing 33 which is, as previously mentioned, maintained at ground potential. The cathode and heater wires 28, 29 which emerge from the ceramic base 26 of the electron gun 12 are secured to suitable leads which pass between the focusing coils 37 and the outer housing 33 for connection individually to prongs (not shown) in the insulated socket 54 at the other end of the housing, the cathode wire 27 being adapted for connection to a DC. supply which maintains it at 300 volts negative relative to the described first anode 24. Another wire 55 connected between the socket 54 and the collector 18 at the end of the traveling wave tube is adapted to supply a positive potential of approximately 2500 volts to the collector 18 and to the helix 1'3 and its base 15 which, in effect, provides the second anode for the traveling wave tube. When the power is supplied to these connections by a suitable plug (not shown) and the radio frequency energy is supplied to the input coaxial connector 50, the beam in its traverse of the traveling wave tube interacts with the radio frequency wave so applied to amplify the same in the well-known manner and the amplified output is extracted through the output coaxial cable 44 and its connector 50. The intermediately positioned attenuator acts effectively to preclude oscillation within the tube in a well-known manner, the incorporated shield 41' serving to enhance the effect of the aquadag layer 49.
It is apparent that the traveling wave tube unit, as described, requires only simple radio frequency input and output connections to the coaxial connectors 50 and direct current voltage connections to the insulated socket 54 on the housing 33 to enable operation. Consequently, the use of this traveling wave device is facilitated and because of the protected resilient mounting of the fragile glass body 10 of the tube, installation is enabled at points where vibration or other factors would normally prohibit such use. Additionally, because of the steel construction of the housing 33, stray magnetic fields cannot enter to defocus the beam in the traveling wave tube.
Various modifications and alterations may obviously be made in either the construction of the unit or the traveling wave tube itself without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention. For example, the mounting arrangement embodied in the described unit might well be utilized for supporting a backward wave oscillator of generally similar construction. Consequently, the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings are to be considered as purely exemplary and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. Mounting arrangement for a traveling wave tube comprising a housing, magnetic focusing means fixedly mounted within said housing, radio frequency couplers within said focusing means and adapted to encompass and resiliently engage the tube adjacent the input and output ends thereof, and means for adjustably supporting said couplers from said housing in spaced relation to said focusing means.
2. Mounting arrangement for a traveling wave tube according to claim 1 wherein said couplers include a resilient washer, and means for urging said washer into supporting engagement with an encompassed traveling wave tube.
3. Mounting arrangement for a traveling wave tube comprising radio frequency couplers adapted to encompass and resiliently engage a traveling wave tube adjacent the input and output ends thereof, magnetic focusing means encompassing said couplers, and means on said focusing means for individually adjusting the disposition of said couplers whereby the encompassed tube can be shifted relative to said focusing means.
4. Mounting arrangement for a traveling wave tube according to claim 3 comprising coaxial cables connected to said couplers and extending transversely through said focusing beams.
5. Mounting arrangement for a traveling wave tube having an elongated body with a slow wave structure therein, which arrangement comprises a tubular housing adapted to encompass a traveling wave tube and having apertures therein adjacent the ends of the slow wave structure therein, radio frequency couplers surrounding the tube adjacent the ends of the slow wave structure, coaxial cables for each coupler extending transversely therefrom through the openings in said housing, focusing means in the housing encompassing said tube and said couplers, and a socket at one end of said tubular housing and adapted to provide electrical connection with the encompassed traveling wave tube and with said focusing means.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,541,843 Tiley Feb. 13, 1951 2,580,007 Dohler et al Dec. 25, 1951 2,584,802 Hansell Feb. 5, 1952 2,610,308 Touraton et al Sept. 9, 1952 2,636,948 Pierce Apr. 28, 1953 2,645,737 Field July 14, 1953 2,653,301 Moore et al Sept. 22, 1953 2,701,321 Rich Feb. 1, 1955 2,774,006 Field et al. Dec. 11, 1956 2,782,339 Nergaard Feb. 19, 1957 2,797,353 Molnar et al June 25, 1957 2,828,434 Klein et al. Mar. 25, 1958 2,849,651 Robertson Aug. 26, 1958
US429265A 1954-05-12 1954-05-12 Traveling wave tubes Expired - Lifetime US2939045A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US429265A US2939045A (en) 1954-05-12 1954-05-12 Traveling wave tubes
US849835A US3136964A (en) 1954-05-12 1959-10-30 Radio frequency coupler and attenuator

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US429265A US2939045A (en) 1954-05-12 1954-05-12 Traveling wave tubes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2939045A true US2939045A (en) 1960-05-31

Family

ID=23702520

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US429265A Expired - Lifetime US2939045A (en) 1954-05-12 1954-05-12 Traveling wave tubes

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US2939045A (en)

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2541843A (en) * 1947-07-18 1951-02-13 Philco Corp Electronic tube of the traveling wave type
US2580007A (en) * 1947-04-21 1951-12-25 Csf Amplifying and oscillating tube with traveling wave control
US2584802A (en) * 1947-01-18 1952-02-05 Rca Corp Very high-frequency electron tube
US2610308A (en) * 1947-10-31 1952-09-09 Int Standard Electric Corp Hyperfrequency electron tube
US2636948A (en) * 1946-01-11 1953-04-28 Bell Telephone Labor Inc High-frequency amplifier
US2645737A (en) * 1949-06-30 1953-07-14 Univ Leland Stanford Junior Traveling wave tube
US2653301A (en) * 1946-04-30 1953-09-22 Thomas E Moore Coaxial resonant line coupling means
US2701321A (en) * 1951-07-16 1955-02-01 Sperry Corp Adjustable magnetic focusing system for beam tubes
US2774006A (en) * 1950-10-14 1956-12-11 Univ Leland Stanford Junior Travelling wave tube apparatus
US2782339A (en) * 1949-01-07 1957-02-19 Rca Corp Electron beam amplifier device
US2797353A (en) * 1951-06-15 1957-06-25 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Traveling wave type electron discharge devices
US2828434A (en) * 1952-10-25 1958-03-25 Int Standard Electric Corp Electron beam focussing device
US2849651A (en) * 1952-08-23 1958-08-26 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Traveling wave tubes

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2636948A (en) * 1946-01-11 1953-04-28 Bell Telephone Labor Inc High-frequency amplifier
US2653301A (en) * 1946-04-30 1953-09-22 Thomas E Moore Coaxial resonant line coupling means
US2584802A (en) * 1947-01-18 1952-02-05 Rca Corp Very high-frequency electron tube
US2580007A (en) * 1947-04-21 1951-12-25 Csf Amplifying and oscillating tube with traveling wave control
US2541843A (en) * 1947-07-18 1951-02-13 Philco Corp Electronic tube of the traveling wave type
US2610308A (en) * 1947-10-31 1952-09-09 Int Standard Electric Corp Hyperfrequency electron tube
US2782339A (en) * 1949-01-07 1957-02-19 Rca Corp Electron beam amplifier device
US2645737A (en) * 1949-06-30 1953-07-14 Univ Leland Stanford Junior Traveling wave tube
US2774006A (en) * 1950-10-14 1956-12-11 Univ Leland Stanford Junior Travelling wave tube apparatus
US2797353A (en) * 1951-06-15 1957-06-25 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Traveling wave type electron discharge devices
US2701321A (en) * 1951-07-16 1955-02-01 Sperry Corp Adjustable magnetic focusing system for beam tubes
US2849651A (en) * 1952-08-23 1958-08-26 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Traveling wave tubes
US2828434A (en) * 1952-10-25 1958-03-25 Int Standard Electric Corp Electron beam focussing device

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3315121A (en) Crossed-field electric discharge device
US2408927A (en) Filtering arrangement
US1979668A (en) Electron discharge device
USRE23647E (en) High-frequency electron discharge
US3846667A (en) Magnetron having external choke structure
US2922067A (en) High frequency energy interchange device
GB706958A (en) Improvements in or relating to travelling wave tubes
EP0948024B1 (en) Low impedance grid-anode interaction region for an inductive output amplifier
US2984762A (en) Electron beam tube and magnetic circuitry therefor
US2342789A (en) Supervoltage X-ray tube
US3346766A (en) Microwave cold cathode magnetron with internal magnet
US2364732A (en) Ultra high frequency generator
US2542899A (en) Cavity resonator electron discharge device
US2416899A (en) Electronic discharge device of the magnetron type
US2939045A (en) Traveling wave tubes
US2510639A (en) Cavity resonator system
US2282856A (en) Magnetron oscillator
US2130510A (en) Electron discharge device
US2843797A (en) Slow-wave structures
US2408239A (en) Electronic discharge device
US3136964A (en) Radio frequency coupler and attenuator
US2460119A (en) Magnetron
US3069634A (en) Microwave arc-type modulator
US2423161A (en) Electron discharge device of the plural cavity resonator type
US3707647A (en) High frequency vacuum tube energy coupler