Abstract: A self-guiding cover assembly for a vacuum electron device (VED) enclosure has a breach lock mechanism for seating the VED into the VED enclosure having a base. The breach lock mechanism has a plurality of guide elements mounted on the VED, a first sleeve mounted on the base and configured to removably receive the VED, and a second sleeve mounted on the base and configured to removably receive the first sleeve and rotate around the first sleeve. The first sleeve has a plurality of vertical slots configured to mate with the plurality of guide elements. The second sleeve has tracks configured to mate with the guide elements. A rotation of the second sleeve pulls the VED into the base for seating the VED.

Abstract: A self-guiding cover assembly for a vacuum electron device (VED) enclosure (704, 1316) has a cover (1002, 1302), a pair of guide plates, and a pair of guide elements (1304, 1306). The cover has at least one electrical connector (1314) disposed on the inside thereof for mating with a VED. The pair of guide plates is disposed on opposite sides of the outside of the sidewall of the cover. The guide plates each have a track (1310) which guides the guide elements (1304, 1306) mounted on the cover such that the cover is constrained in its motion when opening or closing in order to avoid damaging the connectors to the VED. The cover further comprises a breach lock mechanism for seating the VED into the VED enclosure by rotation of a sleeve (714). The cover (1002, 1302) defines first (1004) and second (1006) chambers separated by a panel 1010. The top of the VED protrudes into the first chamber through an adapter plate 802 having hole 804 for passage of the VED there through.

Abstract: A high voltage direct current contact for a vacuum electron device (VED), including (a) an outer cathode line having a first hollow cylinder having a first VED connection end, (b) a contact block removably positioned within the outer cathode line, having a heater contact and a first threaded stem extending towards the first VED connection end, (c) an inner cathode line removably positioned within the first hollow cylinder and placed in contact with the contact block, the inner cathode line including a second hollow cylinder and a support plate having an opening removably receiving the first threaded stem, and (d) a heater contact line in contact with the heater contact, including a third hollow cylinder and a flange on an exterior thereof, the flange being in contact with the support plate, the third hollow cylinder having a threaded end removably coupled with the first threaded stem.

Abstract: A self guiding cover assembly for a vacuum electron device (VED) enclosure has a cover, a pair of guide plates, and a pair of guide elements. The cover has a top, a sidewall, an inside and an outside, and at least one electrical connector disposed on the inside of the cover for mating with an electrical connector on a VED. The pair of guide plates is disposed on opposite sides of the outside of the sidewall of the cover. The guide plates each have a track. The guide elements are mounted on the enclosure on opposite sides of the cover. The pair of guide elements each mates with the track to guide the cover as it is lifted from the enclosure. The cover further comprises a breach lock mechanism for seating the VED into the VED enclosure having the cover and a base. The breach lock mechanism has guide elements mounted on the cover. A sleeve is mounted on the base and removably receives the cover with the VED. The sleeve rotates about the cover. The sleeve has tracks for mating with the guide elements.

Abstract: The invention is a method of manufacture of a cylndrical electrode such as a thermionic cathode comprising an array of helical filaments. The method comprises the step of placing the array, attached to its support electrodes which are fixedly mounted to a common subassembly support, inside a close-fitting refractory dielectric cylinder and heating the filament assembly by passing current through the filaments. The filament assembly expands to contact the form. On further heating it is plastically deformed to form a perfect cylindrical shape. After cooling and shrinking, it is removed from the form.

Abstract: A new method of fabricating a cylindrical segmented cathode by bending a photoetched bar-band to form a cylindrically-shaped cage and slipping it over a cylindrical electron emissive surface which will tightly fit inside the cage when the cathode is raised to its normal temperature. The bars of the band provide nonemissive segments of the cathode surface.