Abstract: A grid component for use with a vacuum electron device (VED), such as an inductive output tube (IOT), includes a skirt that adds structural support and aids in alignment. The grid component has a dome in which a grid pattern is formed and includes an annular, concentric flange surrounding the dome. The skirt is formed concentrically around the flange. Alignment orifices may be provided in the flange for passage of alignment pins in the assembled product. The grid, flange, and skirt are a unitary component and are formed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or similar process, in which a mandrel is used to provide a deposition surface. The mandrel is placed in a furnace, and a high-temperature CVD process is used to break down a hydrocarbon gas to thereby deposit a pyrolytic graphite coating onto the mandrel. The mandrel may include a skirt template to provide the characteristic skirt.

Abstract: A terahertz sheet beam klystron (TSBK) includes an electron gun configured to generate a sheet electron beam and a drift tube through which the sheet beam is propagated. The drift tube is provided with multiple resonant cavities and includes a drift tube circuit including an input RF circuit through which an input RF signal is introduced and an output RF circuit through which an output RF signal is extracted, a collector, and a vacuum envelope. The output RF circuit is configured such that Qe (extraction Q) of the drift tube circuit is comparable to Q0 (unloaded Q) of the drift tube circuit, thereby improving the efficiency of the drift tube circuit.

Abstract: A biasing system for use with a multi-stage depressed collector of a high power amplifier includes one or more adjustable power sources. A power controller provides control signals to the power sources depending on the operational RF power level. For low power applications, biasing of collector electrodes is reduced such that savings in energy costs are realized, and operational temperature and wear are reduced. The control signals are based on values stored in a look-up table. For multiple depressed electrodes, biasing can be controlled in tandem or independently.

Abstract: A grid component for use with a vacuum electron device (VED), such as an inductive output tube (IOT), includes a skirt that adds structural support and aids in alignment. The grid component has a dome in which a grid pattern is formed and includes an annular, concentric flange surrounding the dome. The skirt is formed concentrically around the flange. Alignment orifices may be provided in the flange for passage of alignment pins in the assembled product. The grid, flange, and skirt are a unitary component and are formed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or similar process, in which a mandrel is used to provide a deposition surface. The mandrel is placed in a furnace, and a high-temperature CVD process is used to break down a hydrocarbon gas to thereby deposit a pyrolytic graphite coating onto the mandrel. The mandrel may include a skirt template to provide the characteristic skirt.

Abstract: A biasing system for use with a multi-stage depressed collector of a high power amplifier includes one or more adjustable power sources. A power controller provides control signals to the power sources depending on the operational RF power level. For low power applications, biasing of collector electrodes is reduced such that savings in energy costs are realized, and operational temperature and wear are reduced. The control signals are based on values stored in a look-up table. For multiple depressed electrodes, biasing can be controlled in tandem or independently.

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 biasing system for use with a multi-stage depressed collector of a high power amplifier includes one or more adjustable power sources. A power controller provides control signals to the power sources depending on the operational RF power level. For low power applications, biasing of collector electrodes is reduced such that savings in energy costs are realized, and operational temperature and wear are reduced. The control signals are based on values stored in a look-up table. For multiple depressed electrodes, biasing can be controlled in tandem or independently.

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 microwave applicator for heating a moving fluid includes a heating chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and through which the fluid to be heated flows. The applicator also includes a microwave energy source and a microwave circuit having at least one wave-guide element. The microwave circuit transforms microwave energy from the microwave source into a cylindrical wave-guide mode within the heating chamber for uniformly heating fluid flowing through the heating chamber. This technology is also applied as a method for applying microwave energy for heating a moving fluid. This method includes passing a fluid from a fluid inlet, through a heating chamber, and out a fluid outlet; and applying a microwave energy source through a microwave circuit including at least one wave-guide element to transform microwave energy from the microwave energy source into a cylindrical wave-guide mode within the heating chamber to uniformly heat the fluid flowing through the heating chamber.

Abstract: Axially symmetric magnetic fields are provided about the longitudinal axis of each beam of a multi-beam electron beam device. The magnetic field symmetry is independent of beam voltage, beam current and applied magnetic field strength. A flux equalizer assembly is disposed between the cathodes and the anodes and near the cathodes of a multi-beam electron beam device. The assembly includes a ferromagnetic flux plate completely contained within the magnetic focusing circuit of the device. The flux plate includes apertures for each beam of the multi-beam device. A flux equalization gap or gaps are disposed in the flux plate to provide a perturbation in the magnetic field in the flux plate which counters the asymmetry induced by the off-axis position of the beam. The gaps may be implemented in a number of ways all of which have the effect of producing a locally continuously varying reluctance that locally counters the magnetic field asymmetry.

Abstract: An Inductive Output Tube where, in order to permit the use of coaxial output cavities, the electron beam propagates in first approximation in a radial direction from the cathode. The electron beam is generated by an in first approximation cylindrical cathode, and gated by a consequently in first approximation cylindrical grid. The required drive power is provided by a coaxial input circuit. Depending on the level of a bias voltage, V.sub.g, applied between grid and cathode, the radial electron beam can optionally be operated in modulation classes A, AB, B or C. The modulated electron beam, accelerated by the beam voltage applied between cathode and anode, passes through an in first approximation cylindrical output gap where the modulation interacts with the electromagnetic field of a coaxial output circuit which is optionally connected to one or both ends of the gap between anode and collector. The spent beam is then collected by a radial collector.

Abstract: The frequency of an AC signal is multiplied by a factor N, where N is an integer greater than one, by an electron tube including a cathode for emitting an electron beam and a grid including N segments in proximity to the cathode. The grid is biased and coupled to the signal so the beam is formed as N groups of electron bunches during each cycle of the signal. Each segment accelerates one group of bunches for a duration of about 1/N th of each cycle of the signal. Different groups of bunches associated with the different segments are accelerated at phases displaced from each other during each cycle of the signal. In response to the N groups of bunches an output signal having a frequency N times that of the signal is derived.

Abstract: A vacuum tube for handling an r.f. signal having a predetermined frequency range comprises a linear electron beam emitting cathode, a heater and a non-electron emissive current modulating grid. The grid is positioned from the cathode by the distance an emitted electron from the cathode can travel in a quarter cycle of the r.f. signal. Outer and inner coaxial metal tubes forming a resonant line of a signal coupler are respectively connected to the grid and cathode so electrons passing through the grid are in bundles in an interaction region between an accelerating anode and the grid. Ferrite tiles absorb r.f. fields in the interaction region. In one embodiment a signal coupling loop is between metal tubes at an end of the tubes spaced 3.lambda./4 from the grid and cathode. In a second embodiment the coupler includes a low voltage coaxial line having an inner conductor connected to a first metal face, spaced from a second opposed metal face by a solid dielectric.