Abstract: A waveguide flange system connects a pair of microwave components each having a flange attached thereto. Each flange includes a waveguide central bore, a knife edge surrounding the central bore on one side of the flange, and a weld plate extending orthogonal to the central bore in all directions. A deformable gasket is placed between the two flanges and engages the knife edges. A waveguide clamp assembly applies a uniform compressive force to clamp the flanges together to deform the gasket and to form the RF seals. The weld flanges are tack welded, the clamp removed, and the weld completed to form the vacuum seal. A venting trough through the knife edges provides a path for gasses from the region between the weld and the knife edge to vent to the central bore. The clamp may optionally be replaced after the welding for added strength and protection.

Abstract: A waveguide flange system connects a pair of microwave components each having a flange attached thereto. Each flange includes a waveguide central bore, a knife edge surrounding the central bore on one side of the flange, and a weld plate extending orthogonal to the central bore in all directions. A deformable gasket is placed between the two flanges and engages the knife edges. A waveguide clamp assembly applies a uniform compressive force to clamp the flanges together to deform the gasket and to form the RF seals. The weld flanges are tack welded, the clamp removed, and the weld completed to form the vacuum seal. A venting trough through the knife edges provides a path for gasses from the region between the weld and the knife edge to vent to the central bore. The clamp may optionally be replaced after the welding for added strength and protection.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus provide operation of an RF amplifier at a power level responsive to detected or expected conditions such as weather attenuation.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein generally relates to apparatus, systems, methods and associated computer instructions for predicting the end of service life of a space charge limited vacuum electron device. The device produces an electron beam current and has a cathode and a filament powered by an adjustable voltage power supply providing a voltage between a first low voltage and a second higher voltage to heat the cathode to an electron emitting temperature. The process includes periodically, while the device is in operation, adjusting the voltage provided by the power supply while monitoring the beam current, determining a knee-point in the voltage where the beam current begins to decrease as the voltage is decreased, and calculating, based on the determined knee-point and a predetermined voltage vs service life remaining relationship, the amount of service life left in the device.

Abstract: Various crossed-field amplifiers (CFAs) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the geometry of the cathode and/or the anode reduces the velocity of the electrons as they travel near the anode drift block to increase the distribution of the electrons in the drift gap. In another embodiment, an abrupt geometric change to the cathode at the beginning or the end of the anode drift block can disperse the electrons, thereby increasing the rate of mixing and diffusion. By increasing the distribution of the electrons, the peak amplitude of spurious emissions produced by a CFA can be reduced.

Abstract: An electrode of an inductive output tube (IOT) is provided with channels for guiding cooling fluid. In one aspect of the invention, the channels are in a confronting relationship with a jacket surrounding the electrode and spaced from the electrode so as to define an interior region. Cooling fluid such as oil is circulated in the channels in fluid communication with the interior region, providing an escape mechanism for trapped bubbles in order to prevent localized heating of the electrode. In another aspect of the invention, the channels form multiple intersecting helical patterns of different pitches, with the steeper-pitched channels providing a more direct escape route for the bubbles.

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.