Spring adjustable cooling fins for traveling wave tubes

Claim 2

A cooler for an elongated heat source and mounting structure comprising a plurality of cooling fins each adapted to surround the heat source, means for adjustably securing the fins to the mounting structure, each cooling fin having a shaped portion fitting around a respective axial region of the heat source, and a set of springs, each spring disposed adjacent respective cooling fins and urging the respective cooling fins into contact with the heat source.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 wherein said means for adjustably securing the fins includes means for adjustably centering the heat source with respect to the mounting structure.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2 wherein said heat source is a conoidal electron collector electrode of a traveling wave tube, each fin having a central flange shaped to fit around said region.

Claim 5

The device of claim 3 wherein said means for adjustably securing the fins includes a plurality of support rods passing with clearance through holes in said fins, said springs being mounted on said rods to urge the cooling fins axially towards the mounting structure end of the cooler through which the collector electrode is insertEd.

Claim 6

The device of claim 4 wherein said support rods are disposed around and approximately parallel to the axis of the collector electrode, each support rod carrying a similar set of flanges providing stop members spaced apart along the rod, said cooling fins being mounted on said rods, each fin being apertured to fit loosely on said rods and having a central annular flange of tapering internal diameter to fit around said respective axial region, said springs being compression springs including one set for each support rod mounted on said rods with each individual spring positioned between a stop member and a cooling fin to urge the fin in the axial direction towards said end, the large diameter annular flanges being positioned at said end.

Claim 7

The device of claim 3 wherein said means for adjustably securing the fins includes an annular centering member adjustable transversely in position with respect to the longitudinal axis therethrough, said support rods being secured to the annular centering member.