US3617799A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gang tuner for a multicavity microwave tube
Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1968-06-21
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1988-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A multicavity microwave amplifier tube is disclosed. The tube includes a plurality of cavity resonators successively arranged along a beam path for successive electromagnetic interaction with the beam to produce output-amplified microwave energy. Translatable cavity tuners are provided within a plurality of the cavity resonators for tuning the frequency of the resonators. The external tuning structure includes a plurality of rotatable cam wheels mechanically interconnected for synchronous rotation. Each cam wheel includes a set of cams. A plurality of cam followers are connected to the cavity tuners and each includes a bearing surface for engaging one of the cams in one the set of cams for tuning the respective cavity resonators in accordance with the position of the respective cam in the set of cams on the cam wheel. Means are provided for disengaging the cam followers from the cams before rotation of the cam wheels to new tuner positions. A stop is provided for the preventing rotation of the cam wheels while the cam followers are in engagement with the cams to alleviate wear on the engaging surfaces of the cams and the cam followers, whereby the microwave amplifier tube can be precisely and repeatedly tuned to certain preselected channel frequencies within a band of frequencies.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C Schmidt
- 👤 Walter E Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:42
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J23/00; H01J23/16; H01J23/18; H01J23/20; H01J23/213; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2101; Y10T74/2107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
In a multicavity microwave amplifier tube, electron gun means for forming and directing a beam of electrons over an elongated beam path, collector means at the terminal end of the beam path for collecting and dissipating the energy of the beam, a plurality of cavity resonators arranged along the beam path for successive electromagnetic interaction with the beam to produce velocity modulation of the beam, means for extracting output microwave energy from the beam for transmission to a utilization device, tuner means associated with a plurality of said cavity resonators for tuning the frequency of said cavities and for tuning the center frequency of the instantaneous electronic passband of the amplifier within a wider tunable band of frequencies, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN, said tuner means includes a train of gears meshed for synchronous rotation, each of said gears having a set of independently adjustable cams rotationally spaced therearound, each set of cams being so spaced the same as every other set of cams, a plurality of cam follower means, each of said cam followers being connected to one of said cavity tuner means and extending transversely of the beam path into engagement with one of said cams in one of said set of cams for tuning the respective cavity resonator to a certain frequency in accordance with the position of the respective cam in said set of cams, means for disengaging said cam followers from said cams and for preventing rotation of said cam wheels while said cam followers are in engagement with said cams to alleviate wear on the engaging surfaces of said cams and cam followers, whereby the microwave amplifier tube is precisely tuned to certain preselected channels within a frequency band.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
283 words
In a multicavity microwave amplifier tube, electron gun means for forming and directing a beam of electrons over an elongated beam path, collector means at the terminal end of the beam path for collecting and dissipating the energy of the beam, a plurality of cavity resonators arranged along the beam path for successive electromagnetic interaction with the beam to produce velocity modulation of the beam, means for extracting output microwave energy from the beam for transmission to a utilization device, tuner means associated with a plurality of said cavity resonators for tuning the frequency of said cavities and for tuning the center frequency of the instantaneous electronic passband of the amplifier within a wider tunable band of frequencies, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN, said tuner means includes a train of gears meshed for synchronous rotation, each of said gears having a set of independently adjustable cams rotationally spaced therearound, each set of cams being so spaced the same as every other set of cams, a plurality of cam follower means, each of said cam followers being connected to one of said cavity tuner means and extending transversely of the beam path into engagement with one of said cams in one of said set of cams for tuning the respective cavity resonator to a certain frequency in accordance with the position of the respective cam in said set of cams, means for disengaging said cam followers from said cams and for preventing rotation of said cam wheels while said cam followers are in engagement with said cams to alleviate wear on the engaging surfaces of said cams and cam followers, whereby the microwave amplifier tube is precisely tuned to certain preselected channels within a frequency band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plural gears are substantially coplanar and disposed on a plane parallel to the beam path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for forcing said cam followers into engagement with said cams.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said engagement-forcing means comprises a plurality of leaf springs, one of said leaf springs coupled to a respective one of said cam followers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said engagement-forcing means comprises a plurality of slave hydraulic pistons, one of said slave pistons coupled to a respective one of said cam followers, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders for containing each of said slave pistons with each of said slave pistons being sealed across each of said cylinders and being slidably operable therewithin, means for selectively applying fluid to either side of said slave pistons to selectively move said coupled cam followers into and out of engagement with said cams.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for selectively applying fluid to said slave pistons includes a master cylinder in fluid communication with said plurality of slave pistons and cylinders, a master piston in said master cylinder, means for selectively moving said master piston in said master cylinder to cause said slave pistons and coupled cam followers to move into and out of engagement with said cams in accordance with movement of said master piston.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including a fluid pressure relief means in fluid communication with the fluid in said master cylinder to prevent excessive pressure from being exerted on said cams and cam followers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |