US3619622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Brightness distribution electron storage tube
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-10
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Granted: 1971-11-09
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Expires: 1989-12-10
Abstract
Abstract The tube of the invention is a device which is designed to perform the function of indicating the scene brightness distribution information of an input image in a graphic configuration by utilizing a storage grid in proximity focus to an anode and cathode and collector mesh so that deflection circuitry and coils are not necessary. A uniform flood is utilized to erase and project image information stored on the grid. Suitable logic control to effect sampling on a solid or segmented anode provide the readout characteristic desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry O Pfeiffer
- 👤 Richard H Wills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R13/00; G01R13/20; G01R13/22; G01R13/225; H; H01; H01J; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A uniform flood optical tube which comprises a sealed housing, a storage grid positioned about midway along the length of the housing, an input photosensitive cathode at one end of the tube in spaced parallel relation to the grid, an output anode at the opposite end of the tube in spaced parallel relation to the grid, which is characterized by the anode and cathode spAcing to the grid being about equal and at a distance in the order of 0.100 inches so that there will not be any substantial electron deviation for electrons passing between the cathode and the grid and the grid and the anode, means to selectively control the electrical potential to the cathode, storage grid and anode, and means to detect the electrical potential on the anode to provide a readout indicating the number of electrons impinging thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A uniform flood optical tube which comprises a sealed housing, a storage grid positioned about midway along the length of the housing, an input photosensitive cathode at one end of the tube in spaced parallel relation to the grid, an output anode at the opposite end of the tube in spaced parallel relation to the grid, which is characterized by the anode and cathode spAcing to the grid being about equal and at a distance in the order of 0.100 inches so that there will not be any substantial electron deviation for electrons passing between the cathode and the grid and the grid and the anode, means to selectively control the electrical potential to the cathode, storage grid and anode, and means to detect the electrical potential on the anode to provide a readout indicating the number of electrons impinging thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A tube according to claim 1 which includes a collector grid positioned between the cathode and storage grid in spaced parallel relation to the storage grid, means to provide image information to the cathode for storage on the storage grid, means to provide a uniform electron flood from cathode to anode, and means to selectively change the potential between the cathode and the grid during the uniform electron flood.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tube according to claim 2 where the anode is divided into electrically disassociated segments and means are provided to electrically sample each segment individually.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
174 words
A uniform flood optical tube which comprises a housing, a storage grid positioned about midway along the length of the housing, an input cathode at one end of the tube in spaced parallel relation to the storage grid, a collector grid positioned between the cathode and storage grid in spaced parallel relation to the storage grid, an output anode at the opposite end of the tube in spaced parallel relation to the grid, which is characterized by the anode and cathode spacing to the storage grid being about equal and at a distance of approximately 0.100 inches so that there will not be any substantial electron deviation for electrons passing down the tube between the cathode and the storage grid and the storage grid and the anode, means to selectively store image information on the storage grid means to effect a uniform electron flood down the tube from cathode to anode while simultaneously selectively changing the potential between cathode and storage grid, and means for detecting the number of electrons impinging upon the anode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
174 words
A uniform flood optical tube which comprises a housing, a storage grid positioned about midway along the length of the housing, an input cathode at one end of the tube in spaced parallel relation to the storage grid, a collector grid positioned between the cathode and storage grid in spaced parallel relation to the storage grid, an output anode at the opposite end of the tube in spaced parallel relation to the grid, which is characterized by the anode and cathode spacing to the storage grid being about equal and at a distance of approximately 0.100 inches so that there will not be any substantial electron deviation for electrons passing down the tube between the cathode and the storage grid and the storage grid and the anode, means to selectively store image information on the storage grid means to effect a uniform electron flood down the tube from cathode to anode while simultaneously selectively changing the potential between cathode and storage grid, and means for detecting the number of electrons impinging upon the anode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tube according to claim 4 which includes means associated therewith to effect a visual print out of the signal depicting the number of electrons impinging upon the anode.
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) | 1974-11-08 | 1975-05-10 | 1975-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-08 | 1979-05-10 | 1979-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-08 | 1983-05-10 | 1983-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |