US3720856A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Binary material field emitter structure
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1970-07-29
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1990-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A field emitter structure comprises a body of a binary eutectic alloy wherein thin filaments of the minor component of the alloy are embedded in, and a plurality of the thin filaments project above, a surface of a matrix enriched by the major component of the alloy thereby providing a highly effective and inexpensive non-thermionic source of electrons for a variety of vacuum and other applications.
Inventors
- 👤 T Brody
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J1/00; H01J1/02; H01J1/30; H01J1/304
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A field emitter structure comprising a body having a surface and comprising a material consisting essentially of a lamellar microstructure of an ordered structure of thin filaments of the minor component of said lamellar microstructure substantially perpendicular to the surface and embedded in a matrix of the major component of said material; a plurality of the thin filaments projecting out of said body matrix a predetermined height above said surface, the thin filaments being within + or - 20* of the vertical axis of said body, said material comprising said body being a binary eutectic alloy of copper-chromium wherein the major component chromium varies from the eutectic alloy composition by up to + or - 1 weight percent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A field emitter structure comprising a body having a surface and comprising a material consisting essentially of a lamellar microstructure of an ordered structure of thin filaments of the minor component of said lamellar microstructure substantially perpendicular to the surface and embedded in a matrix of the major component of said material; a plurality of the thin filaments projecting out of said body matrix a predetermined height above said surface, the thin filaments being within + or - 20* of the vertical axis of said body, said material comprising said body being a binary eutectic alloy of copper-chromium wherein the major component chromium varies from the eutectic alloy composition by up to + or - 1 weight percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The field emitter structure of claim 1 wherein said filaments are spaced apart from each other at least of the order of 4 Square Root hR microns where h is the height in microns that the filament projects above the surface of the matrix, and R is the radius in angstroms of the tip of the filament.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The field emitter structure of claim 2 wherein said filaments project above said one of the two opposed surfaces at least 10 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The field emitter structure of claim 3 wherein R is at least about 100A.
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) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |