US3769540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Area electron flood gun
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-26
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1990-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of strip filaments provide a source of electrons. A deflector electrode in the form of a flat dish is placed behind the filaments, and director electrodes which may be in the form of wire meshes, are placed forward of the filaments in the direction in which the electron flow is desired. Additional electrodes which may be in the form of narrow plates are placed along the ends of the filaments to compensate for fall-off in emission at the filament extremities. The various electrodes are positioned relative to the filaments and have potentials applied thereto such that the uniform distribution of electrons is provided over a predetermined area throughout which electron flow is desired.
Inventors
- 👤 J Thomson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J3/00; H01J3/02; H01J3/029; H01J29/00; H01J29/46; H01J29/48; H01J29/488; H01J29/52; H01J29/525; H01J3/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An electron flood gun for providing a uniform flow of electrons over a predetermined area comprising: elongated filament means for generating electrons, deflector electrode means in the form of a flat dish in which said filament means is positioned, director electrode means placed proximate to said filament means in a direction therefrom towards which the flow of electrons is desired, said director electrode means having a surface area substantially equal to the area over which the electron flow is desired, and means for applying successively higher potentials than that on said filament means to said deflector electrode means and said director electrode means respectively, whereby the electrons from said filament means are accelerated through said director electrode means and arranged in a substantially uniform pattern over the predetermined flow area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electron flood gun for providing a uniform flow of electrons over a predetermined area comprising: elongated filament means for generating electrons, deflector electrode means in the form of a flat dish in which said filament means is positioned, director electrode means placed proximate to said filament means in a direction therefrom towards which the flow of electrons is desired, said director electrode means having a surface area substantially equal to the area over which the electron flow is desired, and means for applying successively higher potentials than that on said filament means to said deflector electrode means and said director electrode means respectively, whereby the electrons from said filament means are accelerated through said director electrode means and arranged in a substantially uniform pattern over the predetermined flow area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said director electrode means is in the form of at least a single wire mesh.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said director electrode means comprises first and second wire meshes arranged in series relationship in the direction of desired electron flow, said meshes having successively higher potentials applied thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said filament means comprises a plurality of separate filaments arranged in parallel relationship within said dish, said dish having a flat surfaced back portion and side portions extending perpendicularly from said back portion, said filaments being suspended between opposite side portions of the dish.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 1 additionally including electrode means positioned along the end portions of the filament means, and further including means for applying a potential to said last mentioned electrode means to draw electrons to the ends of said filament means so aS to compensate for end cooling of the filaments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The device of claim 4 and further including additional electrode means in the form of elongated plate members positioned along the end portions of said filaments and extending from said filaments towards said director electrode means, and means for applying a potential to said additional electrode means so as to provide additional electrons at the ends of said filaments to compensate for cooling at said ends.
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) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |