US3838308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gang-tuned multicavity microwave tube
Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-05
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1993-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A continuously tunable multicavity klystron and gang tuning apparatus therefor includes a separate tuning element in association with each klystron cavity resonator for setting the respective cavity resonant frequencies. A carriage which is translated in a generally straight line path in response to the rotation of a single tuning shaft carries a plurality of elongated deformable metal bands. These bands are variable pitch cams that are followed by cam followers coupled to the tuning elements for each of cavity resonators. Each deformable band is supported on the carriage at several discrete points along the band length, and adjustment screws are provided for setting the band height and consequent tuning element contour. Such adjustment compensates for the nonlinear tuning characteristic of the cavity resonators in order to thereby obtain a resultant substantially linear cavity resonant frequency versus tuning shaft rotation characteristic. Because of the deformable nature of the bands, a smooth and continuous cam surface is formed between these discrete points.
Inventors
- 👤 G Merdinian
- 👤 Y Mizuhara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:21
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J23/00; H01J23/16; H01J23/18; H01J23/20; H01J23/213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A continuously tunable microwave tube apparatus comprising: a housing; electron gun means within said housing for forming and directing a beam of electrons over an elongated path; a plurality of cavity resonators, within the housing, arranged along the beam path for successive electromagnetic interaction with the beam; a movable tuning element associated with each cavity resonator for adjustably setting the resonant frequency of each cavity; a plurality of movable cam followers, each follower coupled to a corresponding one of the tuning elements, whereby the resonant frequency of each cavity resonator is variable by the motion of a corresponding cam follower; a movable tuning shaft having an operative portion within the housing; a carriage mounted for translation along a generally straight path defined by an axis within said housing, said carriage having means for engaging said operative portion in a manner so that the carriage is translated in response to movement of said tuning shaft; and a plurality of elongated cams on the carriage, said cams being inclined with respect to the carriage axis, each cam being disposed to be followed by a corresponding one of the cam followers, and means to shape sAid cams to provide a substantially linear cavity resonant frequency versus tuning shaft characteristic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A continuously tunable microwave tube apparatus comprising: a housing; electron gun means within said housing for forming and directing a beam of electrons over an elongated path; a plurality of cavity resonators, within the housing, arranged along the beam path for successive electromagnetic interaction with the beam; a movable tuning element associated with each cavity resonator for adjustably setting the resonant frequency of each cavity; a plurality of movable cam followers, each follower coupled to a corresponding one of the tuning elements, whereby the resonant frequency of each cavity resonator is variable by the motion of a corresponding cam follower; a movable tuning shaft having an operative portion within the housing; a carriage mounted for translation along a generally straight path defined by an axis within said housing, said carriage having means for engaging said operative portion in a manner so that the carriage is translated in response to movement of said tuning shaft; and a plurality of elongated cams on the carriage, said cams being inclined with respect to the carriage axis, each cam being disposed to be followed by a corresponding one of the cam followers, and means to shape sAid cams to provide a substantially linear cavity resonant frequency versus tuning shaft characteristic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electron gun means forms and directs an electron beam along a substantially straight path, said carriage axis being perpendicular to the beam path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cams are elongated, deformable bands mounted on the carriage at discrete points along the bands.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means to shape the bands comprises means for deforming the bands so as to adjust the position of each cam follower at each of the discrete points.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the tuning shaft is mounted for rotation in combination with a tuning knob external of said housing coupled to the tuning shaft for rotating the shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
In combination with a microwave tube having a resonant cavity in energy exchange relationship with an electron beam gun, and a movable frequency tuning element in association with the resonant cavity, and a cam follower coupled to said tuning element, the tuning mechanism comprising: a cam movable with respect to said cam follower along a path defining an axis, said cam comprising an elongated deformable band upon which said cam follower rides, said cam being continuous and inclined with respect to said axis, tuning means for translating said cam to said axis, tuning means for translating said cam to adjust said tuning element in said cavity; and means for individually adjusting the distance of the band from the axis at a plurality of spaced apart discrete points along the band length, whereby said cams may be shaped to provide a substantially linear cavity resonant frequency versus tuning means motion characteristic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
150 words
In combination with a microwave tube having a resonant cavity in energy exchange relationship with an electron beam gun, and a movable frequency tuning element in association with the resonant cavity, and a cam follower coupled to said tuning element, the tuning mechanism comprising: a cam movable with respect to said cam follower along a path defining an axis, said cam comprising an elongated deformable band upon which said cam follower rides, said cam being continuous and inclined with respect to said axis, tuning means for translating said cam to said axis, tuning means for translating said cam to adjust said tuning element in said cavity; and means for individually adjusting the distance of the band from the axis at a plurality of spaced apart discrete points along the band length, whereby said cams may be shaped to provide a substantially linear cavity resonant frequency versus tuning means motion characteristic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tuning mechanism of claim 6 wherein said means for translating the cam moves along a substantially straight path.
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) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |