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US4229676A
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Helical slow-wave structure assemblies and fabrication methods
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1979-03-16
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Granted: 1980-10-21
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Expires: 1999-03-16
Abstract
Abstract Helical slow-wave structure assemblies including a helical dielectric supporting member are disclosed along with methods for fabricating such assemblies. After the slow-wave structure helix is wound on a mandrel, a masking helix is coaxially wound about the slow-wave structure helix in the same sense as the slow-wave structure helix over the helical space between turns of the slow-wave structure helix and in overlapping relationship with portions of adjacent turns of the slow-wave structure helix. The supporting helix is formed by plasma spraying dielectric material into the helical space between turns of the masking helix. The dielectric material is ground to a predetermined radial dimension, and the mandrel and the masking helix are removed. By utilizing a masking helix of tapered width, a dielectric supporting helix of tapered width may be fabricated to provide a slow-wave structure assembly with a tapered phase velocity. A slow-wave structure helix having a radially outwardly extending longitudinal ridge may be utilized to provide a structure of wide bandwidth.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur E. Manoly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:48
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J23/00; H01J23/16; H01J23/24; H01J23/26; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for fabricating a helical slow-wave structure assembly comprising: winding a first ribbon of an electrically conductive material unsusceptible to etching by a predetermined etchant on a cylindrical mandrel to form a first helix having a predetermined spacing between successive turns thereof; winding a second ribbon of a material susceptible to etching by said predetermined etchant and having a width greater than said predetermined spacing about said first helix over the helical space between turns of said first helix and in overlapping relationship with portions of adjacent turns of said first helix to form a second helix; depositing dielectric material unsusceptible to etching by said predetermined etchant over the exposed surfaces of said first and second helices; grinding the deposited dielectric material to a predetermined radial dimension; removing said mandrel from the resulting assembly; removing said second helix from the resulting assembly by chemical etching using said predetermined etchant; and mounting the resulting assembly within a tubular housing with the circumferentially outer surface of the dielectric material firmly contacting the inner surface of said housing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for fabricating a helical slow-wave structure assembly comprising: winding a first ribbon of an electrically conductive material unsusceptible to etching by a predetermined etchant on a cylindrical mandrel to form a first helix having a predetermined spacing between successive turns thereof; winding a second ribbon of a material susceptible to etching by said predetermined etchant and having a width greater than said predetermined spacing about said first helix over the helical space between turns of said first helix and in overlapping relationship with portions of adjacent turns of said first helix to form a second helix; depositing dielectric material unsusceptible to etching by said predetermined etchant over the exposed surfaces of said first and second helices; grinding the deposited dielectric material to a predetermined radial dimension; removing said mandrel from the resulting assembly; removing said second helix from the resulting assembly by chemical etching using said predetermined etchant; and mounting the resulting assembly within a tubular housing with the circumferentially outer surface of the dielectric material firmly contacting the inner surface of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said second ribbon has a tapered width, whereby the spacing between adjacent turns of said second helix formed by said tapered portion of said second ribbon varies gradually as a function of axial distance along said second helix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first ribbon has a base portion and a longitudinal ridge portion of a width less than the width of said base portion extending outwardly from said base portion such that said base portion defines laterally extending portions on both sides of said ridge portion, said first ribbon being wound on said mandrel such that said ridge portion extends radially outwardly from said base portion, said second ribbon having a width approximately equal to the spacing between adjacent turns of said ridge portion and being disposed between successive turns of said ridge portion in overlapping relationship with said laterally extending portions.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
64 words
A method according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of copper, copper-plated tungsten and copper-plated molybdenum; said mandrel is of a material selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten; said second ribbon is of aluminum; and said dielectric material is selected from the group consisting of beryllia and alumina.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A helical slow-wave structure assembly comprising: a first helix of electrically conductive material coaxially disposed within a tubular housing; a second helix of dielectric material coaxially disposed about and wound in the same sense as said first helix, said second helix being bonded to the outer circumferential surface of said first helix and extending radially outwardly therefrom into firm contact with said tubular housing; and the width of at least a portion of said second helix varying gradually as a function of axial distance along said helices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
A helical slow-wave structure assembly comprising: a first helix of electrically conductive material coaxially disposed within a tubular housing; a second helix of dielectric material coaxially disposed about and wound in the same sense as said first helix, said second helix being bonded to the outer circumferential surface of said first helix and extending radially outwardly therefrom into firm contact with said tubular housing; and the width of at least a portion of said second helix varying gradually as a function of axial distance along said helices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the width of said second helix is less than the width of said first helix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
A helical slow-wave structure assembly comprising: a first helix of electrically conductive material coaxially disposed within a tubular housing, said first helix having a base portion and a longitudinal ridge portion of a width less than the width of said base portion extending radially outwardly from said base portion; and a second helix of dielectric material coaxially disposed about and wound in the same sense as said first helix, said second helix being bonded to the outer circumferential surface of said ridge portion and extending radially outwardly therefrom into firm contact with said tubular housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
A helical slow-wave structure assembly comprising: a first helix of electrically conductive material coaxially disposed within a tubular housing, said first helix having a base portion and a longitudinal ridge portion of a width less than the width of said base portion extending radially outwardly from said base portion; and a second helix of dielectric material coaxially disposed about and wound in the same sense as said first helix, said second helix being bonded to the outer circumferential surface of said ridge portion and extending radially outwardly therefrom into firm contact with said tubular housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly according to claim 7 wherein the width of said second helix is approximately equal to the width of said ridge portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly according to claim 7 wherein said base portion extends laterally beyond both sides of said ridge portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly according to claim 7 wherein said ridge portion has a width ranging from about one-fourth to about three-fourths of the width of said base portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
An assembly according to any of claims 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 wherein said electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of copper, copper-plated tungsten and copper-plated molybdenum; and said dielectric material is selected from the group consisting of beryllia and alumina.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-10-21 | 1984-04-21 | 1984-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-21 | 1988-04-21 | 1988-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-21 | 1992-04-21 | 1992-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |