US5010304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenically-cooled radio-frequency power amplifier
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1989-11-03
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Granted: 1991-04-23
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Expires: 2009-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A cryogenically-cooled RF power amplifier utilizes a plurality of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors configured on a heat sink having at least one surface in contact with a cryogenic fluid, and having input means for coupling RF driving power into the plurality of cryogenically-cooled MOSFETs and output means for coupling an amplified level of RF power from the cooled MOSFETs to an antenna.
Inventors
- 👤 Otward M. Mueller
- 👤 William A. Edelstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:10
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F19/00; H03F3/00; H03F3/60; H03F3/601
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A radio-frequency (RF) power amplifier, comprising: at least one active solid-state RF power device, having an input impedance and an output impedance; input means for matching the input impedance of the at least one active power device to an amplifier input; output means for matching the output impedance of the at least one active power device to an amplifier output; the at least one power device further comprising active driving means responsive to an RF signal from the input means; the power amplifier further comprising substrate means, with high thermal conductivity, for supporting the at least one active power device; and cryogenic means, contacting at least the substrate means, for removing thermal energy from the at least one active power device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A radio-frequency (RF) power amplifier, comprising: at least one active solid-state RF power device, having an input impedance and an output impedance; input means for matching the input impedance of the at least one active power device to an amplifier input; output means for matching the output impedance of the at least one active power device to an amplifier output; the at least one power device further comprising active driving means responsive to an RF signal from the input means; the power amplifier further comprising substrate means, with high thermal conductivity, for supporting the at least one active power device; and cryogenic means, contacting at least the substrate means, for removing thermal energy from the at least one active power device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The amplifier of claim 1, wherein the at least one active power device further comprises a plurality of separate output devices, each mounted upon associated substrate means contacted by the cryogenic means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The amplifier of claim 2, wherein each output device is driven by an associated one of the active driving means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of claim 1, wherein each driving means contains at least one active driver circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The amplifier of claim 4, wherein at least one of the active driver circuits in each driving means is cryogenically cooled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The amplifier of claim 5, wherein the cryogenic means is a mass of liquid nitrogen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The amplifier of claim 2, wherein each output device is a MOSFET.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The amplifier of claim 7, wherein each driving means includes at least one MOSFET.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The amplifier of claim 1, wherein the cryogenic means is a mass of liquid nitrogen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The amplifier of claim 2, wherein each of the output devices is a SIT.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The amplifier of claim 10, wherein each SIT is made from germanium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The amplifier of claim 11 wherein the SITs are complementary P and N channel devices.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The amplifier of claim 1 wherein said input means is cryogenically cooled.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The amplifier of claim 1 wherein said output means is cryogenically cooled.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4097814A
Cited
US4590617A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-22 | 1994-10-22 | 1995-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-22 | 1998-10-22 | 1999-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-22 | 2002-10-22 | 2003-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |