Hughes Electronics Corporation

Other

Edward A Adler

Dan M Goebel

Richard A Brown, Ii

William L Menninger

A traveling wave tube having an electron gun and a collector assembly is provided. The assemblies include a sleeve placed around an isolator. The sleeve is either heat shrunk or heat deformed around the isolator. Heat shrinking is performed when the sleeve radius is initially larger than the isolator radius. During heat shrinking, the sleeve is heated to cause the sleeve radius to increase and be larger than the isolator radius. The sleeve is then placed around the isolator and cooled causing the sleeve to contract upon the isolator. Heat deformation is performed when the sleeve radius is initially smaller than the isolator radius. During heat deformation, the isolator is inserted into the sleeve. The isolator and the sleeve are then heated so that the sleeve expands to a constrained amount of expansion and then deforms. The sleeve and the isolator are then cooled causing the sleeve to contract upon the isolator.

Method of heat shrink assembly of traveling wave tube

A traveling wave tube apparatus and method is disclosed. The traveling wave tube includes a slow wave structure such as a helix member. The helix member has an input end for receiving a microwave input signal having a selected power level and an output end for supplying a microwave output signal having a given power level. A microwave source is connected to the input end of the helix member for applying the microwave input signal to the helix member. An electron gun assembly is adjacent the input end of the helix member and has a cathode for injecting electrons as an electron beam through the helix member. A collector assembly is adjacent the output end of the helix member and has at least four collector electrodes for collecting the electrons in the electron beam. The power level of the microwave input signal is selected such that the given power level of the microwave output signal is at least 3 dB lower than the power level of the microwave output signal at saturation. The geometry of the electrodes and bias voltages applied to the electrodes are selected to optimally handle an electron beam of a traveling wave tube operating at least 3 dB backed off from saturation so as to maximize the collection efficiency. The geometry of the electrodes and bias voltages applied to the electrodes are selected such that the collector assembly generates a high level of backstreaming current when the traveling wave tube operates at saturation.

Efficient, highly linear traveling wave tube using collector with high

A traveling wave tube and method of operation is disclosed. The traveling wave tube includes a slow wave structure such as a helix member provided with input and output ends and located within a tube member. An electron gun assembly is adjacent the input end for injecting electrons as an electron beam along an axial path through the helix member. A magnetic focusing device generates a magnetic field having a given strength to confine the beam to the axial path. The given strength of the magnetic field is sufficient to confine the beam only when the power level of the microwave input signal is selected such that the given power level of the microwave output signal is at least 6 dB lower than the power level of the microwave output signal at saturation. Boron Nitride (BN) supporting rods are engaged between the tube and helix members for supporting and transferring heat away from the helix member.

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Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Edward A Adler