The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 22, 1997
Filed:
May. 26, 1995
Robert Spencer Symons, Los Altos, CA (US);
Litton Systems, Inc., Woodland Hills, CA (US);
Abstract
A high efficiency linear amplifier comprises an electron gun assembly having a cathode and an anode, the cathode being operable at a relatively high voltage potential relative to the anode to form and accelerate an electron beam. A control grid is disposed between the cathode and the anode, and is biased relative to the cathode for Class B operation. A high frequency input signal is applied to the control grid to density modulate the electron beam. A shadow grid may be disposed between the control grid and the cathode. A drift tube encloses the beam and includes a first portion and a second portion with a gap defined between the first and second portions. An inductive output cavity communicates with the gap, and the density modulated electron beam passed across the gap and induces an RF electromagnetic signal into the cavity. A multistage depressed collector accepts and dissipates the electrons of the beam which remain after transit across the gap. Each of the collector stages have electric potential applied thereto ranging between ground and the cathode potential to efficiently collect the electrons. The electric potential can be specifically selected to preclude the collection of electrons at the beam potential, and maximize the efficiency of the amplifier.