US2806973A - Traveling wave electron discharge device - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. W. MGEWAN ETAL TRAVELING WAVE ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE Sept. 17, '1957 Filed Deo. so, 1955 Sept. 17, 1957 A. w. Mol-:WAN ETAL TRAVEIYING WAVE ELEcTRoN DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed Dec. so, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 xNvEN-roRs A( EKA/VDE@ M NCEWA/V CHARZES AA/OERSO/l BY CAR V. DAM/ELS W C. #de

GENT

United States Patent-Office 2,805,973 Patented Sept. 17, 1957 TRAVELING WAVE ELECTRGN DISCHARGE DEVICE Alexander W. McEwan, Pompton Lakes, Charles E. A11- derson, Bloomfield, and Carl V. Daniels, Rutherford, N. J., assignors to International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation, Nutley, N. J., a corporation of Maryland Application Becemher 30, 1955, Serial No. 556,507 19 Ciaims. (Cl. S15-3.5)

This invention relates to traveling wave electron discharge devices and more particularly to radio frequency propagating structures having alignment members employed to support and align with respect to said structures the electron gun of such devices.

The traveling wave type of tube is particularly useful in broadband microwave systems since it is capable of amplifying radio frequency energy over an unusually wide band of frequencies. The tube includes a form f slow wave propagating structure, such as a helix or folded strip line, for transmission of microwave energy for interaction with an electron beam closely associated with the struc-v ture. The characteristic of the propagating structure is such that the velocity of microwave energy conducted along the propagating structure is decreased until it is approximately the same as or slightly lower than the velocity of the electrons of the beam, whereby the electric field of the microwave signals interacts with the electron beam for amplification of the microwave signals.

The basic components of a traveling wave tube are an envelope, an electron gun, a collector electrode and a radioV frequency propagating structure disposed between the electron gun and collector electrode to provide the de sii-ed interaction between the radio frequency waves and the electrons of the electron beam. Heretofore, the various components had included their own independent supporting elements, and the inal assembly of the components has been accomplished by employing jigs or similar devices for aligning the separate components. Once the alignment has been achieved by this process, the components are brazed or otherwise fastened together to provide an aligned arrangement so that the electron beam will not be intercepted by components of the tube due to misalignrnent of these components. As is known, the employment of jigs for an assembly operation is expensive and time consuming.

lt is an object of this invention to provide a traveling wave electron discharge device which substantially eliminates the necessity of employing alignment jigs or other such devices in the final assembly of the components of the traveling wave electron discharge device.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel construction for propagating structures of the folded strip line type which cooperates in the elimination of the alignment jigs of the final assembly of a traveling wave tube.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a slow wave propagating structure having a plurality of supporting elements included as an integral part thereof which are employed to support the electron gun in alignment with the propagating structure and which further cooperates in the positioning of the electron gun, the collector electrode, and propagating structure coaxially of the envelope without resorting to alignment jigs.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a slow wave propagating structure of the folded strip line type fabricated from laminations each having a continuous peripheral conductor dening a centrally disposed opening therethrough. The laminations are divided into three different groups. The first of each includes those laminations having a conductor projecting in a given direction from one portion of said peripheral conductor into the central opening thereof, the. second group includes those 'laminations having a conductor projecting in a direction opposite to said given direction from a portion of said peripheral conductor opposite said one portion into the central opening thereof, and a third group includes those laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent a region in this central opening in which the projectingY conductors of the first and second groupsV are disposed in overlapping relationship. I he larninations of the lfirst and second groups are alternately disposed with respect to each other and spaced from each other by laminations o f the third group. The laminations of each group are disposed in supported relationship on a plurality of supporting members. The support members align Vthe lamination-sf of the three groups in a manner to provide a circuitous radio wave path longitudinally of the laminatedl propagating structure.

' 'The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

v Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross section of a traveling wave electron discharge device illustrating the principles of this invention; and

Fig, 2 is an 'exploded view of portions of the propagating structure employed in the device of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. l, the electron discharge `device of this invention is illustrated as comprising an envelope 1 illustrated to be a one-piece metallic shell, but it it understood that the envelope may be of the usual dielectric type. Envelope 1 includes therein the basic components which are, namely, the electron' gun 2, a collector electrode 3 and a radio frequency propogating structure 4 disposed intermediate the electron gun 2 and collector electrode 3 in interacting relationship with the electron beam projected from gun 2 coaxially of envelope 1. The propagating structure 4 is fabricated from a plurality of thin laminations 5 and alignment rods 6 assembled in a manner to be discussed hereinbelow in connection with Fig. 2 to form a folded strip line type slow wave structure.

The alignment rods 6 yextend through apertures 7 in magnetic barrier member 8 in a manner whereby plate 9. may be secured to the ends of rods 6. The electron gun 2 is fastened by means of at least three ceramic rods 10 to plate 9 substantially as illustrated in Fig. 1 to provide a rigid cantilever type electron gun structure which is positioned coaxially of envelope 1 by the cooperation of magnetic barrier 8 and alignment rod 6. The rearward end of propagating structure 4 is supported by means of the alignment rods 6 extending into apertures in the magnetic barrier 11 and secured thereto such that the alignment rods 6 and magnetic barriers 8 and 11 align propagatingstructure 4, the electron gun 2 and the collector electrode 3 supported on a magnetic barrier 11. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the magnetic barriers 8 and 11 have axially disposed apertures therein to enable the passage of the electron beam down the properly aligned propagating structure 4 through magnetic barrier 11 and, hence, to the collector 3 which includes therein a slanted portion 12 which reduces secondary emission therefrom and which is composed of molybdenum or similar metal to absorb the kinetic energy of the electron beam without vaporizing the metal.

Radio frequency energy is introduced by input waveguide 13 at the input end of propagating structure 4 adjacent electron gun 2. The impedance transformation fromv waveguidel to the laminated propagating structure is accomplishedby means of a ridge 14 which is electrically secured to the first lamination of propagatlngrstructure 4 as indicated at 15. Upon completion of the interaction between the electron beam and the radio frequency energy, the radio frequency energy is coupled from the propagating structure by an extension 16 of the last lamination and an extension'31 of the third lamination 5c from the end of structure 4. Extension 16 is electrically connected to ridge 17, employed as the impedance transformer between the laminated folded stripline propagating structure and the output waveguide 18. Extension 31 is extended to make electrical contact with the outer wall of waveguide 18 to complete the impedance transformation as primarily established by ridge 17.

When the electron discharge device is placed in operation, the device is positioned in an electromagnet or permanent magnet 19 and is properly positioned with respect thereto by the external pole piece 20.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the propagating structure 4 will be discussed in greater detail. The propagating structure 4 includes a plurality of laminations 5 each having a peripheral conductor 21 with alignment aperturesV 22V therethrough. As illustrated, the peripheral conductor 21 may take a rectangular configuration or any other suitable configuration dependent upon the applicanon of the propagating structure. The peripheral conductor 21 defines a centrally disposed opening 23 therethrough. The laminations 5 may be divided into three groups.Y The iirst group is -composed of those laminations, 'as illustrated by lamination 5d, having a central conductor 24 projecting in a given direction from one portion of the peripheral conductor 21 into the centralV opening 23. The second group is composed of those laminations, as illustrated by lamination 5e, including a center conductor 24a projecting in a direction opposite to thatof conductor 24 from the opposite portion of the peripheral conductor 21 into the central opening 23. l`he third group is composed of those laminations, as illustrated by lamination 5f, including conductors 25 and 26 which project from opposite portions of peripheral conductor 21 into the central opening. It will be noticed that conductors 24 and 24a extend to a point to be in overlapping relationship'in a region centrally disposed 1n opening 23. This region of overlap will coincide substantially axially with the electron beam projected down the propagating structure, and as a consequence, each of the projecting conductors 24 includes therein an aperture 27 enabling the passage of the electron beam through the laminations of the iirst and second groups. The projecting conductors 25 and 26 of lamination 5f extend to a point adjacent the region of overlap of conductors 24 and 24a to the extent that these projections do not obstruct the path of the electron beam.

The length of the region of overlap of conductors 24 and 24a may be controlled by the conductors 28 and 29 of the laminations in the first and second groups, respectively. These conductors 28 and 29 extend to a point spaced from projections 24 and 24a providing a passage therebetween. In assembling the laminations on support rods 6, the laminations 5d and 5e of the iirst and second groups, respectively, are placed alternately on alignment rods 6 spaced from each other by the spacing lamination 5f. The alternation of the laminations of group 1 and group 2 spaced from each other by spacers of group 3 provides a circuitous radio wave path longitudinally of propagating structure 4, as indicated by the passage 30 in Fig. l. As pointed out hereinabove, the alignment rods 6 cooperate With magnetic barriers 8 and 11 to support the propagating structure 4 coaxially of envelope 1 and further support electron gun 2 in alignment with propagating structure 4.

The laminations at the input and output end of propagating structure 4 are slightly modiied with respect to the other laminations of the structure to accept the input and output waveguides i3 and 1S, respectively, and the ridge transformer associated therewith. As will be observed, the peripheral conductor of the last two laminations are opened on one side thereof for receipt of the waveguide wall therebetween. lt will be further observed that the projecting Vconductor is extended to make contact with the ridge transformers 14 and 17 at the input and output end of propagating structure 4, respectively. It will be further observed at the output end of propagating structure 4 that the lamination 5c has an extension 31 thereon to cooperate with one edge of the ridge 17 to provide the desired impedance transformation between the waveguide output line 18 and the folded strip line type-slow wave propagating structure.

The laminations of groups 1 and 2 are stamped in the same operation to provide the central projecting conductors, the peripheral conductor and the holes therethrough for receipt of the alignment rods numbering two, three or four, with satisfactory results being obtained with only two elements 6. In assembling the laminations on the alignment rods, the top and bottom portions of conductors 21 of the laminations of group 2 are reversed to provide the proper direction for their projecting conductor. Due to possible imperfections in the stamping equipment, the laminations may be stamped in the form ofV a parallelogram in which case the openings 22 of the various groups would not be properly disposed to provide perfect alignment between the laminations of all the groups. This misalignment may be corrected if the laminations of one group are alsorreversed end for end.

While we have described above the principles of our invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly-understood that this description is made only by way of example and notas a limitation to the scope of our invention as 'set forth in the objects thereof and in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

l. In a traveling wave electron discharge device having means for interaction between an electron beam owing therethrough and a radio frequency wave traveling therealong, an envelope, an electron gun disposed at one end of said envelope to produce a beam of electrons for projection along a given path axially of said envelope, a radio frequency slow wave propagating structure disposed longitudinally of said envelope to enable interaction between a radio frequency wave traveling therealong and the electrons of said beam, said propagating structure including a plurality of alignment members extending a substantial length of said envelope, and means including said alignment members to longitudinally align said electron gun and said propagating structure and to support said electron gun and said propagating structure coaxially of said envelope, said means further includes means in said electron gun for engaging said alignment members to support and carry said electron gun on said alignment members.

2. A device according to claim l, wherein said proi pagating structure includes a plurality of laminations'each having a continuous peripheral conductor defining a centrally disposed opening therethrough, a iirst group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a given direction from one portion of said peripheral conductor into said central opening, a second group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a direction opposite to said given direction from a portion of said peripheral conductor opposite said one portion into said central opening, the end portions of said projecting conductors of said iirst and second groups each extending into a region' disposed centrally of said central opening, a third group of said laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent said region, the laminations of said iirst and second groups being alternately disposed with respect to each other and spaced from each other by laminations of said third group to prolaminations include apertures therethrough disposed coaxially of said envelope for the passage of said electron beam. i

4. A device accomhng to claim l, wherein said means including said alignment members further includes a first annular disk disposed crosswise said envelope adjacent said electron gun having apertures therethrough, given ones of the apertures of said rst disk receiving one end of said alignment members and a second annular disk disposed crosswise said envelopel adjacent the other end of said envelope having apertures therethrough, given ones of the apertures of said second disk receiving the other end of said alignment members.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said electron gun includes a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of dielectric rods disposed to extent through the peripheral portion of said electrodes for support thereof in a predetermined spaced relation and a plate to secure one end of said rods thereto for support and positioning said electrodes, said plate having apertures therein aligned with the apertures of said tirst disk, given ones of the apertures of said plate fitting said one end of said alignment member for support or said electron gun and alignment thereof with respect to said propagating structure.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the apertures of said rst and second disks and said plate each include an aperture disposed coaxially of said envelope for the passage of said electron beam.

7. A traveling wave electron discharge device comprising an envelope, a collector electrode disposed at one end of said envelope, an electron gun disposed at the other end of said electrode to project a beam of electrons along a given path between said electron gun and said collector electrode axially of said envelope, a radio frequency slow wave propagating structure disposed coaxially of said given path having alignment members extending substantially the entire length of said envelope, a radio frequency input means for coupling radio frequency waves to one end of said propagating structure for propagation therealong in interacting relation with the electrons of said beam, a radio frequency output means Vfor coupling radi frequency waves from the other end of said propagating structure, and means including said alignment members to longitudinally align said electron gun, said collector electrode and said propagating structure and to support said electron gun, said collector electrode and said propagating structure coaxially of said envelope, said means further includes means in said electron gun and means in said collector electrode for engaging respective ends of said alignment members to support and carry said electron gun and said collector electrode on said alignment members.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said electron gun includes a plate having a plurality of apertures therethrough, one of the apertures thereof being centrally disposed, and means supporting the electrodes of said electron gun from said plate and said means including said alignment members further includes a rst annular disk disposed crosswise said envelope adjacent said electron gun having apertures therethrough, one of the apertures thereof being centrally disposed and others of the apertures thereof enabling the extension of one end of said alignment members therethrough for engagement with certain apertures of said plate for support of said plate and alignment of said one aperture of said plate with said one aperture of said rst disk and a second annular disk disposed crosswisey saidv envelope at the other end of said alignment members, and means securing said collector centrally disposed and others of the apertures thereof,

engaging the other end of said alignment members to support saidcollector electrode in alignment with said electron gun and said propagating structure.

9. A device accordingy to claim 7, wherein said radio frequency input means and output means each include a radio frequency waveguide coupled to said propagating structure and an impedance transformer of the ridged type disposed within said waveguide to match the impedance of said waveguide to said propagating structure.

l0. A device according to claim 7, wherein said propagating structure includes a plurality of laminations each having a continuous peripheral conductor defining a centrally disposed opening therethrough,Z a rst group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a given direction from one portion of said peripheral conductor into said central opening, a second group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a direction opposite to said given direction from a portion of said peripheral conductor opposite said one portion into said central opening, the end portions of said projecting conductors of said first and second groups each extending into a region disposed centrally of said central opening, a third group of said laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent said region, the laminations of said rst and second groups being alternately disposed with respect to each other and spaced from each other by laminations of said third group to provide a circuitous radio wave path longitudinally of the central opening of said laminations, a plurality of openings disposed in the peripheral conductor of each of said laminations for receipt of said alignment members for alignment and support of said laminations, andv the projecting conductors of said first and second groups of said laminations include apertures therethrough disposed coaxially of said envelope for the passage of said electron beam.

1l. A travelling wave electron discharge device comprising an envelope, a collector electrode disposed at one end of said envelope, an electron gun disposed at the other end of said electrode to project a beam of electrons along a given path between said electron gun and said collector electrode axially of said envelope, a radio frequency slow wave propagating structure disposed coaxially of said given path having alignment members extending substantially the entire length of said envelope, a radio frequency input means for coupling radio frequency waves to one end of said propagating structure for propagation therealong in interacting relation with the electrons of said beam, a radio frequency output means for coupling radio frequency waves from the other end of said propagating structure, and means including said alignment members to longitudinally align said electron gun, said collector electrode and said propagating structure and to support said electron gun, said collector electrode and said propagating structure coaxially of said envelope, said propagating structure including a plurality of laminations each having a continuous peripheral conductor dening a centrally disposed opening therethrough, a tirst group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a given direction from one portion of said peripheral conductor into said central opening, a second group of said laminations including a conductor project-- ing in a direction opposite to said given direction from a portion of said peripheral conductor opposite said one portion into said central opening, the end portions of said projecting conductors of said first and second groups each extending into a region disposed centrally of said central opening, a third group of Asaid laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent said region, the laminations of said rst and andere l l 'i' Y l second groups being alternately disposed with respect to each other and spaced from each other by laminations of said third group to provide a circuitous radio wave path longitudinally of the central opening of said laminations, a plurality of openings disposed in the peripheral conductor of each of said laminations for receipt of Said alignment` members for alignment and support of said laminations, and the projecting conductors of said first and second groups of said laminations include apertures therethrough disposed coaxially of said envelope for the passage of said electron beam, wherein said radio frequency input means including a radio frequency waveguide, a ridge disposed in said waveguide adjacent the end thereof, a lamination having an axiallyV disposed aperture including an extended portion to make electrical contact with said ridge, and a lamination of said third group having a portion of the peripheral conductor thereof removed to provide radio frequency communication between -said 'waveguide and said circuitous path, said ridge matching the impedance of said waveguide to the impedance of said circuitous path. Y

l2, AV traveling wave electron discharge device comprising an envelope, a collector electrode disposed at one end of said envelope, an electron gun disposed at the other end of said electrode to project a beam of electrons along a given path between said electron gun and said collector electrode axially of said envelope, a radio frequency slow wave propagating structure disposed coaxially of said given path having alignment members extending substantially the entire length of said envelope, a radio frequency input means for coupling radio frequency waves to one end of rsaid propagating structure for propagation therealong in interacting relation with the electrons of said beam, a radio frequency output means for coupling radio frequency waves from the other end of said propagating structure, and means including said alignment members to longitudinally align said electron gun, said collector electrode and said propagating structure and to support said electron gun, said collector electrode and said propagating structure coaxially of said envelope, said propagating structure including a plurality ofrlaminations each having a continuous peripheral conductor defining a centrally disposed opening therethrough, a first group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a given direction from one portion l of said peripheral conductor into said central opening, a second group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a direction opposite to said given direction from a portion of said peripheral conductor opposite said one portion into said central opening, the end portions of said projecting conductors of saidrfirst and second groups each extending into a region disposed centrally of said central opening, a third group of said laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent said region, the laminations of said first and second groups being alternately disposed with respect to each other and spaced from each other by laminations of said third group to provide a circuitous radio wave path longitudinally of the central opening of said laminations, a plurality of openings disposed in the peripheral conductor of each of said laminations for receipt of said alignment members for alignment and Vsupport of said laminations, and the projecting conductors of said first and second groups of said laminations include apertures therethrough disposed coaxially of'said envelope for the passage of said electron beam, said radio frequency output means including a radioV frequencywaveguide, a `ridge disposed in said waveguide adjacent the end thereof, a lamination Vhaving an axially disposed aperture including an extended portion to make electrical` contact with said ridge, a lamination of one of saidrst and second groups including an extended portion to make contact with a wall of said waveguide, and a lamination of said third group having a portion of the peripheral conductor thereof recuitous path and l Y 8 Y moved to provide radio frequency communication between said waveguide and said circuitous path, said ridge matching the impedance of said waveguide to the impedance of said circuitous path.

13. A traveling wave electron discharge device comprising an envelope, a collector electrode disposed at one .Y

end of said envelope, an electron gun disposed at the other end of said electrode to project a beam of electrons along a given path between said electron gun and said collector electrode axially of said envelope, a radio frequency slow wave propagating structure disposed coaxially of said given path having alignment members extending substantially the entire length of said envelope, a radio frequency input means for coupling radio frequency waves to one end of said propagating structure for propagation therealong in interacting relation with the electrons of said beam, a radio frequency output means for coupling radio frequency Waves from the other end of said propagating structure, and means including said alignment members to longitudinally align said electron gun, said collector electrode and said propagating structure and to support said electron gun, said collector electrode and said propagating structure coaxially of said envelope, said propagating structure including a plurality of laminations each having a continuous peripheral conductor defining a centrally disposed opening therethrough, a first group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a given direction from one portion of said peripheral conductor into said central opening, a second group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a direction opposite to said given direction from a portion of said peripheral conductor opposite said one portion into said central opening, the end portions of said projecting conductors of said iirst and second groups each extending into a region disposed centrally of said central opening, a third group of said laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent said region, the laminations of said first and second groups being alternately disposed with respect to each other andv spaced from each other by laminations of said third group to provide a circuitous radio wave path longitudinally of the central opening of said laminations, a plurality of openings disposed in the peripheral conductor of each of said laminations for receipt of said alignment members for alignment and support of said laminations, and the projectingtconductors of said first and second groups of said laminations include apertures therethrough disposed coaxially of said envelope for the passage of said electron beam, said radio frequency input means including a radio frequency waveguide extending from a point adjacent said collector electrode to a point adjacent said electron gun having one wall thereof in electrical contact with the peripheral conductor of said laminations, a ridge disposed in said waveguide adjacent the end thereof to be coupled to said circuitous path extending from a point spaced from said one wall to a point in contact With the other wall of said waveguide, a lamination having an axially disposed aperture including an extended portion to make electrical Contact with the end of said ridge spaced from said one wall, and a lamination of said third group having a portion of the peripheral conductor removed therefrom adjacent said one wall to Vprovide radio frequency communication between said waveguide and said cirsaid radio frequency output means including a second waveguide extending to a point adjacent said collector electrode, a ridge disposed in said waveguidetadjacent the end thereof to be coupled to said circuitous path extending from a point spaced from one wall of said'second waveguide to a point in contact with the other wall of said second waveguide, a lamination of one of said first and second groups including an extended portion to make contact with said one wall of said second waveguide, and a lamination of said third group having r a portion of the peripheral conductor removed therefrom adjacent said other Wall of said second waveguide to provide `radio frequency communication between said waveguide and said circuitous path, said ridges matching the impedance of said waveguides to the impedance of said circuitous path.

14. An energy wave retardation structure .comprising a plurality of laminations each having a continuous peripheral conductor defining a centrally disposed opening therethrough, ya tirst group off said laminations including a conductor projecting in a givenA direction from one portion of said peripheral conductor into said central opening, a second group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a. direction opposite to said given direction from a portion of said peripheral conductor oppositeV said one portion into said central opening, the end portions of said projecting conductors of said iirst and second groups. each extending into a region disposed centrally of said central opening,Y a third group of said laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent said region, the laminations of said first and second groups being alternately disposed with respect to each other and spaced from each other by laminations of said third group to provide a circuitous energy wave path longitudinally of the central opening of said laminations, and a plurality of members extending through openings in the peripheral conductor of said laminations for alignment and support thereof.

l5. An energy wave retardation, structure comprising a plurality of laminations each having a continuous peripheral conductor defining a centrally disposed opening therethrough, a first group of said. laminations including a conductor projecting in a given direction from one portion of said peripheral conductor into said central opening, a second group of said laminations including a :conductor projecting in a direction opposite to sai-d given direction from a portion of said peripheral conductor opposite said one portion into said central opening, the end portions of said projecting conductors of said first and second groups each extending into a region disposed centrally of said central opening, a third group of said laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent said region, the laminations of said iirst and second groups being alternately disposed with respect to each other and spaced from each other by laminations of said third group to provide a circuitous energy wave path longitudinally of the central opening of said laminations and a plurality of members extending through openings in the peripheral conductor of said laminations for alignment and support thereof, input means to couple energy into said circuitous path and output means to couple energy out of said circuitous path. A

16. An energy wave retardation structure comprising a plurality of laminations each having a continuous peripheral conductor dening a centrally disposed opening therethrough, a iirst group of said laminations iucluding a conductor projecting in a given direction from one portion of said peripheral conductor into said central opening, a second group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a direction opposite to said given direction from a portion of said peripheral conductor opposite said one portion into said central opening, the end portions of said projecting conductors of said first and second groups each extending into a region disposed centrally of said central opening, a third group of said laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent said region, the laminations of said iirst and second groups being alternately disposed with respect to each other and spaced from each other by laminations of said third group to provide a circuitous energy wave path longitudinally of the central vide for communication between said waveguide and said,

circuitous path, said ridge matching the impedance of said waveguide to they impedanceV of said circuitous path.

i7. An energy wave retardation structure comprising a plurality of laminations each having a continuous peripheral conductor defining a centrally disposed opening there through, a first group of saidv laminations including a conductor projecting in a givendirection from one portion of said peripheral conductor into said central opening, a second group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a direction opposite, to said given direction from a portion of saidpelipheral conductor opposite said one portion into said central opening, the end portions of said projecting conductors of said first and second groups each extending into a region disposed centrally of said central opening, a third group. of said laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent said region, the laminations of said first and second groups being alternately disposed with; respect to, each other and spaced from each other by laminations of said third group to provide a circuitous energy wave path longitudinally of the central opening of said laminations and a plurality of members extending through openings in the peripheral conductor of said laminations for alignment and support thereof, input means to couple energy into said circuitous path rand output means to couple energy out of said circuitous path, said output means including a waveguide, a ridge disposed in said waveguide adjacent the end thereof, a lamination having an axially disposed aperture including an extended portion to make electrical contact with said ridge, a lamination of one of said first and second groups including an extended portion to make contact with a wall of said waveguide, and a lamination of said third group having a portion of the peripheral conductor thereof removed to provide for communication between said waveguide and said circuitous path, said ridge matching the impedance of said waveguide to the impedance of said circuitous path.

18. An energy wave retardation structure comprising a plurality of rectangular laminations each having a continuous peripheral rectangular conductor defining a centrally disposed rectangular opening therethrough and an aperture adjacent each corner of said peripheral conductor, a first group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a given direction from one portion of said peripheral conductor into said central opening, a second group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a direction opposite to said given direction from a portion of said peripheral conductor opposite said one portion into said central opening, the end portions of said projecting conductors of said first and second groups each extending into a region disposed centrally of said central opening, a third group of said laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent said region, the laminations of said first and second group being alternately disposed with respect to each other and spaced from each other by laminations of said third group to provide a circuitous energy wave path longitudinally of the central opening of said laminations, a plurality of members extending through certain of the apertures of the peripheral conductor of said laminations for alignment [and support thereof, input means to couple energy into said circuitouspath, and output means to couple energy out of said circuitous path. Y

19` An energy wave retardation structure comprising a plurality of rectangular laminations eachV having a continuous peripheral rectangular conductor defining a ccntrally disposed rectangular opening therethrough and an aperture adjacent each corner of said peripheral conductor, a rst group of said laminations including a conductor into said central opening, a second group of said laminations including a conductor projecting in a direction opposite to said given direction from a portion of said peripheral conductor opposite said one portion into said central opening, the end portions of said projecting conductors of said rst and second groups each extending into a region disposed centrally o said central opening, a third group of said laminations having conductors projecting from opposite portions of said peripheral conductor into said central opening to a point adjacent said region, the laminations of said first and second groups being alternately disposed with respect to each other and spaced from each other by laminations of said third group to provide a circuitous energy wave path longitudinally of the central opening of said laminations, a plurality of members extending through certain of the apertures of the peripheral conductor ol" said laminations for alignmentand support thereof, input means to couple energy into said circuitous path, and output means to couple energy out of said circuitous path, said input means including a waveguide extending from a point adjacent said collector electrode to a point adjacent said electron gun having one wall thereof in electrical contact with the peripheral conductor of said laminations, a ridge disposed in said waveguide adjacent the end thereof to be coupled to said circuitous path extending from 12 a point spaced from said one wall to a point in contact with the other wall of said waveguide, a lamination having an axially Idisposed aperture including an extended portion to make electrical Contact with the end of said ridge spaced from said one wall, and a lamination of said third group having a portion of the peripheral conductor removed therefrom adjacent said one wall to provide forcommunication between said waveguide and said circuitous path and said radio frequency output means including a second waveguide extending to a point adjacent said collector electrode, a ridge disposed in said waveguide adjacent the end thereof to be coupled to said circuitous path extending from a point spaced from one wall of said second waveguide to a point in contact with the other wall of said second waveguide, a lamination of one of said first and second groups including an extended portion to make contact with said one wall of said second waveguide, and a lamination of said third group having a portion of the peripheral conductor removed therefrom adjacent said other wall of said second waveguide to provide for communication between said waveguide and said circuitous path, said ridges matching the impedance of said waveguides to the impedance of said circuitous path.

References Cited in the file of this patent VUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,444,080 Williams June 29, 1948 2,463,416 Nordsieck Mar. l, 1949 2,477,122 Garner July 26, 1949 2,662,148 Pierce July 1, 1952 2,653,270 Kompfner Sept. 22, 1953 2,692,351 Morton Oct. 19, 1954

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