A device and method for detecting the consistency of a traveling wave tube energy window assembly

Abstract

The application provides a device and method for detecting consistency of a traveling wave tube energy transmission window assembly, which comprises a left end outer conductor and a right end outer conductor, both of which are hollow structures, and the two outer conductors are coaxially sleeved together at one end close to each other to form a signal collection area, and are not sleeved at one end away from each other, a first tuning screw is arranged on the side wall of the signal collection area, the outer diameter of the unsleeved part of the right end outer conductor is smaller than that of the sleeved part, a second tuning screw is arranged on the transition section of the two parts, and an inner conductor is coaxially arranged in the inner cavity of the left end outer conductor, and the inner conductor is completely located in the left end outer conductor. The application achieves the purpose of detecting the consistency of the energy transmission window assembly by measuring S parameters by using a vector network analyzer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of traveling wave tube technology, specifically to a device and method for detecting the assembly consistency of the power transmission window of a traveling wave tube. Background Technology

[0002] The manufacturing process of traveling wave tubes (TWTs) is complex, with numerous influencing factors during assembly. Furthermore, as the operating frequency of TWTs increases, the electrical dimensions of key components become increasingly smaller. This shrinking size leads to greater impact of dimensional deviations on electrical performance. Therefore, the evaluation of TWT assemblies cannot rely solely on structural dimensions; other methods must be employed for assessment.

[0003] The power transmission window is a crucial component of a traveling wave tube (TWT) and plays a vital role in the overall tube's matching performance. Currently, the inspection of the assembled power transmission window involves dimensional measurement and visual inspection, followed by soldering platinum foil to the power transmission pins within the window and then lapping them onto the spiral wire for standing wave (SWR) adjustment. This method has two limitations: First, after soldering, the internal structure of the power transmission window is difficult to observe, internal dimensions cannot be measured, and dimensional measurements are limited to the outer surface; changes in structural dimensions do not reflect differences in electrical performance. Second, testing SWR by soldering platinum foil is irreversible and cannot statistically determine the assembly consistency of multiple power transmission windows. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting the assembly consistency of a traveling wave tube's power window. This apparatus and method achieve the purpose of detecting the assembly consistency of the power window by using a vector network analyzer to measure S-parameters.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is as follows: A device for detecting the assembly consistency of a traveling wave tube power window includes a left-end outer conductor and a right-end outer conductor. Both outer conductors are hollow structures. The two outer conductors are coaxially fitted together at their close ends to form a signal convergence area. The two outer conductors are not fitted together at their far ends. A first tuning screw is provided on the sidewall of the signal convergence area. The outer diameter of the unfitted portion of the right-end outer conductor is smaller than the outer diameter of the fitted portion. A second tuning screw is provided at the transition section between the two portions. An inner conductor is coaxially arranged inside the cavity of the left-end outer conductor, and the inner conductor is completely located inside the left-end outer conductor.

[0006] Preferably, both the unfitted portion and the fitted portion of the right-end outer conductor are perpendicular to the transition section.

[0007] Preferably, the right end of the inner conductor is located within the signal convergence area.

[0008] Preferably, the outer diameter of the right end of the inner conductor is smaller than the inner cavity of the signal convergence area.

[0009] Preferably, a dielectric ring is provided between the left half of the inner conductor and the inner cavity of the left-end outer conductor, and the dielectric ring fills and seals the gap between the inner conductor and the left-end outer conductor.

[0010] Preferably, there are two first tuning screws, which are symmetrically distributed about the axes of the inner and outer conductors.

[0011] Preferably, the first tuning screw passes through the sidewalls of the left and right outer conductors.

[0012] The present invention also discloses a method for detecting the assembly consistency of the power window of a traveling wave tube using the above-mentioned device, as follows: Step 1: Connect the left end of the inner conductor to the first port of the network analyzer, and connect the right end of the outer conductor to the power input window. Connect the power input window to the second port of the network analyzer. Step 2: Perform S11 parameter testing; Step 3: Adjust the waveform by adjusting the tuning screw to obtain the S11 waveform that is easy to observe; Step 4: Using the adjusted S11 waveform as a reference waveform, test the energy transmission windows processed in the same batch to obtain a comparison with the reference waveform.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. This invention proposes to use electrical performance testing to detect the consistency of traveling wave tube power transmission components, which is different from size and appearance testing and can reflect the inconsistency of internal dimensions of the power transmission window; 2. The detection device mentioned in this invention can achieve the function of adjusting the resonant frequency through the tuning screw in the structure, which facilitates the determination of the reference waveform; 3. The present invention performs non-destructive testing on the electrical performance consistency of the power transmission window, without performing irreversible processes such as welding on the components; 4. The shift of the tested S11 parameter at the waveform resonance point can reflect inconsistencies in the energy transfer window assembly process; 5. The power transmission window of traveling wave tubes in different frequency bands can be tested using this method and similar testing equipment. The waveform that is easy to observe can be found by adjusting the tuning screw, or the testing equipment can be redesigned according to the product size. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the detection device structure disclosed in this invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the detection device and the traveling wave tube power window of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a test system after connecting the detection device of the present invention with a network analyzer and a traveling wave tube power window; Figure 4 The S11 waveform is shown as a reference waveform; Figure 5 A comparison chart of other waveforms and the reference waveform; In the diagram: 1. Inner conductor, 2. Dielectric ring, 3. Dielectric ring support, 4. Left outer conductor, 5. Right outer conductor, 6. First tuning screw, 7. Second tuning screw. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to represent selected embodiments of the invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0017] like Figure 1-3As shown, this invention discloses a device for detecting the assembly consistency of a traveling wave tube's power window. The device includes a left-end outer conductor 4 and a right-end outer conductor 5 coaxially arranged. Both outer conductors are hollow structures. The outer diameter of the right end of the right-end outer conductor 5 is smaller than that of the left end. A transition section perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer conductors is provided between the two outer diameters. A second tuning screw 7 is installed on the transition section. The right half of the left-end outer conductor 4 is fitted inside the left half of the right-end outer conductor 5 and abuts against the transition section. The fitted portion forms a signal convergence area. The two outer conductors are not fitted at their opposite ends. First tuning screws 6 are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the signal convergence area, penetrating the sidewalls of both outer conductors. A dielectric ring support 3 is coaxially installed inside the cavity of the left-end outer conductor 4. A dielectric ring 2, made of polyetherimide (PEI), is installed inside the dielectric ring 2. An inner conductor 1 is installed inside the dielectric ring 2, with both ends of the inner conductor completely inside the left-end outer conductor 4. The diameter of the right end of the outer conductor is smaller than that of the left end, and the two are connected by a transition section. The transition section and the two diameter-changing sections are both set vertically.

[0018] Install a K2.92 female connector on the left end of the left outer conductor. During measurement, insert the assembled power input window into the right outer conductor 5. Connect the first port of the vector network analyzer to this device, and the second port of the vector network analyzer to the power input window for two-port S-parameter testing. After inserting the power input window under test, test the S11 waveform. The waveform can be adjusted using the three tuning screws to obtain a conveniently observable S11 waveform. Figure 4 As shown. After adjusting the reference S11 waveform, the power supply windows processed in the same batch can be tested to obtain a comparison with the reference waveform.

[0019] Processing steps during the energy transfer window fabrication that may cause changes in electrical performance include (taking a Ka-band traveling wave tube output window as an example): sapphire window welding, energy transfer pin welding, and waveguide window sealing assembly installation. All of these processes can potentially lead to changes in electrical performance parameters. This is reflected in the S11 curve as different resonant frequencies, such as... Figure 5 As shown, this is the change in resonant frequency caused by the accumulation of solder after the solder sheet melts during the soldering process of the sapphire window.

[0020] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for detecting the assembly consistency of the power window of a traveling wave tube, characterized in that, The device includes a left-end outer conductor and a right-end outer conductor, both of which are hollow structures. The two outer conductors are coaxially fitted together at their closest ends to form a signal convergence area. The two outer conductors are not fitted together at their furthest ends. A first tuning screw is provided on the sidewall of the signal convergence area, and the first tuning screw penetrates the sidewall of both the left-end and right-end outer conductors. The outer diameter of the unfitted portion of the right-end outer conductor is smaller than the outer diameter of the fitted portion. A second tuning screw is provided at the transition section between the two portions. An inner conductor is coaxially installed in the inner cavity of the left-end outer conductor, and the inner conductor is completely located inside the left-end outer conductor. The right end of the inner conductor is located within the signal convergence area.

2. The apparatus for detecting the assembly consistency of a traveling wave tube power window according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the un-fitted and fitted portions of the right-end outer conductor are perpendicular to the transition section.

3. The apparatus for detecting the assembly consistency of a traveling wave tube power window according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the right end of the inner conductor is smaller than the inner cavity of the signal convergence area.

4. The apparatus for detecting the assembly consistency of a traveling wave tube power window according to claim 1, characterized in that, A dielectric ring is provided between the left half of the inner conductor and the inner cavity of the left-end outer conductor, and the dielectric ring fills and seals the gap between the inner conductor and the left-end outer conductor.

5. The apparatus for detecting the assembly consistency of a traveling wave tube power window according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two first tuning screws, which are symmetrically distributed about the axes of the inner and outer conductors.

6. A method for detecting the assembly consistency of a traveling wave tube power window using the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, specifically as follows: Step 1: Connect the left end of the inner conductor to the first port of the network analyzer, and connect the right end of the outer conductor to the power input window. Connect the power input window to the second port of the network analyzer. Step 2: Perform S11 parameter testing; Step 3: Adjust the waveform by adjusting the tuning screw to obtain the S11 waveform that is easy to observe; Step 4: Using the adjusted S11 waveform as a reference waveform, test the energy transmission windows processed in the same batch to obtain a comparison with the reference waveform.

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