Interlocking Electron Gun Assembly for Precise Beam Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electron guns for traveling-wave tubes face challenges in simplifying the alignment and manufacturing of components, particularly in maintaining the focus of the electron beam and component strength under load, while minimizing the number of components and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An electron gun design where the cathode holder and Wehnelt cylinder are directly connected and interlockingly shaped, eliminating the need for additional components to adjust distances, with a non-emitting coating applied to prevent unwanted electron emission and thermal insulation to manage heat flow, allowing for simplified assembly and focusing before installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the Wehnelt cylinder and cathode holder are separated with additional components for distance adjustment, then alignment flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the Wehnelt cylinder and cathode holder into a single integrated component with interlocking geometry. The cathode holder features a conical outer surface that interlocks with a corresponding conical inner surface in the Wehnelt cylinder, eliminating the need for separate distance adjustment components while maintaining precise alignment through the interlocking geometric relationship
2Ease of repair
If multiple separate components are used for cathode holder and Wehnelt cylinder, then ease of repair is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features directly into the component geometry during manufacturing. The conical interlocking surfaces are precision-formed as integral parts of the cathode holder and Wehnelt cylinder, ensuring correct alignment is built-in from the start. This eliminates the need for complex post-assembly alignment procedures while maintaining high manufacturing precision
3Reliability
If additional insulating components are added between cathode holder and Wehnelt cylinder, then electrical insulation is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction where the cathode holder is made from electrically insulating material (such as ceramic or plastic) while the Wehnelt cylinder remains conductive. This material selection provides inherent electrical insulation between the components, eliminating the need for additional insulating parts while simplifying the overall assembly process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design simplifies the alignment and assembly of electron guns by ensuring unchangeable component alignment, reducing the complexity of manufacturing, and enhancing the focusing of the electron beam without additional machining steps, while minimizing electron emission from undesired regions and managing heat effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a cathode body KK made from a material, which is suitable for emitting thermal electrons when heated
Implementation Method 2
a Wehnelt cylinder WZ... suitable for bundling free electrons, which are able to emerge from the cathode body KK in the direction of the Wehnelt cylinder WZ, as an electron beam... with a negative electrical potential relative to the cathode body KK
Implementation Method 3
an anode AN having a positive electrical potential relative to the cathode KA... Between the anode, which has a positive electrical potential relative to the cathode, and the cathode, the electrons are accelerated
Data Source
AI summary
An electron gun includes: a cathode, which has a cathode holder and a cathode body; and a Wehnelt cylinder. The cathode holder receives the cathode body and the Wehnelt cylinder is suitable for bundling free electrons, which can escape from the cathode body toward the Wehnelt cylinder, to form an electron beam. The Wehnelt cylinder is interlockingly arranged, at least in some parts along a first inner surface facing the cathode holder, on an outer surface of the cathode holder and at least partly extends around the cathode holder.