Recirculating Crossed Field Device for High Power Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crossed field devices face challenges in producing high frequency electromagnetic emissions at elevated power levels due to the limitations of small cathode and anode structures, which cannot withstand the required electrical current and heat, leading to issues such as arcing and breakdown.
Innovation Solution
A recirculating crossed field device design featuring a cathode and an anode with specific shapes and cavities, combined with magnetic elements, creates axial electric and radial magnetic fields to generate and extract electromagnetic emissions efficiently, allowing for improved power handling and emission frequency range from megahertz to terahertz.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If small cathode and anode structures are used to generate high frequency electromagnetic emissions, then emission frequency is improved, but power handling capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple cavities (first cavity, second cavity, third cavity) with different resonant frequencies, allowing the system to handle multiple frequency bands simultaneously. Each cavity can be optimized for specific frequency ranges while the overall structure maintains power handling capability through distributed design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional planar magnetron structures to a three-dimensional cavity configuration where cavities are arranged in multiple layers and orientations. This dimensional expansion allows for increased power handling volume while maintaining the electromagnetic field interactions necessary for high frequency generation.
2Measurement precision
If small cathode and anode structures are used to generate high frequency electromagnetic emissions, then emission frequency is improved, but thermal management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cathode and anode are segmented into multiple discrete structures associated with different cavities, distributing the heat generation across multiple locations. This segmentation allows for better thermal management through distributed heat dissipation paths and reduced thermal density at any single point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate structures such as dielectric materials and magnetic components that act as thermal intermediaries between the high-power electron beams and the cathode/anode structures. These intermediaries help manage heat transfer and reduce thermal stress on the critical emission surfaces.
3Measurement precision
If small cathode and anode structures are used to generate high frequency electromagnetic emissions, then emission frequency is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple independent cavity units, each capable of operating at its resonant frequency. This modular segmentation improves reliability by isolating failures to individual cavities rather than causing system-wide failure, and allows for selective operation of functional cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in the cavity dimensions, shapes, and configurations to optimize each cavity for specific frequency ranges and power levels. By varying these parameters across different cavities, the system achieves high frequency emission capability while maintaining structural integrity and reliability through parameter optimization rather than uniform small-scale design.
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
The design enhances power handling, reduces arcing, increases cathode surface area for electron emission, improves manufacturability, and achieves better efficiency by recirculating electrons, enabling the production of high-frequency electromagnetic emissions with improved thermal management and design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a cathode, an anode that is axially spaced from the cathode and has a plurality of cavities
Implementation Method 2
generating electromagnetic (EM) emissions
Implementation Method 3
a magnetic element... creates an axial electric (E) field and a radial magnetic (B) field
Data Source
AI summary
A crossed field device, such as a magnetron or crossed field amplifier, that includes a cathode, an anode, one or more magnetic elements, and one or more extraction elements. In one embodiment, the crossed field device includes an annular cathode and anode that are axially spaced from one another such that the device produces an axial electric (E) field and a radial magnetic (B) field. In another embodiment, the crossed field device includes an oval-shaped cathode and anode that are radially spaced from one another such that the device produces a radial electric (E) field and an axial magnetic (B) field. The crossed field device may produce electromagnetic (EM) emissions having a frequency ranging from megahertz (MHz) to terahertz (THz), and may be used in one of a number of different applications.