Magnetron
AssigneeE2V Technologies (UK) Limited
InventorsXiaodong Chen, Peter Lindsay, Maurice Esterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A phase locked magnetron comprises a cathode and anode and an interaction space in between. The cathode is coupled to an injected locking signal, which prompts the operation of the magnetron to be in phase with the phase of the locking signal. From a magnetron of the type in which the cathode is at a large negative potential, the coupling to the locking signal is by non-contact means, in particular, by extending the cathode into a waveguide in which the locking signal is present. An alternative arrangement is for a magnetron of the type in which the cathode is substantially at ground potential. In this arrangement the coupling is by direct electrical connection to a conductor having the injected locking signal.
Claims18
A magnetron comprising a cathode and an anode, the anode surrounding the cathode and being arranged to define an interaction space between the cathode and the anode for containing space charge, the magnetron being operable at a desired frequency and having a coupling arranged to receive an injected signal for coupling the injected signal to the cathode the injected signal being at the desired frequency and having a signal phase, thereby causing the magnetron to operate according to the signal phase.
A method of operating a magnetron, the magnetron having a cathode and a surrounding anode defining an interaction space, the method comprising injecting a locking RF signal into the cathode, whereby the magnetron is prompted to operate according to the phase of the locking signal.
A method of operating a plurality of magnetrons comprising coupling the cathodes of the plurality of magnetrons to the same RF locking signal, whereby each of the plurality of magnetrons is prompted to operate according to the phase of the locking signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.