Patent · US Expired

Large area directly heated lanthanum hexaboride cathode structure having predetermined emission profile

US4795940A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
10References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 14, 1987
Grant dateJan 3, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 14, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J1/16
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A large area directly heated lanthanum hexaboride (LaB.sub.6) cathode system (10) is disclosed. The system comprises a LaB.sub.6 cathode element (11) generally circular in shape about a central axis. The cathode element (11) has a head (21) with an upper substantially planar emission surface (23), and a lower downwardly and an intermediate body portion (26) which diminishes in cross-section from the head (21) towards the base (22) of the cathode element (11). A central rod (14) is connected to the base (22) of the cathode element (11) and extends along the central axis. Plural upstanding spring fingers (37) are urged against an outer peripheral contact surface (24) of the head end (21) to provide a mechanical and electrical connection to the cathode element (11).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.