HOT STUFFING MECHANISM USING RF HEATING SYSTEM SPECIFIC TO TRAVELLING WAVE TUBE FOR ENHANCING THE LIFE AND OUTPUT OF TWT

摘要

A hot-stuffing mechanism using RF heating system (specific to Travelling Wave Tube) includes an assembly of travelling wave tube, helix, dielectric rods and shell structures by adapting thermal. shrink fit method. In this process the shell is mounted on two axially aligned supports and placed into an inert gas enclosure. The shell is inductively heated by an external coil to expand uniformly for the insertion of helix with the dielectric rod bundle. The holding fixture holds & guides the dielectric rods along with the helix into the shell and the same is retracted after shrink fit. After it has been positioned properly inside the shell, the heat is decreased gradually. Due to the cooling of the shell the diameter of the shell shrinks and it securely grips the helix with its surrounding rods. This is an improved and reliable technique for the assembly of barrel with slow wave structure. The change of heating temperature & holding fixture size depends on the operating band of the traveling wave tubes. Thus this mechanism emerges as an accurate assembly technique of barrel with slow wave structure components of traveling wave tubes. This developed technology is expected to benefit manufacturers of traveling wave tubes.