US4163949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tubistor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-12-27
•
Granted: 1979-08-07
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Expires: 1997-12-27
Abstract
Abstract The tubistor is a device which incorporates features of both electron tubes and solid state devices such as a transistor and includes extremely close spacing between the multiple conducting elements of the device. The tubistor comprises a section of an oxide-metal composite that has been ion milled to produce inverted cones in the oxide with the emitting metal fibers at the bottom. A conducting layer deposited on the insulating layer surface forms a type of grid. A collector or anode disposed above the grid collects electrons emitted from the emitter when the appropriate potentials are applied to the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Joe Shelton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J21/00; H01J21/02; H01J21/06; H01J21/10; H01J21/105; H01J9/00; H01J9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A field effect electron device for providing selectably controlled electron emission comprising a metal-oxide field effect electron emitter, said emitter being a plurality of metal rods in a non-conducting oxide having first and second parallel surfaces, said metal rods disposed therein at a density in excess of one million emitting rods per square centimeter of surface area, said rods being uniformly spaced in parallel for field emission of electrons from a first end thereof, each of said rods having emitting ends conically recessed below the first surface of the emitter oxide parallel surfaces; a thin film insulating layer deposited on the first surface of said emitter oxide; a thin film conductive layer deposited on said insulating layer; and said emitter rod ends and said conductive layer being disposed in respective planes separated by not more than a micron for providing rapid electron transport between said planes when a potential is applied between the emitter and the conductive layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A field effect electron device for providing selectably controlled electron emission comprising a metal-oxide field effect electron emitter, said emitter being a plurality of metal rods in a non-conducting oxide having first and second parallel surfaces, said metal rods disposed therein at a density in excess of one million emitting rods per square centimeter of surface area, said rods being uniformly spaced in parallel for field emission of electrons from a first end thereof, each of said rods having emitting ends conically recessed below the first surface of the emitter oxide parallel surfaces; a thin film insulating layer deposited on the first surface of said emitter oxide; a thin film conductive layer deposited on said insulating layer; and said emitter rod ends and said conductive layer being disposed in respective planes separated by not more than a micron for providing rapid electron transport between said planes when a potential is applied between the emitter and the conductive layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A field effect electron device as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a second insulator deposited on the surface of said conductive layer and a collector supported by said second insulator, said collector being spaced within one micron of the emitting tips of said metal rods for providing a short transit time for electron transfer from emitter to collector and thereby permitting a high range of operating frequencies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
A field effect electron device as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising first means coupled to said collector for selectively supplying an input trigger signal thereto, a second means coupled to said conductive layer for selectably providing a grid trigger signal thereto, a third means coupled to said emitter rods for developing an output signal thereacross in response to selectable grid and collector trigger signal inputs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A field effect electron device as set forth in claim 3 and further comprising a fourth means coupled to said emitter rods for selectably providing an emitter trigger signal thereto and a fifth means coupled to said collector for developing an output signal thereacross in response to selectable grid and emitter trigger signal inputs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A field effect electron device as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising first means coupled to said conductive layer for providing a grid trigger signal thereto, a second means coupled to said emitter rods for selectably providing emitter trigger signals thereto and a third means coupled to said collector for developing an output signal thereacross in response to grid or emitter input signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A field effect electron device as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising an insulating grid network disposed on the second surface of said metal-oxide emitter parallel surfaces for providing a plurality of isolated emitter sections; a conducting material disposed within each of said isolated sections for providing electrical contact with the emitting rods adjacent respective sections and thereby providing a plurality of individual emitters within a single electron device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A field effect electron device as set forth in claim 6 and further comprising first means coupled to said conductive layer for providing a grid trigger signal thereto, a second means coupled to said emitter rods for selectably providing emitter trigger signals thereto and a third means coupled to said collector for developing an output signal thereacross in response to grid or emitter input signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A field effect electron device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said conductive layer is segmented for providing a plurality of isolated grid sections disposed adjacent selective isolated emitter sections and thereby providing a plurality of individual emitters and grids within a single electron device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A field effect electron device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said collector is segmented for providing a plurality of isolated collectors each disposed for receiving field effect electron flow from plural emitters for providing integrating and multiplexing of input signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-08-06 | 1983-02-05 | 1983-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-08-06 | 1987-02-05 | 1987-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-08-06 | 1991-02-05 | 1991-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |