rectifier
Datecirca 1916
Inventory NumberVT4751
ClassificationRectifier
Subject
Manufacturer
E. Machlett & Son
1897 - 1957
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions20.4 x 100 x 20.4 cm (8 1/16 x 39 3/8 x 8 1/16 in.)
bulb: 20.4 cm (8 1/16 in.)
bulb: 20.4 cm (8 1/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionA very long high-vacuum hot-cathode rectifier. The filament cathode is surrounded by a metal ring and faces the flat anode in the middle of the bulb. The tube has lightbulb screws at both the cathode and anode ends.
Signedwritten on bulb inside an oval: MACHLETT
Curatorial RemarksProbably one-of-a-kind. See also VT4752.
FunctionThis looks like an experimental model. Rectifiers would be used in conjunction with an x-ray tube. When powered by AC, many hot-cathode x-ray tubes operated badly or could be damaged by the passing of an inverse current. The rectifier only allows current to flow in one direction, and when used with other elements can convert AC to DC.
ProvenanceFrom the Harvard Medical School.
