Resnatron cathode assembly with tuning drive
Date1943-1944
Inventory NumberRS0081
ClassificationResnatron
Subject
Maker
Radio Research Laboratory
1942 - 1946
Manufacturer
Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company
?
1886 - 1945
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions73 x 15 x 15 cm (28 3/4 x 5 7/8 x 5 7/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionAn extremely large vacuum tube cathode, more than two feet long.
The entire assembly consists of several components arranged on an axis. Half if it would be housed inside the resnatron, constituting the innermost component of the vacuum tube. Another half would be outside.
The most visible element is a metal casing with a circular plate on one end, with eight threaded holes for attaching it to the resnatron tube. This casing would be housed inside the resnatron. Inside this casing is a second layer that contains the actual cathode components, and further in is an axle which can be moved in and out to change the geometry of the components inside the resnatron. This axle is in a cavity that would be filled with circulating water.
Just at the end of the outer casing are the actual cathode filaments, a cage-like element. Further beyond are bellows which extend and contract as the inner axle is moved (and would be filled with water). The assembly ends in a metal disk.
The section which goes outside the resnatron starts with another circular plate with eight threaded holes. It continues in two metal sections separated by a glass bulb. These have the electrical leads to the cathode, and also have pipes for the cooling systems. At the end is the cathode tuning drive, which moves the inner axle in and out. (To see the interior of this component, see RS0080).
The entire assembly consists of several components arranged on an axis. Half if it would be housed inside the resnatron, constituting the innermost component of the vacuum tube. Another half would be outside.
The most visible element is a metal casing with a circular plate on one end, with eight threaded holes for attaching it to the resnatron tube. This casing would be housed inside the resnatron. Inside this casing is a second layer that contains the actual cathode components, and further in is an axle which can be moved in and out to change the geometry of the components inside the resnatron. This axle is in a cavity that would be filled with circulating water.
Just at the end of the outer casing are the actual cathode filaments, a cage-like element. Further beyond are bellows which extend and contract as the inner axle is moved (and would be filled with water). The assembly ends in a metal disk.
The section which goes outside the resnatron starts with another circular plate with eight threaded holes. It continues in two metal sections separated by a glass bulb. These have the electrical leads to the cathode, and also have pipes for the cooling systems. At the end is the cathode tuning drive, which moves the inner axle in and out. (To see the interior of this component, see RS0080).
Signedunsigned
Curatorial RemarksThere are two resnatron cathode assembies in the Collection. RS0080 (missing tuning drive) and RS0081 (complete).
FunctionThe Resnatron was an extremely large vacuum tube designed at the Radio Research Laboratory, Harvard's secret radar countermeasures facility in World War II. It is a transmitter of microwaves used to disable enemy radars. In particular, it was the microwave source for the gigantic "Tuba" anti-radar system, used to jam the radars from German fighter planes from the ground in England as they pursued allied bombers at night over the Continent.
This cathode assembly constituted the innermost part of the resnatron. For details on the entire device, refer to instrument RS1235.
Resnatrons were specifically designed to have easily interchangeable parts, and the cathode assembly can be easily attached and removed from the main tube.
This cathode assembly constituted the innermost part of the resnatron. For details on the entire device, refer to instrument RS1235.
Resnatrons were specifically designed to have easily interchangeable parts, and the cathode assembly can be easily attached and removed from the main tube.
Historical AttributesThe resnatron was one of the major developments of the Radio Research Laboratory at Harvard University during World War II.
Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory
Date: 1947-2002
Object number: 2003-1-0291
Martin J. Buerger
Date: 1941-1944
Accessories: film holder (a); metal screen (b); small rectangular metal counterweight (c)
Object number: 1996-1-0185
Martin J. Buerger
Date: 1945-1960
Object number: 1998-1-1673a
IBM Japan Ltd
Date: 1993
Accessories: re-usable grey plastic sleeve
Object number: 2004-1-0012
Iomec, Incorporated - Digitronics Division
Date: circa 1974
Accessories: paper punch-tape program stored in a plastic bag with the instrument
Object number: 1998-1-0017
Gebrüder Haff
Date: 1960-1969
Accessories: plush-lined, hard green case
white card with instrument information in case
Object number: 1999-1-0005
Radio Research Laboratory
Date: 1945
Accessories: cable
Object number: 1997-1-0077
See also/See also
