Vacuum tube socket terminal structure

July 22, 1952 r. r. scoville 2,604,584

VACUUM TUBE SOCKET TERMINAL STRUCTURE

Filed May 18, 1946 2 SHEETS—SHEET 1

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VACUUM TUBE SOCKET TERMINAL STRUCTURE

July 22, 1952

R. R. SCOVILLE

2,604,584

Filed May 18, 1946

SHEETS—SHEET 2

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Patented July 22, 1952

2,604,584

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,604,584

VACUUM TUBE SOCKET TERMINAL STRUCTURE

Ray R. Scoville, La Canada, Calif.

Application May 18,1946, Serial No. 670,682

Claims.

.My invention relates to electronic tube socket terminal structures; that is, to a means which forms a unitary part of an electronic tube socket and on.or around which may be mounted the various resistors, condensers, inductors, transformers, or other circuit components, particularly those which are closely related to the electronic tube which fits the tube socket. The objects of my invention include:

First, to provide a structure of this character which reduces to a minimum the length of leads between .socket terminals and the circuit components, thus reducing stray wiring capacitance which might otherwise have a detrimental effect on; the electronic circuit involved, particularly at high frequencies.

Second, to provide a structure of this, character wherein the various resistors, condensers, inductors, and other components associated with the terminals of a given vacuum tube socket form a unitary sub-assembly which may be readily installed or removed and which requires a minimum of electrical connection with other such sub-assemblies to produce a complete electronic device, thereby providing a structure which materially simplifies the manufacture of (electronic devices as well as the servicing thereof.

Third, to provide a structure of this character which minimizes the electrostatic capacity or coupling between various components mounted thereon without sacrificing the advantages of compact assembly.

Fourth, to provide an electronic tube socket terminal structure which is adaptable to the various otherwise standard tube sockets including the midget type.

With the above and other objects in view as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of my terminal structure incorporating a tube socket and showing an electronic tube mounted therein, and also •showing various circuit components secured in place, the entire assembly being shown in its inverted position; that is, the position occupied during -assembly and servicing of the electronic apparatus involving the assembly.

Figure 2 Is a longitudinal sectional view thereof with the circuit components omitted and :the tube partly in elevation.

Figure 3 is an end view thereof taken from the line 3—3 of Figure 1.

Figure .4 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken through 4—4 of Figure 2.

Figure: 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the tube socket ter(CI. 250—16)

- . 2 minal structure in which an electrostatic -shield is provided within the structure.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view thereof through 6—6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a similar enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of my socket terminal structure adapted for use with a midget or miniature type of socket and showing a midget or miniature type of tube therein.

¹⁰ Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of a further modified form of my invention wherein inductance coils or interstage transformers-.are mounted thereon.

Ref erence is first directed to Figures 1 to 4in¹⁵ elusive. In this construction a tube socket body I is provided having a ring of openings which receive metallic socket elements terminating in terminal elements 2. The inner end of each terminal element is in the form of a socket, whereas ²⁰ the other end thereof forms a tongue or lug 4 protruding from the back side of the body I.

The body I is provided with a flange 5 and Is fastened to a chassis frame 6 by a mounting collar 7 and rivets 8. The mounting collar 7 ;may ²⁵ include ground lugs 9. The tube socket body I is provided with a central bore 10.

The tube socket body f is designed to receive either a particular type of vacuum tube or any other type of electronic tube. For purposes of 30 illustration one type of tube is shown; such tube comprises a base B, and . a ring of pins P, which make electrical contact with the socket elements 3 which extend beyond block I, thus forming-terminal elements 2. While not true of all types of 35 tubes, the tube illustrated is provided with a key stem which fits the central bore 10. The : bore and the key stem are provided with a mating rib and groove :so that the tube may be readily oriented.

The structure so far described is conventional. My invention, while including the socket as an element thereof, is directed primarily to a mounting means which projects -from the back side of the socket body. More specifically, in the illus45 trated examples of my invention, said mounting means ;is in the form of a mounting tube LI of insulating material which is secured to the ,back side of the body in coaxial relation with the bore

10. The socket body may be modified by the 50 provision of a counterbore enlarging the central bore 10 at the back side of the body. The mounting tube II is fitted into such counterbore and cemented therein. Alternatively, of course,,the mounting means may be integral with the tube 55 socket body I.

Radiating. from the mounting post or tube II

2,604,584 are sets of radially positioned terminals which may take the form of soldering lugs or mounting lugs (2 and 13. Such terminals may be placed wherever desired on the mounting post but preferably the axes of the members of each set define a common plane traversing the mounting post. One set is disposed adjacent the extremity of the mounting post and the other near its base end. Each lug is preferably in the form of a short strap of metal stamped to provide a hole 14 or a slot 15 as shown in Figure 2 or a pair of holes as shown in Figure 5 through which the mounting wires of various circuit components may be inserted. Each lug is provided with opposed shoulders which abut the surface of the mounting tube and the inner extremities are split and bent away from each other so as to rivet the lug securely in place. The lugs are preferably radially mounted with their surfaces parallel to the axis of the mounting tube in order to provide maximum spacing between the lugs thereby to reduce electrostatic coupling.

The mounting tube 11 may have one or more side openings 17 near its base end adapted to receive a lead wire W which may extend upwardly within the mounting tube, over the top thereof, and join to one of the mounting lugs. One or more wires may be brought through an opening or .several such openings may be provided.

The sets of soldering lugs i 2 and 13 are adapted to support resistors R, condensors C, and other circuit components. Some of these components may be connected between the soldering lugs 4 of the. tube socket body I and the member of the extended set of soldering lugs 12, bypassing the lugs 13.

In fact in some instances the base set i3 of soldering lugs may be omitted.

In some instances it is desirable to interpose a shield within the mounting tube i I in order to minimize coupling effects between the various circuit components, and in this regard reference is directed to Figures 5 and 6. In this view is shown a metallic shield tube 18 surrounded by an insulating sleeve i9.. The shield tube 18 is provided with an inner lug 20 adapted to be brought outwardly through a side opening 21. If desired the shield 18 shown in Fig. 5, may occupy all or part of the tube 11. The extended end of thei shield tube 18 is provided with one or more radiating lugs 22 which overlie the upper end of the mounting tube ί I. The insulating sleeve 19 protects the shield tube 18 against electrical contact with the riveted inner ends of the soldering lugs 12 and 13.

As shown in Figure 8, the mounting tube II may be extended to support additional circuit components such as inductance coils 23 or interstage transformers or the like, and may also be provided with a third set of terminal lugs 24.

The structure so far described is shown as related to a standard size electronic tube. My invention, however, has equal application to the midget or miniature vacuum tubes, particularly in that such tubes are used primarily in high frequency applications where the problems of inductive and capacitive effects are particularly troublesome. Reference is therefore directed to Figure 7.

The conventional miniature socket 25 is provided with a ring of openings which receive the socket members 26 with terminal elements 27. The terminal elements 27 protrude from the back side of the socket body to form soldering lugs 28. The socket members 26 receive the pins P of a miniature tube M. The miniature socket is adapted to be mounted in the conventional manner on a chassis. At least one type of miniature socket body is provided with a central bore which receives a liner 29. Ths liner serves as a rivet to hold the parts of the socket together. The liner 29 is utilized to receive a tie bolt 30 which extends from the front side of the socket body through a mounting tube 31 of insulating material. The mounting tube is provided with end pieces 32 and 33. The end piece 33 fits around tthe extended inner end of the liner 28 within the ring of soldering lugs 28. The end piece 32 covers the mounting tube 31 and supports a nut 34 into which the tie bolt 30 extends. The mounting tube 31 may be provided with the various mounting lug arrangements shown in the other figures of the drawings. By grounding the bolt 30 through a lug, mounted under nut 34, a shielding effect is obtained as between elements mounted on opposite sides of tube 31.

It will be observed that the socket body with its mounting tube may serve to support all or most of the circuit components related to the tube for which the socket is intended, and thus by mounting the various components on the mounting tube the entire structure becomes a convenient sub-assembly which may be readily and quickly installed or removed. Furthermore, each of the components are readily accessible for repair or change. It will also be observed that the particular mounting arrangement which my structure provides minimizes the electrostatic capacity between the representative resistors, conductors, inductors, or other components. Still further, it is clear that in those instances where space is at a premium my structure is particularly applicable.