Improved reliability of TWT´s through the use of a new lightweight heat removal device

It has been demonstrated that "heat pipe" cooling techniques can be applied to TWT\´s. Since the "heat pipe" will reduce operating temperatures and the temperature drop along the vacuum barrel, improved reliability can be attained. In addition, design flexibility is increased and the overall TWT weight may be reduced. On a specific radially focussed TWT design, the fol lowing improvements were obtained: 1. The radial temperature gradient between the vacuum barrel and th tube housing was reduced to less than 10°C. 2. The axial temperature gradient in the 10-inch long vacuum barrel was reduced to less than 6°C for a heat flux density variation from 10 watts per linear inch to 100 watts per linear inch. 3. The collector\´s cooling capacity was improved by reducing its axial and radial-temperature gradients.