Patent No. 5777572 Device for damaging electronic equipment using unfocussed high power millimeter wave beams

 

Patent No. 5777572

Device for damaging electronic equipment using unfocussed high power millimeter wave beams (Janusas, Jul 7, 1998)

Abstract

A device for damaging electronic equipment has a millimeter wave generator, such as a gyrotron oscillator, for producing very high power millimeter waves. A beam former antenna forms the millimeter waves into narrow beams for distance transmission. An antenna coupled to the gyrotron directs narrow beams of the millimeter waves to selected targets, whereby the beams damage electronic equipment at the targets. The millimeter wave generator produces frequencies ranging from about 100 to 140 GHz at 20 millisecond megawatt pulses at 400 kilowatts CW.

Notes:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for damaging electronic equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to a device which uses a very high power millimeter wave RF beam to damage electronic equipment.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In this age of high technology, we are highly dependent upon electronics in our industrial, commercial and military systems and devices. A powerful weapon for use by industrial and governmental forces would be one which damages or disables electronic equipment.

Recent developments in very high power millimeter wave gyro devices make it feasible to produce millimeter wave beams capable not only of jamming, but actually damaging electronic equipment. The gyro device can be either pulsed or operated in CW mode. The Varian Company is a leader in this technology, and has a development program for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and the Compact Ignition Tokamak (CIT) to develop gyrotrons in the frequency range from 100 to 300 GHz with output power capabilities of one megawatt CW. Experimental units so far developed at 100 to 140 GHz produce 20 ms megawatt pulses and 400 kilowatts CW.

These gyrotrons have been employed in heating of magnetically confined plasmas at electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) frequencies in a variety of fusion experiments. ECR experiments reveal that millimeter wave power levels of 10 to 100 megawatts are needed to "ignite" a fusion reactor.

Varian gyrotrons use TE.sub.15,2,1 interaction cavities. Short pulse output power levels of 1040 KW with efficiencies of 38% have been demonstrated.

Most previous tubes were designed to generate output power in the TE.sub.on (circular class waveguide) mode. The new design tubes use TE.sub.mn whispering-gallery modes, where m>>n. In contrast to circular electric modes, energy stored in a "whispering-gallery" mode is concentrated near the walls of the cavity, thereby requiring a larger diameter electron beam for efficient electron interaction. Tubes of this design have relatively large output windows. They are typically 3.5 inches in diameter double disc type and can function at the temperatures and stresses associated with the very high RF power levels. Researchers in this field have not yet fully solved the problem of separating the spent electron beam from the RF beam.

The gyrotron oscillators are smaller than klystrons or TWT's delivering the same RF power. They require high voltages of the order of 80 to 100 kilovolts and currents up to 25 amperes (2.5 MW). Using today's conservative power supply technology at 3 watts per cubic inch of space, the power supply would require a volume of about 840,000 cubic inches. This translates into a cube having 8-foot sides. If the pulse mode is used with a 10% duty cycle, the volume of the power supply would be reduced by 10 times. Containing such high voltages in small volumes is not as difficult as may first appear. Thus, for example, electric power companies routinely and reliably handle much higher voltages and powers. Using oil immersion high voltage technology, it is possible to engineer a practical millimeter wave weapon similar in size to a high power television transmitter or a radar modulator.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the invention is to provide a device for damaging or disabling electronic equipment.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of simple structure for damaging or disabling electronic equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compact device of small dimensions for damaging or disabling electronic equipment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable device for damaging or disabling electronic equipment.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for damaging or disabling electronic equipment essentially instantaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for damaging or disabling electronic equipment efficiently, effectively and reliably.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device for damaging or disabling electronic equipment with minimal danger to operating personnel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a device for producing very high power millimeter wave beams comprises millimeter wave generating means for producing RF power. Beam forming means forms the RF power into narrow beams for distance transmission. Antenna means coupled to the beam forming means selectively directs narrow beams of the RF power.

The millimeter wave generating means comprises a gyrotron oscillator and the beam forming means is incorporated in the gyrotron oscillator.

In accordance with the invention, a device for damaging electronic equipment comprises a millimeter wave generator for producing very high power millimeter waves. Beam forming means forms the millimeter waves into narrow beams for distance transmission. Antenna means coupled to the beam forming means directs narrow beams of the millimeter waves to selected targets, whereby the beams damage electronic equipment at the targets.

The millimeter wave generator comprises a gyrotron oscillator. The beam forming means is incorporated in the gyrotron oscillator. The gyrotron oscillator produces millimeter waves at frequencies ranging from about 100 to 140 GHz, at 20 millisecond megawatt pulses. The gyrotron oscillator produces 400 kilowatts CW.

In accordance with the invention, a method of damaging electronic equipment comprises the steps of producing very high power millimeter waves, forming the millimeter waves into narrow beams for distance transmission, and directing narrow beams of the millimeter waves to selected targets, whereby the beams damage electronic equipment at the targets.

At longer ranges, where the damaging energy falls off, the device of the invention can be employed as a very high power radar, communications and electronic equipment jammer which does not permanently damage such equipment.

----------------------------------------------------------

While only a single embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.