Cooling and insulating small hard-tube modulators

Innovative techniques for cooling and insulating compact hard-tube modulators for mobile radar systems are discussed. The techniques were developed to meet requirements for packaging several modulators of a novel design within housings previously designed for lower-power units. Achievement of cooling and insulating requirements involved selection of new insulating and housing materials. In addition, the approach required unusual care in the arrangement of components and optimization of air flow. Fiber-optic air flow switches were used in several locations. The design effectively prevented overheating and the occurrence of hot spots. The mechanical design of the modulator resulted in a configuration which not only met the physical requirements of size, shape, and weight, but which also provided electrical performance superior to original specifications