955 acorn triode

955ACORN

The 955 Acorn Triode is an early vacuum tube (or thermionic valve) that was first introduced in 1934. It was developed by the RCA Corporation and is notable for its small size and high-frequency performance, which made it particularly useful in radio and radar applications during the 1930s and 1940s.

Design and Features[edit | edit source]

The 955 Acorn Triode is named for its distinctive acorn-like shape. It was designed to operate at high frequencies, up to 500 MHz, which was a significant advancement at the time. The tube features a heater voltage of 6.3V and a heater current of 0.15A. The anode (or plate) voltage is rated at 250V, with an anode current of 10mA. The tube has a gain (or amplification factor) of 20.

The small size of the 955 Acorn Triode was achieved by using a unique construction method where the electrodes were mounted on a small glass base, and the connections were made through pins that extended from the base. This design minimized the lead inductance and capacitance, which are critical factors in high-frequency operation.

Applications[edit | edit source]

The 955 Acorn Triode was widely used in radio receivers and transmitters, as well as in early radar systems. Its ability to operate at high frequencies made it ideal for VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) applications. It was also used in oscillator circuits, amplifier stages, and mixer circuits.

Historical Significance[edit | edit source]

The introduction of the 955 Acorn Triode marked a significant milestone in the development of high-frequency electronics. It played a crucial role in the advancement of radio technology and the development of early radar systems, which were vital during World War II. The tube's design principles influenced the development of subsequent high-frequency vacuum tubes and solid-state devices.