Steven Marks Tube Power Supply

[Phantasm]

It would take much less power than 12 Watts. What you describe is basic amplifier theory.  One exception... a tube would require a higher plate voltage than 5 but you could vary this high current/low voltage by a specified amount or modulate it. Then it is just a matter of how you want to collect that variation - or tap the potential.

Usually done with a coupling RC, LC or transformer.

My interest in tubes with a TPU is fired by that tube type circuit that only uses power for the heater ( http://www.b-kainka.de/bastel87.htm ) . Tie that in as a magnetostrictive oscillator and we may have something. Since these oscillators resonate at the resonate frequency of the core material and not the windings.... well, it could be interesting.

The benefits of such a circuit:

1. SS could not do the same
2. resonate frequency based upon the circumference of the core
3. would require magnets
4. would likely require passing a magnet to kick start it.
5. the only external source of power required would be enough to heat the heater.

A simple experiment is to just apply voltage to a tube heater. With nothing else connected. measure voltage between the heater and plate. The 5U4GB is a good one for this. It has no separate cathode between the heater and plate.

BTW: there are many folks here with more knowledge on tubes than me. I've used them in circuits for years and understand them better than SS but that isn't saying much.

Thank you! Youve removed a stumbling block for me.

Magnetostriction oscillation is a great candidate. It appears as though this technique will yield stable oscillations.

I am curious how you have come to the conclusion that this would require magnet/passing a magnet to kickstart it

Thanks again!!

[Mannix]

Nice one BEP!

[BEP]

It appears as though this technique will yield stable oscillations.

So stable you will be surprised but expect it to vary with a rhythm if your build works like mine.

I am curious how you have come to the conclusion that this would require magnet/passing a magnet to kickstart it

On a toroid you will need at least two separate magnetic fields. I suggest on opposite sides of the circle. The mag fields are required for the 'striction' part. Two, so you can have two equal twists of opposite directions (picture a sine-wave - reverse the polarity of one side). More are possible, I suppose.

Depending upon how you cause twisting of the core (magneto-striction), current through the MS metal, vary the magnet fields... Whatever.... you may need an external magnet to temporarily deform one of the fixed fields to cause a change in twist of the MS material. -or- if your mag fields are fixed.. you may chose to change the current going through the MS material.
I think it depends on which TPU you are trying to build.

Be aware my attempt is good at making strange noises and nothing more.

The zero voltage oscillator (regenerative receiver gone super-regen) is interesting but using a dual rectifier - 1 side as radio detector - and the other side (with strange internal coupling to the detector) as an amplifier is more outside the norm than running a tube triode without plate power applied.

[BEP]

I must have done it again....

Did I scare everyone off?

I know I've mentioned the zero volt tube circuits at least once about two years ago. I tried to introduce an MS oscillator a few times. The first long before @EMDevices found those great patents.
@Pese said it was a dead short circuit 

I'll admit I don't recall posting anything about using dual rectifier tubes as amplifiers. That is an old HAM trick. You just insert a resistance between the filament and common. The normal detected signal modulates the common cathode and varies plate current of the second diode, pretty much what SM was saying in his rectifier story. The results aren't much different from using the grid in a triode. DC is required on the heater. You must tie the heater battery plus or minus to common. One will allow amplification. Tieing the wrong battery terminal will kill the effect.
That alone is the mystery if you don't understand a tube can amplify without plate current.

[Phantasm]

I must have done it again....

Did I scare everyone off?

No, youre fine - honestly I'm in the same boat that Loner is in... I'm feeling overwhelmed by conflicting perspectives on TPU operation.

My background is not in the EE field. For me, it means even the slightest detail in one of these posts, while plain to the average reader here requires me to read pages and pages online to get the jist of whats being discussed. And thats just the little details.

Ive followed this system, researching everything that is unknown to me, while digesting all of SM's clues and notes. I've forumulated my own understanding of SM's clues to the point where they all seem to make sense in light of my perspective.

Still though I default to the expertice of the users on these forums. In that regard, I've been trying to understand and learn more about the perspectives that have been brought forward under the assumption that my plain interpretations of SM's clues has been a tried and tested failure. I havnt read that this is the case but I assume so since a lot of things go unsaid on these forums :\

On the upside, I'm learning a lot - on the down side, I feel confused and burned out with all the perspectives. I'm dedicated to this project though... I've made it a personal goal to realize this technology. Either way, I learn a lot so I cant really go wrong. At the moment though, I need a break from all this research. In my mind there's no point in trying to learn new perspectives about how a TPU might work if I still havnt tested the old ideas.. So I'm making it a priority to get some testing going.

Frankly, I'd really like to sit down and TALK with someone back and forth about this stuff... If anyone wants to talk TPU building - send me a message, I'm more than happy to share my ideas.