rectifier
Date: circa 1916
Inventory Number: VT4752
Classification: Rectifier
Maker: E. Machlett & Son (1897 - 1957)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
8.1 x 100 x 8.1 cm (3 3/16 x 39 3/8 x 3 3/16 in.)
bulb: 8.1 cm (3 3/16 in.)
Material:
Description:
A very long high-vacuum hot-cathode rectifier. The filament cathode is surrounded by a metal ring and faces the flat anode in the middle of the bulb. The tube has a lightbulb screw at the anode end and probably also at the cathode end.
Signedwritten on bulb inside an oval: MACHLETT
FunctionThis looks like an experimental model. Rectifiers would be used in conjunction with an x-ray tube. When powered by AC, many hot-cathode x-ray tubes operated badly or could be damaged by the passing of an inverse current. The rectifier only allows current to flow in one direction, and when used with other elements can convert AC to DC. This is probably the next model to VT4751.
Curatorial RemarksSimilar to VT4751.
ProvenanceFrom the Harvard Medical School.