Patent US3603661A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3603661A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum seal
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1968-09-20
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1988-09-20
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure provides a method for evacuating and sealing an apparatus such as, for example, a voltage-tunable magnetron device, by providing a large evacuation aperture with a sealing ball spaced above the aperture by a support member comprising solder material. The support member spaces the seal ball away from the aperture enabling one to adequately evacuate the device. After sufficient evacuation the temperature is raised to melt the support and allow the seal ball to close and seal the aperture. The melting support structure provides the solder to seal the ball to the walls of the aperture.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Gray Detro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:57
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J23/00; H01J9/00; H01J9/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of sealing an apparatus having a constricting aperture therein through which said apparatus is evacuated comprising in combination, a. placing an open framework containing a solder material over said aperture, b. positioning a plug member on said frame in spaced relationship from said aperture, c. placing said apparatus in a vacuum furnace and evacuating said apparatus to a predetermined vacuum, d. raising the temperature of said furnace sufficient to melt said solder with the result that said plug member is positioned in the constricting aperture in sealed relationship therewith.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of sealing an apparatus having a constricting aperture therein through which said apparatus is evacuated comprising in combination, a. placing an open framework containing a solder material over said aperture, b. positioning a plug member on said frame in spaced relationship from said aperture, c. placing said apparatus in a vacuum furnace and evacuating said apparatus to a predetermined vacuum, d. raising the temperature of said furnace sufficient to melt said solder with the result that said plug member is positioned in the constricting aperture in sealed relationship therewith.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of sealing an evacuated apparatus having a tapered aperture therein for the evacuation of said apparatus therethrough comprising in combination, a. placing an open framework of a solder metal over said aperture in spaced relation thereabove, b. supporting a seal ball on said framework spaced from said aperture, c. placing said apparatus in a vacuum furnace and evacuating said apparatus through said aperture to a predetermined vacuum, d. raising the temperature of said furnace sufficient to soften said solder framework to position said ball in said aperture so that said solder provides a hermetic seal therewith.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of sealing an evacuated apparatus having a tapered aperture therein for the evacuation of said apparatus therethrough comprising in combination, a. placing an open framework of a solder metal over said aperture in spaced relation thereabove, b. supporting a seal ball on said framework spaced from said aperture, c. placing said apparatus in a vacuum furnace and evacuating said apparatus through said aperture to a predetermined vacuum, d. raising the temperature of said furnace sufficient to soften said solder framework to position said ball in said aperture so that said solder provides a hermetic seal therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said framework is a spider member having a central portion and a plurality of radially extending legs extending therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said framework comprises a spiral support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a voltage tunable magnetron having a restricting aperture extending therein through a cold cathode, a method of evacuating and sealing said magnetron comprising, a. positioning said magnetron in a vacuum furnace, b. placing a support of solder metal over said aperture and spaced thereabove, c. a placing a copper containing ball having a silver containing coating on said support to be supported thereby above said aperture, d. evacuating said magnetron to a desired pressure, e. raising the temperature of said furnace so that said support softens and deposits said ball in said restricting aperture and said solder flows thereabout to provide a hermetic seal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a voltage tunable magnetron having a restricting aperture extending therein through a cold cathode, a method of evacuating and sealing said magnetron comprising, a. positioning said magnetron in a vacuum furnace, b. placing a support of solder metal over said aperture and spaced thereabove, c. a placing a copper containing ball having a silver containing coating on said support to be supported thereby above said aperture, d. evacuating said magnetron to a desired pressure, e. raising the temperature of said furnace so that said support softens and deposits said ball in said restricting aperture and said solder flows thereabout to provide a hermetic seal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of sealing an apparatus having a constricting aperture therein through which said apparatus is evacuated comprising in combination: a. placing an open framework comprising a solder material over said aperture; b. positioning a seal ball on said framework a sufficient distance from said aperture to define a passageway through said framework having a gas conductance at least equal to the gas conductance through said aperture; c. placing said apparatus in a vacuum furnace and evacuating said apparatus to a predetermined vacuum; and d. raising the temperature of said furnace sufficient to melt said solder with the result that said ball is positioned in the constricting aperture in sealed relationship therewith.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of sealing an apparatus having a constricting aperture therein through which said apparatus is evacuated comprising in combination: a. placing an open framework comprising a solder material over said aperture; b. positioning a seal ball on said framework a sufficient distance from said aperture to define a passageway through said framework having a gas conductance at least equal to the gas conductance through said aperture; c. placing said apparatus in a vacuum furnace and evacuating said apparatus to a predetermined vacuum; and d. raising the temperature of said furnace sufficient to melt said solder with the result that said ball is positioned in the constricting aperture in sealed relationship therewith.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |