Abstract Alignment between a focused electron beam and an aperture within a partition plate separating a low pressure electron beam generating zone from a higher pressure welding chamber is obtained by positioning four carbon sensing electrodes in a circular pattern coaxial with and slightly above the aperture in the partition plate. The internal diameter of the circular pattern formed by the electrode disposition is no greater than the aperture in the partition plate to assure continuous impingement of a portion of a properly focused bell-shaped electron beam on the electrodes. The negative voltages produced upon diametrically opposite electrodes by the electron beam bombardment are fed back to an elongated pair of electrostatic deflection plates in the low pressure zone of the welding apparatus to deflect the beam at an angle proportional to the difference between the voltage signals from the electrodes. When a charged particle beam is generated in a zone having sufficient gaseous pressure to produce an electrostatic discharge between deflection plates, electromagnetic windings are employed to deflect the beam with a current amplifier being inserted between the electrodes and the electromagnetic windings to allow use of low inductance windings thereby reducing the response time of the system.
An electron beam welder comprising a source for the production of an electron beam of welding intensity, means for focusing said electron beam upon a desired location through an aperture communicating zones of diverse pressure, detection means comprising a plurality of sensors circularly disposed to form a central orifice coaxial with and at most equal diameter relative to said aperture communicating said diverse pressure zones, said detection means being situated above and on diametrically opposite sides of said aperture at locations to continuously intercept a portion of the edges of opposite sides of a properly positioned beam of welding intensity and producing output signals proportional to the intensity of electron beam impingement thereon, means disposed along the length of said electron beam to deflect said beam along a line intersecting said deflection means, and means interconnecting said detection means and said deflection means to deflect said electron beam by an amount proportional to the difference in output signals generated by said detection means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
An electron beam welder comprising a source for the production of an electron beam of welding intensity, means for focusing said electron beam upon a desired location through an aperture communicating zones of diverse pressure, detection means comprising a plurality of sensors circularly disposed to form a central orifice coaxial with and at most equal diameter relative to said aperture communicating said diverse pressure zones, said detection means being situated above and on diametrically opposite sides of said aperture at locations to continuously intercept a portion of the edges of opposite sides of a properly positioned beam of welding intensity and producing output signals proportional to the intensity of electron beam impingement thereon, means disposed along the length of said electron beam to deflect said beam along a line intersecting said deflection means, and means interconnecting said detection means and said deflection means to deflect said electron beam by an amount proportional to the difference in output signals generated by said detection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
An electron beam welder comprising a hot cathode electron emitter for the production of an electron beam of welding intensity, means for focusing said electron beam upon a desired location, detection means comprising a plurality of carbon segments seated upon and electrically contacting a metallic support, said detection means being positioned on opposite sides of said electron beam at locations continuously intercepting a portion of the edges of a properly positioned beam of welding intensity and producing output signals proportional to the intensity of electron beam impingement thereon, means disposed along the length of said electron beam to deflect said beam along a line intersecting said deflection means, and means interconnecting said detection means and said deflection means to deflect said electron beam by an amount proportional to the difference in output signals generated by said detection means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
An electron beam welder comprising a hot cathode electron emitter for the production of an electron beam of welding intensity, means for focusing said electron beam upon a desired location, detection means comprising a plurality of carbon segments seated upon and electrically contacting a metallic support, said detection means being positioned on opposite sides of said electron beam at locations continuously intercepting a portion of the edges of a properly positioned beam of welding intensity and producing output signals proportional to the intensity of electron beam impingement thereon, means disposed along the length of said electron beam to deflect said beam along a line intersecting said deflection means, and means interconnecting said detection means and said deflection means to deflect said electron beam by an amount proportional to the difference in output signals generated by said detection means.