US3617740A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular electron source for uniformly irradiating the surface of a product
Assignee: Sanwa Business Credit Corp
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Filing: 1968-10-08
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1988-10-08
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to the irradiation of coatings and similar materials wherein a relatively large surface of complex shape is to be irradiated. The invention employs a modular construction wherein each module comprises a relatively small and independently movable electron accelerator which is complete but for the provision of the accelerating voltage. In general, apparatus is used having a common insulating housing and a common voltage source. In the housing are mounted independently movable electron accelerators. A multiplicity of these accelerators is arranged so as to provide a wide array of generally parallel electron beams which are positioned so as to overlap at the surface of the product to be irradiated. Depending upon the nature of the surface, the electron beams may or may not be actually parallel, the purpose being to insure that each electron beam impinges on the surface to be irradiated normal thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Skillicorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J33/00; G; G21; G21K; G21K5/00; G21K5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A complete electron source for irradiating a product comprising a tank containing an insulating fluid, a multiplicity of electron-accelerator modules mounted within said tank, each having an electron permeable portion projecting through said tank, each module being adapted to produce an electron beam, initially essentially cylindrical, but finally fanning out into a cone-type envelope under the combined action of space charge forces and scattering both in the window foil and the gas surrounding the product, and an integral power supply adapted to furnish power for all the modules, said modules being mounted so that, at the surface of the product, the beam envelopes from adjacent modules will overlap to give essentially uniform electron density, transverse to the principal direction of any product movement, over the surface of the product to be irradiated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A complete electron source for irradiating a product comprising a tank containing an insulating fluid, a multiplicity of electron-accelerator modules mounted within said tank, each having an electron permeable portion projecting through said tank, each module being adapted to produce an electron beam, initially essentially cylindrical, but finally fanning out into a cone-type envelope under the combined action of space charge forces and scattering both in the window foil and the gas surrounding the product, and an integral power supply adapted to furnish power for all the modules, said modules being mounted so that, at the surface of the product, the beam envelopes from adjacent modules will overlap to give essentially uniform electron density, transverse to the principal direction of any product movement, over the surface of the product to be irradiated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein each module comprises a pencil-beam electron source fitted with a thin foil window operating at a reduced gas pressure with a secondary emission cathode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each module comprises a high-vacuum tube having a thermionic cathode as the electron source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each module includes a tubular insulator having gradient control down the surface thereof by means of a deposited uniform coating of resistive material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each module includes an insulating tube having gradient control down the surface of the insulator by means of a deposited coating of resistive material, said coating being purposely made nonuniform to control the focusing of the electron beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each module includes an insulating tube having one or more intermediate electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the modules are mounted so as to conform to the contour of the product.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the modules are arranged to give a nonuniform electron density either graduated or noncontinuous in the direction of product movement,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is mounted on trunnions so that the individual modules may be changed by inverting the assembly to avoid spilling the insulating oil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said modules are mounted on an articulated stand so that the assembly can be moved in synchronism with the Product to give uniform treatment of irregularly shaped objects.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is one power supply common to all modules mounted in the containing tank.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is one external power supply cable connected to the containing tank, the cable connection being capable of rotation to permit inversion of the tank.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is one external power supply cable connected to the containing tank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |