US3660064A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of sealing reed switches using infrared energy
Assignee: Bank of America Illinois
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Filing: 1970-01-29
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Granted: 1972-05-02
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Expires: 1990-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of sealing a magnetic reed in the open end of a tube of infrared absorbing glass uses an elliptical reflector with an infrared energy source at one focal point. The open end of the tube is disposed at the second focal point of the elliptical reflector with the axis of the tube extending along an extension of the line connecting the two focal points. The end of the tube to be sealed is also received within a conical reflector with the tube axis aligned with the axis of the cone of reflection. The conical reflector is moved along the axis of the tube as the glass softens to form the seal so as to concentrate the infrared energy on the top of the seal.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry L Rohde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H11/00; H01H11/005; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/0033; H05B3/0038; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S65/00; Y10S65/04; Y10S65/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of sealing a metal element in an open end of a tube of glass, which method comprises the steps of inserting the element partially within the tube through the open end, applying heat to an area of the glass of the tube adjacent the open end of the tube until the glass starts to soften and flow toward the element to start the seal, and producing a displacement between the tube and the area of application of the heat to move the area of application of the heat to the glass toward the end of the tube as the glass softens so that the heat is applied to an area at the outer end of the seal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of sealing a metal element in an open end of a tube of glass, which method comprises the steps of inserting the element partially within the tube through the open end, applying heat to an area of the glass of the tube adjacent the open end of the tube until the glass starts to soften and flow toward the element to start the seal, and producing a displacement between the tube and the area of application of the heat to move the area of application of the heat to the glass toward the end of the tube as the glass softens so that the heat is applied to an area at the outer end of the seal.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of sealing a metal element in an open end of a tube of infrared absorbing glass, which method comprises the steps of inserting the element partially within the tube through the open end, directing infrared energy on an area adjacent the top of the tube until the glass softens and starts to flow toward the element to form a seal, reflecting infrared energy onto an area adjacent the top of the tube to supplement the directed energy, and producing relative movement between the tube and the reflected energy to move the reflected infrared energy toward the end of the tube as the seal starts to form to concentrate the infrared energy on the area of the glass that forms the top of the seal.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of sealing a metal element in an open end of a tube of infrared absorbing glass, which method comprises the steps of inserting the element partially within the tube through the open end, directing infrared energy on an area adjacent the top of the tube until the glass softens and starts to flow toward the element to form a seal, reflecting infrared energy onto an area adjacent the top of the tube to supplement the directed energy, and producing relative movement between the tube and the reflected energy to move the reflected infrared energy toward the end of the tube as the seal starts to form to concentrate the infrared energy on the area of the glass that forms the top of the seal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method set forth in claim 1 including a heat applying means in which the step of producing a displacement includes the step of producing relative movement between the glass tube and the heat applying means.
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) | 1975-05-02 | 1975-11-01 | 1976-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-02 | 1979-11-01 | 1980-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-02 | 1983-11-01 | 1984-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |