US3706543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing tubular radioactive light sources
Assignee: Canrad Precision Industries Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-11
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1989-06-11
Abstract
Abstract According to the invention, the process for making tube-shaped, radioactive light sources is characterized by the fact that a glass tube containing a Luminophor and a radioactive gas, is subdivided successively into glass tube sections intended for use as radioactive light sources, by means of a laser beam. This is accomplished with a closely localized lazer beam so that a sufficient quantity of glass is drawn from the sidewalls to form end walls, to devide the sealed tube and simultaneously seal the ends of the two tubes produced without loss of radioactive gas therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Oscar Thuler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:10
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B97/00; A47B97/04; C; C03; C03B; C03B23/00; C03B23/04; C03B23/057; C03B23/18; C03B33/00; C03B33/08; C03B33/085; C03B33/0855; C09; C09K; C09K11/00; C09K11/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A process of dividing a long, sealed glaSs tube containing a Luminophor and a radioactive gas at subatmospheric pressure into a shorter sealed tube suitable for use as a light source and a sealed remainder, comprising the step of heating said long, sealed glass tube to fusion with a closely localized Laser beam at the zone whereat said long, sealed, glass tube is to be divided so that a sufficient quantity of glass is drawn in from the side wall to form end walls, to divide said long sealed tube and to simultaneously seal the ends of the two tubes produced without the loss of radioactive gas by drawing inwardly glass fused by said beam, said inward movement of said fused glass resulting, at least in part, from said pressure within said glass tube being subatmospheric.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A process of dividing a long, sealed glaSs tube containing a Luminophor and a radioactive gas at subatmospheric pressure into a shorter sealed tube suitable for use as a light source and a sealed remainder, comprising the step of heating said long, sealed glass tube to fusion with a closely localized Laser beam at the zone whereat said long, sealed, glass tube is to be divided so that a sufficient quantity of glass is drawn in from the side wall to form end walls, to divide said long sealed tube and to simultaneously seal the ends of the two tubes produced without the loss of radioactive gas by drawing inwardly glass fused by said beam, said inward movement of said fused glass resulting, at least in part, from said pressure within said glass tube being subatmospheric.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A process as defined in claim 1, and including the steps of rotating said glass tube during heating with said Laser beam and advancing said long, sealed glass tube axially past the Laser beam by an amount essentially equal to the length of the next of the shorter tubes to be divided from said remainder subsequent to dividing the previous shorter tube from said remainder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as defined in claim 1, including the step of drawing apart said remainder and said shorter tube during the heating with said Laser beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 including the step of deflecting the Laser beam by means of reflection from a metal plate after each fusion of a glass tube section of the glass tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process in accordance with claim 1, including the step of reflecting back to the glass tube being fused those rays which pass beyond said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the Laser beam as it is focussed at the zone on the glass tube which is to be fused said Laser beam has approximately the same cross section as the glass tube.
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) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |