US3927342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capillary tube gas discharge device
Assignee: OI Glass Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-02
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1990-11-02
Abstract
Abstract Methods of making complex glass panel structures having precision dimensions. Glass tubes, rods, plates or other large glass structures are redrawn individually or in groups to filamentary or capillary size tube or gas continuums which are assembled as a monolayer to form a gas discharge panel, for example. Complex glass structures having precision uniform crosssectional dimensions are constructed. Various novel glass structures and/or conductor configurations and methods of assembling are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang W Bode
- 👤 Glenn H Dunlap
- 👤 Anthony M Kobylak
- 👤 Raymond S Richards
- 👤 Lawrence V Pfaender
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J11/00; H01J11/10; H01J11/18; C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/02; C03B37/025; C03B37/028; H01J65/00; H01J65/04; H01J65/042; H01J65/046; C03B2203/00; C03B2203/02; C03B2203/04; C03B2203/10; C03B2203/14; C03B2203/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A gas discharge device comprising an elongated glass capillary tube, said capillary tube being formed by redrawing a larger glass tube having a cross-sectional shape corresponding substantially to the cross-sectional shape of said elongated capillary tube and each cross-sectional dimension of said larger glass tube being uniformly reduced during the redrawing thereof to where at least one of the cross-sectional glass thickness dimensions of said capillary tube walls is under about 2 mils thick and at least one internal wall surface of said tube is spaced from an opposing internal wall surface under about 10 mils, said capillary glass tube having a percent dimensional tolerance which is substantially the same as said larger glass tube, means closing the ends of said capillary tube to define therein an elongated filamentary gas chamber, a gas discharge medium in said chamber, said gas being at a pressure of sufficient magnitude to confine charges produced on discharge to within an elemental two dimensionally unconfined gas volume within which discharges take place, at least a pair of conductors in intimate contact with exterior walls of said capillary tube and locating said elemental two dimensionally unconfined gas discharge volume within said capillary tube, and means for connecting said conductors to a supply of alternating operating potentials to effect discharges in said gas within the volume of gas between conductors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A gas discharge device comprising an elongated glass capillary tube, said capillary tube being formed by redrawing a larger glass tube having a cross-sectional shape corresponding substantially to the cross-sectional shape of said elongated capillary tube and each cross-sectional dimension of said larger glass tube being uniformly reduced during the redrawing thereof to where at least one of the cross-sectional glass thickness dimensions of said capillary tube walls is under about 2 mils thick and at least one internal wall surface of said tube is spaced from an opposing internal wall surface under about 10 mils, said capillary glass tube having a percent dimensional tolerance which is substantially the same as said larger glass tube, means closing the ends of said capillary tube to define therein an elongated filamentary gas chamber, a gas discharge medium in said chamber, said gas being at a pressure of sufficient magnitude to confine charges produced on discharge to within an elemental two dimensionally unconfined gas volume within which discharges take place, at least a pair of conductors in intimate contact with exterior walls of said capillary tube and locating said elemental two dimensionally unconfined gas discharge volume within said capillary tube, and means for connecting said conductors to a supply of alternating operating potentials to effect discharges in said gas within the volume of gas between conductors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the capillary tube is rectangular in cross-section and said at least one glass thickness dimension is under about 1 mil in thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the capillary tube is circular in cross-section and said at least one glass thickness dimension is under 1 mil in thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the gas medium is a mixture of neon and nitrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the gas medium is a mixture of neon and argon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
A gas discharge element consisting essentially of an elongated redrawn glass capillary tube, said tube having an internal diameter under about 10 mils, a wall thickness of about 1 mil, means sealing the ends of said capillary tube, a gas discharge medium in said tube at a pressure sufficient to confine charges produced during discharges to a discrete volume of gas and permit side-by-side discrete discharges in said gas, and a first conductor means on an exterior wall of said capillary tube, said conductor extending substantially the length of said capillary tube, said discharge element being adapted for assembly with a plurality of similar capillary tubes in parallel coplanar relation and to have applied thereto, when in said parallel coplanar relation, a plurality of second conductor means, each common to a plurality of said tubes in said parallel relation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
A gas discharge element consisting essentially of an elongated redrawn glass capillary tube, said tube having an internal diameter under about 10 mils, a wall thickness of about 1 mil, means sealing the ends of said capillary tube, a gas discharge medium in said tube at a pressure sufficient to confine charges produced during discharges to a discrete volume of gas and permit side-by-side discrete discharges in said gas, and a first conductor means on an exterior wall of said capillary tube, said conductor extending substantially the length of said capillary tube, said discharge element being adapted for assembly with a plurality of similar capillary tubes in parallel coplanar relation and to have applied thereto, when in said parallel coplanar relation, a plurality of second conductor means, each common to a plurality of said tubes in said parallel relation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said first conductor means includes a metal conductor encased in glass and reduced in cross-sectional area during the formation of said capillary tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the capillary tube is rectangular in corss-sectional shape and has a wall thickness of about 0.001 inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the capillary tube is circular in cross-sectional shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the gas medium is a mixture of neon and nitrogen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the gas medium is a mixture of neon and argon.
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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) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |