US3932227A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroformed hermetic glass-metal seal
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1974-11-18
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Granted: 1976-01-13
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Expires: 1994-11-18
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an improved method of bonding two glass-like structures or a glass-like and a metallic structure, and an improved bond which may be fabricated by this method. In the preferred embodiment, the mating surfaces are first metalized with a thin titanium layer, which is covered by a thin gold layer. The metalized surfaces are joined, and a gold layer is electro-deposited over the junction in an overlapping fashion. Finally a nickel layer is electro-deposited over the gold layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard S. Rothenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:54
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D5/00; C25D5/10; C23; C23C; C23C28/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12535; Y10T428/12597
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
The method of joining a first structure, comprising a glass-like substance, to a second structure, comprising a substance selected from the group consisting of glass-like and metallic substances, comprising the following steps, each of which is performed at or near ambient temperature: a. applying, to at least a portion of the mating surfaces of said first and second structures, a coating comprising a metallic substance capable of forming an intermolecular bond therewith; b. covering at least a portion of said coating on each of said mating surfaces with a layer of a noble metal; c. placing said first and second structures in juxtaposition with at least portions of their mating surfaces in contact; d. placing a continuous overlayer of a noble metal over portions of said first and second structure, at least some of said overlayer in contact with said layers of noble metal; and e. electrodepositing a cap over at least a portion of said overlayer, said cap comprising a metal having the property of exerting a compressive force when deposited.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
The method of joining a first structure, comprising a glass-like substance, to a second structure, comprising a substance selected from the group consisting of glass-like and metallic substances, comprising the following steps, each of which is performed at or near ambient temperature: a. applying, to at least a portion of the mating surfaces of said first and second structures, a coating comprising a metallic substance capable of forming an intermolecular bond therewith; b. covering at least a portion of said coating on each of said mating surfaces with a layer of a noble metal; c. placing said first and second structures in juxtaposition with at least portions of their mating surfaces in contact; d. placing a continuous overlayer of a noble metal over portions of said first and second structure, at least some of said overlayer in contact with said layers of noble metal; and e. electrodepositing a cap over at least a portion of said overlayer, said cap comprising a metal having the property of exerting a compressive force when deposited.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of applying comprises vapor-phase deposition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 2, wherein said step of vapor-phase deposition comprises vacuum deposition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said metallic substance is selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten and tantalum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said metallic substance comprises titanium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said layer of noble metal comprises gold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said step of covering comprises vapor-phase deposition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 7, wherein said step of vapor-phase deposition comprises vacuum deposition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said overlayer of noble metal comprises gold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said step of placing comprises electrodeposition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the metal comprising said cap comprises nickel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said cap is, at least in part, in overlapping relationship with at least one of said first and second structures.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
167 words
A metallic joint between a first structure, comprising a glass-like substance, and a second structure, comprising a substance selected from the group consisting of glass-like and metallic substances, comprising: a. a vapor-phase deposited coating applied to at least a portion of the mating surfaces of said first and second structures, said coating comprising a metallic substance capable of forming an intermolecular bond therewith; b. a vapor-phase deposited layer covering at least a portion of said mating surfaces, said layer comprising a noble metal, at least a portion of said coating on said first structure being in juxtaposition with at least a portion of said coating on said second structure; c. a continuous overlayer of a noble metal over portions of said first and second structure, at least some of said overlayer in contact with said layers of noble metal; and d. an electrodeposited cap over at least a portion of said overlayer, said cap comprising a metal having the property of exerting a compressive force when deposited.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
167 words
A metallic joint between a first structure, comprising a glass-like substance, and a second structure, comprising a substance selected from the group consisting of glass-like and metallic substances, comprising: a. a vapor-phase deposited coating applied to at least a portion of the mating surfaces of said first and second structures, said coating comprising a metallic substance capable of forming an intermolecular bond therewith; b. a vapor-phase deposited layer covering at least a portion of said mating surfaces, said layer comprising a noble metal, at least a portion of said coating on said first structure being in juxtaposition with at least a portion of said coating on said second structure; c. a continuous overlayer of a noble metal over portions of said first and second structure, at least some of said overlayer in contact with said layers of noble metal; and d. an electrodeposited cap over at least a portion of said overlayer, said cap comprising a metal having the property of exerting a compressive force when deposited.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The joint as recited in claim 13, wherein said metallic substance is selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten and tantalum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The joint as recited in claim 14, wherein said metallic substance comprises titanium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The joint as recited in claim 13, wherein said layer of noble metal comprises gold.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The joint as recited in claim 13, wherein said overlayer of noble metal comprises gold.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The joint as recited in claim 13, wherein said metal comprising said cap comprises nickel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The joint as recited in claim 13, wherein said cap is, at least in part, in overlapping relationship with at least one of said first and second structures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1979-01-12 | 1979-07-14 | 1980-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-12 | 1983-07-14 | 1984-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-12 | 1987-07-14 | 1988-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |