US4090056A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical viewing system for an electron beam welder
Assignee: Messer Griesheim GmbH
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Filing: 1976-05-17
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Granted: 1978-05-16
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Expires: 1996-05-17
Abstract
Abstract An electron beam welding device having a vacuum chamber in which an electron gun directs a beam of electrons at a work piece, wherein the optical system for viewing the point of impact of the beam with the work piece includes a light reflecting element in the form of a prism. The prism is positioned in the vacuum chamber to one side and closely adjacent the path of the electron beam and has a first surface extending substantially perpendicular to the beam. This surface is protected by a strip of transparent plastic material having a portion extending across the surface of the prism, the strip being movable to permit the portion to be continuously replaced as it becomes clouded. An open mesh conductive screen is positioned between the impact area and the strip to at least partially screen the material from infrared and X-ray radiation, otherwise acts to rapidly reduce the transparency of the strip.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert C. Lockwood
- 👤 Salvatore M. Robelotto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:03
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K15/00; B23K15/0013; H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/30; H01J37/3002; H01J37/3005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
In an electron beam welding device having a vacuum chamber in which an electron gun directs a beam of electrons at a work piece, an optical system for viewing the point of impact of the beam with the work piece comprising a prism, means for supporting the prism in the vacuum chamber to one side of and closely adjacent to the path of the electron beam, the prism having a first surface extending substantially perpendicular to the electron beam, a strip of transparent plastic material having a portion extending across said first surface of the prism, means for moving the strip lengthwise across said prism surface, an open mesh conductive screen positioned adjacent said first surface of the prism for at least partially shielding the prism from infrared radiation, and means conducting static electric charge from the screen and strip, the strip passing between the screen and the prism surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
In an electron beam welding device having a vacuum chamber in which an electron gun directs a beam of electrons at a work piece, an optical system for viewing the point of impact of the beam with the work piece comprising a prism, means for supporting the prism in the vacuum chamber to one side of and closely adjacent to the path of the electron beam, the prism having a first surface extending substantially perpendicular to the electron beam, a strip of transparent plastic material having a portion extending across said first surface of the prism, means for moving the strip lengthwise across said prism surface, an open mesh conductive screen positioned adjacent said first surface of the prism for at least partially shielding the prism from infrared radiation, and means conducting static electric charge from the screen and strip, the strip passing between the screen and the prism surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the screen is mounted in conductive relationship to the prism supporting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 2 wherein the transparent strip is a non-conductive plastic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus of claim 3 further including means extending outside the chamber for advancing the strip past said prism surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the prism has a second surface substantially parallel to the path of the beam, the prism reflecting light incident on the first surface out through the second surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
An optical system for a high vacuum electron beam welding device, comprising light reflecting means positioned adjacent the electron beam for reflecting light from the impact area of the electron beam along a path extending away from the electron beam, a replaceable strip of transparent non-conductive material positioned between the reflecting means and the impact area of the electron beam, an open mesh metal screen, means supporting the screen between the transparent material and the impact area, the supporting means conducting heat and electrical charge away from the screen, the screen acting as a thermal and electrical shield for the transparent flexible material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
An optical system for a high vacuum electron beam welding device, comprising light reflecting means positioned adjacent the electron beam for reflecting light from the impact area of the electron beam along a path extending away from the electron beam, a replaceable strip of transparent non-conductive material positioned between the reflecting means and the impact area of the electron beam, an open mesh metal screen, means supporting the screen between the transparent material and the impact area, the supporting means conducting heat and electrical charge away from the screen, the screen acting as a thermal and electrical shield for the transparent flexible material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus of claim 6 wherein the replaceable strip is stored in a roll, means mounting the roll adjacent the reflecting means, and means for withdrawing the strip from the roll and moving the strip past the reflecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus of claim 7 wherein the reflecting means is a prism.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3156810A
Cited
US3571554A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-15 | 1981-11-14 | 1982-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-15 | 1985-11-14 | 1986-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-15 | 1989-11-14 | 1990-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |