US4096823A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for metallization of fibers
Assignee: University of Virginia
•
Filing: 1977-01-27
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Granted: 1978-06-27
•
Expires: 1997-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A method for decontaminating and subsequently metallizing a filament comprises:
Inventors
- 👤 Hermann J. Schladitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:26
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03C; C03C25/00; C03C25/002; C03C25/10; C03C25/12; C03C25/22; C03C25/223; C03C25/42; C03C25/46; C03C25/70; C23; C23C; C23C16/00; C23C16/02; C23C16/0209; C23C16/44; C23C16/54; C23C16/545; D; D01; D01F; D01F11/00; D01F11/10; D01F11/12; D01F11/127; D06; D06M; D06M11/00; D06M11/83; D06M7/00; D06M7/005; F; F27; F27B; F27B9/00; F27B9/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
302 words
An apparatus for decontamination and metallization of a filament which comprises a first decontamination chamber having two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of holes throughout its length; heating means for heating the entire length of said inner tube; means in the outer tube to introduce a gas into said annular space; a second metallization chamber having two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of holes throughout its length; second heating means for heating the entire length of said inner tube of said metallization chamber; means in the outer tube of said second chamber to introduce gas into said second annular space; an intermediate chamber, one end of which is connected to one end of said first chamber and the other end of which is connected to one end of said second chamber, such that the adjoining ends of said annular spaces in said first and second chambers are sealed air tight; a membrane within said intermediate chamber; said membrane disposed transverse to the axial direction of said inner tubes; said membrane dividing said intermediate chamber into two separate regions and said membrane having a small pinhole aperture colinear with the axes of said inner tubes; said intermediate chamber being fully enclosed except that said inner tubes of said first and second chambers project into the respective ends of said intermediate chamber and except that in each of said regions, said intermediate chamber contains a gas outlet; means for moving said filament through the inner tubes of said first and second chambers and through said aperture in said membrane; and air-tight sealing means for sealing the ends of said annular spaces of said first and second chambers which are unattached to said intermediate chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
302 words
An apparatus for decontamination and metallization of a filament which comprises a first decontamination chamber having two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of holes throughout its length; heating means for heating the entire length of said inner tube; means in the outer tube to introduce a gas into said annular space; a second metallization chamber having two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of holes throughout its length; second heating means for heating the entire length of said inner tube of said metallization chamber; means in the outer tube of said second chamber to introduce gas into said second annular space; an intermediate chamber, one end of which is connected to one end of said first chamber and the other end of which is connected to one end of said second chamber, such that the adjoining ends of said annular spaces in said first and second chambers are sealed air tight; a membrane within said intermediate chamber; said membrane disposed transverse to the axial direction of said inner tubes; said membrane dividing said intermediate chamber into two separate regions and said membrane having a small pinhole aperture colinear with the axes of said inner tubes; said intermediate chamber being fully enclosed except that said inner tubes of said first and second chambers project into the respective ends of said intermediate chamber and except that in each of said regions, said intermediate chamber contains a gas outlet; means for moving said filament through the inner tubes of said first and second chambers and through said aperture in said membrane; and air-tight sealing means for sealing the ends of said annular spaces of said first and second chambers which are unattached to said intermediate chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said holes in that portion of said inner tubes which is within said first and second chambers, have a diameter of from 0.1 to 0.5 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said holes in that portion of said inner tube of said first and second chambers which projects into said intermediate chamber, have a diameter of from 1 to 3 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein all of said holes in said inner tubes are arranged in a spiral configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first and second heating means are insulated heating wires arranged in a spiral configuration over the entire lengths of the outer surfaces of said inner tubes such that said spirally arranged fine holes are not covered.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5, which further comprises thermocouples attached to the outer surfaces of said inner tubes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a cooling means is provided to cool said intermediate chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means is a jacket within the walls of said intermediate chamber through which cooling fluid can be circulated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said filament has a fibrous structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus for metallization of a filament which comprises two or more of the apparatus of claim 1 in series.
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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) | 1981-06-26 | 1981-12-26 | 1982-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-26 | 1985-12-26 | 1986-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-26 | 1989-12-26 | 1990-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |