US4273282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Glass-or ceramic-to-metal seals
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1979-12-20
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Granted: 1981-06-16
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Expires: 1999-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A method for making a glass-or ceramic-to-metal seal, and the seal itself. A layer of gold is deposited onto the metal. A thin layer of indium is placed over the gold, and the structure is heated above the melting point of indium to create a gold-indium alloy at the gold-indium interface. After cooling, the indium surface of the structure and the glass surface are super-cleaned. The super-cleaned surface are then pressed together to form an air-tight seal.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon S. Norvell
- 👤 Donald W. King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; B; B23; B23K; B23K35/00; B23K35/001; B23K35/002; C; C03; C03C; C03C27/00; C03C27/04; C03C27/042; C03C27/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A process for vacuum tight sealing a metal surface to a second surface chosen from the class consisting of glass or glass-ceramic surfaces comprising: attaching a layer of gold to said metal surface; placing a layer of indium over said layer of gold; heating said gold and indium above the melting point of indium to form a gold-indium alloy at the interface between said gold and indium; cooling; and pressing said indium onto said second surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process for vacuum tight sealing a metal surface to a second surface chosen from the class consisting of glass or glass-ceramic surfaces comprising: attaching a layer of gold to said metal surface; placing a layer of indium over said layer of gold; heating said gold and indium above the melting point of indium to form a gold-indium alloy at the interface between said gold and indium; cooling; and pressing said indium onto said second surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as recited in claim 1 in which said layer of gold is electroplated onto said metal surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process as recited in claim 1 in which said layer of gold is applied in the form of gold in a liquid, and the liquid is fired to leave said gold layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as recited in claim 3 in which said second surface and the surface of said indium layer are cleaned by plasma before the two surfaces are pressed together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as recited in claim 1 in which the surface of said metal is conformed to said second surface before said gold is attached to said metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as recited in claim 5 in which said surface of said metal is further smoothed before said gold is attached to said metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as recited in claim 6 in which said further smoothing comprises mechanically removing scratches and dents in said metal surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process as recited in claim 7 in which said base metal is aluminum, and said aluminum surface is further etched with a solution of nitric acid and rinsed with water after said scratches and dents are mechanically removed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as recited in claim 7 in which said metal surface is further lapped before said gold is attached.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
A process for vacuum-tight sealing an aluminum surface to a second surface chosen from the class consisting of glass or glass-ceramic surfaces comprising: conforming said aluminum surface to said second surface; mechanically removing scratches and dents in said aluminum surface; etching said aluminum surface with a solution of nitric acid; rinsing said aluminum surface with water; coining said aluminum surface attaching a layer of gold to said aluminum surface; placing a layer of indium over said layer of gold; heating said gold and indium above the melting point of indium to form a gold-indium alloy at the interface between said gold and said indium; cooling; and pressing said indium into said second surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
113 words
A process for vacuum-tight sealing an aluminum surface to a second surface chosen from the class consisting of glass or glass-ceramic surfaces comprising: conforming said aluminum surface to said second surface; mechanically removing scratches and dents in said aluminum surface; etching said aluminum surface with a solution of nitric acid; rinsing said aluminum surface with water; coining said aluminum surface attaching a layer of gold to said aluminum surface; placing a layer of indium over said layer of gold; heating said gold and indium above the melting point of indium to form a gold-indium alloy at the interface between said gold and said indium; cooling; and pressing said indium into said second surface.
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) | 1984-06-15 | 1984-12-15 | 1985-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-06-15 | 1988-12-15 | 1989-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-06-15 | 1992-12-15 | 1993-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |