US4414460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of sealing a tube using a laser beam
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1981-12-10
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Granted: 1983-11-08
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Expires: 2001-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A method of sealing an aperture formed in a discharge tube using a laser beam. A tube having the aperture to be hermetically sealed is placed in a vessel having a window which transmits a laser beam. The aperture is covered with a blockade member. The blockade member is irradiated with the laser beam in order to melt the blockade member and seal the aperture.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeru Sudo
- 👤 Masaaki Yada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J9/00; H01J9/40; B; B29; B29C; B29C67/00; B29C67/004; H01J9/24; H01J9/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
In a method of sealing a tube, comprising the steps of placing a tube having an aperture to be hermetically sealed inside a vessel having a window which transmits a laser beam, filling the vessel with a gas or gases of predetermined kinds at a predetermined filling gas pressure and irradiating said tube near said aperture with the laser beam for sealing said aperture, the improvement which comprises the steps of: covering said aperture with a blockage member; and irradiating said blockade member with the laser beam, while forming a gas stream within the vessel with said gas pressure maintained, to melt said blockade member and to seal said aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a method of sealing a tube, comprising the steps of placing a tube having an aperture to be hermetically sealed inside a vessel having a window which transmits a laser beam, filling the vessel with a gas or gases of predetermined kinds at a predetermined filling gas pressure and irradiating said tube near said aperture with the laser beam for sealing said aperture, the improvement which comprises the steps of: covering said aperture with a blockage member; and irradiating said blockade member with the laser beam, while forming a gas stream within the vessel with said gas pressure maintained, to melt said blockade member and to seal said aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said blockade member is shaped so as to fit in said aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said blockade member is spherical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of reducing and increasing a gas pressure in said vessel while said blockade member is melted, to make the shape of a sealing part uniform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein said blockade member is shaped so as to fit in said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said blockade member is spherical.
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) | 1986-11-07 | 1987-05-09 | 1987-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-07 | 1991-05-09 | 1991-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-07 | 1995-05-09 | 1995-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |