US4566892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for forming glass to metal seals in structural members
Assignee: Schott AG
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Filing: 1984-10-12
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Granted: 1986-01-28
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Expires: 2004-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A baseplate is made up of a metal stamped eyelet for the production of glass to metal seals. The baseplate has bores for accommodating respective metallic leads and insulating glass beads. The bores have on their inner walls abutments arranged at the lower rim of the bore, which abutments can consist of integrally formed notches, protrusions or projections, or can be of an annular shape, thereby preventing sagging through of the normally cylindrical glass bead when melted during sealing of the glass onto the conductor and into the bore.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Ertel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:21
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03C; C03C27/00; C03C27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of locating a conductor in a bore through a metallic structural member, with a glass-to-metal seal between the interfacing surfaces of the bore, glass and conductor, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a glass bead of a diameter less than the bore through the metallic structural member; (b) surrounding the conductor with the glass bead; (C) keeping the glass bead from touching the metallic structural member by decreasing the diameter of the bore at the location spaced from one side of the metallic structural member to a diameter less than that of the bead; (d) orienting the metallic structural member with said one side facing downwardly; (e) inserting the glass bead in the bore; (f) abutting the bead with the reduced diameter portion of the bore; (g) performing steps (a)-(f) to form an assembly of the metallic structural member, glass bead and conductor; (h) heating at least the glass bead of the assembly to a temperature sufficient to fuse the bead to the surface of the bore; and (i) allowing the glass to cool so as to form the glass to metal seal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of locating a conductor in a bore through a metallic structural member, with a glass-to-metal seal between the interfacing surfaces of the bore, glass and conductor, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a glass bead of a diameter less than the bore through the metallic structural member; (b) surrounding the conductor with the glass bead; (C) keeping the glass bead from touching the metallic structural member by decreasing the diameter of the bore at the location spaced from one side of the metallic structural member to a diameter less than that of the bead; (d) orienting the metallic structural member with said one side facing downwardly; (e) inserting the glass bead in the bore; (f) abutting the bead with the reduced diameter portion of the bore; (g) performing steps (a)-(f) to form an assembly of the metallic structural member, glass bead and conductor; (h) heating at least the glass bead of the assembly to a temperature sufficient to fuse the bead to the surface of the bore; and (i) allowing the glass to cool so as to form the glass to metal seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a)-(g) are performed in any convenient order before performing steps (h) and (i).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the bore and bead are cylindrical with the bead having a constant diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the reduced diameter portion is formed by at least one projection which projected into the bore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the reduced diameter portion is formed by a plurality of projections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the plurality of projections are equally spaced around the bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the metallic structural member is a baseplate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the reduced diameter portion is annular in shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the reduced diameter portion is formed by at least one projection which projects into the bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said one side of the metallic structural member is free and unabutted by another structure in areas aligned with the bore during the performance of step (h).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of heating at least the glass bead also fuses the glass bead to the conductor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the entire assembly is heated in an inert atmosphere to form a glass-to-metal seal with the surface of the conductor as well as the surfaces to the bore.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the structural member is plated with nickle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (h) is performed while the assembly is stationary.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) is performed with the conductor extending substantially vertically at least over that portion of the length thereof in contact with the glass bead.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the glass bead directly contacts the conductor.
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) | 1989-01-27 | 1989-07-29 | 1990-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-07-29 | 1994-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-07-29 | 1998-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |