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Method for producing ceramic-glass-ceramic seals by microwave heating

Assignee: UNITED STATES AS REPRESENT BY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
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Filing: 1984-10-10
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Granted: 1986-08-19
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Expires: 2004-10-10
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Abstract

Abstract Method for producing a ceramic-glass-ceramic seal by the use of microwave energy, and a sealing mixture which comprises a glass sealing material, a coupling agent, and an oxidizer. The seal produced exhibits greater strength due to its different microstructure. Sodium nitrate is the most preferred oxidizer.

Inventors

  • 👤 Rodger D. Blake
  • 👤 Thomas T. Meek

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 21:26
CPC Classifications
C; C04; C04B; C04B37/00; C04B37/003; C04B37/005; C04B2235/00; C04B2235/65; C04B2235/66; C04B2235/667; C04B2237/00; C04B2237/02; C04B2237/10; C04B2237/30; C04B2237/32; C04B2237/34; C04B2237/343

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 103 words
A method for producing a ceramic-glass-ceramic seal comprising the steps of: a. preparing a mixture comprising a glass sealing material, a coupling agent, and an oxidizer; b. applying said mixture to a plurality of ceramic workpieces for sealing; c. enclosing said ceramic workpieces with other such workpieces; d. surrounding said mixture and plurality of ceramic workpieces with an insulative material; e. microwaving said mixture and plurality of ceramic workpieces at a power, time and frequency sufficient to ignite the oxidizer and to cause a liquid phase seal to form; and f. allowing said seal and workpieces to cool, thereby securing a ceramic-glass-ceramic seal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 103 words
A method for producing a ceramic-glass-ceramic seal comprising the steps of: a. preparing a mixture comprising a glass sealing material, a coupling agent, and an oxidizer; b. applying said mixture to a plurality of ceramic workpieces for sealing; c. enclosing said ceramic workpieces with other such workpieces; d. surrounding said mixture and plurality of ceramic workpieces with an insulative material; e. microwaving said mixture and plurality of ceramic workpieces at a power, time and frequency sufficient to ignite the oxidizer and to cause a liquid phase seal to form; and f. allowing said seal and workpieces to cool, thereby securing a ceramic-glass-ceramic seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of microwaving comprises microwaving at a frequency of about 2.45 GHz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid phase seal is formed at a temperature above 1250° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said oxidizer is a nitrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said nitrate is sodium nitrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said oxidizer is dissolved in the coupling agent glycerol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 103 words
The ceramic-glass-ceramic seal produced by a method comprising the steps of: a. preparing a mixture comprising a glass sealing material, a coupling agent, and an oxidizer; b. applying said mixture to a plurality of ceramic workpieces for sealing; c. enclosing said ceramic workpieces with other such workpieces; d. surrounding said mixture and plurality of ceramic workpieces with an insulative material; e. microwaving said mixture and plurality of ceramic workpieces at a power, time and frequency sufficient to ignite the oxidizer and to cause a liquid phase seal to form; and f. allowing said seal and workpieces to cool, thereby securing a ceramic-glass-ceramic seal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 103 words
The ceramic-glass-ceramic seal produced by a method comprising the steps of: a. preparing a mixture comprising a glass sealing material, a coupling agent, and an oxidizer; b. applying said mixture to a plurality of ceramic workpieces for sealing; c. enclosing said ceramic workpieces with other such workpieces; d. surrounding said mixture and plurality of ceramic workpieces with an insulative material; e. microwaving said mixture and plurality of ceramic workpieces at a power, time and frequency sufficient to ignite the oxidizer and to cause a liquid phase seal to form; and f. allowing said seal and workpieces to cool, thereby securing a ceramic-glass-ceramic seal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 21 words
The ceramic-glass-ceramic seal of claim 7 wherein said seal is a high temperature seal formed at a temperature above 1250° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 12 words
The ceramic-glass-ceramic seal of claim 7 wherein said oxidizer is a nitrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 12 words
The ceramic-glass-ceramic seal of claim 8 wherein said nitrate is sodium nitrate.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1989-08-18 1990-02-17 1990-08-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-08-18 1994-02-17 1994-08-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-08-18 1998-02-17 1998-08-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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