US5247133A — High-vacuum substrate enclosure

Claim 1

Independent Claim 198 words

An evacuated substrate enclosure comprising: a substrate having first and second major surfaces and defining an aperture therebetween; a first encapsulation member having a surface proximally disposed with respect to one of the first and second surfaces of the substrate and defining an encapsulated region between the first encapsulation region and the substrate, the surface of the first encapsulation member and the substrate defining an interface therebetween; a second encapsulation member having a surface proximally disposed with respect to the other of the first and second surfaces of the substrate and defining an encapsulated region between the second encapsulation member and the substrate, the second encapsulation member having an aperture formed therethrough and the surface of the second encapsulation member and the substrate defining an interface therebetween; and a sealing agent disposed in the interfaces between the proximally disposed surface of the first encapsulation member and the substrate and the proximally disposed surface of the second encapsulation member and the substrate to effect a vacuum seal such that when evacuating the encapsulated regions so formed the encapsulated regions will be at substantially the same vacuum levels to provide for substantially no differential pressure induced deformation of the substrate.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 198 words

An evacuated substrate enclosure comprising: a substrate having first and second major surfaces and defining an aperture therebetween; a first encapsulation member having a surface proximally disposed with respect to one of the first and second surfaces of the substrate and defining an encapsulated region between the first encapsulation region and the substrate, the surface of the first encapsulation member and the substrate defining an interface therebetween; a second encapsulation member having a surface proximally disposed with respect to the other of the first and second surfaces of the substrate and defining an encapsulated region between the second encapsulation member and the substrate, the second encapsulation member having an aperture formed therethrough and the surface of the second encapsulation member and the substrate defining an interface therebetween; and a sealing agent disposed in the interfaces between the proximally disposed surface of the first encapsulation member and the substrate and the proximally disposed surface of the second encapsulation member and the substrate to effect a vacuum seal such that when evacuating the encapsulated regions so formed the encapsulated regions will be at substantially the same vacuum levels to provide for substantially no differential pressure induced deformation of the substrate.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 1 wherein the sealing agent includes an epoxy material that provides a vacuum seal at vacuum pressures of less than 1×10 -7 Torr.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 1 wherein the sealing agent is substantially cured at room temperature.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 1 further including an evacuation tube operably coupled to the second encapsulation member at the aperture therethrough.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 1 wherein the first encapsulation member includes substantially optically transparent material.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 5 wherein the first encapsulation member forms a display faceplate.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 1 and further including an electrically conductive path disposed on the surface of one of the first and second encapsulation members and traversing the region of the vacuum seal.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 7 and further including an electrically conductive interconnect operably coupled to the electrically conductive path.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 157 words

An evacuated substrate enclosure comprising: a substrate, having first and second major surfaces and defining an aperture therebetween; a plate; a sidewall having first and second substantially parallel surfaces, the sidewall being disposed between one of the first and second surfaces of the substrate and the plate to define an encapsulated region therebetween; an encapsulation member proximally disposed with respect to the other of the first and second surfaces of the substrate, the encapsulation member defining an aperture therethrough and the encapsulation member and substrate defining an encapsulated region therebetween; and a sealing agent disposed in interfaces between the plate and the sidewall, between the sidewall and the substrate and between the encapsulation member and the substrate to effect a vacuum seal at the interfaces such that when the defined encapsulated areas are evacuated the encapsulated areas will be at substantially the same vacuum levels to provide for substantially no differential pressure induced deformation of the substrate.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 157 words

An evacuated substrate enclosure comprising: a substrate, having first and second major surfaces and defining an aperture therebetween; a plate; a sidewall having first and second substantially parallel surfaces, the sidewall being disposed between one of the first and second surfaces of the substrate and the plate to define an encapsulated region therebetween; an encapsulation member proximally disposed with respect to the other of the first and second surfaces of the substrate, the encapsulation member defining an aperture therethrough and the encapsulation member and substrate defining an encapsulated region therebetween; and a sealing agent disposed in interfaces between the plate and the sidewall, between the sidewall and the substrate and between the encapsulation member and the substrate to effect a vacuum seal at the interfaces such that when the defined encapsulated areas are evacuated the encapsulated areas will be at substantially the same vacuum levels to provide for substantially no differential pressure induced deformation of the substrate.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 29 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 9 wherein the sealing agent includes an epoxy material that provides a vacuum seal at vacuum pressures of less than 1×10 -7 Torr.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 17 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 9 wherein the sealing agent is substantially cured at room temperature.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 22 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 9 further including an evacuation tube operably coupled to the encapsulation member at the aperture therethrough.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 16 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 9 wherein the plate includes a substantially optically transparent material.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 14 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 13 wherein the plate forms a display faceplate.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 141 words

An evacuated substrate enclosure comprising: a substrate, having first and second major surfaces and defining an aperture therebetween; an encapsulation member defining an aperture therethrough and having a supporting surface, the substrate being disposed on a part of the supporting surface and defining an encapsulated region between the encapsulation member and the substrate; a plate; a sidewall having first and second substantially parallel surfaces and disposed between the plate and the supporting surface of the encapsulation member to define an encapsulated region therebetween; and a sealing agent disposed in interfaces between the plate and the sidewall and between the sidewall and the encapsulation member to effect a vacuum seal at the interfaces such that when the encapsulated regions are evacuated the encapsulated regions will be at substantially the same vacuum levels to substantially eliminate differential pressure induced deformation of the substrate.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 141 words

An evacuated substrate enclosure comprising: a substrate, having first and second major surfaces and defining an aperture therebetween; an encapsulation member defining an aperture therethrough and having a supporting surface, the substrate being disposed on a part of the supporting surface and defining an encapsulated region between the encapsulation member and the substrate; a plate; a sidewall having first and second substantially parallel surfaces and disposed between the plate and the supporting surface of the encapsulation member to define an encapsulated region therebetween; and a sealing agent disposed in interfaces between the plate and the sidewall and between the sidewall and the encapsulation member to effect a vacuum seal at the interfaces such that when the encapsulated regions are evacuated the encapsulated regions will be at substantially the same vacuum levels to substantially eliminate differential pressure induced deformation of the substrate.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 28 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 15 wherein the sealing agent includes an epoxy material providing a vacuum seal at vacuum pressures of less than 1×10 -7 Torr.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 17 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 15 wherein the sealing agent is substantially cured at room temperature.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 23 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 15 and further including an evacuation tube operably coupled to the encapsulation member at the aperture therethrough.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 16 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 15 wherein the plate includes a substantially optically transparent material.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 14 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 19 wherein the plate forms a display faceplate.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 30 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 15 and further including an electrically conductive path disposed on the surface of the encapsulation member and traversing the region of the vacuum seal.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 15 and further comprising an electrically conductive interconnect operably coupled to the electrically conductive path.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 154 words

An evacuated substrate enclosure comprising: a substrate, having first and second major surfaces, and defining an aperture therebetween; a first encapsulation member having a generally circumferentially extending mating surface; a second encapsulation member having a generally circumferentially extending mating surface proximally disposed with respect to the mating surface of the first encapsulation member so as to define an encapsulated region between the first and second encapsulation members, the second encapsulation member defining an aperture therethrough and having a ledge formed therein so as to be directed inwardly into the encapsulated region with the substrate being supported thereon; and a sealing agent disposed between the mating surface of the first encapsulation member and the mating surface of the second encapsulation member to effect a vacuum seal such that when the encapsulated regions are evacuated the encapsulated regions will be at substantially the same vacuum levels to substantially eliminate differential pressure induced deformation of the substrate.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 154 words

An evacuated substrate enclosure comprising: a substrate, having first and second major surfaces, and defining an aperture therebetween; a first encapsulation member having a generally circumferentially extending mating surface; a second encapsulation member having a generally circumferentially extending mating surface proximally disposed with respect to the mating surface of the first encapsulation member so as to define an encapsulated region between the first and second encapsulation members, the second encapsulation member defining an aperture therethrough and having a ledge formed therein so as to be directed inwardly into the encapsulated region with the substrate being supported thereon; and a sealing agent disposed between the mating surface of the first encapsulation member and the mating surface of the second encapsulation member to effect a vacuum seal such that when the encapsulated regions are evacuated the encapsulated regions will be at substantially the same vacuum levels to substantially eliminate differential pressure induced deformation of the substrate.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 28 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 23 wherein the sealing agent includes an epoxy material providing a vacuum seal at vacuum pressures of less than 1×10 -7 Torr.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 17 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 23 wherein the sealing agent is substantially cured at room temperature.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 24 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 23 and further including an evacuation tube operably coupled to the second encapsulation member at the aperture therethrough.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 17 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 23 wherein the first encapsulation member includes substantially optically transparent material.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 16 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 27 wherein the first encapsulation member forms a display faceplate.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 44 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 23 and further including an electrically conductive path disposed on one of the surfaces of the first and second encapsulation members and extending from within the encapsulated region to a region externally thereof and traversing the vacuum seal.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 22 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 29 and further comprising a first electrically conductive interconnect operably coupled to the electrically conductive path.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 151 words

An evacuated substrate enclosure comprising: a substrate; a first encapsulation member defining a cavity with a generally circumferentially mating surface extending therearound; a second encapsulation member defining a cavity with a generally circumferentially mating surface extending therearound and proximally disposed with respect to the mating surface of the first encapsulation member so as to define an encapsulated region between the first and second encapsulation members, means, within one of the first and second encapsulation members, receiving the substrate for fixedly supporting the substrate and defining a communicating passage between the cavities of the first and second encapsulation members within the encapsulated region; and a sealing agent disposed between the mating surfaces of the first and second encapsulation members to effect a vacuum seal such that when the encapsulated region is evacuated it will be at substantially the same vacuum levels throughout to substantially eliminate differential pressure induced deformation of the substrate.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 151 words

An evacuated substrate enclosure comprising: a substrate; a first encapsulation member defining a cavity with a generally circumferentially mating surface extending therearound; a second encapsulation member defining a cavity with a generally circumferentially mating surface extending therearound and proximally disposed with respect to the mating surface of the first encapsulation member so as to define an encapsulated region between the first and second encapsulation members, means, within one of the first and second encapsulation members, receiving the substrate for fixedly supporting the substrate and defining a communicating passage between the cavities of the first and second encapsulation members within the encapsulated region; and a sealing agent disposed between the mating surfaces of the first and second encapsulation members to effect a vacuum seal such that when the encapsulated region is evacuated it will be at substantially the same vacuum levels throughout to substantially eliminate differential pressure induced deformation of the substrate.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 62 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 31 wherein the means receiving the substrate include a ledge formed within the cavity of the second encapsulation member so as to be directed inwardly into the encapsulated region with the substrate being supported thereon, the ledge further defining a communicating passage between the cavities of the first and second encapsulation members within the encapsulated region.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 18 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 32 wherein the communicating passage is a notch formed in the ledge.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 28 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 31 wherein the sealing agent includes an epoxy material providing a vacuum seal at vacuum pressures of less than 1×10 -7 Torr.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 17 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 31 wherein the sealing agent is substantially cured at room temperature.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 36 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 31 wherein the second encapsulation member is further formed to define an aperture therethrough and further including an evacuation tube operably coupled to the aperture in the second encapsulation member.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 45 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 31 further including a first electrically conductive path disposed on the circumferential surface of one of the first and second encapsulation members and extending from within the encapsulated region to a region externally thereof and traversing the vacuum seal.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 21 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 37 further comprising a first electrically conductive interconnect operably coupled to the electrically conductive path.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 77 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 31 wherein the first encapsulation member includes a plate and a sidewall having a first surface forming the generally circumferentially mating surface and a second surface formed to mate with the plate, with the plate being positioned proximally to the second surface of the sidewall and the sealing agent being further disposed between the surfaces of the plate and sidewall to effect a vacuum seal when the encapsulated region is evacuated.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 16 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 39 wherein the plate includes a substantially optically transparent material.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 14 words

The evacuated substrate enclosure of claim 40 wherein the plate forms a display faceplate.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-09-20	1997-03-22	1997-09-21	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-09-20	2001-03-22	2001-09-21	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-09-20	2005-03-22	2005-09-21	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

High-vacuum substrate enclosure

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