US3706543A - Method for producing tubular radioactive light sources - Google Patents

Method for producing tubular radioactive light sources Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3706543A
US3706543A US832273A US3706543DA US3706543A US 3706543 A US3706543 A US 3706543A US 832273 A US832273 A US 832273A US 3706543D A US3706543D A US 3706543DA US 3706543 A US3706543 A US 3706543A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
glass tube
tube
laser beam
glass
sealed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US832273A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Oscar Thuler
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canrad Precision Industries Inc
Original Assignee
Canrad Precision Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canrad Precision Industries Inc filed Critical Canrad Precision Industries Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3706543A publication Critical patent/US3706543A/en
Assigned to AMERICAN ATOMICS CORPORATION reassignment AMERICAN ATOMICS CORPORATION LICENSE (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: Self-Powered Lighting, Ltd.
Assigned to KANSALLIS-OSAKE-PANKKI, AS AGENT reassignment KANSALLIS-OSAKE-PANKKI, AS AGENT SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CANRAD INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B97/00—Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • A47B97/04—Easels or stands for blackboards or the like
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B23/00—Re-forming shaped glass
    • C03B23/04—Re-forming tubes or rods
    • C03B23/057—Re-forming tubes or rods by fusing, e.g. for flame sealing
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B23/00—Re-forming shaped glass
    • C03B23/18—Re-forming and sealing ampoules
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B33/00—Severing cooled glass
    • C03B33/08—Severing cooled glass by fusing, i.e. by melting through the glass
    • C03B33/085—Tubes, rods or hollow products
    • C03B33/0855—Tubes, rods or hollow products using a focussed radiation beam, e.g. laser
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • C09K11/00—Luminescent, e.g. electroluminescent, chemiluminescent materials
    • C09K11/04—Luminescent, e.g. electroluminescent, chemiluminescent materials containing natural or artificial radioactive elements or unspecified radioactive elements

Definitions

  • radioactive light sources consisting of hollow, fused glass bodies, which contains a Luminophor, for instance as an inside wall coating, or as filled-in particles, and a radioactive gas at a lower pressure than atmospheric pressure.
  • the glass body may have the external shape of a pane (disc), of a flattened-out or a cylindrical rod.
  • each glass tube filled with the Luminophor provided is connected to a vacuum source, evacuated, filled with the radioactive gas to the pressure necessary and then fused with a flame.
  • a further disadvantage consists in the fact that, as a result of the unavoidably intense heating of the glass body, the pressure of the radioactive gas rises greatly. Inasmuch as the pressure must remain below atmospheric pressure it is necessary to set a relatively low initial pressure before starting the fusion. This low gas pressure is again assumed, however, by the fused light source after cooling. As the light intensity of the radioactive light source rises with the gas pressure, the light source fused in the manner described exhibits a relatively low and by no means optimal brightness.
  • FIGURE is a schematic front view of a device utilized in this invention.
  • a cylindrical glass tube or capillary tube 1 both ends of which have been fused, contains a Luminophor inside, for instance zinc sulfide, which has been applied as an inside wall coating, or placed into the tube as a powdery substance, and as well as a radio-isotope which is gaseous at room temperature, for instance said radio-isotope may be Tritium or Krypton, which develops a pressure that is below ambient atmospheric pressure.
  • a Luminophor inside for instance zinc sulfide, which has been applied as an inside wall coating, or placed into the tube as a powdery substance, and as well as a radio-isotope which is gaseous at room temperature, for instance said radio-isotope may be Tritium or Krypton, which develops a pressure that is below ambient atmospheric pressure.
  • Glass tube 1 is provided with an outside diameter in the range of 0.5 to 10 mm. and an original length of, for instance, one meter.
  • the glass tube 1 is held at both of its ends by clamping devices 2 and 3.
  • Clamping device 2 holds the glass tube during the whole process of subdividing by fusing, the glass tube being progressively movable in steps in the direction of arrow 4 by devices (not shown in detail).
  • Clamping device 3 can be detached radially from the glass tube 1 in the direction of arrow 5, and clamp 2 may be fixed or displaceable as desired.
  • Laser 6 shown in block configuration the output beam 7 of which is directed to glass tube 1, is disposed laterally and preferably normal to the glass tube 1.
  • a focusing device 8, and/or a device for controling the output beam 7 such as a Kerr cell or crossed prisms shown in block configuration sets up a parallel Laser beam 9, which is directed toward the glass tube 1 at the point to be fused and said Laser beam 9 at that stage having about the same cross section as the glass tube.
  • Laser beam 9 need not necessarily be parallelly directed but it can also have a convergent course.
  • the diameter of the beam as it reaches the tube which is to be divided is preferably approximately as large as that of the tube. The purpose is to fuse enough glass to form the new sealed ends of the two tubes produced.
  • the beam should be closely localized to the desired area to minimize waste of energy, and to avoid flow of heat to adjacent areas of the tube since this would deactivate the Luminophor in adjacent areas.
  • metal plate 10 Alongside Laser beam 9, a metal plate 10 has been fitted, which can be oscillated (LP) swung in and out to and from the solid and dotted line position in the figure. In the position illustrated in solid line, metal plate 10 does not affect Laser beam 9, so that the latter can strike glass tube 1 unimpeded. In the position shown in a dotted line, metal plate 10 lies at an angle of about 45 in the Laser beam and deflects the latter by reflection by about from the normal parallel direction of Laser beam 9.
  • LP oscillated
  • a metal reflector 11 which reflects back passing rays of Laser beam 9, to the zone of the glass tube being fused and thereby makes possible a substantially complete utilization of the energy of the Laser beam 9 as well as a symmetrical effect of the Laser beam on the glass tube.
  • Laser 6 generates a beam whose wave length range lies in the optimum absorption range of the glass material of the glass tube, that is in the infrared spectral range.
  • Laser 6 can for instance in C0, Laser unit develop and operate with a beam wave length of 10.6 and about Watt output.
  • devices can be present for rotating glass tube 1 in the direction of arrow 12 during the fusion process.
  • the reflector 11 it may be unnecessary to turn the glass tube to assure uniform heating of the fusion point of the glass tube.
  • further devices (not shown), which may for instance act on clamping device 3, for the purpose of pulling apart the formed glass tube parts from each other in the direction of the arrow 13 during the fusion process of the respective glass tube sections.
  • metal plate 10 When Laser 6 is in continuous operation, that is when Laser beam 9 is continuously generated, metal plate 10 is at first in the swung-in position and deflects Laser beam 9 from glass tube 1. Glass tube 1 is grasped from both sides and is placed in such an axial position that, between the left-side end of the glass tube, which has already been fused, and the desired position of the Laser beam 9, and the desired length of glass tube section to be fused, i.e., to be cut off, is attained. Thereupon, if desired, while simultaneously turning glass tube 1, the metal plate is swung out, so that Laser beam 9 strikes the glass tube 1 unimpededly and instantaneously heats the tube at the desired zone and causes it to fuse at the point of impact.
  • glass tube 1 is advanced by the length of the section desired in the direction of arrow 4, and is grasped again adjacent the fused end by means of clamping device 3, whereupon the fusion process along the length of the remainder of the supported glass tube is repeated in the manner described.
  • the glass material of the glass tube 1 becomes more fluid at the fusing point than by working therein with a flame. in this manner, a series of uniformly round, fused ends of subdivided sections of the glass tube is obtained, so that the work of finishing the ends with a flame, which is otherwise usually necessary under prior procedures, can be dispensed with.
  • a further advantage of the process described lies in the fact that the Laser beam can be regulated and controlled with ease and precision, so that instantaneous heating of the glass tube, uniform in each melting process, can be obtained, while all the disadvantages of an open flame, which heats up the surroundings are eliminated.
  • radioactive light sources which constitute separated sealed fused sections by means of subdividing a long glass tube, incorporates the Luminophor and radioisotopes, said radioactive capillary light sources being for instance of 10 mm length, and which glow uniformly over their entire length.
  • a process of dividing a long, sealed glass tube containing a Luminophor and a radioactive gas at subatmospheric pressure into a shorter sealed tube suitable for use as a light source and a sealed remainder comprising the step of heating said long, sealed glass tube to fusion with a closely localized Laser beam at the zone whereat said long, sealed, glass tube is to be divided so that a sufficient quantity of glass is drawn in from the side wall to form end walls, to divide said long sealed tube and to simultaneously seal the ends of the two tubes produced without the loss of radioactive gas by drawing inwardly glass fused by said beam, said inward movement of said fused glass resulting, at least in part, from said pressure within said glass tube being subatmospheric.
  • a process in accordance with claim 1 including the step of deflecting the Laser beam by means of reflection from a metal plate after each fusion of a glass tube section of the glass tube.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Re-Forming, After-Treatment, Cutting And Transporting Of Glass Products (AREA)
  • Lasers (AREA)
US832273A 1968-08-22 1969-06-11 Method for producing tubular radioactive light sources Expired - Lifetime US3706543A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1263968A CH495529A (de) 1968-08-22 1968-08-22 Verfahren zur Herstellung rohrförmiger, radioaktiver Lichtquellen
US83227369A 1969-06-11 1969-06-11
CH1123669A CH495528A (fr) 1968-08-22 1969-07-23 Trépied démontable
US00253766A US3817733A (en) 1968-08-22 1972-05-16 Apparatus and process for subdividing sealed glass tube containing radioactive gas

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3706543A true US3706543A (en) 1972-12-19

Family

ID=27429351

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US832273A Expired - Lifetime US3706543A (en) 1968-08-22 1969-06-11 Method for producing tubular radioactive light sources
US00253766A Expired - Lifetime US3817733A (en) 1968-08-22 1972-05-16 Apparatus and process for subdividing sealed glass tube containing radioactive gas

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00253766A Expired - Lifetime US3817733A (en) 1968-08-22 1972-05-16 Apparatus and process for subdividing sealed glass tube containing radioactive gas

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (2) US3706543A (de)
CH (2) CH495529A (de)
GB (1) GB1230258A (de)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4213052A (en) * 1978-06-19 1980-07-15 American Atomics Corporation Miniature radioactive light source and method of its manufacture
US4682003A (en) * 1985-04-03 1987-07-21 Sasaki Glass Co., Ltd. Laser beam glass cutting
US4774037A (en) * 1986-09-26 1988-09-27 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Method for producing solid or hollow spherical particles of chosen chemical composition and of uniform size
US5065519A (en) * 1990-05-23 1991-11-19 Trijicon, Inc. Iron sight with illuminated pattern
US5359800A (en) * 1992-06-09 1994-11-01 Scopus Light (1990) Ltd. Illuminated gun sight
US6385855B1 (en) 1998-07-10 2002-05-14 Nanoptics, Inc. Sighting device for projectile type weapons for operation in day and night

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4045201A (en) * 1976-07-09 1977-08-30 American Atomics Corporation Method and apparatus for subdividing a gas filled glass tube
US4131443A (en) * 1977-02-02 1978-12-26 The Singer Company Fused silica nuclear magnetic resonance and filter cells with stabilized vapor densities
DE3923513A1 (de) * 1989-07-15 1991-01-24 Stabilus Gmbh Verfahren und vorrichtung zum einbringen von druckgas in das behaelterrohr einer pneumatischen feder oder dergleichen
DE4444547C2 (de) * 1994-12-14 1997-02-27 Schott Rohrglas Gmbh Verfahren zum wärmeweichen Trennen von dünnwandigen Glasrohren oder -platten
JP7168430B2 (ja) * 2018-12-04 2022-11-09 株式会社アイシン福井 レーザ溶接装置
JP7239307B2 (ja) * 2018-12-04 2023-03-14 株式会社アイシン福井 レーザ溶接装置

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2300917A (en) * 1938-11-09 1942-11-03 Gen Electric Method of making bulbs
US3203779A (en) * 1963-07-01 1965-08-31 Owens Illinois Glass Co Method for forming flat bottom glass beakers
US3453097A (en) * 1964-10-19 1969-07-01 Gerhard Mensel Glasbearbeitung Method of working glass with absorbent by a laser beam
US3460930A (en) * 1967-06-08 1969-08-12 Federal Tool Eng Co Back reflector for radiant energy glass-to-metal sealing means

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2300917A (en) * 1938-11-09 1942-11-03 Gen Electric Method of making bulbs
US3203779A (en) * 1963-07-01 1965-08-31 Owens Illinois Glass Co Method for forming flat bottom glass beakers
US3453097A (en) * 1964-10-19 1969-07-01 Gerhard Mensel Glasbearbeitung Method of working glass with absorbent by a laser beam
US3460930A (en) * 1967-06-08 1969-08-12 Federal Tool Eng Co Back reflector for radiant energy glass-to-metal sealing means

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4213052A (en) * 1978-06-19 1980-07-15 American Atomics Corporation Miniature radioactive light source and method of its manufacture
US4682003A (en) * 1985-04-03 1987-07-21 Sasaki Glass Co., Ltd. Laser beam glass cutting
US4774037A (en) * 1986-09-26 1988-09-27 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Method for producing solid or hollow spherical particles of chosen chemical composition and of uniform size
US5065519A (en) * 1990-05-23 1991-11-19 Trijicon, Inc. Iron sight with illuminated pattern
USRE35347E (en) * 1990-05-23 1996-10-08 Trijicon, Inc. Iron sight with illuminated pattern
US5359800A (en) * 1992-06-09 1994-11-01 Scopus Light (1990) Ltd. Illuminated gun sight
US6385855B1 (en) 1998-07-10 2002-05-14 Nanoptics, Inc. Sighting device for projectile type weapons for operation in day and night
US6571482B1 (en) 1998-07-10 2003-06-03 Nanoptics, Inc. Sighting device for projectile type weapons for operation in day and night

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1230258A (de) 1971-04-28
US3817733A (en) 1974-06-18
CH495528A (fr) 1970-08-31
CH495529A (de) 1970-08-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3706543A (en) Method for producing tubular radioactive light sources
US4058699A (en) Radiant zone heating apparatus and method
US3943324A (en) Apparatus for forming refractory tubing
US4146380A (en) Method and apparatus for subdividing a gas filled glass tube with a laser
KR0158676B1 (ko) 용융 용기내 액상 금속에 원소분석 장치 및 레이저를 광학적으로 결합하기 위한 방법 및 장치
JPS56104302A (en) Optical fiber for infrared light and its manufacture
CN102043346A (zh) 光源装置
GB1515086A (en) Ultraviolet lamp assembly
US4136298A (en) Electrode-inlead for miniature discharge lamps
JP5181396B2 (ja) 単結晶育成装置および単結晶育成方法
GB1298397A (en) Method of sealing the envelope of a gas-filled lamp
NL8403294A (nl) Stralingsbron voor optische apparaten, in het bijzonder voor fotolithografische afbeeldingssystemen.
CN116655231A (zh) 一种制备空芯光纤和空芯光纤预制棒的装置及制备方法
US3669546A (en) Device for spectrographic analysis of a liquid metal
JP2003221246A (ja) 部分的にまたは完全にガラス化したＳｉＯ２成形体の製造方法および該成形体
CN116655223A (zh) 一种玻璃管自动拉丝封接装置及其封接方法
JPS5546341A (en) Light heater
US4273398A (en) Method and apparatus for manufacturing gas-filled tubes and the like
JPS5460590A (en) Laser oscillator
RU2127176C1 (ru) Устройство для светолучевой пайки и сварки металлов и неметаллов
KR20040083293A (ko) 다중초점렌즈를 가지는 유리판커팅장치
JPS55114490A (en) Laser welding method
RU93000518A (ru) Устройство для локального облучения
US7445534B2 (en) Method of sealing a lamp by deformation of a pinch region using high-energy radiation
SU1647282A1 (ru) Способ изготовлени высокотемпературной термопары

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: KANSALLIS-OSAKE-PANKKI, AS AGENT

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CANRAD INC.;REEL/FRAME:005159/0833

Effective date: 19881228