Semi-permanent vacuum closure with multiple retubulation capability
US5713610A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L41/14
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vacuum system (20) includes an enclosure (22) having a vacuum-tight wall (26) and an internally threaded aperture (66) through the wall (26). A tip-off fitting (24) has a base (50) with a bore (52) therethrough, a hollow tube (62) fixed to the base (50) with a vacuum-tight seal, such that an interior (64) of the tube (62) is in communication with the bore (52) in the base (50), and an external thread (58) on the exterior of the base (50). The external thread (58) on the exterior of the base (50) is dimensioned to threadably engage the internal thread (68) on the aperture (66). There is a disengageable vacuum sealant (70) such as a layer of indium metal between the external thread (58) of the base (50) and the internal thread (68) of the aperture (66). The vacuum system (20) is evacuated through the tip-off fitting (24) and sealed by closing off the hollow tube (62). At a later time, the vacuum system can be brought to atmospheric pressure and then reseated by replacing the tip-off fitting with another tip-off fitting and repeating the evacuation and sealing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.