Method and apparatus for the hermetic sealing of martensitic metals for precompression for cryogenic applications
OwnerDaniel Hiram Deeksinventor
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Abstract
Disclosed is a hermetically sealed assembly for precompression of a martinsetic metal for use in negative pressure energy transfer systems, and method of making same. The assembly comprising a martinsteic metal disposed between and in contact with flanged sapphire windows, the flanges defining an open area therebetween to accommodate expansion and contraction of the martinsetic metal. Hermetic sealing means include a bellows element, which can comprise a convoluted cross section, at the periphery of the assembly to enable operation over temperature ranges from ambient to cryogenic without loss of integrity or leakage.
Claims41
A hermetically sealed assembly for precompression of a martensitic metal comprising:
- a first sapphire window and a second sapphire window, the first and second sapphire windows having a space therebetween;
- a martensitic metal disposed in the space and in contact with the first and second sapphire windows;
- the first sapphire window comprising an outwardly extending peripheral first flange, and the second sapphire window comprising an outwardly extending peripheral second flange, the first flange and the second flange configured to define an open area between the first and second flanges and around the perimeter of the martensitic material, the open area extending outwardly from the space and sized to permit expansion and contraction of the martensitic metal within the open area;
- and
- means for coupling the first and second sapphire windows and hermetically sealing the space and the open area.
A method of sealing an assembly for precompression of a martensitic metal comprising:
- (i) providing an assembly for precompression of a martensitic metal comprising a first sapphire window and a second sapphire window, the first and second sapphire windows having a space therebetween;
- and a martensitic metal disposed in the space and in contact with the first and second sapphire windows, the first sapphire window comprising an outwardly extending peripheral first flange;
- and the second sapphire window comprising an outwardly extending peripheral second flange, the first flange and the second flange configured to define an open area between the first and second flanges and around the perimeter of the martensitic material, the open area extending outwardly from the space and sized to permit expansion and contraction of the martensitic metal within the open area;
- and
- (ii) sealing the first and second sapphire windows to each other by means of a bellows element having a first side secured to a first metallic seal attached to the first flange, and a second side secured to a second metallic seal attached to the second flange.
A method of precompressing a martensitic metal comprising:
- (i) providing an assembly for precompression of a martensitic metal comprising a first sapphire window and a second sapphire window, the first and second sapphire windows having a space therebetween;
- and a martensitic metal disposed in the space and in contact with the first and second sapphire windows, the first sapphire window comprising an outwardly extending peripheral first flange;
- and the second sapphire window comprising an outwardly extending peripheral second flange, the first flange and the second flange configured to define an open area between the first and second flanges and around the perimeter of the martensitic material, the open area extending outwardly from the space and sized to permit expansion and contraction of the martensitic metal within the open area, and containment means extending around and secured to the perimeter of the martensitic metal configured to form a seal between with the open area and the first and second sapphire windows at cryogenic temperatures;
- (ii) sealing the first and second sapphire windows to each other with a bellows element having a first side secured to a first metallic seal hermetically attached to the first flange and a second side secured to a second metallic seal hermetically attached to the second flange;
- and
- (iii) pressurizing the martensitic metal to within the range of the plastic point of the martensitic metal without rupturing the martensitic metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.