Methods and apparatus for sealing of metals
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 sapphire windows. The assembly has an internal channel to accommodate expansion and contraction of the martinsetic metal. Hermetic sealing means including in different embodiments positive pressure fasteners and a bellows element are used at the periphery of the assembly to enable operation over temperature ranges from ambient to cryogenic without loss of integrity or leakage.
Claims40
A hermetically sealed assembly for precompression of a martinsetic metal comprising:
- first and second sapphire windows having a space therebetween;
- a martinsetic metal disposed in the space and in contact with the first and second sapphire windows, the first and second sapphire windows configured to define an internal channel around the perimeter of the martinsetic metal, the internal channel extending outwardly from the space and sized to permit expansion and contraction of the martinsetic metal within the internal channel;
- and
- means for coupling the first and second sapphire windows and hermetically sealing the space and the internal channel.
A method of sealing an assembly for precompression of a martinsetic metal comprising:
- (i) providing an assembly for precompression of a martinsetic metal comprising first and second sapphire windows having a space therebetween, and having the martinsetic metal disposed in the space and in contact with the first and second sapphire windows, the first and second sapphire windows configured to define an internal channel around the perimeter of the martinsetic metal, the internal channel extending outwardly from the space and sized to accommodate expansion and contraction of the martinsetic metal within the internal channel;
- (ii) sealing the first and second windows to each other by means of a gasket interposed between the first and second sapphire windows and extending around the periphery of the first and second sapphire windows;
- and
- (iii) securing the first and second sapphire windows to each other by a plurality of fasteners having positive pressure components, the fasteners extending through the first and second sapphire windows and the gasket.
A method of sealing an assembly for precompression of a martinsetic metal comprising:
- (i) providing an assembly for precompression of a martinsetic metal comprising first and second sapphire windows having a space therebetween, and having the martinsetic metal disposed in the space and in contact with the first and second sapphire windows, the first and second sapphire windows configured to define an internal channel around the perimeter of the martinsetic metal, the internal channel extending outwardly from the space and sized to accommodate expansion and contraction of the martinsetic metal within the internal channel;
- and
- (ii) sealing the first and second windows to each other by means of a bellows element having a first side secured to a first metallic seal attached to the first sapphire window and a second side secured to a second metallic seal attached to the second sapphire window.
A method of precompressing a martinsetic metal comprising:
- (i) providing an assembly for precompression of a martinsetic metal comprising first and second sapphire windows having a space therebetween, and having the martinsetic metal disposed in the space and in contact with the first and second sapphire windows, the first and second sapphire windows configured to define an internal channel around the perimeter of the martinsetic metal, the internal channel extending outwardly from the space and sized to accommodate expansion and contraction of the martinsetic metal within the internal channel, and containment means extending around and secured to the perimeter of the martinsetic metal configured to form a seal between with the internal channel and the first and second sapphire windows at cryogenic temperatures;
- (ii) sealing the first and second sapphire windows to each other with (a) a gasket interposed between the first and second sapphire windows and extending around the periphery of the first and second sapphire windows, and a plurality of fasteners having positive pressure components, the fasteners extending through the first and second sapphire windows and the gasket, or (b) a bellows element having a first side secured to a first metallic seal hermetically attached to the first sapphire window and a second side secured to a second metallic seal hermetically attached to the second sapphire window;
- and
- (iii) pressurizing the martinsetic metal to within the range of the plastic point of the martinsetic metal without rupturing the martinsetic metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.