Apparatus for applying radiant beam

In apparatus for applying a radiant beam against an opaque diaphragm to melt an aperture in said diaphragm which comprises bracket means for positioning said diaphragm at a predetermined position, a source of said radiant beam, and electric circuit means for activating said source, the improvement comprising, in combination:

• photocell means positioned whereby a properly positioned diaphragm initially shades said photocell means from the beam, and said beam strikes said photocell when the aperture is formed, and means to shut off said radiant beam responsive to the beam striking said photocell, said radiant beam source being a filament-type light bulb with an elliptical, focusing reflector having a reflecting surface that reflects substantial radiation emitted by the filament, said filament being positioned essentially at the focus of said elliptical reflector, said filament having a length of no more than 1/4 inch and a diameter of no more than 1/8 inch and having a normal operating temperature of at least 3000.degree. K., for providing an intense, focused radiant beam of no more than essentially 0.3 inch diameter to the predetermined position of said diaphragm.

In apparatus for applying a radiant beam against an opaque diaphragm sealing a flow passage to melt an aperture in said diaphragm, which comprises bracket means for positioning said diaphragm at a predetermined position, a source of said radiant beam, and electric circuit means for activating said source, the improvement comprising, in combination:

• photocell means positioned whereby a properly positioned diaphragm initially shades said photocell means from the beam, and said beam strikes said photocell when said aperture is formed, and means to shut off said radiant beam responsive to the beam striking said photocell, said bracket means comprising a first seat for engaging and positioning a unit containing said diaphragm at said predetermined position, and a second seat carried by a pivotable switch arm to permit said second seat to also engage said unit to secure it in one pivoting position of said switch arm, and to actuate said radiant beam source in the same switch arm pivoting position.

In apparatus for applying a radiant beam against an opaque diaphragm to melt an aperture in said diaphragm, which comprises bracket means for positioning said diaphragm at a predetermined position, a source of said radiant beam, and electric circuit means for activating said source, the improvement comprising, in combination:

• said radiant beam source being a filament-type light bulb with an elliptical, focusing reflector having a reflective surface that reflects substantial radiation emitted by the filament, said filament being positioned essentially at the focus of said elliptical reflector, said filament having a length of no more than 1/4 inch and a diameter of no more than 1/8 inch and having a normal operating temperature of at least 3000.degree. K., for providing an intense, focused radiant beam to the predetermined position of said diaphragm.

In apparatus for applying a radiant beam against an opaque diaphragm to melt an aperture in said diaphragm, which comprises bracket means for positioning said diaphragm at a predetermined position, a source of said radiant beam and electric circuit means for activating said source, the improvement comprising, in combination:

• said bracket means comprising a first seat for engaging and positioning a unit containing said diaphragm at said predetermined position, and a second seat carried by a pivotable switch arm to permit said second seat to also engage said unit to secure it in one pivoting position of said switch arm, and to intitiate said radiant beam source in the same switch arm pivoting position.

In apparatus for applying a radiant beam against an opaque diaphragm to melt an aperture in said diaphragm, which comprises bracket means for positioning said diaphragm at a predetermined position, a source of said radiant beam, and electric current means for activating said source, the improvement comprising, in combination:

• photocell means positioned whereby a properly positioned diaphragm initially shades said photocell means from the beam and said beam strikes said photocell when the aperture is formed, and means to shut off said radiant beam responsive to the beam striking said photocell means, said photocell means including a light pipe having a light-receiving tip positioned to be initially shaded by said properly positioned diaphragm, said light pipe extending to a position relatively remote from said radiant beam, and a photocell member positioned to receive light from the remote end of said light pipe.