Shape memory alloy for MCP lockdown
AssigneeITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
InventorsSteven David Rosine, Khang V. Nguyen, Michael Scott Mills
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image intensifier tube includes a microchannel plate (MCP) having conductive input and output surfaces disposed in a housing. A conductive lower support is in electrical contact with the output surface of the MCP, and a conductive upper support is disposed above the input surface of the MCP. A shape memory alloy (SMA) lockdown is disposed between the input surface of the MCP and the upper support. The SMA lockdown is configured to provide a lockdown for the MCP in the housing. An SMA upper surface is configured to provide an axial force against the upper support, and an SMA lower surface is in contact with the input surface of the MCP.
Claims20
An image intensifier tube comprising:
- a microchannel plate (MCP) having conductive input and output surfaces disposed in a housing,
- a conductive lower support in electrical contact with the output surface of the MCP,
- a conductive upper support disposed above the input surface of the MCP, and
- a shape memory alloy (SMA) lockdown disposed between the input surface of the MCP and the upper support,
- wherein the SMA lockdown is configured to provide a lockdown for the MCP in the housing.
An image intensifier tube comprising:
- a lower support and an upper support in a housing,
- a multichannel plate (MCP) disposed on top of the lower support,
- a shape memory alloy (SMA) element disposed on top of the MCP, and
- the upper support disposed above the SMA element,
- wherein the SMA element is configured for locking down the MCP between the lower support and the upper support.
An image intensifier tube comprising:
- a lower support and an upper support in a housing,
- a shape memory alloy (SMA) element disposed on top of the lower support,
- a multichannel plate (MCP) disposed on top of the SMA element, and
- the upper support disposed above the MCP,
- wherein the SMA element is configured for locking down the MCP between the lower support and the upper support.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.