Patents by Inventor Claudio Boffito

Claudio Boffito has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5882727
    Abstract: A method for forming a supported thin layer of non-evaporable getter (NEG) material and a getter device formed thereby are provided. A suspension comprised of non-evaporable getter (NEG) material particles in a dispersing medium is prepared. The NEG material particles in the suspension have a particle size not greater than about 150 .mu.m. The dispersing medium has an aqueous, alcoholic, or hydroalcoholic base and contains not more than about 1 wt % of organic compounds having a boiling temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. The ratio of the weight of the NEG material particles to the weight of the dispersing medium is between about 4:1 and about 1:1. A layer of the suspension is deposited on a carrier by a serigraphic technique. Next, the deposited layer is dried to evaporate volatile components of the dispersing medium and thereby form a dried deposit. Finally, the dried deposit is sintered under vacuum at a temperature between about 800.degree. C. and 1000.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessio Corazza, Claudio Boffito, Alessandro Gallitognotta, Richard C. Kullberg, Michael L. Ferris
  • Patent number: 5830026
    Abstract: A mercury-dispensing device is disclosed that includes a mercury dispenser having the formula Ti.sub.x Zr.sub.y Hg.sub.z in which x and y are between 0 and 13, inclusive, the quantity x+y is between 3 and 13, inclusive, and z is 1 or 2; and a promoter that comprises copper, silicon and possibly a third metal selected among the transition elements. A getter material selected among titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium and mixtures thereof, and alloys of these metals with nickel, iron or aluminum can be included in the device. The mercury dispenser, promoter and optional getter material are provided preferably in the form of powders compressed as a pellet, or contained in a ring-shaped metallic support or rolled on the surfaces of a metallic strip. Also disclosed is a process for introducing mercury into electron tubes by making use of the above-mentioned mercury-dispensing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Schiabel, Claudio Boffito
  • Patent number: 5831385
    Abstract: A mercury dispensing device is disclosed that includes a mercury dispenser having the formula Ti.sub.x Zr.sub.y Hg.sub.z in which x and y are between 0 and 13, inclusive, the quantity x+y is between 3 and 13, inclusive, and z is 1 or 2; and a promoter that comprises copper, silicon and possibly a third metal selected among the transition elements. A getter material selected among titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium and mixtures thereof, and alloys of these metals with nickel, iron or aluminum can be included in the device. The mercury dispenser, promoter and optional getter material are provided preferably in the form of powders compressed as a pellet, or contained in a ring-shaped metallic support or rolled on the surfaces of a metallic strip. Also disclosed is a process for introducing mercury into electron tubes by making use of the above-mentioned mercury-dispensing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Schiabel, Claudio Boffito
  • Patent number: 5678724
    Abstract: A getter material is provided which efficiently sorbs gases at low pressures but, when a system failure causes high pressures of hydrogen and oxygen (air) to be present, does not increase its temperature to that which would cause explosive ignition of the hydrogen-oxygen (air) mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Saes Getters, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Boffito, Fabrizio Doni, Bruno Ferrario
  • Patent number: 5625742
    Abstract: A thermally insulating jacket under reversible vacuum, having an inner wall, an outer wall and an hollow space between these walls. The hollow space is in fluid communication with an outer housing containing a reversible non-evaporable hydrogen getter loaded with hydrogen. The reversible hydrogen getter has a certain hydrogen equilibrium pressure. The hollow space contains a non-evaporable promoter getter having a certain hydrogen equilibrium pressure. These jackets can be employed with heat accumulators, batteries, cryogenic vessels, cryogenic pipes, catalytic silencers and solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Boffito, Andrea Conte, Bruno Ferrario, Paolo della Porta
  • Patent number: 5543121
    Abstract: A getter material is provided which efficiently sorbs gases at low pressures but, when a system failure causes high pressures of hydrogen and oxygen (air) to be present, does not increase its temperature to that which would cause explosive ignition of the hydrogen-oxygen (air) mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Boffito, Fabrizio Doni, Bruno Ferrario
  • Patent number: 5520560
    Abstract: A mercury-dispensing combination suitable to release an amount of mercury higher than 60% during the activation step, even after partial oxidation, includes a mercury-dispensing intermetallic compound A with Hg and a second metal selected among Ti, Zr and mixtures thereof, as well as a promoting alloy or intermetallic compound B including Cu and a second metal selected among Sn, In or Ag or combinations thereof. There is also disclosed a mercury-dispensing device containing a combination of materials A and B, in addition to a process for introducing mercury into electron tubes consisting in the introduction of one of said devices inside the open tube and then heating thereof at a temperature between 550.degree. and 900.degree. C. after the tube sealing in order to get Hg free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Schiabel, Claudio Boffito
  • Patent number: 5518138
    Abstract: A double walled insulating jacket having a vacuum zone and a getter composition within the zone. The getter composition is barium oxide and a second oxide of palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and/or silver and mixtures thereof. A process for producing this composition is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Boffito, Bruno Ferrario
  • Patent number: 5508586
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated getter device essentially consisting of at least one evaporable getter device and at least one non-evaporable getter device, wherein the different getter devices circumscribe areas at least partially superimposed or coincident, lying on essentially parallel or coincident planes and preferably arranged in a coaxial way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Martelli, Raffaello Lattuada, Claudio Boffito, Mario Borghi, Giuseppe Urso
  • Patent number: 5408832
    Abstract: Improved process for evacuating the thermally insulating jacket of a dewar having an inner wall and an outer wall, with the inner space between said walls completely or partially filled with an insulating material, containing also a moisture sorbing material and a getter material, in which said moisture sorbing material is a chemical drying agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: SAES Getters, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Boffito, Antonio Schiabel, Allessandro Gallitognotta
  • Patent number: 5365742
    Abstract: A device for the removal of hydrogen from a vacuum enclosure at cryogenic temperatures, especially high energy particle accelerators which comprises a metal support preferably in the form of a strip of aluminium and a composition able to sorb hydrogen adherent to the support in particular on at least one surface of the strip. The composition comprises a porous absorber of H.sub.2 O, preferably powdered aluminium oxide and in contact with palladium oxide which preferably covers, at least partially, the water absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Boffito, Bruno Ferrario
  • Patent number: 5312607
    Abstract: The process of the present invention provides for the sorption of residual gas in a vessel by means of a non-activated, non-evaporated barium getter. It comprises the steps of reducing an alloy of Ba.sub.z +(Ba.sub.1-x A.sub.x).sub.n B.sub.m to a particle size of less than 5 mm, under vacuum or an inert gas atmosphere and then placing the particulate alloy in the vessel. Upon exposing the particulate alloy to the residual gas in the vessel at room temperature the gas is sorbed. The metal A is a metal selected from the group consisting of elements of Group IIa of the periodic table of elements, excluding barium. The metal B is selected from the group consisting of elements of Group Ib, IIb, IIIa, IVa and Va of the periodic table of elements. Furthermore n=1, 2, 3 or 4 and m=1, 2 or 5, whereas o.ltoreq..times..ltoreq.0.5 and z is a value from zero to such a value that the total barium in the alloy is less than 95% by weight of the alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antionio Schiabel, Claudio Boffito
  • Patent number: 5312606
    Abstract: The process of the present invention provides for the sorption of unwanted gas in a vessel by means of a non-evaporated barium getter. It comprises the steps of reducing an alloy of Ba.sub.1-x A.sub.x Li.sub.4-y B.sub.y to a particle size of less than 5 mm, under vacuum or an inert gas atmosphere and then placing the reduced alloy in the vessel. Upon exposing the reduced alloy to the residual gas in the vessel at a temperature of less than 150.degree. C., the gas is sorbed. The metal A is a metal chosen from the group consisting of elements of Group IIa of the periodic table of elements, excluding barium. The metal B is chosen from the group consisting of elements of Group IIIa of the periodic table of elements. Preferably 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5 and 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.3.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: SAES Getters SpA
    Inventors: Claudio Boffito, Antonio Schiabel
  • Patent number: 5191980
    Abstract: A protective vessel is provided for a getter material which comprises a first sheet of thermally stable material attached to an adhesive, which in turn is attached to a second sheet of thermo-retractable organic plastic material, the first and second sheets enclosing the getter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: SAES Getters SpA
    Inventors: Claudio Boffito, Giuliano Fenati
  • Patent number: 5180568
    Abstract: There is described a process for the recovery of deuterium and tritium from their oxides, such has heavy water and tritiated water, comprising the steps of reacting the oxides of deuterium and tritium with an intermetallic compound having a formula ZrM.sub.2, where M is a transition metal chosen from the group comprising Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni such that it sorbs oxygen and released deuterium and tritium. The reaction preferably occurs by contacting the impure gas with the ZrM.sub.2 alloy as defined above, in the form of a compressed powder. A preferred alloy is the intermetallic ternary compound ZrMnFe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: SAES Getters SpA
    Inventors: Claudio Boffito, Massimo Bolognesi
  • Patent number: 4907948
    Abstract: The scope of the present invention is the provision of a non-evaporable gettering ternary alloy particularly for the sorption of water and water vapor in nuclear reactor fuel elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Aldo Barosi, Claudio Boffito
  • Patent number: 4743167
    Abstract: A device is described for the sorption of hydrogen isotopes at low pressures, their storage and their subsequent release at high pressures. Use is made of a getter material having linear sorption isotherms and a compressor material having non-linear sorption isotherms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: S.A.E.S. Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Martelli, Fabrizio Doni, Claudio Boffito
  • Patent number: 4665343
    Abstract: A getter device comprises a getter metal vapor releasing material and a source of an alkali metal which releases an alkali metal during or after the latter period of getter metal evaporation. Such getter devices are found to produce less methane after evaporation of the getter metal without producing higher hydrocarbons. A higher pressure of hydrogen is formed which aids cathode functioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: S.A.E.S. Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Ferrario, Daniele Martelli, Claudio Boffito
  • Patent number: 4312669
    Abstract: A non-evaporable getter alloy is provided which can be used in a process for the sorption of gas from a closed vessel comprising the step of:introducing into the vessel a non-evaporable ternary gettering alloy whose composition in weight percent when plotted on a ternary composition diagram in weight percent Zr, weight percent V and weight percent Fe lies with a polygon having as its corners the points defined by:(a) 75% Zr-20% V-5% Fe(b) 45% Zr-20% V-35% Fe(c) 45% Zr-50% V-5% Fesuch alloys can sorb water vapor without the release of H.sub.2 between 200.degree.-350.degree. C. and can be used in a wide temperature range for the sorption of other gases. They can also be activated in short times at relatively low temperatures, to be used as a getter at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Boffito, Aldo Barosi, Alessandro Figini