Abstract: A front assembly for a color cathode ray tube is disclosed. The tube includes a faceplate having on its inner surface a centrally disposed phosphor screen embraced by a peripheral sealing area adapted to mate with a funnel. A faceplate-mounted frame-like shadow mask support structure secured to the inner surface of the faceplate between the sealing area and the screen has a mask-receiving surface for receiving and supporting a foil shadow mask and holding the mask in tension by laser weldments. The weldments according to the invention are spaced close enough to hold the mask in tension without distortion, yet spaced widely enough to provide for relatively rapid welding and strong, independent welds.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method and associated apparatus, in the manufacture of flat tension mask cathode ray tubes, for detecting the edges of a mask receiving surface in a plane, identifying its coordinates and subsequently delineating the path of an attachment device for permanently affixing a tensed foil shadow mask to the mask receiving surface of a mask support structure.

Abstract: A front assembly for a color cathode ray tube is disclosed. The tube includes a faceplate having on its inner surface a centrally disposed phosphor screen embraced by a peripheral sealing area adapted to mate with a funnel. A faceplate-mounted frame-like shadow mask support structure secured to the inner surface of the faceplate between the sealing area and the screen has a mask-receiving surface for receiving and supporting a foil shadow mask and holding the mask in tension by laser weldments. The weldments according to the invention are spaced close enough to hold the mask in tension without distortion, yet spaced widely enough to provide for relatively rapid welding and strong, independent welds.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for mating the tubular cap and tubular shank of the cathode assembly used in TV CRT electron guns. The shank has an end larger in diameter than the cap, and a narrow end adapted to fit into the cap. The method comprises causing the cap to fall open-end-down into a first receptacle. The first receptacle is inverted in conjunctive alignment with a second receptacle, causing the cap to fall open-end-up into the second receptacle. The shank is then caused to fall narrow-end-down into the second receptacle and into the cap; the second receptacle is adapted to reject the larger end of the shank. The second receptacle is inverted in conjunctive alignment with the first receptacle, causing the mated cap and shank to fall shank-end-down into the first receptacle where it is held cap-side-up for further processing.

Abstract: A process for depositing a microporous electron-emissive cathode coating material by spray means is depicted. The process comprises preheating the cathode assembly and spray means by enclosing the assembly and spray means in a cathode assembly spray chamber having a laminar flow of gas therein and stabilizing their temperature at a predetermined elevated value. The cathode assembly is sprayed with a first coat of the material to a predetermined initial thickness. The material is fast dried by holding the cathode assembly in an enclosure having a laminar flow of gas at an elevated temperature. A second coat of the material is then sprayed on to a predetermined final overall thickness. Due to the preheating and fast drying according to the invention, the coating material so deposited is uniformly dense and the coating surface is smooth and microporous to provide enhanced emissivity and life and enhanced resistance to poisoning by contaminants.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for mating the tubular cap and tubular shank of the cathode assembly used in TV CRT electron guns. The shank has an end larger in diameter than the cap, and a narrow end adapted to fit into the cap. The method comprises causing the cap to fall open-end-down into a first receptacle. The first receptacle is inverted in conjunctive alignment with a second receptacle, causing the cap to fall open-end-up into the second receptacle. The shank is then caused to fall narrow-end-down into the second receptacle and into the cap; the second receptacle is adapted to reject the larger end of the shank. The second receptacle is inverted in conjunctive alignment with the first receptacle, causing the mated cap and shank to fall shank-end-down into the first receptacle where it is held cap-side-up for further processing.