Abstract: An ion pump for producing an ultrahigh degree of vacuum comprising a space formed between a first perforated flat plate-shaped electrode and a second flat plate-shaped electrode and having a high frequency electric source connected between the first and second electrodes, said space being operative to induce multipactor effect between said first and second electrodes, and an ionization space adjacent to one of said first and second electrodes and formed between a first perforated getter electrode and a second getter electrode applied with a negative potential, said ionization space being operative to cause the moving electrons produced by the multipactor effect to collide with gas molecules and ionize the latter.

Abstract: A sputter-ion pump for use in combination with an electron tube having at least one thoriated tungsten cathode comprises a vacuum envelope and a getter-cathode within the envelope. The getter cathode comprises a first cathode member consisting of at least one reactive material selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, thorium, tantalum, niobium and vanadium. A second cathode member, consisting, e.g., of a reactive material and carbon, provides a recarburizing atmosphere for forming, in situ, a tungsten carbide layer on the thoriated tungsten cathode of the electron tube so as to increase the life of the electron tube.

Abstract: An evacuating device for generating an insulating vaccum around the superconducting winding of the rotor of an electric machine with an inner space which is surrounded by the winding and is permeated by the magnetic field of the winding in which a co-rotating ionization getter pump operating according to the sputter principle is diposed in the inner space and has at least two electrodes arranged perpendicular with respect the magnetic field eliminating the need for rotating sealing elements at a terminal head of the rotor.

Abstract: Conventional heat pipe performance can be improved by reducing the dependency upon the capillary pumping limitation. Electrodes mounted either in the working fluid vapor or its condensate produce an ion flow directed axially and in the same flow direction. The ion flow, through collision phenomena, picks-up the surrounding low velocity stream, increases its momentum and generates additional pumping pressure for the condensate. Performance can be improved even when low surface tension working fluids are used.

Abstract: The pressure range, pumping speed and through-put of a high-vacuum pump can be significantly improved, particularly with respect to the pumping of hydrogen, by making pump components that are exposed to the vacuum from an alloy that is metallurgically stabilized to maintain a body-centered cubic crystal lattice structure throughout the range of temperatures usually experienced by the pump. In a sputter-ion pump, the cathode especially should be made from an alloy stabilized in the body-centered cubic crystal lattice form. A suitable alloy, which is so stabilized in the body-centered cubic crystal lattice form, has a major constituent comprising one or more elements selected from Group IV B of the conventional long form of the Periodic Chart of the Elements, and a minor constituent comprising one or more elements selected from Groups III B, V B, VI B and VII B of the Chart, with the minor constituent constituting at least 10% but not more than 50% by weight of the alloy.

Abstract: A getter device of the annular-ring type having a deflector. The deflector has a conical segment and both axial and radial locating elements. The radial locating element is U-shaped in cross section.

Abstract: In a magnetically confined sputter-ion vacuum pump a multi-apertured anode electrode is interposed between a pair of reactive cathode electrode plates. An evacuable envelope encloses the anode and cathode electrodes and a magnetic circuit surrounds the vacuum envelope for producing a glow discharge confining magnetic field extending axially of the apertures in the anode. The reactive cathode plates include peripheral sealing flanges for compressing a sealing gasket into sealing engagement with a pair of sealing surfaces at opposite ends of a tubular main body portion of the envelope. A clamping ring structure, having a bolt circle formed therein, serves to clamp the two reactive cathode plates to the main body and also serves as an integral part of the magnetic circuit. Water coolant channels are brazed to the outer surfaces of the cathode plates for cooling same in use.

Abstract: Process for activating a getter composed of a porous barium pellet comprising maintaining a barium pellet in an inert atmosphere, placing the pellet in an enclosed chamber, evacuating the chamber and heating the evacuated chamber containing the pellet to about 800.degree.F for about two hours to activate same by removing gases from the surfaces of the pellet and an activated barium getter comprising a perforated metal or alloy can preferably composed of tantalum containing a barium pellet which has been heated in a vacuum to about 800.degree.F for about two hours.

Abstract: A getter pump comprising two getter elements wherein the first getter element comprises a metallic substrate having a nonevaporable getter metal embedded therein. The second getter element employs a getter metal having a lower hydrogen equilibrium vapor pressure than that of the first getter element.

Abstract: A simple apparatus and process for monitoring a selected component of a fluid system are provided wherein the apparatus comprises a simple diffusion probe, an electronic pumping means and a reading means whereby the diffusion and pumping rate are read directly as electrical current.