Abstract: An improved electrode for detecting ion concentration and a method of manufacturing such an electrode. The electrode includes concentric glass tubes, including an inner tube which is filled with a filling solution and a larger, outer tube which extends above the level of the filling solution in the inner tube. A metal contact is immersed in the filling solution and extends outside the inner tube through a hermetic seal to allow electrical contact to be made to the filling solution. The inner tube is made of a different glass from the outer tube so that the inner tube will absorb radiation at selected wavelengths which are transmitted by the outer tube. The inner tube is illuminated with radiation of the proper wavelength so that the inner tube melts and collapses around the metal contact to form the hermetic seal. In an alternate embodiment, the electrode has an inner tube which is made of two different types of glass. An apparatus for mechanizing the electrode sealing process is also described.

Abstract: A method for making a fluid lamp assembly which includes a fiberglass wick, consisting of approximately 100 individual fibers in a bundle, is inserted in a glass tube, adjusted with its tip a desired distance above opening, and fused in place by heating to 600 degrees Centigrade for 20 minutes. Fusing temperatures of from about 500 to 600 degrees Centigrade may be employed, for times of from about 10 minutes to about one hour, with a longer fusing time employed with lower temperatures. This provides a premanent wick that is not consumed in use of the lamp assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical shield for a laser catheter is disclosed in which a rod of light transmissive material is optically polished and inserted into a tube of similar material and fused and the distal end of the rod is cut and the assembly is optically polished at the distal end.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric field-assisted method for bonding one glass (or other inorganic insulator) body, typically a plate, to a similar body, such that the two bodies are spaced apart. The interior volume of such a composite body is advantageously filled with liquid crystal material, to produce a liguid crystal display cell. The method comprises forming a patterned layer of an appropriate bonding material (e.g., Al, Ge, Si, preferably Si) on a major surface of one of the two insulator bodies, placing a major surface of the second insulator body into contact with the bonding material, heating at least the second body to a bonding temperature (typically in the range 250.degree.-600.degree. C.), and applying a voltage (e.g., 500-1500 volt DC, the second body negative) across the thus formed sandwich.

Abstract: A waveguide for propagating a light beam, a coupler for coupling the light beam to the waveguide, and a thin film layer provided on the bottom surface of the coupler and consisting of a substance having a refractive index lower than the refractive indices of the waveguide and the coupler, the coupler being joined to the waveguide by optical contact with the thin film layer interposed therebetween, together constitute an optical coupler device which is compact and stable in optical coupling characteristic.

Abstract: A grooved magnetic substrate for thin film magnetic heads having grooves filled with glass having substantially no pores therein and an interdiffusion layer between substrate and glass of 5 microns or less. The substrate is produced by hot-filling the groove with glass at a viscosity of 10.sup.6 -10.sup.8 poise and subjecting the substrate to hot isostatic pressure at 10.sup.6 poise or higher to define a definite apex point to define the gap depth.

Abstract: A method for sealing a mount including a wafer in a neck of a stationary cathode-ray tube comprises positioning a first tier of burner tips completely around the neck such that the burner tips are aimed nonradially along directions tangent to a first circle, the plane of the first circle being aligned along the wafer. The first tier of burner tips is split into at least first and second radial segments, each segment being connected to means for moving the segment toward and away from the neck. The first tier of burner tips, while remaining stationary, provide a vortical pattern of flames around the neck. The radial segments are then removed from around the stationary neck sufficiently to allow the tube to proceed along a conveyor line.

Abstract: Freestanding glass reinforced ceramic protective coatings are made with a shrinkable silica preform technique. The coatings may be bonded to heat sensitive organic (plastic) or inorganic (ceramic or metal) substrates to provide thermal and impact protection.

Abstract: A shielded faceplate for use in an image intensifier having a photocathode which comprises an inner core of glass transparent to light to which the photocathode is sensitive and an outer shielding region of glass which absorbs light to which the photocathode is sensitive. The outer shielding region surrounds and is adjacent to the inner core. The inner core has a transverse dimension which decreases along its length, the transverse dimension being smallest at the photocathode surface. The shielded faceplate is manufactured by arranging in a mold to which glass does not bond a first type of glass transparent to light to which the photocathode is sensitive and a second type of glass which absorbs light to which the photocathode is sensitive, heating the glass members so that they fuse to produce a block having an inner core of the first type of glass and an outer region of the second type of glass and removing the block from the mold.

Abstract: A process for making a honeycomb sandwich panel in a single furnace cycle which is particularly applicable to making a glass honeycomb sandwich panel as might be utilized in the construction of a glass mirror substrate. In one embodiment, lengths of glass tubing are sandwiched between glass faceplates. On heating to softening temperature, the faceplates are compressed between rigid plates until they are sealed against the open tube ends. Then the sealed tubes are inflated, or the external gas pressure decreased, so the tubes expand and seal also against each other. At the same time the softened faceplates are pressed against and conform to the shape of the rigid restraining plates. One way to achieve inflation of the tubes is with a gas manifold communicating through a hole in the back faceplate and into each tube. A pressure differential is maintained while the glass is cooled until it becomes rigid.

Abstract: Method for producing a ceramic-glass-ceramic seal by the use of microwave energy, and a sealing mixture which comprises a glass sealing material, a coupling agent, and an oxidizer. The seal produced exhibits greater strength due to its different microstructure. Sodium nitrate is the most preferred oxidizer.

Abstract: A crystallizable sealing glass composition in powered form that is a blend of a Pbo/ZnO/B.sub.2 O.sub.3 /SiO.sub.2 /BaO glass in the vitreous state and a small effective amount of finely divided zinc zirconium silicate as a nucleating agent. The zinc zirconium silicate has an average particle size of about 2 to 8 microns and is used alone, or in combination, with zirconium silicate having an average particle size of about 20 to 30 microns. The glass composition can be used to seal television picture tubes at 440.degree. C. or 460.degree. C. with excellent results, the early stages of crystallization showing large crystals and large glassy area, as well as DTA curve peaks at 15 to 25 minutes at 440.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a wafer in the neck of a CRT has two groups of burners, one group provides the optimum temperature for sealing, the other group provides the optimum temperature for cutting off the cullet. The burners are arranged in an arc with the outer burners performing the cutting off operation and the inner burners performing the sealing operation.

Abstract: The method for sealing a glass stem wafer into the neck of a CRT has a plurality of burner tips disposed completely around the neck. The burner tips are angled such as to create rotating hot gases around the neck. This eliminates the need to rotate the CRT bulb, the wafer or the burner tips, to achieve a uniform seal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fusion splicing optical fibres, in which the first clamping arrangement comprising arms 3 and 4 and clamps 3a, 4a pivots over from a first position to a second position in which magnetic fibre clamps 14a, 14b hold the fibre ends in a two-part fibre V-location 8a, 8b to precisely coaxially align the fibre ends. Fusion electrodes 11, 12 fuse the ends together.

Abstract: A process of encapsulating solar cells in which a semiconductor wafer first is processed into an uncut cell. An interconnect strip is secured to the front contact of the cell. A coverglass plate, provided with a suitable coating, is next bonded to the front surface of the cell. Finally, the bonded assembly of cell and coverglass plate is cut to final size as a unit. The interconnect strip preferably is folded onto the back surface of the cell either during or prior to the cutting operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tubulating a glass barrel including a glass lathe with the tubing in one chuck and a barrel holding device in the other chuck having a pair of spring members to engage the openings of the barrel and hermetically seal the barrel with an air pressure source to induce pressure to the inside of the barrel with the method including heating the end of the tubing and the point on the barrel for attachment, blowing a hole out through the point and welding the tube over the hole while the parts are spinning on the lathe.

Abstract: A high density peg which can support a large load and exhibits excellent thermal resistance produced by a method wherein the peg is made in compliance with specified conditions of time, temperature and pressure.

Abstract: In the manufacture of sintered silicon nitride articles by hot isostatic pressing, silicon nitride preforms are assembled in a stack with spacers between the preforms. The stack is completely enveloped in refractory metal foil and then encapsulated within a single capsule for the pressing operation.

Abstract: In the manufacture of sintered silicon nitride articles by hot isostatic pressing, silicon nitride preforms are assembled in a stack with spacers between the preforms. A plurality of such stacks are inserted in a glass tube closed at one end. The glass is melted around each stack to encapsulate each stack in a single sealed capsule.

Abstract: In the manufacture of sintered silicon nitride articles by hot isostatic pressing, multiple silicon nitride parts are encapsulated within a single capsule for the pressing operation. Suitable spacers placed between the parts ease separation thereof after sintering.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the front surface metallization and encapsulation of solar cells of the type comprising p and n semiconductor strata separated by a barrier junction, and front and rear conducting strata constituting electrical contacts, wherein the front conducting stratum is a novel metallic grid permitting transmission of solar radiation to the semiconductor strata. This metallic grid is in the form of a mesh of wires of sufficiently high tensile strength to be self-supporting while being drawn from spools or the like into contact with one or more components of the solar cell before completion of the cell's fabrication.The method is characterized in that the metallic grid, in the form of the mesh of wires, is encapsulated between a transparent cover plate and the exposed front surface of the semiconductor strata, the mesh forming an electrical contact with the front surface of the semiconductor strata simultaneously that the plate is electrostatically bonded thereto.

Abstract: A glass-moulded type semiconductor device comprising semiconductor arrangement composed of at least one semiconductor pellet having at least one P-N junction, edges of which are exposed to peripheral surfaces of the semiconductor pellet, a pair of electrodes secured to opposite ends of the semiconductor arrangement through a brazing material, a first mould glass layer secured to the entire circumferential surface of the semiconductor arrangement and extending to the surfaces of the electrodes for passivating the P-N junction of the semiconductor arrangement, and a second mould glass in the form of at least one layer secured to the surface of said first mould glass layer.

Abstract: A decorative vitreous article is produced by blowing a glass parison in a mold against a coherent flexible web of glass fibers which thereby become partly or entirely embedded therein. After reheating, possibly by immersion of the parison in a bath of molten glass to cover exposed web portions by a further glass layer, the resulting body is blown into its final shape.

Abstract: A glass faceplate having a central area of required useful diameter surrounded by a narrow ring of opaque glass and an outer glass mounting flange. Light entering the flange or ring is prevented from reaching the central area as stray light or glare in the system and spurious reflections at the interface of the ring and central area are minimized by a refractive index match of the two innermost glasses.

Abstract: A method of making fiber reinforced glass composite articles of complex shape is disclosed which overcomes problems associated with the debulking process common with such procedures. Sheets of woven or non-woven fiber reinforcement are impregnated with a layer of thermoplastic binder containing glass powder and optionally, additional carrier liquid. The thus treated sheets are then dried and cut into a plurality of preforms corresponding to the predetermined pattern of the article being fabricated. The thus treated preforms are then stacked in a mold and warm molded to form an intermediate article of near net shape, during which molding operation much of the ultimate debulking occurs. The intermediate article is then hot pressed to form the final fiber reinforced glass matrix article of net shape and high strength and toughness. These multiple heating steps may also be accomplished in a single molding operation.

Abstract: Acid and alkali oxides are smelted for an extended period of time at a first elevated temperature above their melting temperatures. The smelted mixture is then quenched in water and fritted. The fritted mixture is then disposed between a pair of members which are to be hermetically sealed relative to each other. The fritted mixture is then at least partially fused in an oxygen atmosphere at a second temperature below the first temperature for a relatively short period of time. The at least partially fused mixture is then rapidly cooled in air. In this way, the mixture is provided with a partially amorphous state and a partially crystalline state. The crystals in the mixture are disposed primarily at the borders of at least a particular one of the members to be sealed.The mixture hermetically seals the two members, is resistant to acids and alkalis and inhibits the propagation of cracks.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing distributor and mixer elements for optical communications technology, which elements have at least two glass fiber light waveguides fused to one another along a given segment, characterized by the steps of forming a preform by arranging at least two fiber optical rods to extend parallel to each other, fusing the arranged rods to one another in at least one sharply limited longitudinal area, then subsequently heating the preform and drawing the elements therefrom.

Abstract: When a pair of plastics sheathed glass optical fibres (1, 2) is joined by a fusion splice there is a length of bare fibre between where the original sheathing of one fibre terminates and where that of the other begins. This gap is filled with reinstatement sheathing (5, 5b) which is fused to the original sheathing using a length (4) of heat-shrink tubing as a mould. The heat-shrink tubing is then removed to leave a smooth profile for the spliced fibre.

Abstract: A macroboule is disclosed, formed of a bundle of hollow channel elements of fusible material and of different internal diameters. They are arranged with the elements of smallest diameter positioned in the center of the bundle and those of largest internal diameter constituting the outer row of the bundle with uniform or step by step graduation between these extremes. The macroboule is useful for forming a channel multiplier.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fibrous, nonwoven, flow filter tube and the filter tube so prepared, which method comprises forming a filter tube from an aqueous slurry containing an admixture of both low-melting-point binder and high-melting-point filter fibers, and, thereafter, heating the filter tube to a temperature greater than the temperature of the low-melting-point fibers and less than the temperature of the high-melting-point fibers, to effect melting of the low-melting-point fibers, the molten material of the low-melting point fibers forming at the crossover points of the high-melting-point fibers to act as a bonding agent, thereby preparing a nonwoven, self-supporting, fibrous filter tube composed of the filter fibers.

Abstract: A mount having a flared portion is so located that it is coaxial with a straight glass tube having an unconstricted end part and that an end face of the flared portion lies slightly inwards with respect to an end face of the glass tube. Subsequently, an outer surface of the end part of the glass tube is uniformly heated, whereby the flared portion and the end part of the glass tube are melted and stuck to each other. At this time, a surface temperature of the whole glass tube except the melted and stuck portion is maintained at or above 40.degree. C. As a result, a fluorescent lamp having good lamp characteristics is fabricated by the use of the inexpensive glass tube.

Abstract: A glass edge multiple glazed unit having fillets of substantially uniform thickness is produced by the application of heat to marginal edge portions of adjacent sheets, followed by a delay sufficient to establish a substantially uniform, greater than fusing temperature condition in the body of fillet-forming glass. The fused sheets are thereafter drawn apart a preselected distance to a spaced-apart face-to-face relation to form a glass-edge multiple glazed unit.

Abstract: When fusing together a panel having a fluorescent film and a metallic reflective film, and a funnel with an electroconductive film in a baking furnace for manufacturing a cathode ray tube, oxygen containing air is forced into the furnace.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the front surface metallization and encapsulation of solar cells of the type comprising p and n semiconductor strata separated by a barrier junction, and front and rear conducting strata constituting electrical contacts, wherein the front conducting stratum is a novel metallic grid permitting transmission of solar radiation to the semiconductor strata. This metallic grid is in the form of a mesh of wires of sufficiently high tensile strength to be self-supporting while being drawn from spools or the like into contact with one or more components of the solar cell before completion of the cell's fabrication.The method is characterized in that the metallic grid, in the form of the mesh of wires, is encapsulated between a transparent cover plate and the exposed front surface of the semiconductor strata, the mesh forming an electrical contact with the front surface of the semiconductor strata simultaneously that the plate is electrostatically bonded thereto.

Abstract: A method for forming a homogeneous bond between silicon nitride ceramics is disclosed which comprises melting a bonding composition placed between the surfaces to be bonded. The bonding composition is specifically selected to provide in the bond or joint the same chemical constituents found intergranularly in the silicon nitride materials to be bonded. The resultant bond is as strong or stronger than the silicon nitride materials bonded.

Abstract: A capillary tube is shrunk around a wire heating element, fashioned into the desired configuration, and situated between the exterior surface of a cylindrical inner glass tube and the interior surface of a cylindrical outer glass tube, to form an assembly. The space between the adjacent tube surfaces is evacuated as a heat source is moved along the axis of the assembly to heat each longitudinal section of the assembly, in sequence. The element is thermally expanded as the outer tube surface collapses toward the inner tube surface, resulting in the fusion of the adjacent glass surfaces around the expanded element. In this manner, a channel is formed through the fused glass body which has the configuration and dimensions of the expanded element. During cooling, the element returns to its unexpanded condition. This results in a space between the channel walls and the element, permitting the element to expand, when electrically energized, without breaking the glass body.

Abstract: A light-weight mirror comprising a fused-silica mirror plate and a cellular or honeycombed supporting structure made of fused silica or a quartzose material. As it is being welded or fused to the supporting structure, the mirror plate is supported by supporting elements comprising seating members which at elevated temperature do not react with fusted silica. The surface of the seating members facing the mirror plate may be plane or curved or domed. The seating members are made of graphite or zirconium oxide. The supporting elements may also be made entirely of graphite. After the supporting structure and the mirror plate have been welded together, the supporting elements are removed.

Abstract: Conventional communication cables must be spliced and so must fiber optic cables. Special care must be taken at splice points or locations so as not to cause faults in the optical fibers and still have an organized packaging and splicing arrangement. Optical fibers, unlike copper wire conductors, have memory. This causes a problem, for example, since one can splice a copper pair, coil it up or place it in a splice case, and it will stay. If the same thing is done on an optical fiber, it will not stay as placed and in fact will recoil like a spring. This invention comprises a fiber organizer, made up of a series of channels, and it can accommodate and secure individual spliced fibers from each length of the optical cables. Also the organizer provides a fiber splice support section in which the splices are placed upon completion.

Abstract: A process for high pressure oxidation of silicon comprising the steps of inserting silicon wafers and an oxidizing substance into a quartz capsule sealing the quartz capsule gas-tightly by fusing, and heating the quartz capsule to generate a high pressure oxidizing atmosphere therein and to form an oxide film on the silicon wafers without a flow of the oxidizing atmosphere. In a case where water is used as the oxidizing substance, the water is frozen and the inside space of the quartz capsule is exhausted before the sealing operation. Furthermore, in a case where an oxidizing gas, e.g. oxygen gas, is used as the oxidizing substance, if the pressure of the gas is higher than the ambient pressure, the quartz capsule is cooled to decrease the gas pressure to a pressure below the ambient pressure before the sealing operation.

Abstract: A process for high pressure oxidation of silicon comprising the steps of inserting silicon wafers and an oxidizing substance into a quartz capsule sealing the quartz capsule gas-tightly by fusing, and heating the quartz capsule to generate a high pressure oxidizing atmosphere therein and to form an oxide film on the silicon wafers without a flow of the oxidizing atmosphere. In a case where water is used as the oxidizing substance, the water is frozen and the inside space of the quartz capsule is exhausted before the sealing operation. Furthermore, in a case where an oxidizing gas, e.g. oxygen gas, is used as the oxidizing substance, if the pressure of the gas is higher than the ambient pressure, the quartz capsule is cooled to decrease the gas pressure to a pressure below the ambient pressure before the sealing operation.

Abstract: A process for high pressure oxidation of silicon comprising the steps of inserting silicon wafers and an oxidizing substance into a quartz capsule sealing the quartz capsule gas-tightly by fusing, and heating the quartz capsule to generate a high pressure oxidizing atmosphere therein and to form an oxide film on the silicon wafers without a flow of the oxidizing atmosphere. In a case where water is used as the oxidizing substance, the water is frozen and the inside space of the quartz capsule is exhausted before the sealing operation. Furthermore, in a case where an oxidizing gas, e.g. oxygen gas, is used as the oxidizing substance, if the pressure of the gas is higher than the ambient pressure, the quartz capsule is cooled to decrease the gas pressure to a pressure below the ambient pressure before the sealing operation.

Abstract: Glass fibres to be joined are accurately positioned in axial alignment, pressure is applied to keep the end faces of the fibres in contact with each other and ultrasonic vibration of the two ends is used to generate heat to weld together the fibres. Also glass frit is used to weld into a precision probe by ultrasonic vibration of the glass frit causing it to melt.

Abstract: In the encapsulation of insert materials within glass and glass-ceramic articles, not only must the bonding characteristics between the insert and the glass or glass-ceramic materials be considered, but also the relative coefficient of thermal expansions between the insert and the encapsulating materials must be programmed in order to avoid undue stresses in the article or the insert which could produce deleterious results.

Abstract: A magnetic head having a sputter-deposited glass film of the gap forming area of the magnetic core, said glass film being made of borosilicate glass having the composition consisting of 65-85 mol % of SiO.sub.2, 8-30 mol % of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and containing 2-15 mol % of alkali metal oxide Na.sub.2 O and K.sub.2 O and 0.1-5 mol % of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, with the molar ratio of boron oxide to alkali metal oxides being defined by the following formula: ##EQU1## The magnetic head provides sharpness of the recording leakage flux, thus giving excellent electromagnetic conversion characteristics.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a glass sealed thyristor and a method for simultaneously constructing a plurality of thyristors and a common semiconductor wafer. The thyristor utilizes a body of semiconductor material with the cathode and base regions extending to one major surface and the anode region extending to the second major surface. A groove is etched in the first surface of the body of semiconductor material to expose the PN junction formed at the interface of the cathode emitter and cathode emitter base regions. A second groove is etched in the second major surface to expose the PN junction formed at the interface of the anode emitter region and the anode emitter base region. Ring shaped glass members are fused to the body of semiconductor material to form seals providing environmental protection for the PN junctions exposed by etching the grooves in the major surfaces of the body of semiconductor material.

Abstract: A process for preparing at least a double thickness glass design piece with a rounded surface comprising gluing together with a heat destructible glue first and second glass pieces with the same contours, the second piece being smaller than the first by a margin completely surrounding the larger of 1/8 inch, firing the two pieces with the second piece being on top to fuse them and until the top edge of the top piece has rounded into the bottom piece and gradually cooling the fused design piece to room temperature.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of pole structures for magnetic transducing heads is described in which the configuration of the non-magnetic gaps is formed by abrading the ferrite pole structure through a mask to erode recesses in the gap area which have inclined walls. The final dimension of the gap defining face of one or the magnetic elements is determined by removing material from the masked face of the structure until the dimension between the recesses has the desired value.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler comprising a glass sleeve having a link piece of single material glass optical fiber having a refractive index higher than the sleeve mounted in a central section of the sleeve. The central section of the sleeve is collapsed to secure the link piece therein, leaving portions of the sleeve beyond the link piece of sufficient cross-section to freely receive optical fibers therein to be optically coupled. An index matching adhesive is used to secure the fibers in the sleeve abutting the link piece.

Abstract: A glass encapsulated semiconductor diode and a method for glass encapsulation of a fusion to form a semiconductor diode is disclosed. The fusion comprises a body of semiconductor material having a PN junction therein and metal electrodes affixed to opposed major surfaces thereof. The fusion is encircled by a ring-shaped glass member with an inner surface of the ring-shaped glass member fused to an edge surface of the body of semiconductor material to form a protective layer overlying the PN junction. The ring-shaped glass member is formed and fused to the edge of the body of semiconductor material by placing the fushion and a prefabricated glass ring, preferably cut from stress relieved glass tubing, encircling the fusion in a furnace. A weight is applied to the upper surface of the prefabricated glass ring.