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Title: Methods for batch fabrication of cold cathode vacuum switch tubes

Abstract

Methods are disclosed for batch fabrication of vacuum switch tubes that reduce manufacturing costs and improve tube to tube uniformity. The disclosed methods comprise creating a stacked assembly of layers containing a plurality of adjacently spaced switch tube sub-assemblies aligned and registered through common layers. The layers include trigger electrode layer, cathode layer including a metallic support/contact with graphite cathode inserts, trigger probe sub-assembly layer, ceramic (e.g. tube body) insulator layer, and metallic anode sub-assembly layer. Braze alloy layers are incorporated into the stacked assembly of layers, and can include active metal braze alloys or direct braze alloys, to eliminate costs associated with traditional metallization of the ceramic insulator layers. The entire stacked assembly is then heated to braze/join/bond the stack-up into a cohesive body, after which individual switch tubes are singulated by methods such as sawing. The inventive methods provide for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of devices as opposed to traditional methods that rely on skilled craftsman to essentially hand build individual devices.

Inventors:
 [1];  [1]
  1. Albuquerque, NM
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1018339
Patent Number(s):
7,938,707
Application Number:
12/168,625
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Citation Formats

Walker, Charles A, and Trowbridge, Frank R. Methods for batch fabrication of cold cathode vacuum switch tubes. United States: N. p., 2011. Web.
Walker, Charles A, & Trowbridge, Frank R. Methods for batch fabrication of cold cathode vacuum switch tubes. United States.
Walker, Charles A, and Trowbridge, Frank R. 2011. "Methods for batch fabrication of cold cathode vacuum switch tubes". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1018339.
@article{osti_1018339,
title = {Methods for batch fabrication of cold cathode vacuum switch tubes},
author = {Walker, Charles A and Trowbridge, Frank R},
abstractNote = {Methods are disclosed for batch fabrication of vacuum switch tubes that reduce manufacturing costs and improve tube to tube uniformity. The disclosed methods comprise creating a stacked assembly of layers containing a plurality of adjacently spaced switch tube sub-assemblies aligned and registered through common layers. The layers include trigger electrode layer, cathode layer including a metallic support/contact with graphite cathode inserts, trigger probe sub-assembly layer, ceramic (e.g. tube body) insulator layer, and metallic anode sub-assembly layer. Braze alloy layers are incorporated into the stacked assembly of layers, and can include active metal braze alloys or direct braze alloys, to eliminate costs associated with traditional metallization of the ceramic insulator layers. The entire stacked assembly is then heated to braze/join/bond the stack-up into a cohesive body, after which individual switch tubes are singulated by methods such as sawing. The inventive methods provide for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of devices as opposed to traditional methods that rely on skilled craftsman to essentially hand build individual devices.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1018339}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue May 10 00:00:00 EDT 2011},
month = {Tue May 10 00:00:00 EDT 2011}
}

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