High-Voltage Feedthrough Structure for Weld Heat Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Welding processes for attaching feedthroughs to vacuum enclosures can compromise the vacuum seal integrity due to heat transfer and thermal expansion, leading to increased failure rates and reduced apparatus lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A high voltage feedthrough apparatus with a partition, feedthrough, and walls having specific aspect ratios and structural features such as protrusions and keyed structures to minimize heat transfer and mechanical stress, ensuring a robust vacuum seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to attach feedthroughs to the vacuum enclosure, then structural integrity is improved, but heat-induced stress and deformation cause vacuum seal failures
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into distinct functional segments: a feedthrough assembly for electrical connections, a partition for vacuum sealing, and a housing for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the feedthrough can be designed for electrical performance while the partition focuses on vacuum sealing, avoiding the need to weld feedthroughs directly to the vacuum enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
A non-conductive support structure acts as an intermediary between the feedthrough and the vacuum enclosure. This mediator provides mechanical support and positioning without requiring direct thermal contact, thereby isolating the vacuum seal from welding-induced heat stress while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If thick walls are used in the vacuum enclosure, then structural strength is improved, but heat transfer and thermal stress increase during welding
Solution Approach 1:
The wall thickness is optimized locally rather than uniformly throughout the enclosure. Areas requiring high structural strength maintain adequate thickness, while regions near feedthrough attachments use thinner walls to reduce heat accumulation and thermal stress during welding operations. This localized optimization balances strength requirements with thermal management.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces failure rates and extends the apparatus' lifetime by mitigating the impact of welding heat and mechanical stress on the vacuum seal, while maintaining a hermetic connection.
Implementation Method 1
a first wall 106 extending from the partition 102 in a first direction along the major axis... wherein a ratio of a length 110 of the first wall 106 to a thickness 112 of the first wall 106 is greater than or equal to 3:1
Implementation Method 2
significantly reduces failure rates of the vacuum seal, extends the apparatus' lifetime, and simplifies the welding process by minimizing heat stress and deformation
Implementation Method 3
uses a braze ring for hermetic sealing
Implementation Method 4
The design incorporates a thin first wall with a high aspect ratio and a protrusion to absorb thermal and mechanical stress, reducing heat transfer and deformation
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include an apparatus, comprising: a partition; a feedthrough penetrating the partition and hermetically sealed to the partition, the feedthrough having a major axis; a first wall extending from the partition in a first direction along the major axis; and a second wall extending from the partition in a second direction opposite to the first direction along the major axis, the second wall forming a connector interface with the feedthrough; wherein a ratio of a length of the first wall to a thickness of the first wall is greater than or equal to 3:1.