Electrical Leadthrough Glass-to-Metal Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical leadthroughs face challenges due to thermal stress and microfissures caused by differing coefficients of thermal expansion between glass and metal, which degrades temperature resistance and long-term stability, especially when soldering is involved.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing an electrical leadthrough by fusing a metal tube with a highly conductive metal rod into a glass insulator, using hard solder and a controlled atmosphere, and protecting the soldering location with a graphite cap to prevent oxidizing gases, allowing for a stable glass-to-metal bond and extended vitrification time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soldering is performed during fusion, then reheating is eliminated, but soldering stability must be maintained over extended duration
Solution Approach 1:
The soldering process is conducted in an inert or controlled atmosphere during the glass fusion process. This protective environment prevents oxidation of the solder and metal surfaces, ensuring stable soldering joints even over the extended duration required for complete glass fusion, which can range from minutes to hours.
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 method enhances temperature resistance and long-term stability by eliminating reheating-induced stress, enabling a stable soldering process that can last from minutes to 36 hours, and improves the glass-to-metal transition, suitable for high-temperature and low-leakage applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one metal tube is fused in a glass insulator
Implementation Method 2
a rod of a highly conductive metal or metal alloy is hermetically joined to said metal tube prior to or during fusion of said tube in the glass insulation
Data Source
AI summary
The underlying purpose of the invention is to manufacture electrical leadthroughs, which are improved with regard to the temperature resistance thereof. Proposed for this purpose is a method for manufacturing an electrical leadthrough, for which at least one metal tube is fused in a glass insulator, whereby a metal rod is mounted in the metal tube by means of soldering-in, prior to or during the sealing of the tube in the glass insulator.