Preactivated Getter Assembly with Integrated High-Temperature Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing getter systems for infrared detector dewars require labor-intensive high-temperature activation processes that result in heavy scale formation, necessitating abrasive removal and subsequent encapsulation to prevent foreign object debris, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A preactivated, batch-fireable getter assembly with an integrated, single-actuation, extremely high-temperature bakeable valve that uses a novel activation/brazing operation involving an activation soak at elevated temperatures and a brief thermal excursion to melt braze alloy into vents, allowing for hermetic sealing and subsequent exposure of the getter to the environment with a single-actuation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional high-temperature activation process (750°C to 900°C) is used for extended period, then getter activation is achieved, but heavy scale forms requiring labor-intensive abrasive removal and encapsulation
Solution Approach 1:
The getter is pre-activated during batch processing before final assembly, so that when the device is deployed, the getter is already activated and ready to function. This preliminary activation eliminates the need for field activation and subsequent descaling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the activation process from the final deployment stage and performs it separately during manufacturing. The getter material is activated in a controlled batch process, and the activated getter is then sealed in a hermetic container, separating the activation step from the device assembly and field operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If getter is hermetically sealed after activation, then foreign object debris is prevented, but activation process must be completed before sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple operations into a single integrated batch process: getter activation, hermetic sealing, and valve closure all occur together in one continuous operation during manufacturing. This merging of operations eliminates sequential processing steps and reduces overall cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The getter is pre-activated and pre-sealed during batch manufacturing before final device assembly. This preliminary completion of activation and sealing operations allows the device to be deployed without requiring separate activation or sealing steps, thereby reducing field operations time and improving productivity.
3Productivity
If batch-fireable getter with single-actuation valve is used, then activation time is reduced, but integrated valve mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated valve mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as a closure for the hermetic seal, provides a single-actuation interface for exposing the getter, and enables batch processing capability. By designing the valve to perform these multiple functions, the patent reduces overall system complexity despite the advanced functionality required.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is integrated within the hermetic container structure, with the valve element nested within the container assembly. This nested design allows the valve to be part of the sealing system rather than a separate component, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall device architecture.
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
This solution significantly reduces the time required for getter activation and final vacuum bake processing, eliminates the need for descaling and encapsulation, and maintains a dewar vacuum efficiently, achieving a 15% reduction in cycle time and eliminating 95% of the hours previously spent on getter activation.
Implementation Method 1
Getters are components of in-situ vacuum pumps and serve to maintain a dewar vacuum during a specified operating lifetime
Implementation Method 2
the melting of the braze alloy is accomplished by a brief thermal excursion above a melting point of the braze alloy
Implementation Method 3
the activation of the getter is accomplished by an activation soak at elevated temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A getter assembly is provided and includes a first canister, an internal can including getter, and a second canister. The internal can is disposable in the first canister to occupy a first position at which the getter is hermetically sealable and second positions at which the getter is exposed to an exterior environment. The second canister is engageable with the first canister to drive movements of the internal can between the first position and the second positions following activation and hermetic sealing of the getter.