Vacuum Tube Feed-Through Pin Socket Assembly for Error-Proof Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional x-ray tubes face issues with flexible wires being prone to breakage, fraying, and electrical shorts, and manual connections are susceptible to errors during manufacturing and servicing.
Innovation Solution
The use of rigid feed-through pins integrated into a flared insert piece of a glass vacuum tube, which are fused with the glass envelope, and a plug-and-socket coupling system that ensures proper orientation and reduces errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible wires are used for electrical connections, then ease of connection is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to breakage, fraying, and electrical shorts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flexible wire connections with a rigid feed-through pin system that passes through the glass envelope. This mechanical substitution eliminates the flexibility-related reliability issues while maintaining connection functionality through a more robust pin-and-socket interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed-through pins act as intermediaries between the external electrical connections and the internal vacuum tube components. These pins provide a stable, reliable connection path that avoids the problems of direct flexible wire usage while enabling electrical connectivity through the glass envelope.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual connections are used during manufacturing, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to susceptibility to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The feed-through pins are pre-positioned and integrated into the glass envelope during the manufacturing process. This preliminary action ensures precise positioning before final assembly, eliminating errors that would occur during manual connection steps later in manufacturing or servicing.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug and socket features are designed with asymmetric engagement characteristics that ensure correct orientation during connection. This asymmetry prevents manufacturing and installation errors by allowing connections to be made in only the correct orientation, thereby improving manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If rigid feed-through pins are used instead of flexible wires, then reliability is improved by minimizing breakage and fraying, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed-through pins are merged with the glass envelope structure, becoming an integrated part of the vacuum tube assembly. This merging reduces overall device complexity by combining multiple components (pins, envelope, mounting features) into a unified structure that maintains high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed-through pins serve multiple functions: providing electrical connectivity, structural support, and alignment features for the plug-and-socket interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum tube insert assembly includes a flared insert piece having an annular flange and a stem each constructed of glass. The stem extends axially from the flange. The flange surrounds a perimeter edge of a plug concavity defined by the stem. Feed-through pins pass axially through the stem and are sealed thereto. The pins terminate inside of the concavity to form a plug. A socket connects to the plug within the concavity and includes receptacles that removably couple to the pins, with an engagement feature preventing erroneous plug and socket connections. A method includes axially inserting the pins through the stem at a fixed relative position such that the pins are arranged within the plug concavity, sealing the stem such that the stem is vacuum-sealed to the pins, thereby forming the plug, and removably coupling mating receptacles of the socket to the pins.