Patent Grant
7429198
When a laser block assembly (LBA), such as LBA-1308 produced by Honeywell International Inc., is mounted to a gas fill process device, a voltage source is applied to cathodes of the LBA.
The present invention provides a laser block assembly (LBA) gas fill process device with improved cathode electrode connectors. An example device includes a gas fill component that attaches to an LBA under test and electrical connectors that receive a voltage bias from a voltage source and apply the voltage bias to cathodes of the LBA. The electrical connectors include an end having a torsion spring that is sized based on the cathodes of the LBA.
In one aspect of the invention, the electrical connectors include a strain relief spring.
In another aspect of the invention, a seat located adjacent to the gas fill component slideably receives the electrical connectors.
In still another aspect of the invention, the electrical connectors include a heat resistive sheathing. The heat resistive sheathing may be a colored sheathing.
In still further aspects of the invention, the torsion springs have an inside diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the cathodes.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the lead exits of the torsion springs are selected to be outboard from the LBA to reduce or eliminate damage to fragile or electrically sensitive features.
In further aspects of the invention, the torsion spring transitions to a smaller than nominal diameter to provide a “stop” limiting axial engagement. The limited axial engagement allows for easy removal and reduces or eliminates damage to fragile features.
In additional aspects of the invention, the method for installation includes simultaneous rotation and axial force application on the torsion spring. Rotation is in a direction unwinding the coil.
In yet other aspects of the invention, the wire material is selected to incorporate nickel plated stainless steel to reduce oxidation, electrical contact resistance and embrittlement in a high temperature or other oxidizing environment.
Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:
The seat is preferably made of a high temperature insulating material, such as aluminum oxide ceramic.
Before testing of the LBA 26 begins, the torsional electrode connectors 20, 22 are retrieved from a storage seat 24 and attached to cathodes (or electrodes) 40 of the LBA 26. Each of the torsional electrode connectors 20, 22 includes a first end having a torsion spring 30. The remaining portion of the connectors 20, 22 is almost entirely covered by a wire sheathing 36 for insulation. In one embodiment, the sheathings 34 are different colors for each of the connectors 20, 22 and are heat resistive.
The connectors 20, 22 also include a strain relief spring 32 that is located at an end of the connectors 20, 22 closest to the torsion spring 30. The strain relief spring 32 is twisted onto a crimp sleeve 34, which is first covered by the sheathing 36 (e.g. Teflon™ strain relief tubing)—see
After the LBA 26 is mounted to the device 28, an operator retrieves one of the connectors 20, 22 from the storage seat 24. The operator attaches the torsion spring 30 to the desired cathode 40 by holding the torsion spring 30 with one hand and the non-coiled portion of the connectors 20, 22 or the strain relief spring 32 with the other hand and rotating the other hand in a direction opposite that of the direction that the torsion spring 30 is coiled in. At the same time, the operator lightly forces the torsion spring 30 onto the respective cathode 40. The diameter of the torsion spring 30 is slightly less than the diameter of the cathodes 40. As shown by the action in
After testing has occurred, the operator then removes the connectors 20, 22. This is done by the operator gripping the connectors 20, 22 and slightly unwinding the torsion spring 30 in order to relieve gripping pressure on the respective cathode 40. Once pressure has been relieved, the torsion spring 30 is removed from the cathode 40 and the connector 20, 22 is replaced into the storage seat 24.
In one embodiment, the connectors 20, 22 are a 22 gauge wire, but may be of any gauge that allows for strength and flexibility to withstand the heat and physical cycling associated LBA testing.
In another embodiment, the electrodes may include an internal cavity and the torsion spring is designed to be able to fit inside the cavity. The torsion spring is rotated under pressure to a size that less than the diameter or width of the cavity. When pressure is released the spring expands to put pressure on the walls of the cavity thereby making a good electrical contact.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the connectors 20, 22 with torsion spring 30 may vary in size/length depending upon the size of the cathodes of the LBAs being tested. Also, the connectors 20, 22 may be used within other systems for providing low strain electrical connections. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4506594 | Rowland et al. | Mar 1985 | A |
| 20040027217 | Fujita et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
