Microprocessor controlled tube apparatus having reduced radio frequency emanations

• US 20030168443A1
• Filed: 03/06/2002
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stage Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stage Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Dozier, John W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,794,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/607
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/62 Apparatus for specific applications

Abstract

A tube sealer is provided for limiting radio frequency emissions during operation. The tube sealer includes an enclosure such as a cabinet and first and second jaws oriented with respect to the enclosure to receive a tube portion in a space therebetween. The first jaw is fixed and is coupled to a radio frequency generator, and the second jaw is movable with respect to the first jaw and coupled to ground potential. The tube sealer also includes a shield positioned adjacent the enclosure and configured to at least partially enclose the first and second jaws yet permit the introduction of a tube portion to a position between the first and second jaws. The shield thereby reduces radio frequency emanations from the first and second jaws, and the shield is movable with respect to the enclosure to at least partially expose the first and second jaws.

Claims

1. A dielectric tube sealer adapted to limit radio frequency emissions during operation, said dielectric tube sealer comprising:

an enclosure;

first and second jaws oriented with respect to said enclosure to receive a tube portion in a space therebetween, said first jaw being fixed and being coupled to a radio frequency generator, said second jaw being movable with respect to said first jaw and coupled to ground potential; and

a conductive shield positioned adjacent said enclosure and configured to at least partially enclose said first and second jaws yet permit the introduction of a tube portion to a position between said first and second jaws, said shield thereby reducing radio frequency emanations from said first and second jaws, said shield being movable with respect to said enclosure to at least partially expose said first and second jaws.

2. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 1, wherein said first jaw is at least partially electrically insulated, thereby reducing radio frequency emissions from said first jaw.

3. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 2, further comprising an insulator at least partially surrounding said first jaw.

4. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 1, wherein said first jaw is stationary with respect to said enclosure.

5. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 1, said second jaw extending outwardly from said enclosure for movement toward said enclosure and said first jaw.

6. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 1, wherein said second jaw is mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to said enclosure.

7. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 6, wherein said second jaw is mounted for reciprocal movement along a jaw axis, said second jaw extending from a jaw shaft having a shaft portion that extends along an axis substantially parallel to and spaced from said jaw axis.

8. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 7, wherein said jaw shaft has a substantially “

U”

shaped configuration.

9. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 1, wherein said conductive material is a metal.

10. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor positioned to detect said shield, said dielectric tube sealer being configured to prevent its operation when said shield is not detected by said sensor.

11. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 10, wherein said sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor configured to detect a magnet associated with said shield.

12. A tube sealer adapted to detect successful or failed seals, said tube sealer comprising:

jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another between (1) a first position spaced from one another to receive a tube portion and (2) a second position proximal one another to compress a tube portion, said jaws in said second position defining a gap selected to form a successful seal;

a sensor positioned to detect when said jaws have moved into said second position; and

a timer electrically coupled to said sensor for determining the time delay before the jaws have moved into said second position, wherein a time delay up to a predetermined time limit indicates a successful seal and a time delay exceeding the predetermined limit indicates a failed seal.

13. The tube sealer according to claim 12, said jaws comprising a pair of electrodes.

14. The tube sealer according to claim 13, wherein said electrodes are coupled to a source of radio frequency energy.

15. The tube sealer according to claim 12, further comprising a memory configured to store the quantity of successful or failed seals.

16. The tube sealer according to claim 15, said memory being configured to store the quantity of successful and failed seals.

17. The tube sealer according to claim 12, further comprising an indicator configured to signal a successful or failed seal detected by the tube sealer.

18. The tube sealer according to claim 17, said indicator being selected from a visual indicator and an audible indicator.

19. A tube apparatus comprising:

at least one component moveable to a position indicative of a successful tube operation;

a sensor positioned to detect when said component has moved into said position;

a timer electrically coupled to said sensor for determining the time delay before the component has moved into said position, wherein a time delay up to a predetermined time limit indicates a successful tube operation and a time delay exceeding the predetermined limit indicates a failed tube operation; and

a memory coupled to said sensor and configured to store the quantity of successful or failed tube operations.

20. The tube apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said tube operation is selected from the group consisting of a seal, a weld, a connection, and a severance.

21. A tube sealer programmable to control the area of a seal, said tube sealer comprising:

a radio frequency generator configured to generate radio frequency for a time period;

jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another, one of said jaws being coupled to said radio frequency generator; and

a microprocessor configured to control said radio frequency generator, said microprocessor being programmable to select the time period during which radio frequency is generated by said radio frequency generator, thereby controlling the area of the seal formed in a tube.

22. The tube sealer according to claim 21, further comprising a memory for storing a plurality of time periods selectable for programming into said microprocessor.

23. The tube sealer according to claim 21, wherein a plurality of selectable time periods are programming into said microprocessor.

24. An apparatus configured to provide radio frequency energy for the sealing of a tube, said apparatus comprising:

electrodes mounted for movement with respect to one another; and

a radio frequency generator coupled to at least one of said electrodes, said radio frequency generator comprising a single stage amplifier electrically coupled to an oscillator, said single stage amplifier being configured to amplify an output signal received from said oscillator.

25. In connection with a dielectric tube sealer having a radio frequency generator configured to generate radio frequency for a time period and jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another, one of the jaws being coupled to the radio frequency generator, a method for controlling the area of a seal formed in a tube, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a tube for sealing; and

(b) programming a microprocessor to select the time period during which the radio frequency is generated, thereby controlling the area of a seal formed in the tube.