Microprocessor controlled tube apparatus having reduced radio frequency emanations

• US 20050016994A1
• Filed: 08/17/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John W. Dozier
• Original Assignee: John W. Dozier
• Inventors: Dozier, John W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,342,209 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/607
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/62 Apparatus for specific applications

Abstract

A tube apparatus is provided to detect successful or failed tube operations. The tube apparatus includes jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another between (1) a first position spaced from one another and (2) a second position selected to perform a successful tube operation. A sensor is positioned to detect when the jaws have moved into the second position, and a timer is electrically coupled to the sensor for determining the time delay before the jaws have moved into the second 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.

Claims

1. A tube apparatus adapted to detect successful or failed tube operations, said tube apparatus comprising:

jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another between (1) a first position spaced from one another and (2) a second position selected to perform a successful tube operation;

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 tube operation and a time delay exceeding the predetermined limit indicates a failed tube operation.

2. The tube apparatus according to claim 1, said jaws comprising a pair of electrodes.

3. The tube apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said electrodes is coupled to a source of radio frequency energy.

4. The tube apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store the quantity of successful or failed tube operations.

5. The tube apparatus according to claim 4, said memory being configured to store the quantity of successful and failed tube operations.

6. The tube apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an indicator configured to signal a successful or failed tube operation detected by the tube apparatus.

7. The tube apparatus according to claim 6, said indicator being selected from a visual indicator and an audible indicator.

8. The tube apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tube operation is selected from the group consisting of a seal, a weld, a connection, and a severance.

9. The tube apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lever actuable upon receipt of a tube portion between said jaws.

10. The tube apparatus according to claim 9, said lever being associated with a non-mechanical sensor connected to initiate said timer.

11. The tube apparatus according to claim 9, said sensor being a non-mechanical sensor.

12. The tube apparatus according to claim 11, said sensor being an optical or a hall sensor.

13. The tube apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a non-mechanical sensor to trigger said timer.

14. The tube apparatus according to claim 13, said non-mechanical sensor being an optical or a hall sensor.

15. 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.

16. The tube apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said tube operation is selected from the group consisting of a seal, a weld, a connection, and a severance.

17. 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.

18. The tube sealer according to claim 17, further comprising a memory for storing a plurality of time periods selectable for programming into said microprocessor.

19. The tube sealer according to claim 17, wherein a plurality of selectable time periods are programming into said microprocessor.

20. An apparatus configured to provide radio frequency energy for performing an operation on 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 between an oscillator and a power transistor, said single stage amplifier being configured to amplify an output signal received from said oscillator and to provide the amplified output signal to said power transistor.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, said single stage amplifier being a monolithic amplifier.

22. 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.

23. In a tube apparatus configured to perform a tube operation, the improvement comprising:

a sensor coupled to said tube apparatus for detecting the performance of tube operations by said tube apparatus; and

a memory configured for connection to said sensor and for storing the quantity of said tube operations performed by said tube apparatus.

24. The tube apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said memory is configured for storing the quantity of successful or failed tube operations performed by said tube apparatus.

25. The tube apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said memory is configured for storing the quantity of successful and failed tube operations performed by said tube apparatus.

26. The tube apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising at least one moveable jaw, said sensor being coupled to detect a position of said jaw.

27. The tube apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said memory is a component of said tube apparatus.

28. A tube apparatus adapted to detect successful or failed tube operations, said tube apparatus comprising:

jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another between (1) a first position spaced from one another and (2) a second position selected to form a successful tube operation; and

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

29. The tube apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said sensor is an optical sensor.

30. The tube apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

31. A tube apparatus adapted to detect successful or failed tube operations, said apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store the quantity of successful or failed tube operations;

said tube apparatus being configured to communicate said quantity from said memory to an external computer or monitor.

32. The tube apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said tube operations are selected from the group consisting of a seal, a connection, a weld, a joint and a cut.