Microprocessor controlled tube apparatus having reduced radio frequency emanations

• US 6,794,624 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2002
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stage Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stage Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Dozier, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leung, Philip H.
• Application Number:
  US10/093,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20030168443A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 219/769, 219/777, 219/779, 219/780, 219/765, 219/774, 219/778, 219/770, 156/274.4, 156/380.3, 156/380.4, 156/272.2, 156/274.6, 156/274.8, 156/69, 156/379.6, 156/380.1, 156/380.2, 156/380.6, 156/380.7, 156/380.8, 156/381
• US Class Current: 219/769
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/62 Apparatus for specific applications

Abstract

A dielectric tube sealer is provided with first and second jaws oriented along a jaw axis and positioned to receive a tube portion in a space therebetween. The first jaw is fixed and is coupled to a radio frequency generator. The second jaw is movable with respect to the first jaw along the jaw and is coupled to ground potential. The second jaw is mounted on a single shaft. At least a portion of the shaft extends along a shaft axis that is substantially parallel to, but spaced from, the jaw axis.

Claims

1. A dielectric tube sealer comprising:

first and second jaws oriented to receive a tube portion in a space therebetween;

said first jaw being fixed and being coupled to a radio frequency generator; and

said second jaw being movable with respect to said first jaw along an axis and being coupled to around potential, said second jaw being mounted on a single shaft oriented substantially parallel to said axis, wherein at least a portion of said shaft extends along a shaft axis that is substantially parallel to but spaced from said jaw axis.

2. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 1, further comprising a solenoid coupled to said shaft, wherein said shaft axis is spaced from, but substantially parallel to, an axis of said solenoid.

3. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 2, wherein said axis of said solenoid corresponds to positions on said first and second jaws that contact a tube portion to be sealed, thereby facilitating compression of the tube portion along an axis of compression that is common to said axis of said solenoid.

4. A dielectric tube sealer comprising:

first and second jaws oriented along a jaw axis and positioned to receive a tube portion in a space therebetween;

said first jaw being fixed and being coupled to a radio frequency generator; and

said second jaw being movable with respect to said first jaw along said jaw axis and being coupled to ground potential, said second jaw being mounted on a single shaft, wherein at least a portion of said shaft extends along a shaft axis that is substantially parallel to but spaced from said jaw axis.

5. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 4, said shaft having a rounded cross-sectional shape.

6. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 5, said second jaw having a substantially cylindrical shape.

7. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 4, wherein said first jaw is at least partially electrically insulated, thereby reducing radio frequency emissions from said first jaw.

8. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 7, further comprising an insulator at least partially surrounding said first jaw.

9. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 4, further comprising an enclosure.

10. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 9, wherein said first jaw is stationary with respect to said enclosure.

11. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 9, said second jaw extending outwardly from said enclosure for movement toward said enclosure and said first jaw.

12. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 9, wherein said second jaw is mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to said enclosure.

13. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 4, wherein said jaw shaft has a substantially “

U”

shaped configuration.

14. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 4, further comprising an insulator positioned to isolate said first and second jaws from one another.

15. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 14, wherein said shaft passes through said insulator.

16. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 15, wherein said shaft is mounted for sliding movement through an aperture formed in said insulator.

17. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 4, further comprising a solenoid coupled to said shaft, wherein said shaft axis is spaced from, but substantially parallel to, an axis of said solenoid.

18. The dielectric tube sealer according to claim 17, wherein said axis of said solenoid corresponds to positions on said first and second jaws that contact a tube portion to be sealed, thereby facilitating compression of the tube portion along an axis of compression that is common to said axis of said solenoid.