Gas cell manufacturing apparatus

• US 9,318,750 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2014
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Nagasaka, Kimio
• Primary Examiner(s): FONT, FRANK G
• Application Number:
  US14/581,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20150107097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 250/428, 250/432.R, 324/300, 324/301, 324/304, 324/305, 356/246, 359/484.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/032 using magneto-optic devices, e.g. Faraday or Cotton-Mouton effect
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/005 Devices for making primary cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53139 including deforming means

Abstract

A manufacturer of gas cells performs an arrangement process of arranging solid substances at positions corresponding to holes each of which is provided on each of a plurality of cells. Then, the manufacturer of the gas cells performs an accommodation process of accommodating gas in inner spaces of the cells through an air flow path connected to the holes. Further, the manufacturer of the gas cells performs a sealing process of sealing the spaces by melting the solid substances to close the holes corresponding to the solid substances.

Claims

1. Apparatus for forming gas cells comprising:

at least a first cell and a second cell;

a broken ampule disposed in the first cell;

alkali metal vapor filled in at least the second cell;

a first hole formed on a wall of the first cell and a second hole formed on a wall of the second cell; and

wherein the first hole and the second hole are closed by a molten solid substance.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an air flow path formed on an outer surface of the first cell and the second cell;

wherein the air flow path connects the first hole and the second hole.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sealing plate covering at least the second hole.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the first and second cells are separated by a plate sufficiently thick that it can be cut to separate the first and second cells yet provide each cell with a side wall to maintain an enclosure for each cell.