Preactivated, batch fireable getter with integrated, miniature, single-actuation, extremely high-temperature bakeable valve

Abstract

A getter assembly is provided and includes a first canister, an internal can including getter, and a second canister. The internal can is disposable in the first canister to occupy a first position at which the getter is hermetically sealable and second positions at which the getter is exposed to an exterior environment. The second canister is engageable with the first canister to drive movements of the internal can between the first position and the second positions following activation and hermetic sealing of the getter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of preparing getter assemblies for installation into a dewar, wherein each of the getter assemblies comprises a valve, getter, vents and braze alloy and the method comprises:
 placing the getter assemblies in a furnace with the respective valves closed and the respective vents open; and   evacuating the furnace,   wherein, with the getter assemblies placed in the furnace and the furnace evacuated, the method further comprises:   executing an activation soak of the getter assemblies to activate the respective getters; and   executing a brief thermal excursion of the getter assemblies to cause the respective braze alloys to melt and flow into the respective vents to thereby hermetically seal the respective getters.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the activation soak comprises an exposure of the getter assemblies to temperatures of about 750° C.-900° C. for an extended time, and   the brief thermal excursion immediately follows the activation soak and comprises an exposure of the getter assemblies to temperatures of about 950° C. for a brief time.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 installing one or more of the getter assemblies onto the dewar; and   opening the respective valves of the one or more of the getter assemblies to generate and maintain a dewar vacuum in the dewar.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the opening of the respective valves of the one or more of the getter assemblies comprises a single actuation. 
     
     
         5 . A method of assembling a getter assembly, the method comprising:
 disposing an internal can comprising a getter in a first canister to occupy a first position at which the getter is hermetically sealable and second positions at which the getter is exposed to an exterior environment;   coupling a second canister with the internal can; and   engaging the second canister with the first canister to drive movements of the internal can between the first position and the second positions following activation and hermetic sealing of the getter.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the activation of the getter comprises activation soaking at elevated temperatures. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the engaging of the second canister with the first canister comprises threadably engaging the second canister with the first canister. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising turning the second canister about the first canister to drive the movements of the internal can. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising providing the internal can such that the internal can comprises:
 a base;
 an inner wall that extends from the base to be supportive of the getter material; and 
 a deformable outer wall that extends from the base and comprises a distal end secured to the first canister. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the deformable outer wall comprises at least one of bellows and corrugations. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising providing the second canister such that the second canister comprises:
 an internally threaded sidewall to engage with exterior threading of the first canister; and   a flange that extends inwardly from the internally threaded sidewall for the coupling of the second canister with the internal can.   
     
     
         12 . A method of preparing a getter assembly for installation into a dewar, the method comprises:
 placing the getter assembly in a furnace with a valve thereof closed and a vent thereof open; and   evacuating the furnace,   the method further comprising:   activation soaking the getter assembly to activate a getter thereof; and   executing a brief thermal excursion of the getter assembly to cause a braze alloy thereof to melt and flow into the vent to hermetically seal the getter.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 the activation soaking comprises an exposure of the getter assembly to temperatures of about 750° C.-900° C. for an extended time, and   the brief thermal excursion immediately follows the activation soaking and comprises an exposure of the getter assembly to temperatures of about 950° C. for a brief time.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 installing the getter assembly onto the dewar; and   opening the valve.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the opening of the valve comprises a single actuation.