Shape memory alloy for MCP lockdown
View Patent ↗An image intensifier tube includes a microchannel plate (MCP) having conductive input and output surfaces disposed in a housing. A conductive lower support is in electrical contact with the output surface of the MCP, and a conductive upper support is disposed above the input surface of the MCP. A shape memory alloy (SMA) lockdown is disposed between the input surface of the MCP and the upper support. The SMA lockdown is configured to provide a lockdown for the MCP in the housing. An SMA upper surface is configured to provide an axial force against the upper support, and an SMA lower surface is in contact with the input surface of the MCP.
1. An image intensifier tube comprising:
a microchannel plate (MCP) having conductive input and output surfaces disposed in a housing,
a conductive lower support in electrical contact with the output surface of the MCP,
a conductive upper support disposed above the input surface of the MCP, and
a shape memory alloy (SMA) lockdown disposed between the input surface of the MCP and the upper support,
wherein the SMA lockdown is configured to provide a lockdown for the MCP in the housing.
2. The image intensifier tube of claim 1 wherein
the SMA lockdown includes an SMA upper surface and an SMA lower surface,
the SMA upper surface is configured to provide an axial force against the upper support, and
the SMA lower surface is in contact with the input surface of the MCP.
3. The image intensifier tube of claim 2 wherein
the SMA upper surface includes a chamfer at a peripheral portion of the SMA lockdown, and
the chamfer provides the axial force against the upper support.
4. The image intensifier tube of claim 2 wherein
the SMA lockdown includes a memorized state and a deformed state, the SMA lockdown having a larger diameter in the memorized state than in the deformed state, and
SMA upper surface provides the axial force against the upper support in the memorized state.
5. The image intensifier tube of claim 2 wherein
the SMA lockdown includes a memorized state and a deformed state, the SMA lockdown having a larger diameter in the memorized state than in the deformed state, and
the SMA upper surface is configured free-of the axial force against the upper support in the deformed state.
6. The image intensifier tube of claim 2 wherein
the SMA upper surface, the upper support and the input surface of the MCP are in electrical contact with each other.
7. The image intensifier tube of claim 2 wherein
the SMA upper surface is circular including a diameter of D 1 ,
the SMA lower surface is circular including a larger diameter of D 2 ,
the upper support is circular including an inner aperture, and
the diameter D 2 is smaller than the inner aperture for inserting the SMA lockdown through the inner aperture and disposing the SMA lower surface on top of the MCP.
8. An image intensifier tube comprising:
a lower support and an upper support in a housing,
a multichannel plate (MCP) disposed on top of the lower support,
a shape memory alloy (SMA) element disposed on top of the MCP, and
the upper support disposed above the SMA element,
wherein the SMA element is configured for locking down the MCP between the lower support and the upper support.
9. The image intensifier tube of claim 8 wherein
the SMA element includes a deformed state and a memorized state,
the SMA element is configured for locking down the MCP in the memorized state, and
the SMA element is configured for insertion between the MCP and the upper support in the deformed state.
10. The image intensifier tube of claim 9 wherein
the SMA element includes a larger diameter in the memorized state than in the deformed state.
11. The image intensifier tube of claim 9 wherein
the SMA element, the MCP and the upper support are in electrical contact with each other in the memorized state.
12. The image intensifier tube of claim 9 wherein
the SMA element includes a peripheral portion facing another portion of the upper support, and
the peripheral portion of the SMA element is configured to provide an axial force against the other portion of the upper support in the memorized state.
13. The image intensifier tube of claim 9 wherein
the SMA element includes an SMA upper surface and an SMA lower surface,
the SMA upper surface is circular including a diameter of D 1 ,
the SMA lower surface is circular including a larger diameter of D 2 ,
the upper support is circular including an inner aperture, and
the diameter D 2 is smaller than the inner aperture for inserting the SMA element through the inner aperture and disposing the SMA lower surface on top of the MCP.
14. The image intensifier tube of claim 13 wherein
the diameters D 1 and D 2 are of a first relative size in the deformed state for disposing the SMA element on top of the MCP,
the diameters D 1 and D 2 are of a second relative size in the memorized state for locking down the MCP, and
the first relative size is smaller than the second relative size.
15. An image intensifier tube comprising:
a lower support and an upper support in a housing,
a shape memory alloy (SMA) element disposed on top of the lower support,
a multichannel plate (MCP) disposed on top of the SMA element, and
the upper support disposed above the MCP,
wherein the SMA element is configured for locking down the MCP between the lower support and the upper support.
16. The image intensifier tube of claim 15 wherein
the SMA element includes a deformed state and a memorized state,
the SMA element is configured for locking down the MCP in the memorized state, and
the SMA element is configured for insertion on top of the lower support in the deformed state.
17. The image intensifier tube of claim 16 wherein
the SMA element includes a larger diameter in the memorized state than in the deformed state.
18. The image intensifier tube of claim 16 wherein
the SMA element, the MCP and the lower support are in electrical contact with each other in the memorized state.
19. The image intensifier tube of claim 16 wherein
the SMA element includes a peripheral portion facing another portion of the lower support, and
the peripheral portion of the SMA element is configured to provide an axial force against the other portion of the lower support in the memorized state.
20. The image intensifier tube of claim 16 wherein
the SMA element includes an SMA upper surface and an SMA lower surface,
the SMA upper surface is circular including a diameter of D 1 ,
the SMA lower surface is circular including a larger diameter of D 2 ,
the upper support is circular including an inner aperture, and
the diameter D 2 is smaller than the inner aperture for inserting the SMA element through the inner aperture and disposing the SMA lower surface on top of the lower support.