Importance

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Abstract

The method seals optical windows in explosive initiators so that the resulting seal remains undamaged by exposure to about -320.degree.-840.degree. F. and pressures up to 26000 psi. The method includes disposing a solid body optical window of quartz or silica glass or the like in a passageway in a wall of an explosive initiator body of metal, ceramic or the like. The optical window is dimensioned relative to the passageway so that an annular space is provided between the outer periphery of the optical window and the passageway wall. This annular space is filled with solder glass, in powdered or solid body or slurry form. Preferably, the solder glass is a ring which closely fits around the optical window. The resulting sub-assembly preferably abuts a shelf in the passageway formed between two contiguous portions of the passageway with different diameters, the sub-assembly being in the larger portion. The assembly of solder glass, optical window and initiator body is then heated to above the melting point of the solder glass, e.g. about 450.degree. C. and held at this temperature until the solder glass melts and fuses to the optical body and passageway wall, sealing the optical body in place. The assembly is then cooled to ambient temperature.

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First Claim