| 摘要 |
An apparatus for filling and sealing an alkali metal container (20) for an alkali metal energy conversion device includes a plurality of intercommunicating chambers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), which are hermetically sealable. Transfer means are operable to transfer a plurality of alkali metal containers (20) to be filled and sealed successively from chamber to chamber. The atmosphere in each chamber is independently controlled by vacuum means to provide predetermined pressures of inert gas in the chambers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Means are also provided for independently controlling the temperature in each chamber. The apparatus further includes filling means arranged to fill said container (20) by delivering to each container (20) two predetermined amounts of an alkali metal. The filling means are located in one of the intercommunicating chambers being a first process chamber. Adjacent the filling means are located container de-pressurising means. The container (20) de-pressurising means comprises means for providing a direct sealed coupling to a container in said first process chamber to enable the de-pressurisation and subsequent re-pressurising of said coupled container between delivery of the two predetermined amounts of alkali metal to the container (20) whilst the first process chamber is maintained at a predetermined pressure. The apparatus further includes sealing means located in one of said intercommunicated chambers arranged to seal the containers (20) after filling. |
