[jshorva65]

Having some engineering experience, I've consulted with some other engineers to study the feasibility of saving 15GP22's which are currently considered to be non-rebuildable due to loss of vacuum via failed glass-to-metal seals. My research has only started this week, so I don't have any real answers yet. I hope to find a solution which is aimed squarely at historic preservation of the surviving Merrills and H840CK15's far beyond our lifetime. The way I'm approaching the problem is by applying the fact that our technology has advancd significantly since 1954, therefore, it must be possible to detach and replace the original seals using materials which will be less prone to leakage. Has anyone considered the possibility of perhaps manufacturing 200 or so NEW 15GP22's? It may be possible to develop a replacement tube in which the phosphor dot plate and shadow mask are supported by structures inside the tube while the anode connection flange becomes an external band around the rim of the tube much like the bands which protect modern tubes against implosion. The requirement for an electrical connection between the phosphor dot plate and anode flange may then be satisfied by a small connection through the envelope which would require a much smaller glass-to-metal seal than that of the original tube. The new tube could be made such that it is virtually indistinguishable from the original by anyone other than an engineer and designated a new type number. If 15JP22 is unused, perhaps that would be the most logical choice. I will follow up on this thread as the research is conducted. The minimum I hope to accomplish is a feasibility study which will weigh the technical obstacles against the costs of overcoming them. From there, a decision can eventually be made of whether the cost is justified.