(under subclass 48) Subject matter in which the pumping action is effected by or relies upon the ionization of the pumped fluid by the action of electrical means and including a getter material for the ionized fluid or an additional pump
of a different type (e.g., mechanical, diffusion, etc.).
(1) Note. The line between this Class 417 and Classes 313, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices and 315, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems, in the field of ionic pumps generally falls into two categories as follows: (a) SPACE DISCHARGE AND GETTERING - The distinction between Class 417 and Classes 313 and 315 in the field of creation of a high vacuum involving electrical space discharge with gettering is one of art. Thus, a patent to a space discharge device combined with gettering means (the getter may be an electrode of the space discharge device) in which the sole disclosure is to act as a vacuum pump (i.e., the only disclosed use of the space discharge device is to ionize fluid to be trapped by the getter); or one in which all of the claims are limited to a pumping or vacuum creating function will be classified as an original in Class 417. Conversely, those in which the disclosure is not limited to a vacuum pump function and having a claim not limited to pumping will be classified in Class 313 or Class 315 if otherwise appropriate; (b) SPACE DISCHARGE WITHOUT GETTERING - Those devices in which a fluid or fluid stream is ionized by a space discharge device and do not include gettering of the ionized fluid will generally be classified in Class 313 or 315 even though the sole disclosure relates to pumping or vacuum formation. However, if in addition to the ionization means an additional pump of the nonionization type is claimed the patent will be classified in Class 417.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
313, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices, appropriate subclasses and see particularly
231.01+, 359.1+ and 545 to 566. See (1) Note above.
315, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems, appropriate subclasses and see particularly 111.01+, See (1) Note above.
