US3639718A — Pressure- and temperature-controlled crystal grow…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 142 words

A pressure- and temperature-controlled apparatus adapted for growing crystals and the like, comprising in combination. a. a pressuretight enclosure defining a working volume therein; b. upper and lower load-bearing rods extending through pressuretight bushing means into said volume and movable therein in both rotational and translational modes; c. upper and lower rotational and translational rod driving means located external of said pressuretight enclosure, said translational driving means including means to selectively drive said rods in a slow crystal-growing mode or in a rapidpositioning mode; d. rod-locating means associated with said translational driving means adapted continuously to indicate the precise position of said rods within said volume; e. heating means positioned with respect to said rods to heat a load supported by one or both of said rods within aid volume; and f. viewing port means providing for visual observation of said load.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 142 words

A pressure- and temperature-controlled apparatus adapted for growing crystals and the like, comprising in combination. a. a pressuretight enclosure defining a working volume therein; b. upper and lower load-bearing rods extending through pressuretight bushing means into said volume and movable therein in both rotational and translational modes; c. upper and lower rotational and translational rod driving means located external of said pressuretight enclosure, said translational driving means including means to selectively drive said rods in a slow crystal-growing mode or in a rapidpositioning mode; d. rod-locating means associated with said translational driving means adapted continuously to indicate the precise position of said rods within said volume; e. heating means positioned with respect to said rods to heat a load supported by one or both of said rods within aid volume; and f. viewing port means providing for visual observation of said load.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pressuretight enclosure has a hinged access port equipped with pressure-relief valve means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 8 words

worm drive means for actuating said driving screw,

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 8 words

worm drive means for actuating said driving screw,

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 21 words

a radiamatic pyrometer connected to said light pipe means and adapted to generate DC voltage signals proportional to the light received,

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 21 words

a radiamatic pyrometer connected to said light pipe means and adapted to generate DC voltage signals proportional to the light received,

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 10 words

a magnet attached along the side of said shaft extension,

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 10 words

a magnet attached along the side of said shaft extension,

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 8 words

worm drive means for actuating said driving screw,

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 8 words

worm drive means for actuating said driving screw,

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

a radiamatic pyrometer connected to said light pipe means and adapted to generate DC voltage signals proportional to the light received,

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 21 words

a radiamatic pyrometer connected to said light pipe means and adapted to generate DC voltage signals proportional to the light received,

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 10 words

a magnet attached along the side of said shaft extension,

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 10 words

a magnet attached along the side of said shaft extension,

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 7 words

reed switch means actuatable by said magnet,

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 7 words

reed switch means actuatable by said magnet,

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 9 words

induction heating power supply means for said RF coil,

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 9 words

induction heating power supply means for said RF coil,

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 10 words

flexible drive shaft means connected to said worm drive means,

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 10 words

flexible drive shaft means connected to said worm drive means,

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 8 words

magnetic reed switch means actuatable by said magnet,

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 8 words

magnetic reed switch means actuatable by said magnet,

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 9 words

induction heating power supply means for said RF coil,

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 9 words

induction heating power supply means for said RF coil,

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 10 words

flexible drive shaft means connected to said worm drive means,

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 10 words

flexible drive shaft means connected to said worm drive means,

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 25 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pressuretight enclosure includes external cooling means in the form of coils adapted to circulate a fluid coolant.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 22 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pressuretight enclosure has associated therewith a self-resetting pressure-relief valve and a solenoid-actuated relief valve.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 23 words

motor means connected through multispeed gear means, first clutch means, bevel gear means and second clutch means to said flexible drive shaft means,

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 23 words

motor means connected through multispeed gear means, first clutch means, bevel gear means and second clutch means to said flexible drive shaft means,

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 15 words

a saturable core reactor adapted to control current input into said power supply means, and

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 15 words

a saturable core reactor adapted to control current input into said power supply means, and

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 5 words

a reversible electromagnetic encounter, and

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 5 words

a reversible electromagnetic encounter, and

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 23 words

motor means connected through multispeed gear means, first clutch means, bevel gear means and second clutch means to said flexible drive shaft means,

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 23 words

motor means connected through multispeed gear means, first clutch means, bevel gear means and second clutch means to said flexible drive shaft means,

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 15 words

a saturable core reactor adapted to control current input into said power supply means, and

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 15 words

a saturable core reactor adapted to control current input into said power supply means, and

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 5 words

a reversible electromagnetic counter, and

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 5 words

a reversible electromagnetic counter, and

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 84 words

switch means connecting said reed switch means and said counter, said switch means being arranged to actuate said counter to register turns of said shaft extension in terms of the exact linear distance the end of said rod is from a fixed reference point; f. RF coil heating means positioned with respect to said rods to heat a load supported by one or both of said rods within said volume, and having temperature monitoring and controlling means associated with said RF coil which comprise

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 84 words

switch means connecting said reed switch means and said counter, said switch means being arranged to actuate said counter to register turns of said shaft extension in terms of the exact linear distance the end of said rod is from a fixed reference point; f. RF coil heating means positioned with respect to said rods to heat a load supported by one or both of said rods within said volume, and having temperature monitoring and controlling means associated with said RF coil which comprise

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 118 words

voltage signal processing means adapted to amplify said voltage signals for transmission to said saturable core whereby said core in controlling said current input controls the temperature developed by said RF coil; g. viewing port means providing for observation of said load and comprising at least one tempered Pyrex window protected within said enclosure by an infrared-reflecting window and having an external rotatably mounted cross-polarizer to control the intensity of the image transmitted through said windows; h. valved-controlled gas inlet means extending through the housing of said viewing port means and positioned to direct incoming gas against the window system in said viewing port means; and i. valved-controlled evacuating means adapted to produce a vacuum within said volume.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 118 words

voltage signal processing means adapted to amplify said voltage signals for transmission to said saturable core whereby said core in controlling said current input controls the temperature developed by said RF coil; g. viewing port means providing for observation of said load and comprising at least one tempered Pyrex window protected within said enclosure by an infrared-reflecting window and having an external rotatably mounted cross-polarizer to control the intensity of the image transmitted through said windows; h. valved-controlled gas inlet means extending through the housing of said viewing port means and positioned to direct incoming gas against the window system in said viewing port means; and i. valved-controlled evacuating means adapted to produce a vacuum within said volume.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 20 words

a high-speed motor connected through said bevel gear means and said second clutch means to said flexible drive shaft means,

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 20 words

a high-speed motor connected through said bevel gear means and said second clutch means to said flexible drive shaft means,

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 44 words

switch means connecting said reed switch means and said counter, said switch means being arranged to actuate said counter to register turns of said shaft extension in terms of the exact linear distance the end of said rod is from a fixed reference point.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 44 words

switch means connecting said reed switch means and said counter, said switch means being arranged to actuate said counter to register turns of said shaft extension in terms of the exact linear distance the end of said rod is from a fixed reference point.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 32 words

voltage signal processing means adapted to amplify said voltage signals for transmission to aid saturable core whereby said core in controlling said current input controls the temperature developed by said RF coil.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 32 words

voltage signal processing means adapted to amplify said voltage signals for transmission to aid saturable core whereby said core in controlling said current input controls the temperature developed by said RF coil.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 20 words

a high-speed motor connected through said bevel gear means and said second clutch means to said flexible drive shaft means,

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 20 words

a high-speed motor connected through said bevel gear means and said second clutch means to said flexible drive shaft means,

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 22 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said upper load-bearing rod incorporates fluid channels therein adapted to circulate a fluid coolant therethrough.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 31 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said lower load-bearing rod serves as a housing for a thermocouple junction placed internally thereof at its upper end and for thermocouple lead wires.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 40 words

first clutch-engaging means having energizing means connected to a current supply means common to said high-speed motor through switch means adapted to supply current to either said first clutch-engaging means or said high-speed motor but not to both simultaneously, and

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 40 words

first clutch-engaging means having energizing means connected to a current supply means common to said high-speed motor through switch means adapted to supply current to either said first clutch-engaging means or said high-speed motor but not to both simultaneously, and

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 42 words

first clutch engaging means having energizing means connected to a current supply means common to said high-speed motor through switch means adapted to supply current to either said first clutch engaging means or said high-speed motor but not to both simultaneously, and

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 42 words

first clutch engaging means having energizing means connected to a current supply means common to said high-speed motor through switch means adapted to supply current to either said first clutch engaging means or said high-speed motor but not to both simultaneously, and

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 30 words

second clutch engaging means; e. rod-locating means associated with said translational driving means adapted continuously to indicate the precise position of said rods within said volume and comprising, in combination

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 30 words

second clutch engaging means; e. rod-locating means associated with said translational driving means adapted continuously to indicate the precise position of said rods within said volume and comprising, in combination

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 17 words

second clutch-engaging means. 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said rod-locating means comprises, in combination

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 18 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said translational driving means associated with each rod comprises in combination

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 14 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said heating means is an RF coil.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 26 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said heating means is an RF coil and has associated therewith Temperature monitoring and controlling means, comprising in combination

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 42 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said viewing port means comprises a tempered Pyrex window protected within said enclosure by an infrared-reflecting window and having an external, rotatably mounted cross-polarizer to control the intensity of the image transmitted through said windows.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 44 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 including valved-controlled gas inlet means extending through the housing of said viewing port means and positioned to direct incoming gas against the window system in said viewing port means thereby to provide means to clean said window system.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 30 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 including a television camera positioned adjacent one of the windows of said viewing port means and television-receiving means located remotely from said pressuretight enclosure.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 95 words

A pressure- and temperature-controlled apparatus adapted for growing crystals and the like, comprising in combination a. a pressuretight enclosure defining a working volume therein and having a hinged access port equipped with pressure-relief valve means; b. external cooling means for said pressuretight enclosure adapted to circulate a fluid coolant; c. upper and lower load-bearing rods extending through pressuretight bushing means into said volume and movable therein in both rotational and translational modes; d. upper and lower rotational and translational rod driving means located external of said pressuretight enclosure, said translational driving means comprising, in combination

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 95 words

A pressure- and temperature-controlled apparatus adapted for growing crystals and the like, comprising in combination a. a pressuretight enclosure defining a working volume therein and having a hinged access port equipped with pressure-relief valve means; b. external cooling means for said pressuretight enclosure adapted to circulate a fluid coolant; c. upper and lower load-bearing rods extending through pressuretight bushing means into said volume and movable therein in both rotational and translational modes; d. upper and lower rotational and translational rod driving means located external of said pressuretight enclosure, said translational driving means comprising, in combination

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 22 words

An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said upper load-bearing rod incorporates fluid channels therein adapted to circulate a fluid coolant therethrough.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 31 words

An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said lower load-bearing rod serves as a housing for a thermocouple junction placed internally thereof at its upper end and for thermocouple lead wires.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 28 words

An apparatus according to claim 14 including a television camera positioned to view the working volume within said enclosure and a television receiving means remote from said camera.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 21 words

An apparatus according to claim 14 including a self-resetting pressure-relief valve and a solenoid-actuated relief valve associated with said pressuretight enclosure.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 60 words

An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein control means for said rod driving means, rod-locating means, said RF coil heating means, said valve-controlled gas inlet means and said valve-controlled evacuating means are located remote from said pressuretight enclosure whereby the entire operation performed within said work volume may be monitored and controlled at a location remote from said pressuretight enclosure.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 35 words

An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said viewing port means comprises a primary viewing port and an auxiliary viewing port, each of which comprises a tempered Pyrex window, an infrared-reflecting window and a crosspolarizer.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-01-31	1975-08-02	1976-02-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-01-31	1979-08-02	1980-02-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-01-31	1983-08-02	1984-02-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Pressure- and temperature-controlled crystal growing apparatus

Abstract

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