US3690638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for vaporizing molten metal
Assignee: Republic Steel Corp
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Filing: 1970-05-15
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1990-05-15
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for vacuum vaporization of molten metal without entrainment of liquid droplets includes charging a pool of molten metal into a first cylinder member which has its central axis disposed horizontally and has at least one passage therethrough. A second cylinder member, also having its central axis disposed horizontally, encloses the first cylinder member so as to receive molten metal through the passage. A thin semicylindrical shell of fluid metal is thus formed between the cylinder members. Heating the thin shell generates metal vapor. The metal vapor is passed through a tortuous path to remove any liquid droplets, and is discharged from an outlet nozzle for deposition upon a substrate. In a modification the molten metal is contained in the lower portion of an evaporator member. A shelf with a passage therethrough divides the evaporator member horizontally while allowing generated metal vapor to pass to the upper portion of the evaporator member. There the vapor is passed through a tortuous path to remove any liquid droplets, thence proceeding to an outlet nozzle for deposition upon a substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 John M Roblin
- 👤 Frank J Cole
- 👤 William A Reed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:32
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. a first cylinder member with its central axis disposed horizontally for receiving and displacing a pool of molten metal and having at least one passage extending therethrough; b. a second cylinder member with its central axis disposed horizontally enclosing said first cylinder member and adapted to receive molten metal through said passage from said first cylinder member to form a thin semi-cylindrical shell of molten metal between said cylinder members; and c. means for heating said thin shell of molten metal to generate metal vapor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. a first cylinder member with its central axis disposed horizontally for receiving and displacing a pool of molten metal and having at least one passage extending therethrough; b. a second cylinder member with its central axis disposed horizontally enclosing said first cylinder member and adapted to receive molten metal through said passage from said first cylinder member to form a thin semi-cylindrical shell of molten metal between said cylinder members; and c. means for heating said thin shell of molten metal to generate metal vapor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for continuously charging said first cylinder member with molten metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said charging means comprises: a. a reservoir for containing a supply of molten metal and having an outlet therefrom in communication with said first cylinder member; and b. valve means for controlling the flow of molten metal through said outlet from said reservoir to said first cylinder member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for maintaining said cylinder members under vacuum to provide for the production of metal vapor under vacuum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cylinder members are fabricated of graphite when said molten metal is zinc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means disposed in said cylinder members and defining a tortuous path for removing liquid droplets from said generated vapor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first cylinder member is open at the top portion thereof so that it is semi-cylindrical in shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising outlet means extending horizontally in said first cylinder member in the open portion thereof for removing said generated vapor therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said outlet means comprises a tube having a plurality of perforations therein through which said vapor may pass to be removed from said cylinder members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle extending horizontally from said cylinder members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for directing said generated metal vapor against a continuously moving substrate to be coated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. an evaporator member for containing a pool of molten metal in the lower portion thereof which is heated to generate metal vapor; b. a shelf extending horizontally across and dividing said evaporator member into distinct compartments communicating with each other only by a passage extending through said shelf through which metal vapor may pass; c. means in the upper portion of said evaporator member above said shelf and defining a tortuous path to remove liquid droplets from said metal vapor which may pass through said passage; d. outlet nozzle mEans extending from said upper portion of said evaporator member for removing said generated vapor therefrom and applying said vapor to a substrate to be coated; and e. means for heating said evaporator member portions to generate metal vapor for deposition upon said substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. an evaporator member for containing a pool of molten metal in the lower portion thereof which is heated to generate metal vapor; b. a shelf extending horizontally across and dividing said evaporator member into distinct compartments communicating with each other only by a passage extending through said shelf through which metal vapor may pass; c. means in the upper portion of said evaporator member above said shelf and defining a tortuous path to remove liquid droplets from said metal vapor which may pass through said passage; d. outlet nozzle mEans extending from said upper portion of said evaporator member for removing said generated vapor therefrom and applying said vapor to a substrate to be coated; and e. means for heating said evaporator member portions to generate metal vapor for deposition upon said substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. an evaporator member for containing a pool of molten metal in the lower portion thereof which is heated to generate metal vapor; b. a shelf extending horizontally across and dividing said evaporator member and having a passage extending therethrough through which metal vapor may pass, said shelf being tilted downwardly toward one end of said evaporator member; c. means in the upper portion of said evaporator member above said shelf and defining a tortuous path to remove liquid droplets from said metal vapor which may pass through said passage; d. outlet nozzle means extending from said upper portion of said evaporator member for removing said generated vapor therefrom and applying said vapor to a substrate to be coated; and e. means for heating said evaporator member portions to generate metal vapor for deposition upon said substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. an evaporator member for containing a pool of molten metal in the lower portion thereof which is heated to generate metal vapor; b. a shelf extending horizontally across and dividing said evaporator member and having a passage extending therethrough through which metal vapor may pass, said shelf being tilted downwardly toward one end of said evaporator member; c. means in the upper portion of said evaporator member above said shelf and defining a tortuous path to remove liquid droplets from said metal vapor which may pass through said passage; d. outlet nozzle means extending from said upper portion of said evaporator member for removing said generated vapor therefrom and applying said vapor to a substrate to be coated; and e. means for heating said evaporator member portions to generate metal vapor for deposition upon said substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. an evaporator member for containing a pool of molten metal in the lower portion thereof which is heated to generate metal vapor; b. a shelf extending horizontally across and dividing said evaporator member and having a passage extending therethrough through which metal vapor may pass, a portion of said shelf being recessed to collect droplets removed from said metal vapor and direct them to said pool of molten metal; c. means in the upper portion of said evaporator member above said shelf and defining a tortuous path to remove liquid droplets from said metal vapor which may pass through said passage; d. outlet nozzle means extending from said upper portion of said evaporator member for removing said generated vapor therefrom and applying said vapor to a substrate to be coated; and e. means for heating said evaporator member portions to generate metal vapor for deposition upon said substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. an evaporator member for containing a pool of molten metal in the lower portion thereof which is heated to generate metal vapor; b. a shelf extending horizontally across and dividing said evaporator member and having a passage extending therethrough through which metal vapor may pass, a portion of said shelf being recessed to collect droplets removed from said metal vapor and direct them to said pool of molten metal; c. means in the upper portion of said evaporator member above said shelf and defining a tortuous path to remove liquid droplets from said metal vapor which may pass through said passage; d. outlet nozzle means extending from said upper portion of said evaporator member for removing said generated vapor therefrom and applying said vapor to a substrate to be coated; and e. means for heating said evaporator member portions to generate metal vapor for deposition upon said substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. an evaporator member for containing a pool of molten metal in the lower portion thereof which is heated to generate metal vapor; b. a shelf extending horizontally across and dividing said evaporator member and having a passage extending therethrough through which metal vapor may pass; c. means in the upper portion of said evaporator member above said shelf and defining a tortuous path to remove liquid droplets from said metal vapor which may pass through said passage, said tortuous path means including plural baffles between said passage in said shelf and the outlet means of (d) below; d. outlet nozzle means extending from said upper portion of said evaporator member for removing said generated vapor therefrom and applying said vapor to a substrate to be coated; and e. means for heating said evaporator member portions to generate metal vapor for deposition upon said substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. an evaporator member for containing a pool of molten metal in the lower portion thereof which is heated to generate metal vapor; b. a shelf extending horizontally across and dividing said evaporator member and having a passage extending therethrough through which metal vapor may pass; c. means in the upper portion of said evaporator member above said shelf and defining a tortuous path to remove liquid droplets from said metal vapor which may pass through said passage, said tortuous path means including plural baffles between said passage in said shelf and the outlet means of (d) below; d. outlet nozzle means extending from said upper portion of said evaporator member for removing said generated vapor therefrom and applying said vapor to a substrate to be coated; and e. means for heating said evaporator member portions to generate metal vapor for deposition upon said substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said baffles are disposed longitudinally of said evaporator member within said upper portion thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said baffles are disposed transversely in said upper portion of said evaporator member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said outlet means extends throughout the length of said evaporator member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. an evaporator member for containing a pool of molten metal in the lower portion thereof which is heated to generate metal vapor; b. a shelf extending horizontally across and dividing said evaporator member and having a passage extending therethrough through which metal vapor may pass; c. means in the upper portion of said evaporator member above said shelf and defining a tortuous path to remOve liquid droplets from said metal vapor which may pass through said passage; d. outlet nozzle means extending from said upper portion of said evaporator member for removing said generated vapor therefrom and applying said vapor to a substrate to be coated, said outlet means extending throughout the length of said evaporator member and comprising a tube having a plurality of perforations therein through which said generated vapor may pass to be removed from said evaporator member; and e. means for heating said evaporator member portions to generate metal vapor for deposition upon said substrate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. an evaporator member for containing a pool of molten metal in the lower portion thereof which is heated to generate metal vapor; b. a shelf extending horizontally across and dividing said evaporator member and having a passage extending therethrough through which metal vapor may pass; c. means in the upper portion of said evaporator member above said shelf and defining a tortuous path to remOve liquid droplets from said metal vapor which may pass through said passage; d. outlet nozzle means extending from said upper portion of said evaporator member for removing said generated vapor therefrom and applying said vapor to a substrate to be coated, said outlet means extending throughout the length of said evaporator member and comprising a tube having a plurality of perforations therein through which said generated vapor may pass to be removed from said evaporator member; and e. means for heating said evaporator member portions to generate metal vapor for deposition upon said substrate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, including means for maintaining said evaporator member under vacuum to provide for the production of metal vapor under vacuum.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said evaporator member, said shelf and said tortuous path means are fabricated of graphite when said molten metal is zinc.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. first and second concentric cylinder members with their central axes horizontally disposed, said cylinder members being spaced apart to define a space therebetween; b. means for supplying molten metal to said space, said molten metal constituting a semi-cylindrical thin shell of metal in said space; c. means for heating said thin shell of molten metal to vaporize it; d. means for maintaining said thin shell under vacuum to provide for the production of metal vapor under vacuum; and e. means for directing the metal vapor against a substrate to be coated.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for vaporizing molten metal, comprising: a. first and second concentric cylinder members with their central axes horizontally disposed, said cylinder members being spaced apart to define a space therebetween; b. means for supplying molten metal to said space, said molten metal constituting a semi-cylindrical thin shell of metal in said space; c. means for heating said thin shell of molten metal to vaporize it; d. means for maintaining said thin shell under vacuum to provide for the production of metal vapor under vacuum; and e. means for directing the metal vapor against a substrate to be coated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |