US3836387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of vaporizing metal
Assignee: Republic Steel Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-29
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1991-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of vaporizing metal which comprises the steps of forming a thin shell of molten metal the metal of which is above and communicated with a supply of molten metal, heating said thin shell of molten metal to vaporize said metal, and withdrawing the vapor from the shell and transporting the vapor to a point at which the vapor will impinge upon a substrate, by means of path which removes any molten metal particles from the metal vapor.
Inventors
- 👤 J Roblin
- 👤 F Cole
- 👤 W Reed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:15
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/24; C23C14/243
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of vaporizing metal and depositing it on a substrate to form a coating on the substrate, comprising providing under vacuum a thin shell of boiling metal that is of substantially constant volume and which communicates with and is supplied from a supply body of molten metal to produce metal vapor under vacuum at a substantially constant rate, and withdrawing metal vapor fRom said thin shell and directing said vapor and any entrained droplets therein through an exit path in which the flow of vapor reverses direction to remove said droplets in one direction to return said droplets to said supply body of molten metal and withdraw vapor in an opposite direction to be thence directed against a substrate to be coated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
directing the vapor and any entrained droplets or particles to a second zone which is a. separated from the first zone and b. disposed in communicating relationship to a reservoir of molten metal which, in turn, communicates with the first zone to keep said first zone continuously supplied with molten metal for vaporization,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
directing the vapor through the second zone along a path of travel which substantially reverses direction to remove any entrained droplets from the vapor so that said droplets may flow to the reservoir and ultimately back to the first zone, and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 2, including the step of maintaining the temperature of said supply body of metal at just below the boiling point of said metal.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
6 words
A method of vaporizing metal commprising:
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
directing the substantially droplet-free vapor from the second zone onto a substrate to be coated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |