US3966445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Freeze refining method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-07
•
Granted: 1976-06-29
•
Expires: 1994-06-07
Abstract
Abstract An improved freeze refining method including the steps of collecting a heterogeneons material in crystalline form from a heated melt containing pure and impure materials and removing the collected crystals while maintaining the integrity of the crystals.
Inventors
- 👤 Clyde C. Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:44
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B9/00; C22B9/02; B; B01; B01D; B01D9/00; B01D9/0004; B01D9/0013; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of crystal collection, including the steps of: providing a vessel containing a liquid melt, said melt including pure and impure materials; said pure materials being capable of collection in crystalline form; maintaining said melt in substantially a liquid phase in said vessel; providing a rotatable cooling shaft in said melt; collecting heterogeneous material in discrete crystalline form on said shaft by substantially radial grain growth with respect to said shaft with said discrete cystals including substantially pure material within and having grain boundaries at least partly formed of said impure materials; and wherein the improvement comprises, using centrifugal force caused by rotation of said cooling shaft to remove said heterogeneous material from said shaft in solid chunk form without fully melting by separating said material along the grain boundaries thereof. pg,17
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of crystal collection, including the steps of: providing a vessel containing a liquid melt, said melt including pure and impure materials; said pure materials being capable of collection in crystalline form; maintaining said melt in substantially a liquid phase in said vessel; providing a rotatable cooling shaft in said melt; collecting heterogeneous material in discrete crystalline form on said shaft by substantially radial grain growth with respect to said shaft with said discrete cystals including substantially pure material within and having grain boundaries at least partly formed of said impure materials; and wherein the improvement comprises, using centrifugal force caused by rotation of said cooling shaft to remove said heterogeneous material from said shaft in solid chunk form without fully melting by separating said material along the grain boundaries thereof. pg,17
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including: rotating said cooling shaft in a speed range providing maximum collection rate of said heterogeneous material in substantially radially directed crystalline form on said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including: breaking away said collected crystals from said shaft by centrifugal force with the shaft immersed in a melt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including: heating said collected crystals sufficiently to weaken the grain boundaries thereof; and rotating said cooling shaft with sufficient speed to throw off said crystals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including: removing said cooling shaft and collected heterogeneous material from contact with said melt; placing said collected heterogeneous material in a temperature controlled chamber and heating same to weaken the bonds at said grain boundaries; and rotating said cooling shaft with sufficient speed to cause said collected heterogeneous material to break off of said shaft along said grain boundaries.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including the step of: heating said collected heterogeneous material and rotating said shaft with said material thereon at sufficient speed to create sufficient centrifugal force to cause said collected material to sufficiently expand to allow the collected material to be removed in substantially one piece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including the step of: heating said collected heterogeneous material and rotating said shaft with said material thereon to cause said collected material to sufficiently expand due to centrifugal force to allow the collected material to be removed in substantial multi-crystal chunks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1979-06-29 | 1979-12-29 | 1980-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-29 | 1983-12-29 | 1984-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-29 | 1987-12-29 | 1988-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |