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US4459145A
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Fabrication of glass microspheres with conducting surfaces
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1982-09-30
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Granted: 1984-07-10
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Expires: 2002-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A method for making hollow glass microspheres with conducting surfaces by adding a conducting vapor to a region of the glass fabrication furnace. As droplets or particles of glass forming material pass through multiple zones of different temperature in a glass fabrication furnace, and are transformed into hollow glass microspheres, the microspheres pass through a region of conducting vapor, forming a conducting coating on the surface of the microspheres.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Elsholz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:28
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21B; G21B1/00; G21B1/11; G21B1/19; C; C03; C03B; C03B19/00; C03B19/10; C03B19/1005; C03B19/106; C03B19/1065; C03B19/107; C03B19/1075; C03C; C03C17/00; C03C17/06; C03C17/09; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for fabricating hollow glass microspheres with conducting surfaces comprising; dropping liquid droplets or dried gel frits of glass forming material through a glass forming vertical oven having multiple regions of preselected temperature and length to form hollow glass microspheres; and introducing a mist of conducting vapor into at least one region of the oven where the glass forming material has fused into glass to produce an atmosphere of conducting vapor through which the microspheres pass during the fabrication process to produce a conducting coating on the microspheres as part of the microsphere fabrication process.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for fabricating hollow glass microspheres with conducting surfaces comprising; dropping liquid droplets or dried gel frits of glass forming material through a glass forming vertical oven having multiple regions of preselected temperature and length to form hollow glass microspheres; and introducing a mist of conducting vapor into at least one region of the oven where the glass forming material has fused into glass to produce an atmosphere of conducting vapor through which the microspheres pass during the fabrication process to produce a conducting coating on the microspheres as part of the microsphere fabrication process.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the vertical oven includes a high temperature fusing region where the glass forming material is transformed into glass microspheres.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the fusing region includes a transition region where the glass forming material is transformed into glass microspheres and a refining region where the glass microspheres are further refined.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the conducting vapor is introduced into the fusing region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the conducting vapor is introduced into at least one of the transition region and the refining region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the conducting vapor is a solution of a chloride of a metal selected from Tin, Platinum, Copper and Gold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the chloride solution is introduced in the oven by means of a carrier gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the carrier gas is selected from Argon, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the carrier gas with conducting vapor is introduced into the oven at 5-15 psi.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the conducting vapor is formed by vaporizing a solution of 60 g SnCl 4 -5H 2 0, 0.3 g, Ammonium Sulfate, 50 ml Methyl Alcohol, 25 ml Acetic Acid, and 15.5 ml water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the conducting vapor is formed by vaporizing a solution of 5 g anhydrous SnCl 4 in 1 ml water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the chloride solution is introduced into the oven by atomizing the solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the conducting vapor is introduced in a region of the oven which is maintained at a temperature of at least about 375° C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the conducting vapor is introduced in a region of the oven which is maintained at a temperature of about 650° C. or higher.
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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) | 1987-07-10 | 1988-01-09 | 1988-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-10 | 1992-01-09 | 1992-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-10 | 1996-01-09 | 1996-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |