US4917707A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process, cell and device for crystal growth, particularly for space vessel
Assignee: Airbus Group SAS
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Filing: 1987-10-08
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Granted: 1990-04-17
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Expires: 2007-10-08
Abstract
Abstract Process of crystal growth by diffusion, particularly intended to be carried out on board a space vessel and according to which a substance (5) to be crystallized, contained in a crucible (4), is brought into presence with a precipitating agent (9) through a diffusion wall (6) obturating said crucible. According to the invention: in a first recipient (1) is arranged said crucible (4) containing the substance to be crystallized and obturated by said wall; said first recipient (1) is obturated by a stopper (3) of porous material; in a second recipient (12) is arranged a porous body (19); said first and second recipients are brought together so that said porous body and said stopper of porous material are in contact with each other; and said precipitating agent is injected into said porous body (19) of said second recipient (12) through (15).
Inventors
- 👤 Manuel P. Claramonte
- 👤 Guy M. Bonnet
- 👤 Jean-Claude Auffret
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:01
CPC Classifications
C; C30; C30B; C30B7/00; C30B29/00; C30B29/54; C30B29/58; B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T117/00; Y10T117/10; Y10T117/1024; Y10T117/1092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
Process for growing a crystal by diffusion, comprising the following steps: placing a substance to be crystallized into a crucible and closing said crucible by a diffusion wall; placing said crucible with said substance and said diffusion wall into a first recipient; obturating said first recipient by a stopper of porous material; arranging a porous body in a second recipient; bringing together said first and second recipients so that said porous body and said stopper of porous material are in contact with each other; injecting a precipitating agent into said porous body of said second recipient; and growing said crystal of said substance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
Process for growing a crystal by diffusion, comprising the following steps: placing a substance to be crystallized into a crucible and closing said crucible by a diffusion wall; placing said crucible with said substance and said diffusion wall into a first recipient; obturating said first recipient by a stopper of porous material; arranging a porous body in a second recipient; bringing together said first and second recipients so that said porous body and said stopper of porous material are in contact with each other; injecting a precipitating agent into said porous body of said second recipient; and growing said crystal of said substance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Process according to claim 1 comprising the further step of filling the space inside of said first recipient with a gaseous medium, neutral from the standpoint of crystallization, before injecting said precipitating agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
Process according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of: completely filling the space inside of said first recipient with a precipitating agent at an insufficient concentration to generate crystallization of said substance in the crucible, before injecting said precipitating agent; and imbibing said porous body of said second recipient with a precipitating agent, likewise at an insufficient concentration to generate crystallization of said substance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein at least said porous body is spongy in order to be compressed as soon as it comes into contact with said stopper of porous material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein different concentrations of precipitating agents are injected into said porous body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
Cell for growing a crystal by diffusion, comprising: a crucible for containing a substance to be crystallized; a first recipient containing said crucible, said first recipient being obturated by a stopper of porous material; a second open recipient containing a porous body and provided with means for conducting precipitating agent, disposed on the side opposite the opening of said second recipient with respect to said porous body; said first and second recipients being able to be joined.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
Cell for growing a crystal by diffusion, comprising: a crucible for containing a substance to be crystallized; a first recipient containing said crucible, said first recipient being obturated by a stopper of porous material; a second open recipient containing a porous body and provided with means for conducting precipitating agent, disposed on the side opposite the opening of said second recipient with respect to said porous body; said first and second recipients being able to be joined.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
Cell according to claim 6 wherein said first recipient fits in a tight manner in said second recipient.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Cell according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said porous body is spongy and projects partly outside of said second recipient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Cell according to claim 8 wherein the projecting part of said spongy porous body is surrounded by a ring able to be retracted into said second recipient.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
Installation for growing a crystal, comprising: a support for supporting: the second recipients of a plurality of cells as specified in claim 6; at least one source of injection of precipitating agent connected to said conducting means; and an overflow reservoir connected to said cell; and an assembly comprising the first recipients of said plurality of cells, a crucible obturated by a diffusion wall being disposed in each of said first recipients.
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) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-10-16 | 1994-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-16 | 1997-10-16 | 1998-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-16 | 2001-10-16 | 2002-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |