Patents by Inventor D. Norman Hill

D. Norman Hill has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5900060
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus, system and methods for growing high-purity crystals of substances that are peritectic at atmospheric pressure. The apparatus includes a pressure vessel that contains a pressurized gas. The apparatus also includes a cooling unit that is situated in the pressure vessel. The cooling unit receives a coolant flow from outside of the vessel, and has cooled surfaces that define an enclosure that receives the charge material. The apparatus further includes an inductive heating element situated in the vessel, that is coupled to receive electric power externally to the vessel. The element heats the interior portion of the charge material to form a molten interior portion contained by a relatively cool, exterior solid-phase portion of the charge material that is closer relative to the molten interior, to the cooled surfaces of the cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Cermet, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Nause, D. Norman Hill, Stephen G. Pope
  • Patent number: 5863326
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus, system and methods for growing high-purity crystals of substances that are peritectic at atmospheric pressure using the Czochralski technique. The apparatus includes a pressure vessel that contains a pressurized gas. The apparatus also includes a cooling unit that is situated in the pressure vessel. The cooling unit receives a coolant flow from outside of the vessel, and has cooled surfaces that define an enclosure that receives the charge material. The apparatus further includes an inductive heating element situated in the vessel, that is coupled to receive electric power externally to the vessel. The element heats the interior portion of the charge material to form a molten interior portion contained by a relatively cool, exterior solid-phase portion of the charge material that is closer relative to the molten interior, to the cooled surfaces of the cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Cermet, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Nause, D. Norman Hill, Stephen G. Pope