Movable Crystallizer Or Scraping Means Patents (Class 422/254)
  • Patent number: 10420354
    Abstract: A novel composition of a confectionery or pharmaceutical product, characterized in that it includes 30 to 70 wt % of a bulking agent other than maltitol having a specific surface area smaller than 0.5 m2/g and also having a reduced amount of base gum, with no negative effect on the organoleptic properties, relative to the prior art products. Also, a method for using the novel composition in the production of a chewing gum characterized in that it enables the amount of base gum in said products to be considerably reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ROQUETTE FRERES
    Inventors: Andre Busolin, Antoine Barre
  • Publication number: 20150023847
    Abstract: Provided is a crystallization reaction apparatus for recovering resources, which includes at least one agitating impeller provided inside, a seed injection port provided to improve a crystallization effect, and plug-flow formed using at least one isolation layer in order to remove nutrient salts, such as phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), exiting in an effluent to cause eutrophication, are removed, the effluent being produced from a dehydration process for sludge discharged through a digestion tank in an sludge waste treatment process for the nutrient salts, such as phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), existing in a wastewater treatment water to cause eutrophication, wastewater sludge, food waste and excreta of livestock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Seok-woong Kang
  • Publication number: 20140328731
    Abstract: Described is a device for inducing crystal nucleation in a crystalliser. The device comprises a vessel for fluid and a surface abrader, wherein the surface abrader is configured to abrade a surface within the vessel to induce crystal nucleation. The friction of the abrader against the surface within the vessel creates nano-sized particulates which induce crystal nucleation. Crystal growth can then take place in the crystalliser. Also described is a crystallisation apparatus comprising the device and a crystallisation process using the device or similar. The device is significantly cheaper and more reliable than known ultrasound devices and facilitates the separation of crystal nucleation and crystal growth. The device also enables the avoidance of the use of seeding as a source of secondary nucleation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Xiongwei Ni, Craig James Callahan
  • Patent number: 8834806
    Abstract: A reaction-crystallization apparatus for carrying out reaction and/or solvent extraction and/or crystallization of soluble salts has an upper section having a top and a decanter. The decanter has a vertical vessel having a horizontal weir at the top of the upper section. The top of the upper section has an outlet for removing a light phase at the top of the decanter. The apparatus has a lower section, including a crystallizer. The crystallizer includes: a coaxial draft tube; a feed pipe; an agitator inside the draft tube; and at least one outlet at the bottom for crystal slurry removal. The apparatus has an intermediate section sandwiched between the lower section and the upper section such that the sections are in fluid communication and includes at least one coaxial vertical baffle with a gap between the draft tube and the coaxial vertical baffle and is adjustable by moving the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Tamar Ziv
  • Patent number: 8641823
    Abstract: Reactor designs for use in ammonothermal growth of group-III nitride crystals. Internal heating is used to enhance and/or engineer fluid motion, gas mixing, and the ability to create solubility gradients within a vessel used for the ammonothermal growth of group-III nitride crystals. Novel baffle designs are used for control and improvement of continuous fluid motion within a vessel used for the ammonothermal growth of group-III nitride crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Siddha Pimputkar, Derrick S. Kamber, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110220013
    Abstract: Reactor designs for use in ammonothermal growth of group-III nitride crystals. Internal heating is used to enhance and/or engineer fluid motion, gas mixing, and the ability to create solubility gradients within a vessel used for the ammonothermal growth of group-III nitride crystals. Novel baffle designs are used for control and improvement of continuous fluid motion within a vessel used for the ammonothermal growth of group-III nitride crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Siddha Pimputkar, Derrick S. Kamber, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20100010281
    Abstract: Provided is a method for the separation and purification of high-purity 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene from a reaction mixture of dimethylnaphthalenes by continuous crystallization. According to the method, shell-tubetype crystallization apparatuses are used to perform crystallization operations under a continuous flow of a reaction mixture of dimethylnaphthalenes, which is obtained from the synthesis of dimethylnaphthalenes using o-xylene and butadiene as starting materials. As a result, high-purity 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene is separated and purified in a high yield from the reaction mixture. In addition, the method is advantageous in terms of energy saving when compared to conventional separation methods and enables continuous separation and purification of 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene on an industrial scale. A system for implementing the method is further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Yang Ho Chen, Young Gyo Choi
  • Publication number: 20090291228
    Abstract: A method for forming colloidal photonic crystals comprises; surrounding an outer circumference of a cylinder with a flexible substrate, spacing the cylinder a predetermined distance from a panel coated with a colloidal solution, and rotating the cylinder to form colloidal photonic crystals on the flexible panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-sang CHO, Mi-jeong SONG, Hong-seok LEE
  • Publication number: 20080312486
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separation of hydrocarbon oil and wax from a hydrocarbon waxy feedstock is disclosed. Said method comprises cooling the feedstock by a cooling agent so as to induce crystallization of hard wax crystals containing some quantity of oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: YUTEC TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Anatoly Vishnevsky
  • Patent number: 7431899
    Abstract: A silicon oxide powder can be continuously prepared by feeding a raw material powder mixture containing silicon dioxide powder into a reaction chamber (2) at a temperature of 1,100-1,600° C., to produce a silicon oxide gas, transferring the silicon oxide gas to a deposition chamber (11) through a transfer conduit (10) maintained at a temperature of from higher than 1,000° C. to 1,300° C., causing silicon oxide to deposit on a substrate (13) which is disposed and cooled in the deposition chamber, scraping the silicon oxide deposit, and recovering the deposit in a recovery chamber (18). The method and apparatus is capable of continuous and stable production of amorphous silicon oxide powder of high purity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Fukuoka, Susumu Ueno, Takeshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7380671
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for size classifying ammonium sulfate crystals using a screen, said process comprising feeding a feed suspension to the screen, said feed suspension comprising said ammonium sulfate crystals in an ammonium sulfate solution, size classifying the ammonium sulfate crystals, and keeping both sides of the screen immersed in liquid during said size classifying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Natasja Anouk Loomans-V. D. Anker, Andreas Oliver Mittenzwei, Bernd Roman Keller, Lianne Van Oord
  • Patent number: 7008599
    Abstract: A filtration assembly operable in connection with a crystal form screening workstation that provides for automated crystal form screening is disclosed. The assembly includes first and second valves, with each valve having an internal passage and first, second and third ports. A filter line is interposed between the first and second valves in fluid communication with the second port of the first valve and the second port of the second valve. A filter medium is in disposed in or at the end of the filter line and adapted to filter a drug-containing suspension flowing through the filter line. The filter medium is operable to filter fluids under both positive and negative pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham Corporation
    Inventors: David Leroy Carlton, Om Parkash Dhingra, David Harlan Igo, Phillip William Waters
  • Patent number: 6719954
    Abstract: A multi-stage counter-current crystallization apparatus for crystallizing and subsequently separating a component in pure form from a solution comprises a first concentration stage for forming crystals in the solution and a first crystallization vessel for further growth of the crystals to obtain a first crystal suspension mixture containing larger crystals and first separating means for separating the larger crystals from the first crystal suspension mixture to form a concentrated mother liquor. A second concentration stage forms crystals in the concentrated mother liquor solution and includes a second crystallization vessel for further growth of the crystals. A bypass conduit circulates the crystal suspension mixture in a crystal-growing vessel, and includes a filter for extracting part of the mother liquor solution from the crystal suspension mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Korporam B.V.
    Inventor: Halbe Anne Jansen
  • Patent number: 6521195
    Abstract: Multi-phase extraction apparatus comprising two chambers forming a partition stage. Said chambers are connected by connection channels in their upper and lower portions. The upper portion of the first chamber is connected to the lower portion of the second chamber, while the upper portion of the second chamber is connected to the lower portion of the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Artak Eranosovich Kostanian
  • Patent number: 6458332
    Abstract: The invention provides a crystallization apparatus that includes an agitation tank, a liquid circulation means for circulating a liquid or a slurry along a wall of the agitation tank, and one or more temperature difference creation means capable of creating a temperature difference at the wall of the agitation tank, wherein the temperature difference creation means is installed to the agitation tank. The temperature difference creation means is, for example, arranged at a region where liquid or slurry spouted by rotating the liquid spouting device contacts the wall of the agitation tank or a region below that region, and which increases or decreases the temperature of the spouted liquid or slurry compared to the temperature of surrounding liquid or slurry. Since the apparatus with this configuration has a large vaporization area and a large heat transfer area, the induction period for crystal generation can be shortened, and crystals with narrow size distribution and large size can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Kansai Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ooshima, Hideo Noda
  • Patent number: 6413480
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating wax from a feedstock mixture comprising solvent and a wax component is described. The apparatus includes a crystallization column and a plurality of compartments for forming the crystallized wax. Scraping means are employed to resume the crystallized wax for recovery by a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Yutec Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Anatoly Vishnevsky
  • Patent number: 6355218
    Abstract: A crystallizer comprising an elongate housing with a drivable shaft extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing, at least one cooling element being placed astride on the shaft, which cooling element to that end has a slotted recess, the cooling element being swept clean by a sweeping element rotating along with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Goudsche Machinefabriek B.V.
    Inventors: Rene Jan Zorge, Albertus Nicolaas De Moet, Theodorus Gijsbertus Ravensberg
  • Patent number: 6241954
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and installation for the crystallisation of a liquid from a solution, a suspension or a mixture of liquids using a crystalliser 2 which, for example, is provided on its wall with a heat exchanger 4 and comprises a single chamber for both nucleation and growth. Depleted mother liquor is withdrawn from the crysiallisation vessel via a filter 10 located in the crystalliser, so that the crystal content in the vessel can be accurately adjusted for the purpose of optimum separation of the crystals, preferably using a packed-bed wash column. The crystalliser preferably contains a stirrer with the filter on the stirrer 5 shaft. The filter rotates past a scraper 12, which is arranged in a fixed position, as a result of which the filter cake can be reintroduced into the suspension without damage to the crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Niro Process Technology B.V.
    Inventors: Halbe Anne Jansen, Johannes Josephus Andreas Gerardus Jansen
  • Patent number: 6080374
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing centrifugal crystallization of organics, which unifies all the individual steps for the removal of impurities into a single operation. The apparatus consists of two coaxial rotors and stationary parts. A crystallizable feed stock is mixed under pressure with a suitable refrigerating solvent and injected into a rotating liquid ring of the process materials. A faster drum-shaped outer rotor rotates the process materials while a slower frame-shaped inner rotor distributes the combined feed, collects refined product and recycles crystal fines as seeds. Advantage is taken of the centrifugal force and of the radial pressure gradient for gradual adiabatic evaporation of the solvent and simultaneous crystallization of the substance to be purified, as well as for the separation of phases, counter-current crystal washing with its own melt, followed by product melting by external heat, and withdrawal of a product from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Vratislav Nenicka
  • Patent number: 5830418
    Abstract: A flowable material, such as a supercooled melt or supersaturated solution, is dispensed onto a take-up member such as a belt or drum. Either prior to, or after being dispensed onto the take-up member, the material is exposed to ultrasound to promote the crystallization of solid substances in the material. All of the material or only a portion of the material can be exposed to ultrasound. If only a portion is exposed, it is later combined with the rest of the material prior to being dispensed onto the take-up member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Santrade Ltd.
    Inventors: Axel Konig, Joachim Ulrich
  • Patent number: 5725608
    Abstract: Crystallization of a melt is induced by causing the melt to flow downwardly in a gap which is defined by upwardly moving cooled walls so that crystallate adheres to the walls and is carried upwardly for recovery. The walls are formed by endless belts which are cooled by fluid sprayed from nozzles. The walls are adjustable so as to be parallel or upwardly divergent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Santrade Ltd.
    Inventors: Axel Konig, Joachim Ulrich, Oskar Fischer
  • Patent number: 5514350
    Abstract: An apparatus of forming non-agglomerated nanostructured ceramic (n-ceramic) powders from metalorganic precursors combines rapid thermal decomposition of a precursor/carrier gas stream in a hot tubular reactor with rapid condensation of the product particles on a cold substrate under a reduced inert gas pressure of 1-50 mbar. A wide variety of metalorganic precursors is available. The apparatus is particularly suitable for formation of n-SiC.sub.x N.sub.y powders from hexamethyl-disilizane or the formation of n-ZrO.sub.x C.sub.y powders from zirconium tertiary butoxide. The n-SiC.sub.x N.sub.y compounds can be further reacted to form SiC or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 whiskers, individually or in random-weave form, by heating in a hydrogen or ammonia atmosphere. The non-agglomerated n-ceramic powders form uniformly dense powder compacts by cold pressing which can be sintered to theoretical density at temperatures as low as 0.5 Tm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: Bernard H. Kear, Weng Chang, Ganesh Skandan, Horst W. Hahn
  • Patent number: 5505924
    Abstract: A multistage process for the separation and purification of a desired crystalline material by repeated dissolution and recrystallization, wherein crystals and solvent move countercurrent to one another through the stages. A fluid temperature gradient is maintained within each recrystallization unit to make use of convection to facilitate or accelerate concurrent dissolution and recrystallization within a single vessel. Solid recrystallized material is moved from one unit to the next unit. An automated apparatus and a manually operated apparatus for carrying out the process are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Bicron Corporation
    Inventor: Neil M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5472622
    Abstract: An improved salt basket for dewatering solids, particularly salts resulting from evaporation of industrial wastewaters. The salt basket system includes a pressurizable vessel having a screen floor situated above a bottom liquid collection head, an inlet for the brine/solids slurry from which solids are to be separated and dried, an inlet for air, an inlet for steam (the latter two inlets may be combined, where convenient), an inlet for solids free feed, and a drain outlet (these two may be combined where convenient into a combination feed/drain connection). Preferably, an automated system for introducing feed brine and for removing the solids product is provided. For safety, a pivotally attached lower door has a hydraulic failsafe closure mechanism and locking safety latches to prevent the door from inadvertently opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Ionics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert L. Solomon, Ferris C. Standiford, Joseph Bostjancic, Dan Peterson, George R. Jones
  • Patent number: 5466266
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for superpurifying crystallizable substances to a purity level of 99.999%. Included is a closed multistage system which maintains controlled transfers of material between a plurality of stages. The method and apparatus avoid the need to transfer solid crystals from one stage to another and effect efficient and very effective separation of purified crystals from their mother liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Griffiths
  • Patent number: 5445108
    Abstract: A melt is crystallized by introducing the melt into a gap formed between two belts. The gap-forming flights of the belts travel in opposite directions. An upper one of the flights is cooled so that an upper surface of the melt crystallizes thereon and is removed from the gap on the upper belt. The lower belt removes the residual melt from the gap and that residual melt is recycled to the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Santrade Ltd.
    Inventors: Konrad Schermutzki, Herbert Wurmseher
  • Patent number: 5366552
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus capable of efficiently producing an epitaxial layer grown at one time on a multiplicity of substrates with uniform thickness and quality are disclosed, in which a sealable growth chamber filled in a solution used to achieve liquid-phase epitaxial growth and holding therein at least one row of thin plate-like substrate is turned about the horizontal axis. The growth chamber is tilted or overturned so that the solution in the growth chamber is stirred homogeneously and the effect of gravity on the solution is excluded. A solution chamber for holding therein the solution is connected with the growth chamber via a gate valve. After the liquid-phase epitaxial growth, the growth chamber is overturned and then the gate valve is opened so that the solution in the growth chamber returns to the solution chamber. Thus, reuse of the solution is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yamada, Takao Takenaka, Masahisa Endo
  • Patent number: 5362455
    Abstract: A direct contact cryogenic crystallizer having a vertically oriented draft tube into which cryogenic fluid is injected at a high velocity along with warm gas and through which a crystal slurry is drawn for subsequent cooling and agitation for the production of crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan T. Cheng
  • Patent number: 5344618
    Abstract: A crystal refining apparatus having a refining column containing a plurality of vertical shafts having screw blades provided therearound. Each blade rotates in a opposite direction, thereby carrying refined solid crystals upward. The reflux ratio of this apparatus can be much greater than that of the prior art, and highly refined crystals are obtained.The separated liquid extraction chambers are disposed at the bottom and the side of the refining column and a pressure reduction line is connected thereto so that the separated liquid is extracted at a high rate, accordingly the reflux ratio has become great in value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Shigeru Saitoh
  • Patent number: 5326541
    Abstract: An endless steel band or belt (12) moves upwardly (see arrow 65). The upper length or run (17) of the band or belt (12) is cooled or heated by a fluid flowing from nozzles (43, 59). A feeding station (21) supplies a liquid mixture which mixture runs downwardly along the crystallizing surface (11) of the belt. A crystal layer is thus formed on the crystallizing surface 11. This crystal layer is moved upwardly in counter-current. The remaining liquid, the mother liquor, which is substantially free from crystallizable substance, flows downwardly. A device (22) for changing the inclination angle (.alpha.) of the crystallizing surface permits the crystallizing device to be adjusted in a simple way in accordance with the requirement of the crystallizating process. For automatic operation, a control unit (C) can associate the angle of inclination (.alpha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignees: Gebruder Sulzer Aktiengesellschaft, Sandvik Process Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Ulrich, Manfred Stepanski, Yavus Oezoguz
  • Patent number: 5269817
    Abstract: A melt is crystallized by introducing the melt into a gap formed between two belts. The gap-forming flights of the belts travel in opposite directions. An upper one of the flights is cooled so that an upper surface of the melt crystallizes thereon and is removed from the gap on the upper belt. The lower belt removes the residual melt from the gap and that residual melt is recycled to the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Santrade Ltd.
    Inventors: Konrad Schermutzki, Herbert Wurmseher
  • Patent number: 5264190
    Abstract: An apparatus for liquid phase epitaxial film growth includes a mother boat for supporting a substrate, a melt boat slidable on the mother boat for containing a melt and selectively bringing the substrate and the melt into contact, and a lid for opening and closing the melt boat. The mother boat is disposed in a quartz tube and push rods extend into the tube for sliding the lid to open and close the melt boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatosi Kobayashi, Yoshiharu Komine
  • Patent number: 5240467
    Abstract: A multistage process for the separation and purification of a desired crystalline material by repeated dissolution and recrystallization, wherein crystals and solvent move countercurrent to one another through the stages. A fluid temperature gradient is maintained within each recrystallization unit to make use of convection to facilitate or accelerate concurrent dissolution and recrystallization within a single vessel. Solid recrystallized material is moved from one unit to the next unit. An automated apparatus and a manually operated apparatus for carrying out the process are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Bicron Corporation
    Inventor: Neil M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5130105
    Abstract: A protein crystal growth tray assembly includes a tray that has a plurality of individual crystal growth chambers. Each chamber has a movable pedestal which carries a protein crystal growth compartment at an upper end. The several pedestals for each tray assembly are ganged together for concurrent movement so that the solutions in the various pedestal growth compartments can be separated from the solutions in the tray's growth chambers until the experiment is to be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Daniel C. Carter, Teresa Y. Miller
  • Patent number: 5128111
    Abstract: A large thin web having a coherent crystal morphology throughout its extent is made on a continuous basis by drawing a meniscus of the web material from a hot melt thereof onto a heated support surface which moves relative to the melt so that the liquid is distributed as a thin liquid film over that support surface. The moving support surface advances the film progressively past a chiller which establishes a chill zone at the surface of the film which cools the film material at an isothermal front or boundary therein to a temperature below the melting point of the material so that the material solidifies. Also, a crystal seeding bar is located at the chill zone which is brought into contact with the film just ahead of the front so that when the film solidifies in the chill zone it assumes the crystal morphology of the seeding bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Manfred R. Kuehnle
    Inventor: Manfred R. Kuehnle
  • Patent number: 5114528
    Abstract: An apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body (30) from a polycrystalline feed rod (22) includes a heater (20) that is positioned to heat a short section of the polycrystalline rod (22) to create a molten zone (34). The heater (20) is formed to include a shaper (40) that contacts the polycrystalline rod (22) in the molten zone (34) and has a hole (46) to allow flow in the molten zone (34) between the polycrystalline rod (22) side and the monocrystalline body (30) side of the shaper. The shaper (40) has an edge (42) that defines the boundary of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body (30) that is formed as the molten material solidifies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Sindo Kou
  • Patent number: 5055276
    Abstract: A whisker growing furnace having a plurality of removable reaction plates mounted therein. A whisker collecting apparatus removes the plates one at a time from the furnace without shutting down the furnace or stopping the whisker growing process. The whisker collection apparatus includes a whisker stripper for stripping the whiskers from the plate as the plate is removed from the furnace. The plate is then returned to the furnace for further processing as the plate is coated with fresh catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Harold A. Huckins
  • Patent number: 4978509
    Abstract: A crystallizer which incorporates a lamella settler and which is particularly applicable for use in batteries and power cells for electric vehicles or stationary applications. The lamella settler can be utilized for coarse particle separation or for agglomeration, and is particularly applicable to aluminum-air batteries or power cells for solving the hydrargillite (aluminum-hydroxide) removal problems from such batteries. This invention provides the advantages of very low energy consumption, turbulence, shear, cost and maintenance. Thus, due to the low shear and low turbulence of this invention, it is particularly effective in the control of aluminum hydroxide particle size distribution in the various sections of an aluminum-air system, as well as in other electrochemical systems requiring separation for phases of different densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Arturo Maimoni
  • Patent number: 4946739
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an enamel paint receptive flexible laminate and its method of manufacture. The laminate is useful for making banners, flags, signs and the like that are decorated with enamel poster paints. The laminates of the present invention comprise a base fabric material, a first film coating of a plasticized polyvinyl chloride and a second coating of thermosetting vinyl acrylic copolymer. The thermosetting vinyl acrylic copolymer promotes increased adhesion and decreased drying time of poster paints and lettering enamel when they are applied to the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Borden, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight E. Chapman, David R. Morse
  • Patent number: 4940047
    Abstract: Textile sheet-like structure impregnated or coated with water-hardening synthetic resin, said textile comprising organic fibers with an elasticity modulus of 200 to 2500 daN/mm.sup.2 and having an extensibility in the longitudinal direction of at least 10% before hardening of said resin is useful in preparing orthopaedic support dressings, containers, filters, pipes, reinforcing material, stiffening material, filler or sealer material for hollow spaces or joints, insulating material, in preparing decorative and artistic articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignees: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Karl Otto Braun KG
    Inventors: Roland Richter, Wolfram Mayer, Gunter Langen, Willy Leyser
  • Patent number: 4925636
    Abstract: A furnace for growing a semiconductor crystal includes an elongated tubular chamber encased within a cylindrical jacket. The furnace is divided into a plurality of zones with each zone having a corresponding insulation block for preventing heat loss from the chamber and to absorb external vibrations. The chamber is heated by sets of heater elements fixed thereto. Each set of heater elements is controlled by a corresponding processing means which supplies needed power thereto for generating the desired temperature in that zone. To draw heat from a particular area, an annular shunt disc may be interposed concentrically between the chamber and the jacket for providing a radial path for heat to flow from the chamber to the environment through the jacket. Because of its sound construction and the requirement of only minimal power, this furnace is particularly well adapted to operate on Earth, and in a micro-gravity environment and withstand launches to and from space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Louis H. Hemmerdinger, Gregory W. Knowles, George B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 4900525
    Abstract: A reactor for producing single crystal metal carbide, nitride, or carbonitride whiskers, where the metal is one or more of Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta or W. The reactor walls and inner fixtures provide the substrate surfaces, greatly increasing the surface area available for whisker growth. Preferred substrate materials are nickel or high nickel alloy coated with TiC or TiN, or, for carbide or carbonitride whiskers, nickel impregnated graphite. An alternate embodiment provides a collecting chamber and vibrating means to mechanically detach whiskers, allowing for more efficient batch, or continuous operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: GTE Laboratories Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles D'Angelo, Joseph G. Baldoni, II, Sergej-Tomislav Buljan
  • Patent number: 4891191
    Abstract: An improved countercurrent solid-liquid contacting apparatus, and more particularly an improved counter-current crystallizer column is disclosed. The present invention embraces the discover that column efficiency and product purity can be substantially enhanced by reducing axial liquid back-mixing by using stationary solid beds and transport means at spaced intervals along the column length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Don E. Carter, Yung C. Hsu, Jason J. Tang
  • Patent number: 4891190
    Abstract: An incrustation resistive crystallizer apparatus is disclosed. The crystallizer housing has conduit means for ingress of solution to be crystallized, separate conduit means for ingress and egress of cooling fluid, means for recovery of mother liquor and product crystals either together or separately. A plurality of essentially horizontal perforated plates substantially conforming to the interior shape of the housing are vertically spaced along the housing length. A support member capable of translational movement along the housing length holds the plates in the above-described position. A plurality of mobile bodies are disposed on the upper surface of the plates. A heat transfer conduit disposed substantially parallel to the coaxial support member penetrates through apertures in the horizontal plates. A compound excitation device adapted to produce two waveforms is attached to the support member. The first waveform causes translational plate movement for scraping the surface of the heat transfer conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Don E. Carter, Yung C. Hsu
  • Patent number: 4847053
    Abstract: Fine single crystals of low-melting point materials are prepared by slowly withdrawing a glass crystal growth capillary tube containing the material from a heating apparatus which precisely maintains the molten material at a temperature just above its melting point. Temperature control of the molten material in the crystal growth tube, prior to solidification, is attained by enclosing the crystal growth tube in a temperature control tube containing the molten material being solidified. Preferably, the inside diameter of the temperature control tube is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the crystal growth tube, and both tubes reach into a reservoir of the molten material to be grown as a crystal, so that the molten material is drawn upwardly into the crystal growth tube and the space between the crystal growth tube and the temperature control tube by capillary action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Antonio Pastor, Gregory L. Tangonan
  • Patent number: 4806318
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying crystals comprises a crystal purifying tower having a transverse cross-section of two partially overlapping circles, stirrers each comprising a rotational shaft passing through the center of each of the circles and having blade members disposed spirally on its surface, a solid-liquid separation plate disposed at the bottom portion of the tower, a liquid take out means disposed below the separation plate, a starting crude crystal feed means disposed above the separation plate, a purified crystal take out means disposed at the upper portion of the tower, heating means disposed in the tower in a multistage manner along the longitudinal direction of the tower, and purified crystal circulation means for cooling a portion of purified crystals taken out from the tower and feeding back the cooled crystals to the tower at at least one portion of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Saitoh, Masaki Shimada
  • Patent number: 4797174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for checking the supercooling of a monocrystal during its formation.There is a continuous measurement of the potential difference between one point of the forming crystal and one point of a solid part of the material separated from the liquid by a reference interface differing from the solidification front. This potential difference makes is possible to determine the temperature deviation due to the supercooling at the solidification front and the dopant concentration of the crystal being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Jean Comera, Pierre Contamin, Jean-Jacques Favier, Guy Marquet
  • Patent number: 4783362
    Abstract: A peel ply material of high visual discernibility for use during curing of a resin-coated substrate comprises a base fabric characterized by a high level of wet out when disposed on a cured resin-coated substrate, and tracers woven into the base fabric in spaced lines comprising yarn characterized by (a) a low level of wet out, (b) substantially the same heat shrinkage properties as the base fabric, and (c) a substantially zero transfer level to the resin-coated substrate. The base fabric may be undyed polyester, and the tracers may be bleached polyfluorocarbon or conjugated polyester/carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Stern & Stern Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Thornton, Stanley H. Cone, George W. Booz
  • Patent number: 4704258
    Abstract: An ampoule assembly for the growth of single crystal materials is particularly adapted for a micro-gravity environment and includes a plurality of centering rods for spacing a crystalline material from the inner surface of an ampoule. The centering rods are spaced relative to one another to form a dopant vapor passageway to provide uniform stoichiometry of the crystal upon melting and resolidification. Minimum contact between ampoule and the crystalline material ensures greater purity of the crystalline material when the material is transformed into a single crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Hemmerdinger, Herbert Schneider
  • Patent number: 4666681
    Abstract: According to the invention, an apparatus for producing a monocrystal comprises at least one thermally conductive crucible for receiving the material, a thermally conductive holder having a part able to receive each crucible and extended by a projection, a heater for heating the thermally conductive holder and each crucible containing the material, a drive for the relative displacement of the thermally conductive holder and each crucible containing the material with respect to the said heater and a crystalizer able to bring about the crystallization of one end of the material melted in the heater, once said end has been extracted therefrom, and wherein the projection is positioned so as to check the temperature gradient undergone by the material during the relative displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Bernard Ferrand, Yves Grange