US3818982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for cooling workpieces which are submitted to a vacuum treatment
Assignee: Balzers Patent und Beteiligungs AG
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Filing: 1972-10-24
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1992-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A cylindrical jacket of rubber-like elastic material is mounted on a rotary drum forming part of the equipment of a chamber for vacuum coating, and it is hermetically sealed with each end of the drum so that the drum interior is separated from a surrounding evacuated space of a treatment chamber. The workpieces to be coated are supported on the periphery of the cooling jacket which is stretched against the bottom surfaces of the workpieces so as to create a heat conduction contact. The jacket is cooled by coolant which is circulated from outside the vacuum chamber through the drum shaft and around the inner jacket surfaces and out through an annular conduit surrounding the drum shaft. The coolant flow causes a pressure difference between the drum interior and the chamber surrounding the drum so that the inflating cooling jacket applies tightly against and, because of the suppleness of the material, conforms exactly to the shape of the workpiece surfaces. The workpieces may be supported exteriorly by a cylindrical cage or grid which encompasses the cooling jacket and, at the same time, forms a limiting means for the inflation of the jacket.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:14
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/54; C23C14/541; H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/32; H01J37/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/135; Y10S165/139; Y10S165/156
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A device for cooling a workpiece which is submitted to a treatment, particularly to a vacuum coating, and which is supported on the outside of a casing structure with their exterior surfaces exposed for treatment, comprising a drum having an expandible cooling jacket forming a workpiece engagement surface, the interior of said drum being hermetically sealed, means for directing a coolant into the interior of said drum for cooling the interior of said jacket and for expanding said jacket against the workpiece, and an outer grid supporting structure engaged over said jacket for engaging the workpiece from the exterior thereof and holding it on said drum and limiting the maximum possible expansion of said jacket.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A device for cooling a workpiece which is submitted to a treatment, particularly to a vacuum coating, and which is supported on the outside of a casing structure with their exterior surfaces exposed for treatment, comprising a drum having an expandible cooling jacket forming a workpiece engagement surface, the interior of said drum being hermetically sealed, means for directing a coolant into the interior of said drum for cooling the interior of said jacket and for expanding said jacket against the workpiece, and an outer grid supporting structure engaged over said jacket for engaging the workpiece from the exterior thereof and holding it on said drum and limiting the maximum possible expansion of said jacket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said cooling jacket comprises a hollow cylinder having an inner surface exposed to said coolant and having at least a portion comprising a rubber-like elastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
164 words
A vacuum treatment apparatus for use in a vessel having an evacuated chamber, comprising a rotary drum adapted to be positioned within the evacuated chamber having an end wall at each end and a cylindrical elastic jacket with a portion at each end engaged witH and sealed to respective ones of said end walls, said drum having a shaft with means for rotatably mounting said shaft on the vessel wall and for circulating a coolant into the interior of said drum for cooling of the interior of said jacket and subsequently withdrawing the coolant from said drum, and holding means for holding a workpiece over the exterior surface of said jacket, said jacket being expandible by the circulation of said coolant into heat absorbing contact with the workpiece, said holding means comprising a cage disposed around said jacket having portions engageable with the periphery of a workpiece and exposing the exterior surface of the workpiece for treatment and limiting the expansion of said jacket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
164 words
A vacuum treatment apparatus for use in a vessel having an evacuated chamber, comprising a rotary drum adapted to be positioned within the evacuated chamber having an end wall at each end and a cylindrical elastic jacket with a portion at each end engaged witH and sealed to respective ones of said end walls, said drum having a shaft with means for rotatably mounting said shaft on the vessel wall and for circulating a coolant into the interior of said drum for cooling of the interior of said jacket and subsequently withdrawing the coolant from said drum, and holding means for holding a workpiece over the exterior surface of said jacket, said jacket being expandible by the circulation of said coolant into heat absorbing contact with the workpiece, said holding means comprising a cage disposed around said jacket having portions engageable with the periphery of a workpiece and exposing the exterior surface of the workpiece for treatment and limiting the expansion of said jacket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vacuum treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said drum end walls include inner and outer plates clamped together over the respective ends of said jackets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A vacuum treatment aparatus according to claim 3, including a vessel defining the evacuation chamber and a treatment structure located with said vessel alongside said jacket in a position to expose the exterior of the workpiece to treatment from said structure.
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) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |