Patent US3618212A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3853489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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A non-wetting aid for growing crystalline bodies
Assignee: Saint Gobain Ceramics and Plastics Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-08
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1991-11-08
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a method and apparatus for growing crystalline bodies from the melt. Monocrystalline bodies of a material such as alumina are grown from a melt on a novel ''''die'''' assembly which determines the shape of the crystalline body.
Inventors
- 👤 J Bailey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:25
CPC Classifications
C; C30; C30B; C30B15/00; C30B15/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S117/00; Y10S117/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A METHOD OF PRODUCING AN ELONGATE SUBSTANTIALLY MONOCRYSTALLINE BODY OF A FIRST SELECTED MATERIAL HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT CROSS-SECTION OF PREDETERMINED SHAPE, SAID METHOD COMPRISING ESTABLISHING A LIQUID FILM OF SAID FIRST SELECTED MATERIAL ON A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING SURFACE OF A SECOND SOLID MATERIAL THAT IS WETTABLE BY SAID FIRST SELECTED MATERIAL AND HAS A PREDETERMINED CONFIGURATION AT LEAST PARTLY DEFINED BY A THIRD LIQUID OR SOLID MATERIAL THAT IS NOT WETTED BY SAID FILM SO THAT SAID FILM TERMINATES AT THE BOUNDARY OF SAID THRID MATERIAL, GROWING A SUBSTANTIALLY MONOCRYSTALLINE BODY OF SAID FIRST MATERIAL FROM SAID FILM AND PULLING SAID BODY VERTICALLY AWAY FROM SAID FILM AS IT GROWS, AND REPLENISHING SAID FILM BY FEEDING AN ADDITIONAL QUANTITY OF SAID FIRST MATERIAL IN LIQUID FORM TO SAID SURFACE VIA AT LEAST ONE OPENING IN SAID SURFACE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A METHOD OF PRODUCING AN ELONGATE SUBSTANTIALLY MONOCRYSTALLINE BODY OF A FIRST SELECTED MATERIAL HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT CROSS-SECTION OF PREDETERMINED SHAPE, SAID METHOD COMPRISING ESTABLISHING A LIQUID FILM OF SAID FIRST SELECTED MATERIAL ON A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING SURFACE OF A SECOND SOLID MATERIAL THAT IS WETTABLE BY SAID FIRST SELECTED MATERIAL AND HAS A PREDETERMINED CONFIGURATION AT LEAST PARTLY DEFINED BY A THIRD LIQUID OR SOLID MATERIAL THAT IS NOT WETTED BY SAID FILM SO THAT SAID FILM TERMINATES AT THE BOUNDARY OF SAID THRID MATERIAL, GROWING A SUBSTANTIALLY MONOCRYSTALLINE BODY OF SAID FIRST MATERIAL FROM SAID FILM AND PULLING SAID BODY VERTICALLY AWAY FROM SAID FILM AS IT GROWS, AND REPLENISHING SAID FILM BY FEEDING AN ADDITIONAL QUANTITY OF SAID FIRST MATERIAL IN LIQUID FORM TO SAID SURFACE VIA AT LEAST ONE OPENING IN SAID SURFACE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method of claim 1 where said crystalline material is alumina and said non-wetting material is tin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method of claim 1 wherein said third material is surrounded by said surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method of claim 1 wherein said third material surrounds said surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method of claim 1 wherein said third material is in liquid form.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body of a selected material from a melt of said material comprising a die having a substantially horizontally extending top end surface with a predetermined edge configuration, said surface material that is wettable by the melt and further characterized by at least one region consisting of a material in liquid or solid form that is not wetted by said melt, and a capillary in said die leading down from said top end surface outside of said region for feeding melt to said top end surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body of a selected material from a melt of said material comprising a die having a substantially horizontally extending top end surface with a predetermined edge configuration, said surface material that is wettable by the melt and further characterized by at least one region consisting of a material in liquid or solid form that is not wetted by said melt, and a capillary in said die leading down from said top end surface outside of said region for feeding melt to said top end surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said region of non-wettable material is substantially circular in cross-section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said region of non-wettable material is substantially flush with said top surface of said die.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said region of nonwetting material extends above said top surface of said die.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said top end surface is made of molybdenum and said non-wetting material is tin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for use in growing a monocrystalline body of a first material from a melt of said first material comprising: a crucible for containing a supply of said melt; and a die disposed in said crucible, said die comprising a second material that is wettable by said melt and a third material that is not wettable by said melt, said die having a top end surface for supporting a film of said melt, said top end surface being made of said second material and having a predetermined edge configuration thaT is defined at least in part by said third material, and a passageway in said die leading down from said top end surface for feeding melt from said supply to said top end surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for use in growing a monocrystalline body of a first material from a melt of said first material comprising: a crucible for containing a supply of said melt; and a die disposed in said crucible, said die comprising a second material that is wettable by said melt and a third material that is not wettable by said melt, said die having a top end surface for supporting a film of said melt, said top end surface being made of said second material and having a predetermined edge configuration thaT is defined at least in part by said third material, and a passageway in said die leading down from said top end surface for feeding melt from said supply to said top end surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said third material has a melting point below the melting point of said second material.
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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) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |