Claims
- 1. A device for isolating seed crystals during processing of the growth solution, comprising:
- a member constructed to hold a seed therein;
- means for supporting said member in a crystal growth tank;
- a movable shaft having an open section in one end and adapted to extend around a seed crystal and abut with said member; and
- means for supporting said movable shaft.
- 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for supporting said member includes a second member spaced from and connected to said first mentioned member, and a hollow shaft having one end secured in an opening in said second member.
- 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said means for supporting said movable shaft includes said hollow shaft, said movable shaft extending through said hollow shaft.
- 4. The device of claim 3, additionally including a seal assembly positioned around said opening in said second member and around said movable shaft.
- 5. The device of claim 3, additionally including means connected to said movable shaft and to said hollow shaft for preventing or allowing movement of said movable shaft.
- 6. The device of claim 3, additionally including an opening in said hollow shaft adapted to enable filling a space between said shafts with a fluid.
- 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable shaft includes a plurality of interconnected sections, one of said sections including said open section in one end thereof.
- 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said member includes an opening therein for holding a seed crystal.
- 9. The device of claim 1, in combination with a crystal growth tank having a top plate containing a crystal growth solution, said means for supporting said member includes a bearing assembly mounted on said top plate, said movable shaft extending through said bearing assembly.
- 10. The device of claim 9, additionally including a frame secured to said top plate, and a second bearing assembly mounted in said frame and aligned with said bearing assembly in said top plate, said movable shaft extending through said second bearing assembly.
- 11. The device of claim 1, additionally including locking means for said movable shaft for preventing or allowing movement thereof.
- 12. A crystal seed protector, adapted to be positioned in a crystal growth tank containing a crystal growth solution, comprising:
- a platform constructed to retain a seed crystal therein;
- movable means adapted to cover a seed crystal located in said platform;
- seal means constructed to prevent leakage of an associated growth solution; and
- means for allowing movement of said movable means for exposing an associated seed crystal to an associated growth solution.
- 13. The seed protector of claim 12, additionally including a member having an opening therein and spaced from and secured to said platform, said movable means extending through said opening in said member.
- 14. The seed protector of claim 13, additionally including a pair on concentric shafts, one of said pair of shafts being hollow and having one end thereof secured to said opening of said member, another of said pair of shafts constituting said movable means and extending through said hollow shaft.
- 15. The seed protector of claim 14, additionally including bearing means positioned adjacent said opening in said member and around said another of said pair of shafts.
- 16. The seed protector of claim 15, wherein said means for allowing movement of said movable means comprises a locking means operatively connected to said pair of concentric shafts, whereby releasing said locking means allows movement of said movable means.
- 17. The seed protector of claim 16, additionally including means in said hollow shaft for inserting a fluid into a space between said concentric shafts.
- 18. The seed protector of claim 14, wherein said another of said pair of concentric shafts comprises a plurality of interconnected sections, one section including an inverted end opening adapted to cover an associated seed crystal, another section being connected to said means for allowing movement of said movable means.
- 19. The seed protector of claim 12, wherein said platform is constructed to include an opening for retaining an associated seed crystal therein.
Government Interests
The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. W-7405-ENG-48 between the United States Department of Energy and the University of California for the operation of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
401224292 |
Sep 1989 |
JPX |
406048889 |
Feb 1994 |
JPX |