US3559662A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and valve apparatus for metering the flow of liquid metal
Assignee: Republic Steel Corp
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Filing: 1968-11-25
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Granted: 1971-02-02
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Expires: 1988-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and means for metering the flow of liquid zinc between a reservoir and a vacuum chamber in a vapor deposition process, comprising a valve body and operator structure composed of graphite which is immersed in the liquid zinc in the reservoir so that the body of zinc acts as an atmosphere-to-vacuum seal, and as a result of the nonwetting of graphite by zinc at the operating temperatures of the deposition process a liquid-toliquid seal is also achieved within the valve structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A Iezzi
- 👤 Laszlo V Sandor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:49
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/24; C23C14/246; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
13 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the refractory material is graphite.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conduit means is of a chromium carbide treated steel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operator comprises a member having an opening therein, said member being movable in said passage to meter the flow of said metal in proportion to the degree of registration of said opening and said passage.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
205 words
A system for metering the flow of liquid zinc between a reservoir and a chamber at a pressure below atmospheric comprising: a. a supply of the liquid zinc to be metered in the reservoir; b. a valve body of graphite positioned in the reservoir below the level of the zinc and having a first passage therein for accommodating the flow of the zinc between an inlet and an outlet in said body and a second passage intersecting said first passage between said inlet and said outlet; c. an operator of graphite positioned in said second passage for metering the flow of metal to said outlet, the clearances between said operator and said valve body being no greater than .004 inch; d. means exTernal to said zinc for controlling the movement of said operator in said second passage; e. heating means for maintaining the temperature of the zinc approximately within the range from 788* F. to 1200* F. such that the zinc will not wet the graphite, sealing the clearances between the valve body and the operator; and g. a tube fitted in said outlet and extending out of said zinc for connection to said chamber to conduct the zinc from said reservoir to said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as claim in claim 5 wherein said tube is of chromium carbide treated steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said operator comprises a cylindrical column having an opening therein, said column being movable in said second passage to meter the flow of the zinc to the outlet in proportion to the degree of registration of said opening and said first passage.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
140 words
A system for metering the flow of a liquid from a reservoir, comprising: a. a valve body adapted to be positioned in the reservoir below the level of the liquid to be metered and having a passage therein for accommodating the flow of the liquid between an inlet and an outlet; b. an operator in said passage for metering the flow of the liquid to said outlet; c. means external of said liquid for controlling the movement of said operator in said passage; d. the valve body and operator material being such that they are not wetted by the liquid so that no liquid enters and thus the liquid seals the clearances between the valve body and the operator; and e. conduit means connected to said outlet and extending out of said reservoir for conducting the liquid from said reservoir.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of metering and sealing the flow of a liquid from a reservoir to an environment below atmospheric pressure comprising the steps of: a. providing a valve having an inlet and an outlet and of a material which is not wetted by the liquid to be metered; b. connecting one end of a conduit to the outlet of said valve; c. immersing the valve in the reservoir with all the clearances and the outlet below the level of the liquid and with the other end of the conduit extending out of the liquid; and d. connecting the external end of the conduit to the environment below atmospheric pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the valve material is graphite.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |