Crystal Growth Crucible Re-Shaper

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016303631-A1
Application number	US-201615088335-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 1, 2016
Priority date	Apr 20, 2015
Publication date	Oct 20, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Roll forming is used for re-shaping an iridium crucible. The crucible is placed on a platen. The platen rotates the crucible while heat is applied by a plurality of torches. A plurality of rollers press on the rotating, heated crucible to re-shape. The roll forming allows for a greater number of repetitions of the re-shaping, increasing the number of uses per expensive re-fabrication of the crucible. The roll forming may provide more exact re-shaping

First claim

I(We) claim:

1 . A system for re-shaping a used iridium crucible, the system comprising:
a platen configured to receive the used iridium crucible; a plurality of torches positioned to heat the used iridium crucible positioned on the platen; a plurality of rollers positioned adjacent to the platen so as to contact the heated, used iridium crucible positioned on the platen; a motor for rotating the platen while the heated iridium crucible is in the contact with the rollers; a spring for repositioning the iridium crucible during incremental roll forming by the rollers; a transmission for driving the rollers towards a center of rotation of the iridium crucible; and a controller configured to time movements of the rollers.

2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the rollers are tilted toward the iridium crucible such that pressure is applied at a largest diameter of the iridium crucible, loading the spring.

3 . The system of claim 2 wherein the controller is configured to cause incremental withdrawal of the rollers from the iridium crucible, allowing the spring to return the platen with the iridium crucible to a starting position.

4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of torches comprises three or more heating torches spaced equidistant about the platen, the three or more heating torches being radially adjustable.

5 . The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of rollers comprises three or more rollers spaced equidistant about a center of rotation of the platen.

6 . The system of claim 1 wherein the motor comprises an induction motor.

7 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a servo connected to the rollers through a transmission such that the servo is configured to tilt the rollers and move the rollers towards a center of rotation of the iridium crucible.

8 . The system of claim 7 further comprising a controller configured to control the servo based on distance of the movement of the rollers relative to the platen.

9 . The system of claim 1 wherein the rollers comprise water cooled rollers.

10 . A method for re-shaping a crucible warped due to use growing crystals, the method comprising:
placing the crucible warped due to use growing crystals on roll former; applying heat to the crucible; and re-shaping the heated crucible by the roll former so that the crucible has less warping.

11 . The method of claim 10 wherein placing comprises placing the crucible on a plate supported by a spring, and wherein applying the heat comprises applying the heat while the plate rotates.

12 . The method of claim 11 wherein re-shaping comprises pressing rollers tilted relative to the crucible against the crucible, the pressing compressing the spring.

13 . The method of claim 10 wherein applying the heat comprises directing a plurality of torches at the crucible while in the roll former.

14 . The method of claim 10 wherein re-shaping comprises roll forming with a plurality of rollers pressed against the crucible, the rollers applying balanced pressure from equidistant locations around the crucible.

15 . The method of claim 10 further comprising controlling the re-shaping based on distance of rollers relative to the crucible.

16 . The method of claim 10 wherein re-shaping comprises forming the crucible into a right circular cylinder.

17 . A method for use of a crucible in crystal growing, the method comprising:
growing a plurality of crystals in sequence from crystal material in an iridium container, wherein cooling the crystal material in the iridium container as part of the growing warps the iridium container; removing residual crystal material from the iridium container after the growing of the sequence; roll forming the iridium container with an automated tool, the roll forming removing at least some of the warping; and repeating the growing, removing, and roll forming a plurality of times with the iridium container.

18 . The method of claim 17 wherein roll forming comprises balanced heating and pressing the iridium container from multiple directions simultaneously.

19 . The method of claim 17 wherein roll forming comprises supporting the iridium container with a spring and pressing the iridium container with rollers tilted relative to the crucible, the tilt transmitting the pressing onto the spring.

20 . The method of claim 17 wherein roll forming with the automated tool comprises roll forming with rollers moved a predetermined distance while the iridium container is rotated.

21 . The method of claim 17 further comprising returning by a spring the crucible to a start position due to incremental release of rollers.

Assignees

• Siemens Medical Solutions Usa Inc

Inventors

• Andreaco Mark S
• Marlar Troy
• Quinton Brant
• Corbeil James L

Classifications

• B21D35/005

  characterized by the material of the blank or the workpiece (B21D26/053 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B21D3/14

  Recontouring · CPC title

• C30B35/002

  Crucibles or containers · CPC title

• B21D51/18

  vessels, e.g. tubs, vats, tanks, sinks, or the like · CPC title

• B21D3/02 Primary

  by rollers · CPC title