Manufacturing chamber including quick-connect fasteners

Abstract

A crystal growth station comprising a crystal extraction mechanism having a rotatable pull shaft, and a furnace chamber having an internal region configured to hold a crystal growth chamber configured to receive the rotatable pull shaft. The furnace chamber comprises a cover configured to cover the crystal growth station and a heating system configured to heat the internal region. At least one of the cover and the heating system includes at least one quick-connect fastener.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to crystal growth for nuclear medicine imaging, and more particularly to a manufacturing chamber configured to facilitate crystal growth and production.

Background Art

[0002] The Chokralski crystal growth process (often simply referred to as the "Chokralski method" or "CZ method") is a widely used process for producing bulk crystals used in a wide range of electronic and optical devices. The Chokralski crystal growth process begins by placing a small seed crystal into a melt in a crucible. This crucible is placed within a manufacturing chamber, typically referred to as a "furnace chamber," that heats the crucible so that the crystal seed interacts with the melt. The seed is then gradually pulled or "lifted" to form a single crystal boule.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] A crystal growth station according to a non-limiting embodiment includes a crystal pulling mechanism having a rotatable pull shaft and a furnace chamber having an internal region configured to hold a crystal growth chamber configured to receive the rotatable pull shaft. The furnace chamber includes a cover configured to cover the crystal growth station and a heating system configured to heat the internal region. At least one of the cover and the heating system includes at least one quick-connect fixture.

[0004] A furnace chamber according to another non-limiting embodiment includes an internal region configured to hold a crystal growth chamber, a cover, and a heating system. The cover is configured to cover the crystal growth station and the heating system is configured to heat the internal region. At least one of the cover and the heating system includes at least one quick-connect fixture.

[0005] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by referring to the following description, claims, and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A side view of a furnace chamber according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a top view of the furnace chamber. [Figure 3] A quick-connect fastening mechanism according to a non-limiting embodiment of this disclosure is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The present invention can be more readily understood by referring to the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention and the examples contained herein, as shown below. All numerical values ​​herein are assumed to be qualified with “approximately,” whether expressly indicated or not. “Approximately” generally refers to a range of numerical values ​​that a person with ordinary skill in the art would consider equivalent to (i.e., having the same function or result as) the listed values. Often, “approximately” may include numerical values ​​rounded to the nearest significant figure.

[0008] Referring together to Figures 1 and 2, a crystal growth station 100 according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The crystal growth station 100 includes a furnace chamber 108 and a crystal pulling mechanism 150. According to the non-limiting embodiment, the furnace chamber 108 is mounted on a stationary platform 102 that remains stationary throughout the crystal production process. The furnace chamber 108 includes an internal region 109 configured to hold a removable crystal growth chamber 116. The crystal growth chamber 116 can house a removable crucible used to hold raw materials (e.g., powders) used to produce crystal boules.

[0009] The furnace chamber 108 includes a heating system (described in more detail below) that heats the raw materials (e.g., powder) contained in the crucible to promote the growth of crystal boules. Once the formation of crystal boules is complete, the crystal growth chamber 116 is removed from the furnace chamber 108, and the crystal boules are removed from the crucible.

[0010] The furnace heating system includes various fluid conduits and heating coils. According to a non-limiting embodiment, the heating system includes a coolant conduit 402 piped into the wall of the furnace chamber 108. The coolant conduit 402 supplies coolant fluid to the furnace chamber 108. The coolant conduit 402 has a coolant inlet port 403 and a coolant outlet port 404 through which the coolant fluid flows into and out of the furnace chamber 108. A first external coolant pipe (not shown) supplying coolant fluid to the conduit 402 can be attached to the coolant inlet port 403 using a first quick-connect fastener (e.g., a first coolant quick-connect fastener), while a second external coolant pipe discharging coolant fluid from the coolant conduit 402 can be attached to the coolant outlet port 404 using a second quick-connect fastener (e.g., a second coolant quick-connect fastener). Quick-connect fasteners (typically simply called "quick connects") are described in more detail below.

[0011] The furnace chamber 108 further includes a cover 117 configured to cover the crystal growth chamber and suppress heat loss from the furnace chamber 108. The cover 117 has holes 118 through which the crystal growth chamber 116 can be removed. The cover 117 includes an annular cover conduit 412 (see Figure 2 below) connected to a cover inlet port 413 and a cover outlet port 414, through which coolant fluid flows into and out of the cover conduit 412. A first external cover conduit (not shown) supplying coolant fluid to the cover conduit 412 can be attached to the cover inlet port 413 using a first cover quick connection 304 (e.g., an inlet cover quick connection), and a second external cover conduit (not shown) discharging cover coolant fluid from the cover conduit 412 can be attached to the cover outlet port 414 using a second cover quick connection 304 (e.g., an outlet cover quick connection). The first and second quick connections 304 are described in more detail below.

[0012] As described herein, the heating system generates heat to heat the crystal growth chamber 116, thereby heating the internal region 109 and inducing the melting and reaction of the raw materials (e.g., powder) placed in the crucible. The heating system includes an induction coil 408 configured to surround the crystal growth chamber 116. The induction coil 408 includes a coil inlet port 407 and a coil outlet port 409. According to a non-limiting embodiment, the induction coil 408 is a hollow metal coil through which a coolant fluid is transported. A first induction coil outer tube (not shown) supplying coolant fluid to the induction coil 408 can be attached to the coil inlet port 407 using a first coil quick-connect fixture, while a second induction coil outer tube (not shown) discharging coolant fluid from the induction coil 408 can be attached to the coil outlet port 409 using a second coil quick-connect fixture. The quick-connect fixtures are described in more detail below.

[0013] The crystal pulling mechanism 150 is configured to facilitate the growth of crystal boules in the crystal growth chamber 116. The crystal pulling mechanism 150 includes a pillar 104 and a moving head 106. The first end of the pillar 104 is fixed to a fixed base (e.g., a floor or fixed platform 102), and the opposite second end is connected to the end of the moving head 106. The moving head 106 includes a rotatable shaft 122. The first end of the shaft is rotatably connected to a motor 107, while a crystal seed is attached to the opposite end of the shaft. The seed is placed in contact with the molten material and is gradually pulled or "pulled up" as the shaft 122 rotates to form a single crystal boule.

[0014] Referring to Figure 3, a quick-connect fastener mechanism 300 according to a non-limiting embodiment is shown. The quick-connect fastener mechanism 300 (also called a quick-connect coupling mechanism) comprises a pair of quick-connect fasteners that can be joined by pressing them together and separated from each other for disassembly (indicated by arrow 306). In this way, the quick-connect fastener mechanism 300 facilitates the rapid connection and disconnection of various conduits, pipes, and / or coils associated with the furnace chamber 108, the furnace cover 117 (e.g., cover conduit 412), and / or heating system (e.g., induction coil 408). In some embodiments, the quick-connect fastener mechanism 300 is also called a push-type coupling mechanism because, for joining a pair of quick-connect fasteners, only a quick push (pressing them together) is required to establish the connection and only a quick pull (pulling them apart) is required to disconnect the connection.

[0015] A pair of quick-connect fasteners includes a male end 302 (or “plug”) and a female end 304 (or “socket”). The male end 302 can be connected to a conduit or pipe for fluid communication, while the female end can be connected to an inlet or outlet port for fluid communication. The quick-connect fastener mechanism 300 establishes a secure, leak-free, sealed connection between the conduit / pipe and the corresponding inlet / outlet port by inserting the male end 302 into the female end 304. In the example shown in Figure 3, the male end is connected to an external cover pipe 303 that supplies coolant fluid, while the female end 304 is connected to a cover inlet port 413. Thus, the male end 302 can be pushed into the female end 304 so that coolant fluid can be delivered to the cover conduit 412 (see Figure 2), and can be pulled away from the female end 304 to quickly disconnect the connection and stop the fluid flow into the cover conduit 412. While the cover inlet port 413 has been described, it should be understood that the quick-connect fastener 304 may be connected to one or more of the coolant inlet port 403, coolant outlet port 404, coil inlet port 407, coil outlet port 409, and cover outlet port 414 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0016] The quick-connect fastener mechanism 300 described herein may include, but is not limited to, a one-way sleeve design and a two-way sleeve design. The one-way sleeve design allows the connected quick-connect fasteners 302, 304 to be disconnected using a tool when one or more quick-connect fasteners are clamped in place. The two-way sleeve design allows the quick-connect fasteners 302, 304 to be disconnected with one hand. In the two-way design, the connection can be severed by twisting and pulling the two quick-connect fasteners 302, 304. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, one or more quick-connect fasteners 302, 304 may include a valve to provide an option for starting, stopping, or reducing fluid flow.

[0017] The quick-connect fasteners 302 and 304 can be implemented using a variety of designs without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, the quick-connect fasteners 302 and 304 can consist of, but are not limited to, ball bearing coupling designs (also known as ball-sleeve couplings), flat-face coupling designs, non-latching coupling designs, and bayonet couplings.

[0018] Ball bearing coupling designs (e.g., ball-sleeve couplings) utilize spring-loaded balls that remain within a cavity to make a connection. Ball bearing coupling designs are a type of bidirectional sleeve design that allows a pair of quick-connect fasteners to be disconnected with one hand.

[0019] Flat-face coupling designs can be push-to-connect or threaded. Flat-face couplings offer high flow and low pressure drop, and their sleeve-locking feature reduces the possibility of accidental disconnection. Therefore, flat-face coupling designs can eliminate the problem of pressure or hydraulic fluid / air leakage trapped within the line by eliminating cavities where fluid or air can remain still.

[0020] Non-latching coupling designs typically include a self-sealing valve that keeps the fluid within the line to prevent any leakage. Therefore, non-latching coupling designs are preferable in applications and systems where frequent coupling replacement may be necessary, such as pneumatic systems used in testing and medical applications.

[0021] The bayonet coupling design provides an additional locking mechanism (e.g., a slide lock) to maintain the connection in high-pressure applications. For example, the user presses the male and female ends together and, once engaged, rotates the male end to lock the connection in place. The locking pair can be unlocked and separated by twisting the male end in the opposite direction.

[0022] As described herein, one or more non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure provide a crystal growth station that incorporates one or more quick-connect fixture mechanisms. The quick-connect fixture mechanisms facilitate the rapid attachment of conduits and pipes that supply and remove coolant fluid to and from the furnace chamber, furnace cover, and / or furnace heating system.

[0023] The present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific preferred versions, but other versions are also possible. That is, the gist and scope of the claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions included herein.

[0024] The reader's attention is directed to all written materials and documents that are filed simultaneously with this specification and made available for public viewing together with this specification. The contents of all such written materials and documents are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0025] All features disclosed in this specification (including the claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features that perform the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. That is, each feature disclosed, unless specifically stated otherwise, is only an example of a general series of equivalent or similar features.

[0026] Elements in a claim that do not expressly recite a "means" for performing a particular function or a "step" for performing a particular function should not be construed as a "means" or "step" clause as defined in paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C. § 112. In particular, the use of "step" in the claims of the present application is not intended to invoke the provisions of paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C. § 112.

Claims

1. It is a crystal growth station, A crystal pulling mechanism including a rotatable pull shaft, A furnace chamber comprising an internal region configured to hold a crystal growth chamber configured to receive the pull shaft, The furnace chamber includes a cover configured to cover the crystal growth station and a heating system configured to heat the internal region. A crystal growth station in which at least one of the cover and the heating system includes at least one quick-connect fastener.

2. The aforementioned cover is A cover conduit including a first cover conduit end configured as an inlet portion for the coolant fluid and a second cover conduit end on the opposite side configured as an outlet portion for the coolant fluid, The cover inlet port connected to the end of the first cover conduit, The crystal growth station according to claim 1, further comprising a cover outlet port connected to the end of the second cover conduit.

3. The aforementioned cover is An inlet cover quick-connect fastener including a first end connected to the cover inlet port and a second end configured to connect to a first fitting quick-connect fastener connected to a first outer cover coolant conduit configured to deliver the coolant fluid to the cover inlet port, The crystal growth station according to claim 2, further comprising an outlet cover quick-connect fastener having a first end connected to the cover outlet port and a second end configured to connect to a second fitting quick-connect fastener connected to a second outer cover coolant conduit configured to discharge the coolant fluid from the cover outlet port.

4. The aforementioned heating system is A coolant conduit including at least one conduit, which includes a first conduit end configured as an inlet portion for the coolant fluid and a second conduit end configured as an outlet portion for the coolant fluid, The coolant inlet port connected to the end of the first conduit, The crystal growth station according to claim 2, further comprising a coolant outlet port connected to the second conduit end.

5. The aforementioned heating system is An inlet coolant quick-connect fastener including a first end connected to the coolant inlet port and a second end configured to connect to a first fitting quick-connect fastener connected to a first external coolant conduit configured to deliver the coolant fluid to the coolant inlet port, The crystal growth station according to claim 4, further comprising an outlet coolant quick-connect fastener having a first end connected to the coolant outlet port and a second end configured to connect to a second fitting quick-connect fastener connected to a second external coolant conduit configured to discharge the coolant fluid from the coolant outlet port.

6. The aforementioned heating system is An induction coil including a first coil end configured as an inlet portion for the coolant fluid and a second coil end configured as an outlet portion for the coolant fluid, A coil inlet port connected to the first coil end, The crystal growth station according to claim 2, further comprising a coil outlet port connected to the second coil end.

7. The aforementioned heating system is An inlet coil quick-connect fastener including a first end connected to the coil inlet port and a second end configured to connect to a first fitting quick-connect fastener connected to a first external coil conduit configured to supply the coolant fluid to the coil inlet port, The crystal growth station according to claim 6, further comprising an outlet coil quick-connection fixture including a first end connected to the coil outlet port and a second end configured to connect to a second fitting quick-connection fixture connected to a second external coil conduit configured to discharge the coolant fluid from the coil outlet port.

8. The crystal pulling mechanism includes a moving head including a moving head motor, The first end of the pull shaft is rotatably connected to the motion head motor. The crystal growth station according to claim 1, wherein the second end opposite to the pull shaft is configured to be inside the furnace chamber.

9. The crystal growth station according to claim 1, wherein the at least one quick-connect fastener is a first quick-connect fastener configured to engage with a second quick-connect fastener according to a one-way sleeve design.

10. The crystal growth station according to claim 1, wherein the at least one quick-connect fastener is a first quick-connect fastener configured to engage with a second quick-connect fastener according to a bidirectional sleeve design.

11. It is a furnace chamber, An internal region configured to hold the crystal growth chamber, A cover configured to enclose the crystal growth station, The system comprises a heating system configured to heat the aforementioned internal region, A furnace chamber in which at least one of the cover and the heating system includes at least one quick-connect fastener.

12. The aforementioned cover is A cover conduit including a first cover conduit end configured as an inlet portion for the coolant fluid and a second cover conduit end on the opposite side configured as an outlet portion for the coolant fluid, The cover inlet port connected to the end of the first cover conduit, The furnace chamber according to claim 11, further comprising a cover outlet port connected to the end of the second cover conduit.

13. The aforementioned cover is An inlet cover quick-connect fastener including a first end connected to the cover inlet port and a second end configured to connect to a first fitting quick-connect fastener connected to a first outer cover coolant conduit configured to deliver the coolant fluid to the cover inlet port, The furnace chamber according to claim 12, further comprising an outlet cover quick-connect fastener having a first end connected to the cover outlet port and a second end configured to connect to a second fitting quick-connect fastener connected to a second outer cover coolant conduit configured to discharge the coolant fluid from the cover outlet port.

14. The aforementioned heating system is A coolant conduit including at least one conduit, which includes a first conduit end configured as an inlet portion for the coolant fluid and a second conduit end configured as an outlet portion for the coolant fluid, The coolant inlet port connected to the end of the first conduit, The furnace chamber according to claim 12, further comprising a coolant outlet port connected to the second conduit end.

15. The aforementioned heating system is An inlet coolant quick-connect fastener including a first end connected to the coolant inlet port and a second end configured to connect to a first fitting quick-connect fastener connected to a first external coolant conduit configured to deliver the coolant fluid to the coolant inlet port, The furnace chamber according to claim 14, further comprising an outlet coolant quick-connect fastener having a first end connected to the coolant outlet port and a second end configured to connect to a second fitting quick-connect fastener connected to a second external coolant conduit configured to discharge the coolant fluid from the coolant outlet port.

16. The aforementioned heating system is An induction coil including a first coil end configured as an inlet portion for the coolant fluid and a second coil end configured as an outlet portion for the coolant fluid, A coil inlet port connected to the first coil end, The furnace chamber according to claim 12, further comprising a coil outlet port connected to the second coil end.

17. The aforementioned heating system is An inlet coil quick-connect fastener including a first end connected to the coil inlet port and a second end configured to connect to a first fitting quick-connect fastener connected to a first external coil conduit configured to supply the coolant fluid to the coil inlet port, The furnace chamber according to claim 16, further comprising an outlet coil quick-connection fixture including a first end connected to the coil outlet port and a second end configured to connect to a second fitting quick-connection fixture connected to a second external coil conduit configured to discharge the coolant fluid from the coil outlet port.

18. The furnace chamber according to claim 11, wherein the cover includes a retaining portion configured to receive a rotatable pull shaft.

19. The furnace chamber according to claim 11, wherein the at least one quick-connect fastener is a first quick-connect fastener configured to engage with a second quick-connect fastener according to a one-way sleeve design.

20. The furnace chamber according to claim 11, wherein the at least one quick-connect fastener is a first quick-connect fastener configured to engage with a second quick-connect fastener according to a bidirectional sleeve design.

Images