Crystallizer Turning Gear for Pseudo Non-Gravity Crystal Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microgravity generators face limitations in high-speed rotation due to centrifugal forces affecting the second electric motor, restricting the rotation speed and thus failing to replicate the pseudo non-gravity environment effectively for crystal growth.
Innovation Solution
A crystallizer design incorporating a turning gear with a driving force transmission system that allows high-speed three-dimensional rotation without relying on a second motor, using a spherical container and heat exchange unit for uniform temperature control, enabling pseudo non-gravity conditions and improved isotropy of crystal growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the first rotator is rotated at high speed to generate pseudo non-gravity environment, then the crystal growth quality is improved, but the second electric motor receives large centrifugal force and may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The second electric motor is extracted from the rotating system. Instead of having the second motor rotate with the first rotator, the patent uses a passive rotating mechanism where the second shaft and its motor are stationary, and only the container and solution rotate through mechanical coupling. This eliminates the centrifugal force problem while maintaining the ability to achieve high-speed rotation for pseudo non-gravity environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical intermediary system is introduced between the first motor and the container. The patent uses a bearing support structure and coupling mechanism that transfers rotational motion from the first motor to the container without requiring the second motor to rotate. This intermediary system allows high-speed rotation while protecting the motor from centrifugal damage.
2Reliability
If the rotation speed is limited to several tens of rpm to protect the second motor, then the motor reliability is maintained, but the pseudo non-gravity environment cannot be effectively generated
Solution Approach 1:
The second electric motor is removed from the rotating assembly, allowing the system to achieve high rotation speeds without subjecting a motor to centrifugal forces. The stationary motor configuration combined with mechanical coupling enables speeds exceeding several tens of rpm while maintaining motor reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the dual-motor active control system with a simplified mechanical coupling system. Instead of using a second motor to control rotation, the system uses a bearing-supported mechanical structure that passively enables high-speed rotation through the first motor's drive, substituting complex motor control with simpler mechanical principles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional microgravity generator with two rotating motors is used, then the device can rotate in three dimensions, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second electric motor is extracted from the system, reducing the component count from two active motors to one. The patent achieves three-dimensional rotation capability through a stationary second shaft configuration combined with the first motor's rotation, eliminating the need for a second rotating motor while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The first electric motor and its associated rotating mechanism are designed to perform multiple functions: generating pseudo non-gravity environment through high-speed rotation and enabling three-dimensional orientation through the bearing-supported structure. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate second motor control, simplifying the overall system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-speed rotation and uniform temperature distribution, resulting in enhanced isotropy of crystal growth and efficient crystallization processes, overcoming the limitations of conventional microgravity generators.
Implementation Method 1
The microgravity generator is three-dimensionally rotated about the axial centers of the two shafts crossing at a right angle to thereby continuously change a gravity direction. The change of gravity direction before a substance to be crystallized receives gravity stimulus enables dispersion of a gravity vector.
Implementation Method 2
The crystallizer further includes a heat exchange unit for changing a temperature of the container.
Implementation Method 3
even a substance which is hardly crystallized due to an influence of gravity on the earth can be crystallized under non-gravity environment
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a crystallizer to generate pseudo non-gravity environment by three-dimensional high speed rotation and to minimize influence of gravity in crystallization process for crystallizing a substance from a solution. The crystallizer has turning gear, container 9, and container supporting unit 30. The turning gear includes horizontal shafts 3,6, first rotation frame 1 coupled to first shafts, motor 4 rotating frame 1 about X-X line, vertical shafts 7,8 provided on frame 1, and driving force transmission system 10. System 10 includes first disc 11 and second disc 12. First disc 11 rotates relative to frame 1 about axis of shafts 6. Second disc 12 is coupled to shaft 7. Contact between disc 11 and disc 12 transmits a turning force of frame 1 rotated by motor 4 to cause frame 2 to rotate about Y-Y line.