Location History:
- Welland, EN (1976 - 1977)
- Malvern, GB (1981)
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1976-1981
Title: The Innovations of Donald Thomas Hurle
Introduction
Donald Thomas Hurle is a notable inventor based in Welland, GB. He has made significant contributions to the field of crystal growth technology, holding a total of 3 patents. His work focuses on improving the efficiency and stability of crystal growing processes.
Latest Patents
Hurle's latest patents include advancements in the automatic control of crystal growth. One of his inventions involves a crystal growing apparatus where the weight of the crystal is measured by a load cell. This output is compared with an expected function to form a control loop for managing heater power. The improvement he introduced comprises a correction circuit that applies a signal compensating for a time differential of an error signal in the load cell output. This correction circuit can function as either a feedback or a feed forward loop.
Another significant patent is related to the automatic control of the Czochralski growth of a crystal. This invention allows for uniform crystal cross-sectional area by weighing the crucible containing the melt. A weight signal is derived and compared with its expected value to produce a feedback loop control signal for the melt heater power. Hurle's innovation addresses the issue of a magnetic field associated with the melt heater current, which can produce a levitation force that is erroneously recorded as part of the weight signal. His invention cancels this unwanted force by monitoring the current supplied to the melt heater and adding the derived component to the weight signal in the feedback loop.
Career Highlights
Donald Thomas Hurle is associated with the National Research Development Corporation, where he continues to contribute to advancements in technology. His work has been instrumental in enhancing the processes involved in crystal growth, which is crucial for various applications in electronics and materials science.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Hurle has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Geoffrey W Green and Gordon Charles Joyce. These collaborations have further enriched his research and innovations in the field.
Conclusion
Donald Thomas Hurle's contributions to crystal growth technology through his patents demonstrate his commitment to innovation and improvement in this specialized field. His work continues to influence advancements in materials science and engineering.