The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 28, 1983
Filed:
Mar. 23, 1981
Lewis L Lacy, Huntsville, AL (US);
Michael B Robinson, Huntsville, AL (US);
Thomas J Rathz, Huntsville, AL (US);
Lester Katz, Huntsville, AL (US);
Daniel B Nisen, Memphis, TN (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for preparing and studying samples of materials supercooled and solidified in a containerless, low-gravity environment in bulk form is disclosed which includes an enclosure 10 in which a containerless environment is provided in which a sample specimen 52 is positioned. Method contemplates heating the specimen 52 in the containerless environment, dropping the specimen melt through the tube 12 wherein it cools by radiation, and alternately backfilling the tube 12 with an inert gas whereby the specimen melt cools by both radiation and convection during its free fall. During the free fall, the sample is in a containerless, low-gravity environment which will enhance supercooling in the sample and prevent sedimentation and thermal convection influences. The sample will continue to supercool until nucleation occurs which is detected by silicon photovoltaic detectors. The sample will solidify after nucleation and be completely solid before entering the detachable catcher. The amount of supercooling of the specimen can be measured by knowing the cooling ratio and determining the time for nucleation to occur.