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:
Aug. 31, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 27, 1997
Zhixin Li, Hudson, NH (US);
General Signal Technology Corporation, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A crystal growing system has a plurality of crystal growing stations which are each comprised of a crucible, furnace, vacuum chambers and related equipment which is continuously used during the actual crystal growing process. A central process control console is connected to each crystal growing station so that growing parameters for all stations can be controlled from a single location. A common server unit services all crystal growing stations. The server unit is movable so that it can be positioned at each station both prior to initiating crystal formation and subsequent to completing crystal formation in order to service the station before and after the crystal growing operation. The server unit comprises a movable support structure which can be rolled along a set of tracks to be positioned sequentially adjacent to each station. The server unit includes a main hoist constructed to move a receiving chamber, either alone or together with a transition chamber. A feeder hoist and charge feeder also are included as part of the server unit in order to charge each crystal growing station.