Method and apparatus for sintering gel tube

An apparatus for sintering a gel tube formed by a sol-gel change, comprising:

• a reaction chamber for housing the gel tube under a sealed vacuum condition;
• a vacuum pump for adjusting the vacuum condition inside the reaction chamber according to a control signal;
• a vacuum gauge for measuring the vacuum condition inside the reaction chamber;
• a movable part for supporting the gel tube and for rotating and vertically moving the gel tube according to the control signal;
• a temperature sensor for measuring temperature inside the reaction chamber;
• a heater for adjusting the temperature inside the reaction chamber according to the control signal to sinter the gel tube;
• and,
• a controller for controlling the vacuum pump, the heater, and the movable part to sinter the gel tube under the vacuum condition.

An apparatus for sintering a gel tube formed by a sol-gel change, comprising:

• a reaction chamber for accommodating the gel tube under a sealed vacuum condition;
• a first vacuum pump for adjusting the vacuum condition inside the reaction chamber according to a control signal;
• a vacuum gauge for measuring the vacuum condition inside the reaction chamber;
• a temperature sensor for measuring temperature inside the reaction chamber;
• a heater for adjusting the temperature inside the reaction chamber according to the control signal so as to sinter the gel tube;
• a heating chamber for housing the reaction chamber and for supporting the heater, which is sealed under a vacuum condition independent of the reaction chamber;
• a second vacuum pump for adjusting the vacuum condition inside the heating chamber according to the control signal;
• and,
• a controller for controlling the first and second vacuum pumps and the heater so as to sinter the gel tube under the vacuum condition and prevent a deformation of the heating chamber.

An apparatus for sintering a gel tube formed by a sol-gel change, comprising:

• a reaction chamber for housing the gel tube under a sealed vacuum condition;
• a vacuum pump for adjusting the vacuum condition inside the reaction chamber according to a control signal;
• a vacuum gauge for measuring the vacuum condition inside the reaction chamber;
• a movable part for rotating and vertically moving the gel tube according to the control signal;
• a bellows, disposed on the upper surface of the reaction chamber, for absorbing an impact due to a pressure change inside the reaction chamber;
• a temperature sensor for measuring temperature inside the reaction chamber;
• a heater for adjusting the temperature inside the reaction chamber according to the control signal to sinter the gel tube;
• and,
• a controller for controlling the vacuum pump, the heater, and the movable part to sinter the gel tube under the vacuum condition.