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US 4,403,955 AGranted
Receptacle for support of a melt containing crucible
AssigneeGeneral Signal Corporation
InventorNicola Sarno
Life of this patent
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AssigneeGeneral Signal Corporation
InventorNicola Sarno
Estimating the term…
A segmented cup-shaped receptacle is provided for completely supporting a melt containing softened crucible, the receptacle having plurality of similar elevational segments. The elevational segments are normally adjoining to provide complete support for the crucible, but are separable to relieve thermal stresses in the crucible and receptacle during cooling to reduce breakage, the crucible and receptacle having different coefficients of expansion. The elevational segments have inwardly formed lower portions adapted to bias the elevational segments inwardly to adjoining positions by gravity for support of sides of the crucible. The receptacle further comprises a central annular base segment adjoining the lower ends of the elevational segments for supporting a central portion of the melt containing crucible. A unitary base plate supports the elevational segments and the central annular base segment, having an outer flange tapered inwardly and downwardly for biasing the elevational segments to positions with their sides adjoining and having their lower ends adjoining the central annular base segment.
A crucible recepticle adapted for complete contact support of a melt containing crucible in a softened state wherein an improved recepticle comprises:
The crucible receptacle according to claim 1 or claim 5 wherein the taper of the flange follows a substantially straight line inwardly and downwardly at a small angle to the horizontal at least in an area supporting the elevational segments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.