Macromolecular crystal growing system

A macromolecular crystal growing system for growing crystals in both the gravity of earth and the low gravity of space comprising:

• at least one tray assembly;
• a carrier assembly including a tray receiver means for removably receiving said at least one tray assembly;
• a refrigeration-incubation module including a carrier receiver means for removably receiving said carrier assembly and a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of said carrier assembly when said carrier assembly is received in said carrier receiver means;
• and
• a cranking tool;
• said tray assembly including
• (a) a planar base,
• (b) a plurality of sealed chambers mounted to said base and extending along an axis, each said chamber having (i) a syringe containing a crystal growing solution and extending into one side of said chamber parallel to said base, said syringe including a barrel, a tip disposed in said chamber, a piston in said barrel, and a piston rod connected to each respective said piston and extending parallel to said base out of said chamber, (ii) a plug means for sealing said tip, said plug means including a plug rod extending into an opposite side of said chamber parallel to said base and toward said tip, a plug located on a proximal end of said plug rod which resiliently seals against said tip, and a distal end which is located outside of said chamber;
• and (iii) a reservoir material in said chamber containing a solution causing crystal growth when the crystal growing solution is extruded from said tip,
• (c) a first ganging means for moving said pistons of all of said syringes simultaneously comprising i) a first tiebar extending parallel to said axis and slidably mounted to said base for movement toward and away from said chambers, (ii) a first connecting means for connecting all of said piston rods to said first tiebar, (iii) a first moving means for moving said first tiebar toward and away from said chambers, said first moving means including a first longitudinal rack extending parallel to said axis and having a threaded end, two first rack blocks mounted to said base through which said first longitudinal rack extends and including a first pinion means for engaging said first longitudinal rack, a first lateral rack which extends from said first rack block to an attachment to said first tiebar and which also engages said first pinion means, a first screw block mounted to said base adjacent said threaded end of said first longitudinal rack, and a first rack screw threadably mounted in said first screw block and having a proximal end adapted for engagement with said cranking tool and a distal end which threadably mates with said threaded end of said first longitudinal rack, and
• (d) a second ganging means for moving said plugs for all of said syringes simultaneously comprising (i) a second tiebar extending parallel to said axis and slidably mounted to said base for movement toward and away from said chambers, (ii) a second connecting means for connecting all of said plug rods to said second tiebar, (iii) a second moving means for moving said second tiebar toward and away from said chambers, said second moving means including a second longitudinal rack extending parallel to said axis and having a threaded end, two second rack blocks mounted to said base through which said second longitudinal rack, and extends and including a second pinion means for engaging said second longitudinal rack, a second lateral rack which extends from said second rack block to an attachment to said second tiebar and which also engages said second pinion means, a second screw block mounted to said base adjacent said threaded end of said second longitudinal rack, and a second rack screw threadably mounted in said second screw block and having a proximal end adapted for engagement with said cranking took and a distal end which threadably mates with said threaded end of said second longitudinal rack.