Methods of and systems for vapor delivery control in optical preform manufacture
US6161398A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC03B2207/87
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and system are described for controlling the delivery of vapor from a bubbler containing a supply of liquid through which a carrier gas is bubbled and from which bubbler vapors are delivered in a vapor stream entrained with the carrier gas. In general, the present invention involves utilizing the pressure of the vapor leaving the bubbler as the specific characteristic monitored and controlled to ensure that the concentration level of carrier gas to vapor is maintained at the desired level throughout the manufacturing process. The present invention involves introducing a concentration detector within the flow path of the bubbler vapors from the bubbler and having the output of the concentration detector input to a concentration controller. The concentration controller compares the concentration value received from the concentration detector to a desired concentration value determined for the system. In order to correct for any discrepancies between the measured and desired concentration levels, the concentration controller activates the opening and/or closing of a valve, which as the concentration detector is positioned within the flow of bubbler vapor exiting the bubbler.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.