Apparatus for producing a vitreous inner layer on a fused silica body, and method of operating same
US9221709B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC03C3/06
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus for producing a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface of a fused silica body is described, comprising a heat source disposed to apply sufficient heat to at least a portion of the inner surface to cause a layer of said at least a portion of the inner surface to vitrify. In certain embodiments the heat source is configured to heat at one time a relatively small area of the inner surface, and the apparatus comprises a positioning mechanism for moving the heat source with respect to the inner surface. In certain embodiments the heat source is a hydrogen-oxygen surface-mix fueled torch that is moved helically with respect to the inner surface of the body under the control of a programmed CNC motion control system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.