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Orbital foamed material extruderThis invention is a process for producing foamed material in space comprising the steps of: rotating the material to simulate the force of gravity; heating the rotating material until it is molten; extruding the rotating, molten material; injecting gas into the extruded, rotating, molten material to produce molten foamed material; allowing the molten foamed material to cool to below melting temperature to produce the foamed material. The surface of the extruded foam may be heated to above melting temperature and allowed to cool to below melting temperature. The extruded foam may also be cut to predetermined length. The starting material may be metal or glass. Heating may be accomplished by electrical heating elements or by solar heating.
Document ID
20090042870
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Other - Patent
Authors
Tucker, Dennis S.
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
September 29, 2009
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Patent
US-Patent-7,594,530
Patent Application
US-Patent-Appl-SN-11/942,322
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