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Sphere forming method and apparatusA system is provided for forming small accurately spherical objects. Preformed largely spherical objects are supported at the opening of a conduit on the update of hot gas emitted from the opening, so the object is in a molten state. The conduit is suddenly jerked away at a downward incline, to allow the molten object to drop in free fall, so that surface tension forms a precise sphere. The conduit portion that has the opening, lies in a moderate vacuum chamber, and the falling sphere passes through the chamber and through a briefly opened valve into a tall drop tower that contains a lower pressure, to allow the sphere to cool without deformation caused by falling through air.
Document ID
19830026905
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other - Patent
Authors
Youngberg, C. L.
(JPL California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, United States)
Miller, C. G.
(JPL California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, United States)
Stephens, J. B.
(JPL California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, United States)
Finnerty, A. A.
(JPL California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, United States)
Date Acquired
September 4, 2013
Publication Date
August 23, 1983
Subject Category
Engineering (General)
Report/Patent Number
Patent Application Number: US-PATENT-APPL-SN-403847
Patent Number: US-PATENT-4,400,191
Patent Number: NASA-CASE-NPO-15070-1
Accession Number
83N35176
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Patent
US-PATENT-4,400,191|NASA-CASE-NPO-15070-1
Patent Application
US-PATENT-APPL-SN-403847
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