Planar flow melt spinning systems with pressure adjustment and methods thereof

Abstract

A system and method for controlling and manipulating solidification of a molten material includes a substrate on which at least a portion of the molten material is dispensed and a first pressure adjustment system at least partially upstream of a location where the molten material is deposited on the substrate. The first pressure adjustment system imposes a first pressure at the upstream location which is different from a second pressure at a location downstream from where the molten material is dispensed.

1 . A system for controlling and manipulating solidification of a molten material, the system comprising: 
 a substrate on which at least a portion of the molten material is dispensed; and    a first pressure adjustment system at least partially upstream of a location where the molten material is deposited on the substrate, the first pressure adjustment system imposes a first pressure at the at least partially upstream location which is different from a second pressure at a location downstream from where the molten material is dispensed.    
   
   
       2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first pressure imposed by the first pressure adjustment system is greater than the second pressure.  
   
   
       3 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first pressure imposed by the first pressure adjustment system is less than the second pressure.  
   
   
       4 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a supply system that dispenses the molten material.  
   
   
       5 . The system as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the supply system comprises: 
 a nozzle having a passage positioned adjacent to and spaced from the substrate to dispense the molten material; and    a second pressure adjustment system that applies a third pressure to the molten material being dispensed from the nozzle on to the substrate.    
   
   
       6 . The system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the supply system further comprises a reservoir for the molten material and the nozzle is connected to the reservoir.  
   
   
       7 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a drive system connected to the substrate.  
   
   
       8 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the substrate comprises one of a wheel, a belt, or product that is being coated with the molten material.  
   
   
       9 . A method for controlling and manipulating solidification of a molten material, the method comprising: 
 dispensing the molten material on to at least a portion of a substrate; and    imposing a first pressure at a location at least partially upstream from where the molten material is dispensed which is different from a second pressure at a location downstream from where the molten material is dispensed.    
   
   
       10 . The method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the first pressure is greater than the second pressure.  
   
   
       11 . The method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the first pressure is less than the second pressure.  
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the dispensing the molten material further comprises: 
 positioning a nozzle having a passage adjacent to and spaced from the substrate to dispense the molten material; and    applying a third pressure to the molten material being dispensed from the nozzle on to the substrate.    
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 12  further comprising connecting a reservoir for the molten material to the nozzle.  
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 9  further comprising moving the substrate.  
   
   
       15 . The method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the substrate comprises one of a wheel, a belt, or a product that is being coated with the molten material.  
   
   
       16 . A method for making a system for controlling and manipulating solidification of a molten material, the method comprising: 
 providing a substrate; and    positioning a first pressure adjustment system at least partially upstream of a location where the molten material is deposited on the substrate, wherein the first pressure adjustment system imposes a first pressure at the at least partially upstream location which is different from a second pressure at a location downstream from where the molten material is dispensed.    
   
   
       17 . The method as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the first pressure imposed by the first pressure adjustment system is greater than the second pressure.  
   
   
       18 . The method as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the first pressure imposed by the first pressure adjustment system is less than the second pressure.  
   
   
       19 . The method as set forth in  claim 16  further comprising a supply system that dispenses the molten material.  
   
   
       20 . The method as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the supply system comprises: 
 a nozzle having a passage positioned adjacent to and spaced from the substrate to dispense the molten material; and    a second pressure adjustment system that applies a third pressure to the molten material being dispensed from the nozzle on to the substrate.    
   
   
       21 . The method as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the supply system further comprises a reservoir for the molten material and the nozzle is connected to the reservoir.  
   
   
       22 . The method as set forth in  claim 16  further comprising a drive system connected to the substrate.  
   
   
       23 . The method as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the substrate comprises one of a wheel, a belt, or a product that is being coated with the molten material.