US 11,814,746 B2
Seed lifting and rotating system for use in crystal growth
John A. Reese, Spencerport, NY (US); and Joel C. Stefl, Avon, NY (US)
Assigned to Linton Crystal Technologies Corp., Rochester, NY (US)
Filed by Linton Crystal Technologies Corp., Rochester, NY (US)
Filed on Jan. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/572,851.
Application 17/572,851 is a continuation of application No. 16/444,290, filed on Jun. 18, 2019, granted, now 11,255,024.
Prior Publication US 2022/0127750 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. C30B 35/00 (2006.01); C30B 15/30 (2006.01); C30B 29/06 (2006.01); B21B 39/14 (2006.01)
CPC C30B 15/30 (2013.01) [C30B 29/06 (2013.01); C30B 35/005 (2013.01); B21B 39/14 (2013.01); Y10S 117/911 (2013.01); Y10T 117/1032 (2015.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lift assembly for use in lifting a seed coupled to a cable, the assembly comprising:
a lift housing forming a cable exit port therein;
a drum positioned within the lift housing, the drum forming a helical groove about an exterior surface of the drum, the drum extending from a first end to a second opposing end, the drum being rotatable around a central axis and translatable along the central axis;
a roller guide mounted to the lift housing and rotatable about a roller guide axis, wherein the roller guide engages at least a portion of the helical groove of the drum, the roller guide axis being parallel to and offset from the central axis, the roller guide being fixed from translating along the central axis; and
a drive shaft coupled to the drum and configured to cause the drum to rotate, wherein rotation of the drum causes the drum to translate via an engagement of the helical groove of the drum with the roller guide.