EP0087798A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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A method and apparatus for making a fine powder compound of a metal and another element
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1983-02-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A method of making a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation such as an alloy or a chemical compound of a metal and a non metallic element, wherein a gaseous mixture of the metal and the other element is passed through a convergent-divergent nozzle and is thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion so that the metal and the other element react with each other while the resulting alloy or chemical compound is solidified to form fine particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Hirohisa C/O Toyota Jidosha K.K. Miura
- 👤 Hiroshi C/O Toyota Jidosha K.K. Satou
- 👤 Toshio C/O Toyota Jidosha K.K. Natsume
- 👤 Hidenori C/O Toyota Jidosha K.K. Katagiri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:42
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/26; B01J12/00; B01J12/02; B22; B22F; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/12; C; C01; C01B; C01B21/00; C01B21/06; C01B21/068; C01B21/0682; C01B21/072; C01B21/0722; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/00049; B01J2219/00051; B01J2219/00054; B01J2219/00056; B01J2219/00065; B01J2219/00074; B01J2219/00119; B01J2219/00132; B01J2219/00159; B01J2219/00164; C01P; C01P2002/00; C01P2002/02; C01P2002/04; C01P2004/00; C01P2004/60; C01P2004/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of making a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, wherein a gaseous mixture of said metal and said other element is passed through a convergent-divergent nozzle and is thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of making a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, wherein a gaseous mixture of said metal and said other element is passed through a convergent-divergent nozzle and is thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said metal and said other element form a chemical compound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said other element is non metallic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said other element is also a metal, and wherein said metal and said other element form an alloy.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of making a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, wherein said metal in a gaseous form is passed through a first convergent-divergent nozzle and is thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion, and is then mixed with said another element in the gaseous state, the resulting mixture being then passed through a second convergent-divergent nozzle and being thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of making a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, wherein said metal in a gaseous form is passed through a first convergent-divergent nozzle and is thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion, and is then mixed with said another element in the gaseous state, the resulting mixture being then passed through a second convergent-divergent nozzle and being thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said metal and said other element form a chemical compound.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said other element is non metallic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said other element is also a metal, and wherein said metal and said other element form an alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said metal is silicon, said other element is nitrogen, and wherein silicon nitride is produced.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the temperature of the gaseous mixture before it is expanded through said convergent-divergent nozzle is substantially higher than 2000°C and its pressure is substantially lower than 10 atmospheres.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein the temperature of the reacting material after it is expanded through said convergent-divergent nozzle is substantially equal to about 1000°C to 1500°C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein the temperature of the reacting material after it is expanded through said convergent-divergent nozzle is substantially equal to or lower than about 800°C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said metal is aluminum, said other element is nitrogen, and wherein aluminum nitride is produced.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
62 words
An apparatus for making a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, comprising: a reaction chamber which can contain a source of metal vapor; a means for heating said reaction chamber; a means for introducing gas into said reaction chamber; a condensation chamber; and a convergent-divergent nozzle leading from said reaction chamber to said condensation chamber.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
62 words
An apparatus for making a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, comprising: a reaction chamber which can contain a source of metal vapor; a means for heating said reaction chamber; a means for introducing gas into said reaction chamber; a condensation chamber; and a convergent-divergent nozzle leading from said reaction chamber to said condensation chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
106 words
A method for operating the apparatus of claim 13 to make a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, wherein said metal is introduced into said reaction chamber and is heated by the operation of said heating means so as to be boiled into a vapor, and said other element, which is a gas, is introduced into said reaction chamber via said gas introduction means, and mixes with said metal vapor therein, the mixture of said metallic vapor and said other element then passing through said convergent-divergent nozzle into said condensation chamber and being thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said metal and said other element form a chemical compound.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said other element is non metallic.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said metal is silicon, and said other element is nitrogen, and wherein silicon nitride is produced.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a gas preheating chamber through which said gas passes before being supplied into said reaction chamber, said gas preheating chamber also being heated up by said heating means.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for making a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, comprising: a first reaction chamber which can contain a source of metal vapor; a first means for heating said first reaction chamber; a second reaction chamber which can contain a source of metal vapor; a first means for introducing gas into said second reaction chamber; a condensation chamber; a first convergent-divergent nozzle leading from said first reaction chamber to said second reaction chamber; and a second convergent-divergent nozzle leading from said second reaction chamber to said condensation chamber.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for making a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, comprising: a first reaction chamber which can contain a source of metal vapor; a first means for heating said first reaction chamber; a second reaction chamber which can contain a source of metal vapor; a first means for introducing gas into said second reaction chamber; a condensation chamber; a first convergent-divergent nozzle leading from said first reaction chamber to said second reaction chamber; and a second convergent-divergent nozzle leading from said second reaction chamber to said condensation chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a second means for introducing gas into said first reaction chamber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a second means for heating said second reaction chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
134 words
A method for operating the apparatus of claim 19 to make a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, wherein said metal is introduced into said first reaction chamber and is heated by the operation of said first heating means so as to be boiled into a vapor, said vapor then passing through said first convergent-divergent nozzle into said second reaction chamber and being thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion; and said other element, which is a gas, is introduced into said second reaction chamber via said first gas introduction means, and mixes with said metal vapor possibly in an at least partially condensed state therein, the mixture thereof then passing through said second convergent-divergent nozzle into said condensation chamber and being thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
134 words
A method for operating the apparatus of claim 20 to make a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, wherein said metal is introduced into said first reaction chamber and is heated by the operation of said first heating means so as to be boiled into a vapor, and said other element, which is a gas, is introduced into said first reaction chamber via said second gas introduction means, and mixes with said metal vapor; said mixture of said metal vapor and said other element then passing through said first convergent-divergent nozzle into said second reaction chamber and being thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion; and said mixture then passing through said second convergent-divergent nozzle into said condensation chamber and being thereby again rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
169 words
A method for operating the apparatus of claim 20 to make a fine powder of a metal and another element in an intimate mutual relation, wherein said metal is introduced into said first reaction chamber and is heated by the operation of said first heating means so as to be boiled into a vapor, and said other element, which is a gas, is introduced into said first reaction chamber via said second gas introduction means, and mixes with said metal vapor; said mixture of said metal vapor and said other element then passing through said first convergent-divergent nozzle into said second reaction chamber and being thereby rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion; and another gas supply is introduced into said second reaction chamber via said first gas introduction means, and mixes with said metal vapor and said other element possibly in an at least partially condensed state therein, said mixture then passing through said second convergent-divergent nozzle into said condensation chamber and being thereby again rapidly cooled by adiabatic expansion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
83 words
A method according to claim 22, said apparatus further comprising a second means for heating said second reaction chamber, wherein further another supply of metal is introduced into said second reaction chamber and is heated by the operation of said second heating means so as to be boiled into a vapor, which mixes with said mixture of said metallic vapor and said other element in said second reaction chamber before said mixture is vented into said condensation chamber via said second convergent-divergent nozzle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
83 words
A method according to claim 23, said apparatus further comprising a second means for heating said second reaction chamber, wherein further another supply of metal is introduced into said second reaction chamber and is heated by the operation of said second heating means so as to be boiled into a vapor, which mixes with said mixture of said metallic vapor and said other element in said second reaction chamber before said mixture is vented into said condensation chamber via said second convergent-divergent nozzle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method according to claim 24, said apparatus further comprising a second means for heating said second reaction chamber, wherein further another supply of metal is introduced into said second reaction chamber and is heated by the operation of said second heating means so as to be boiled into a vapor, which mixes with said mixture of said metallic vapor and said other element and said other gas supply in said second reaction chamber before said mixture is vented into said condensation chamber via said second convergent-divergent nozzle.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein said metal and said other element form a chemical compound.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said other element is non metallic.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein said metal is aluminum, said other element is nitrogen, and wherein aluminum nitride is produced.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the outlet side of said first convergent-divergent nozzle is opposed to the inlet side of said second convergent-divergent nozzle, in said second reaction chamber, with a certain axial interval separating them.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the outlet side of said first convergent-divergent nozzle is opposed to the inlet side of said second convergent-divergent nozzle, in said second reaction chamber, with a certain axial interval separating them.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the outlet side of said first convergent-divergent nozzle is somewhat inserted into the inlet side of said second convergent-divergent nozzle, in said second reaction chamber.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the outlet side of said first convergent-divergent nozzle is somewhat inserted into the inlet side of said second convergent-divergent nozzle, in said second reaction chamber.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
59 words
A convergent-divergent nozzle for use in the method according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising, in order along its axis, an inlet portion, a throat portion toward which said inlet portion converges, a constant cross section portion of an axial length which is equal to or greater than the diameter of said throat portion, and an expansion portion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
A convergent-divergent nozzle according to claim 35, wherein the diameter of said constant cross section portion is equal to the diameter of said throat portion.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
64 words
A convergent-divergent nozzle for use in the method according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising, in order along its axis, an inlet portion, a throat portion toward which said inlet portion converges, a first expansion portion, a constant cross section portion of an axial length which is equal to or greater than the diameter of said throat portion, and a second expansion portion.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
92 words
A convergent-divergent nozzle for use in the method according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising, in order along its axis, an inlet portion, a throat portion toward which said inlet portion converges, a first expansion portion, a first constant cross section portion of an axial length which is equal to or greater than the diameter of said throat portion, a second expansion portion, a second constant cross section portion of an axial length which is equal to or greater than the diameter of said throat portion, and a third expansion portion.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
A convergent-divergent nozzle according to claim 35, further comprising a supply port which opens in said constant cross section portion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
58 words
A convergent-divergent nozzle for use in the method according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising, in order along its axis, an inlet portion, a first throat portion toward which said inlet portion converges, a first expansion portion, a second throat portion toward which the downstream end of said first expansion portion converges, and a second expansion portion.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
77 words
A convergent-divergent nozzle for use in the method according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising, in order along its axis, an inlet portion, a first throat portion toward which said inlet portion converges, a first expansion portion, a second throat portion toward which the downstream end of said first expansion portion converges, a second expansion portion, a third throat portion toward which the downstream end of said second expansion portion converges, and a third expansion portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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