US3829538A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control method and apparatus for the production of powder metal
Assignee: ALLEGHENY INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTANCE Corp
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Filing: 1972-10-03
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1992-10-03
Abstract
Abstract Control of the process for producing pre-alloyed metallic powder by controlling the melting rate of at least one consumable electrode formed from an ingot of the metal to be ultimately atomized, to produce a controllable continuous flow of metal for atomization into powder. After striking an arc for melting the electrode which is located in a chamber containing a protective atmosphere, the power input to the electrode is selectively adjusted during continual melting to control the melting rate to equal the optimum rate of atomization. The liquid metal droplets from the electrode are collected in a preheated holding reservoir to provide a homogeneous stream of metal which is delivered to a disintegrator. This produces an atomized liquid metal which solidifies into a powdered form and is collected.
Inventors
- 👤 F Darmara
- 👤 I Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:38
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/06; B22F9/08; B22F9/10; B22F9/082; B22F2009/0848; B22F2999/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of producing pre-alloyed metal powder with atomization means comprising the steps of, providing at least one electrode having a composition corresponding to the desired metallurgical composition of the metal powder to be ultimately produced, striking an arc to melt said consumable electrode in a controlled atmosphere and without the formation of any substantial slag, controlling the rate of continuous melting of said consumable eleCtrode by adjusting the power input to the electrode as a function of desired flow rate of molten metal to said atomization means, collecting the molten metal from said consumable electrode in a reservoir, holding the molten metal in said reservoir for a period of time sufficient to form a homogenized stream of liquid metal, atomizing said homogenized stream of liquid metal passing from said reservoir, and cooling said atomized metal in a chamber having a controlled atmosphere.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of producing pre-alloyed metal powder with atomization means comprising the steps of, providing at least one electrode having a composition corresponding to the desired metallurgical composition of the metal powder to be ultimately produced, striking an arc to melt said consumable electrode in a controlled atmosphere and without the formation of any substantial slag, controlling the rate of continuous melting of said consumable eleCtrode by adjusting the power input to the electrode as a function of desired flow rate of molten metal to said atomization means, collecting the molten metal from said consumable electrode in a reservoir, holding the molten metal in said reservoir for a period of time sufficient to form a homogenized stream of liquid metal, atomizing said homogenized stream of liquid metal passing from said reservoir, and cooling said atomized metal in a chamber having a controlled atmosphere.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 comprising the additional step of adjusting the gap between two electrodes to maintain an arc therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 including the step of rotating at least one of said electrodes about its axis to insure uniform burn-off during the melting process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein both electrodes are oscillated about their axes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said striking an arc produces liquid metal from a second electrode form from an ingot corresponding to the desired metallurgical composition of the metal powder to be ultimately produced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said atomizing comprises the step of passing said homogenized stream of liquid metal onto a moving disintegrator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said atomizing comprises the step of passing said homogenized stream of molten metal into an inert gas stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said atomizing comprises the step of passing said stream of homogenized liquid metal into a stream from a plasma gun.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus for producing pre-alloyed metal powder comprising, an enclosed chamber having a controlled non-reactive atmosphere therein, first and second electrodes forming a gap within said enclosed chamber for striking an arc therein, at least one of said electrodes being an ingot of pre-alloyed metal corresponding to the composition of the pre-alloyed metal powder to be ultimately formed, a power supply connected to said electrodes to melt the electrode of pre-alloyed metal without the formation of any substantial slag, electrode position control means including a drive for adjusting said gap to maintain an arc between said electrodes, a liquid metal holding chamber in said enclosed chamber for collecting and homogenizing the molten pre-alloyed metal from at least one of said electrodes, said holding chamber providing a continuous stream of said homogenized molten pre-alloyed metal, means for atomizing said continuous stream of molten metal delivered from said liquid metal holding chamber, means for adjusting the power delivered from said supply to said electrodes to control the supply rate of molten pre-alloyed metal delivered to said means for atomizing, and means in said housing for collecting metal powder produced upon solidification of said atomized liquid metal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus for producing pre-alloyed metal powder comprising, an enclosed chamber having a controlled non-reactive atmosphere therein, first and second electrodes forming a gap within said enclosed chamber for striking an arc therein, at least one of said electrodes being an ingot of pre-alloyed metal corresponding to the composition of the pre-alloyed metal powder to be ultimately formed, a power supply connected to said electrodes to melt the electrode of pre-alloyed metal without the formation of any substantial slag, electrode position control means including a drive for adjusting said gap to maintain an arc between said electrodes, a liquid metal holding chamber in said enclosed chamber for collecting and homogenizing the molten pre-alloyed metal from at least one of said electrodes, said holding chamber providing a continuous stream of said homogenized molten pre-alloyed metal, means for atomizing said continuous stream of molten metal delivered from said liquid metal holding chamber, means for adjusting the power delivered from said supply to said electrodes to control the supply rate of molten pre-alloyed metal delivered to said means for atomizing, and means in said housing for collecting metal powder produced upon solidification of said atomized liquid metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for adjusting the power comprises a manually adjustable rheostat.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said electrode position control means receives a signal proportional to the power delivered from said supply to said electrodes to maintain continuous melting thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |