Apparatus for producing spherical particles

Claim 2

Apparatus for producing spherical particles comprising, in combination: heat source means; means defining a chamber disposed about the heat source means; supply means containing crushed particles in spaced relationship with the chamber; means for conveying crushed particles from the supply means to the interior of the chamber; a rotary receptacle disposed within the chamber for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving cavity and a multiplicity of orifices extending radially from the cavity; means for rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices in the receptacle and into the interior of the chamber, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said chamber, the heat within said chamber shaping the particles by surface tension into spheres; and collection means connected to the chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 3

Apparatus for producing spherical particles comprising, in combination: means defining a substantially enclosed chamber; means for heating the interior of the chamber; supply means containing finely divided crushed particles in spaced relationship with the chamber; means for conveying crushed particles from the supply means to the interior of the chamber, the conveying means including an infeed end communicating with the supply means and a discharge end disposed within the chamber; a rotary receptacle disposed within the chamber for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of orifices extending radially through the side wall; means for rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices in the side wall and into the interior of the chamber, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said chamber, the heat within said chamber shaping the particles by surface tension into spheres; and collection means connected to the chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 4

Apparatus for producing spherical particles comprising, in combination: means defining a substantially enclosed chamber; means for heating the interior of the chamber; supply means containing finely divided crushed particles in spaced relationship with the chamber; means for conveying crushed particles from the supply means to the interior of the chamber, the conveying means including an infeed end communicating with the supply means and a discharge end disposed within the chamber; a rotary receptacle disposed within the chamber for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of orifices extending radially through the side wall; means for rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices in the side wall and into the interior of the chamber, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said chamber, the heat within said chamber shaping the particles by surface tension into spheres; and collection means connected to the chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined in claim 2, in which the rotary receptacle defines an open-top cavity, and the conveying means includes a conduit having an infeed end communicating with the supply means and a discharge end disposed above the cavity in position to feed the crushed particles thereto.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined in claim 2, in which the conveying means comprises a screw conveyor at least partially disposed within the chamber for feeding the crushed particles to the rotary receptacle.

Claim 7

Apparatus for producing spherical particles comprising, in combination: a draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; supply means containing crushed particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying crushed particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube; a rotary receptacle disposed within the draft tube for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including a particle-receiving surface and multiplicity of radially disposed openings; means for rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the openings in the receptacle and into the interior of the draft tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the heat from the heat source means shaping the particles by surface tension into spheres; and collection means communicating with the draft tube for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 8

Apparatus for producing spherical particles comprising, in combination: a draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; supply means containing crushed particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying crushed particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube; a rotary receptacle disposed within the draft tube for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including a particle-receiving surface and multiplicity of radially disposed openings; means for rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the openings in the receptacle and into the interior of the draft tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the heat from the heat source means shaping the particles by surface tension into spheres; and collection means communicating with the draft tube for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 9

Apparatus for producing spherical particles comprising in combination: a vertical draft tUbe having an inner wall; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided crushed particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying crushed particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube; a rotary receptacle disposed within the draft tube for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of orifices extending radially through the side wall; means for rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices in the side wall and into the interior of the draft tube without appreciably contacting the inner wall of the tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the heat from the heat source means shaping the particles by surface tension into spheres; and collection means communicating with the draft tube for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 10

Apparatus for producing spherical particles comprising in combination: a vertical draft tUbe having an inner wall; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided crushed particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying crushed particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube; a rotary receptacle disposed within the draft tube for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of orifices extending radially through the side wall; means for rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices in the side wall and into the interior of the draft tube without appreciably contacting the inner wall of the tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the heat from the heat source means shaping the particles by surface tension into spheres; and collection means communicating with the draft tube for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 11

Apparatus for producing spherical particles comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing crushed particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying crushed particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube; rotary means disposed within the draft tube for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means; means for continuously rotating the rotary means at a speed sufficient to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 12

Apparatus for producing spherical particles comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing crushed particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying crushed particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube; rotary means disposed within the draft tube for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means; means for continuously rotating the rotary means at a speed sufficient to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 7, in which the conveying means comprises a helical screw conveyor in coaxial relationship with the axis of rotation of the rotary means.

Claim 14

Apparatus as defined in claim 8, in which the screw conveyor is rigidly affixed to the rotary means for rotation therewith.

Claim 15

Apparatus for producing glass spheres comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided glass particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying glass particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube; rotary means disposed within the draft tube for receiving glass particles from the conveying means; means for continuously rotating the rotary means about a vertical axis at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the received particles and form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into glass spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 16

Apparatus for producing glass spheres comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided glass particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying glass particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube; rotary means disposed within the draft tube for receiving glass particles from the conveying means; means for continuously rotating the rotary means about a vertical axis at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the received particles and form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into glass spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 17

Apparatus for producing glass spheres comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided crushed glass particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying glass particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube; a rotary receptacle disposed within the draft tube for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particlE-receiving surface and a multiplicity of orifices radially disposed with respect to said surface; means for rotating the receptacle about a vertical axis at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the received particles through the orifices and into the interior of the draft tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into glass spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 18

Apparatus for producing glass spheres comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided crushed glass particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying glass particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube; a rotary receptacle disposed within the draft tube for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particlE-receiving surface and a multiplicity of orifices radially disposed with respect to said surface; means for rotating the receptacle about a vertical axis at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the received particles through the orifices and into the interior of the draft tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into glass spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 19

Apparatus for producing glass spheres comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided crushed glass particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying glass particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube, the conveying means including a conduit having an infeed end communicating with the supply means and a discharge end axially located within the draft tube adjacent the source of the heat; a rotary receptacle axially disposed within the draft tube for receiving glass particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of orifices extending radially through the side wall; means for continuously rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices and into the interior of the draft tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into glass spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 20

Apparatus for producing glass spheres comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided crushed glass particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying glass particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube, the conveying means including a conduit having an infeed end communicating with the supply means and a discharge end axially located within the draft tube adjacent the source of the heat; a rotary receptacle axially disposed within the draft tube for receiving glass particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of orifices extending radially through the side wall; means for continuously rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices and into the interior of the draft tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into glass spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 21

Apparatus as defined in claim 12, in which the rotary receptacle has an open top in close juxtaposition with the discharge end of the conduit.

Claim 22

Apparatus for producing spherical particles comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided crushed particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying crushed particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube, the conveying means including a screw conveyor located within the draft tube; a rotary receptacle disposed within the draft tube for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of orifices extending radially through the side wall; means for continuously rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices and into the interior of the draft tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 23

Apparatus for producing spherical particles comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided crushed particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying crushed particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube, the conveying means including a screw conveyor located within the draft tube; a rotary receptacle disposed within the draft tube for receiving crushed particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of orifices extending radially through the side wall; means for continuously rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices and into the interior of the draft tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 24

Apparatus as defined in claim 14, in which the screw conveyor is connected to the receptacle for rotation therewith.

Claim 25

Apparatus for producing glass spheres comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube having an inner wall; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supPly means containing finely divided crushed glass particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying glass particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube, the conveying means including an infeed end communicating with the supply means and a discharge end axially located within the draft tube adjacent the source of heat; a rotary receptacle axially disposed within the draft tube for receiving glass particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of capillary orifices extending radially through the side wall in a single plane; means for continuously rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices and into the interior of the draft tube without appreciably contacting the inner wall of the tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into glass spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 26

Apparatus for producing glass spheres comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube having an inner wall; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supPly means containing finely divided crushed glass particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying glass particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube, the conveying means including an infeed end communicating with the supply means and a discharge end axially located within the draft tube adjacent the source of heat; a rotary receptacle axially disposed within the draft tube for receiving glass particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of capillary orifices extending radially through the side wall in a single plane; means for continuously rotating the receptacle at a speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices and into the interior of the draft tube without appreciably contacting the inner wall of the tube, to form a cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into glass spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 27

Apparatus as defined in claim 16, in which the rotating means comprises a drive mechanism which drives the receptacle at a speed within the range of from about 1,000 revolutions per minute to about 5,000 revolutions per minute.

Claim 28

Apparatus for producing glass spheres comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube having an inner wall; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided crushed glass particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying glass particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube, the conveying means including a conduit having an infeed end communicating with the supply means and a discharge end axially located within the draft tube adjacent the source of heat; an open-top rotary receptacle axially disposed within the draft tube for receiving glass particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of capillary orifices extending radially through the side wall in a single plane; means for continuously rotating the receptacle at a constant speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices and into the interior of the draft tube without appreciably contacting the inner wall of the tube, to form a gentle cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into glass spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.

Claim 29

Apparatus for producing glass spheres comprising, in combination: a vertical draft tube having an inner wall; heat source means for directing heat into the draft tube; means including an expansion chamber communicating with and extending above the draft tube; supply means containing finely divided crushed glass particles in spaced relationship with the draft tube; means for conveying glass particles from the supply means to the interior of the draft tube, the conveying means including a conduit having an infeed end communicating with the supply means and a discharge end axially located within the draft tube adjacent the source of heat; an open-top rotary receptacle axially disposed within the draft tube for receiving glass particles from the conveying means, the receptacle including an inner particle-receiving surface, an upstanding side wall around the particle-receiving surface, and a multiplicity of capillary orifices extending radially through the side wall in a single plane; means for continuously rotating the receptacle at a constant speed sufficient to centrifugally project the crushed particles through the orifices and into the interior of the draft tube without appreciably contacting the inner wall of the tube, to form a gentle cloud of evenly dispersed particles within said tube, the cloud of particles being directed upwardly into the expansion chamber by the heat within said tube to shape the particles by surface tension into glass spheres; and collection means connected to the expansion chamber for receiving the thus produced spheres.