US3989511A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal powder production by direct reduction in an arc heater
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1975-03-10
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1995-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A process for the production of metal powder from an ore by direct reduction in an arc heater characterized by the steps of introducing a finely divided ore into a plasma arc to effect direct reduction of the ore to small solid particles of elemental metal in a reducing atmosphere and quenching the metal particles to form solid metal powder, the metal having a melting point greater than the temperature of the chemical reduction reaction, such metal being, for example, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, or niobium.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice G. Fey
- 👤 Edna A. Dancy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:19
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B34/00; C22B34/20; C22B34/24; B; B22; B22F; B22F9/00; B22F9/16; B22F9/18; B22F9/20; B22F9/22; C22B34/30; C22B34/34; C22B34/36; C22B4/00; C22B4/005; B22F2999/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A process for producing metal powder by direct reduction of an ore, comprising the steps of introducing a finely divided ore consisting essentially of an oxide of the metal into an arc-heated plasma gas to effect direct reduction of the oxide to small elemental solid metal particles, the elemental metal having a melting temperature greater than the temperature of the chemical reduction reaction, and cooling the reduced elemental metal particles by cooling the gas as it flows through an expansion nozzle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process for producing metal powder by direct reduction of an ore, comprising the steps of introducing a finely divided ore consisting essentially of an oxide of the metal into an arc-heated plasma gas to effect direct reduction of the oxide to small elemental solid metal particles, the elemental metal having a melting temperature greater than the temperature of the chemical reduction reaction, and cooling the reduced elemental metal particles by cooling the gas as it flows through an expansion nozzle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |