Patent US4005956A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4005956A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Powder activation and integrated powder metallurgy system
Assignee: Japan Kinoko Research Center Foundation
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Filing: 1975-10-21
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Granted: 1977-02-01
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Expires: 1995-10-21
Abstract
Abstract Activation of metallic powders by subjecting the powder to bombardment with electrons, ions, or molecules in an inert or reductive atmosphere. Improved densities result in sintering, as do improved catalytic actions. Simultaneous pulverization of coarse particles or bodies is also achieved where desired. The pretreatment is, in some instances, combined with loading the activated particles directly into a mold, for compaction or sintering, preferably with some additional activation, all done in an integrated system. The corpuscular particle bombardment of powder is advantageously effected by exposing the powder to a glow discharge produced between a pair of electrodes in a rarefied non-oxidizing atmosphere with the pressure of the atmosphere and the distance between the electrodes being such that their product in mm Hg times cm is in a range between 10 -2 and 10.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiyoshi Inoue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:43
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F3/00; B22F3/12; B22F3/14; B22F1/00; B22F1/14; B22F2998/00; B22F2999/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for purifying and compacting metallic powder, comprising a treatment vessel, powder purifying apparatus in the upper portion of said vessel having means for supplying and maintaining a non-oxidizing atmosphere in said vessel and means for bombarding the powder with high energy particles chosen from the class consisting of sub-atomic particles, ions, and molecules, means for dropping the powder after bombardment toward the lower end of the vessel, means for degassing the falling powder, and a compacting mold into which the powder falls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for purifying and compacting metallic powder, comprising a treatment vessel, powder purifying apparatus in the upper portion of said vessel having means for supplying and maintaining a non-oxidizing atmosphere in said vessel and means for bombarding the powder with high energy particles chosen from the class consisting of sub-atomic particles, ions, and molecules, means for dropping the powder after bombardment toward the lower end of the vessel, means for degassing the falling powder, and a compacting mold into which the powder falls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for bombarding comprises a pair of electrodes and means for applying across said electrodes a pulsed potential sufficient to effect a glow discharge between said electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 having additional means for bombarding said powder after degassing as it falls into said mold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
166 words
An activated sintering apparatus comprising: an evacuable gas-tight chamber for receiving a rarefied gas non-oxidizing atmosphere therein, conveyer means for receiving a supply of metallic powder thereon and passing the same in a fluidized state through and beyond a treatment zone, at least a pair of electrodes in said chamber for producing a glow discharge at said treatment zone so as to subject said powder to bombardment with energistic ions in said discharge thereby cleaning and activating said powder, means for maintaining the distance between said pair of electrodes at a value such that the product of the pressure of said atmosphere and said value, in mm Hg times cm, is in a range between 10.sup. -2 and 10, support means downstream of said treatment zone for receiving the activated powder in the form of a mass from said conveyer means, associated with said support means for compacting said activated means powder and means for heating the compacted mass to sinter it into a coherent body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
An activated sintering apparatus comprising: an evacuable gas-tight chamber for receiving a rarefied gas non-oxidizing atmosphere therein, conveyer means for receiving a supply of metallic powder thereon and passing the same in a fluidized state through and beyond a treatment zone, at least a pair of electrodes in said chamber for producing a glow discharge at said treatment zone so as to subject said powder to bombardment with energistic ions in said discharge thereby cleaning and activating said powder, means for maintaining the distance between said pair of electrodes at a value such that the product of the pressure of said atmosphere and said value, in mm Hg times cm, is in a range between 10.sup. -2 and 10, support means downstream of said treatment zone for receiving the activated powder in the form of a mass from said conveyer means, associated with said support means for compacting said activated means powder and means for heating the compacted mass to sinter it into a coherent body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising means for maintaining the pressure in said chamber at 10.sup. -3 to 10 mm Hg.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said conveyer means has an electrically conductive surface supporting said powder in its fluidized state, cathodically connected to a unidirectional current source and spacedly juxtaposed with at least one anode connected to said source, said surface and said anode constituting said pair of electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said unidirectional current source is a source adapted to provide a pulsed potential.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said conveyer means comprises an endless belt and means for imparting vibration to the moving endless belt.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means responsive to the pressure of said atmosphere for controlling the distance between said pair of electrodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means responsive to the amount of emission of impurities cleaned from said powder particle surfaces for controlling rate of movement of said conveyer means through said treatment zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said support means holds a workpiece to be plated with said powder, further comprising second glow discharge means for subjecting said workpiece to bombardment with energistic ions to clean and activate its surface prior to receipt of said powder thereon and means for heating said workpiece and said activated powder during compacting to sinter-bond the mass to said workpiece.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said support means includes a mold for receiving said activated powder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising means for applying a supersonic wave energy to said powder being compacted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising powder inlet means for introducing the power into said chamber, outlet means for removal of the sintered body out from said chamber and seal means enabling the sintered body to be removed without destructing the regulated atmospheric condition within said chamber.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for activating metallic powder to improve its purity and clean its surfaces from oxide film, moisture and other impurities so that it becomes more chemically active and also is able to form denser blocks upon compacting or sintering, comprising an evacuable gas-tight chamber for receiving a rarefied gas non-oxidizing atmosphere therein, vacuum pump means for maintaining the pressure of said atmosphere in said chamber in a range between 10.sup. -3 and 10 mm Hg, conveyer means in said chamber for receiving a supply of metallic powder thereon and transporting the same in a fluidized state through and beyond a treatment zone, at least a pair of electrodes juxtaposed in said treatment zone, means for maintaining the distance between said juxtaposed electrodes at such a valve that the product of said pressure of the atmosphere and said value, in mm Hg times cm, is in a range between 10.sup. -2 and 10, power supply means connected across said juxtaposed electrodes for establishing a glow discharge therebetween such that said powder is subjected to bombardment with energistic ions in said discharge thereby being cleaned and activated, and means downstream of said treatment zone for collecting the activated powder from said conveyer means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for activating metallic powder to improve its purity and clean its surfaces from oxide film, moisture and other impurities so that it becomes more chemically active and also is able to form denser blocks upon compacting or sintering, comprising an evacuable gas-tight chamber for receiving a rarefied gas non-oxidizing atmosphere therein, vacuum pump means for maintaining the pressure of said atmosphere in said chamber in a range between 10.sup. -3 and 10 mm Hg, conveyer means in said chamber for receiving a supply of metallic powder thereon and transporting the same in a fluidized state through and beyond a treatment zone, at least a pair of electrodes juxtaposed in said treatment zone, means for maintaining the distance between said juxtaposed electrodes at such a valve that the product of said pressure of the atmosphere and said value, in mm Hg times cm, is in a range between 10.sup. -2 and 10, power supply means connected across said juxtaposed electrodes for establishing a glow discharge therebetween such that said powder is subjected to bombardment with energistic ions in said discharge thereby being cleaned and activated, and means downstream of said treatment zone for collecting the activated powder from said conveyer means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said power supply means is a power supply capable of providing a pulsed potential.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said conveyer means comprises an electrically conductive surface poled cathodic connected to said power supply means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of anodes commonly connected to said power supply means and each juxtaposed with said cathodic conductive surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said conveyer means includes a moving belt and means for imparting vibration to said moving belt.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means responsive to the amount of emission of impurities separated from said powder particle surfaces for controlling the rate of movement of said conveyer means through said treatment zone.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for controlling the distance between said electrodes in accordance therewith.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising inlet means for introducing the powder into said treatment chamber, means for removing the collected activated powder from said conveyer means and seal means for enabling said collected condition within said chamber.
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) | 1980-02-01 | 1980-08-02 | 1981-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-01 | 1984-08-02 | 1985-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-01 | 1988-08-02 | 1989-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |