US4078873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for producing metal powder
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1976-12-15
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Granted: 1978-03-14
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Expires: 1996-12-15
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is set forth wherein powder is produced by melting metal in a melting furnace where it is then poured into a tundish which directs the molten metal onto a spinning disc means. The tundish is located at the center of a nozzle plate which contains a plurality of annular nozzle means for directing a coolant flow downwardly around the spinning disc means at different radial positions. Controls are provided for controlling atmosphere in said apparatus. Further, controls are provided to control the speed of the disc means and the mass flow of the cooling fluid through each of the nozzle means.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul R. Holiday
- 👤 Robert J. Patterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:32
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/06; B22F9/08; B22F9/082; B22F9/10; B22F2009/084; B22F2009/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for producing metal particles including means for melting metal, a disc means mounted for rotation, means for pouring molten metal on said disc means, means for projecting a moving annular curtain of cooling fluid downwardly around said disc means, means for rotating said disc means for flinging said molten metal into said annular curtain of cooling fluid for forming metal particles, means below said disc means for collecting cooled metal particles, said means for projecting a moving annular curtain of cooling fluid downwardly around said disc means comprising an annular nozzle means having a plurality of annular nozzles positioned above said disc means, each annular nozzle being positioned for projecting annular section of said moving annular curtain of cooling fluid, said plurality of annular sections forming said moving annular curtain, each annular nozzle having an individual control for directing a desired mass flow rate of cooling fluid therethrough to form its annular section and obtain a high cooling rate of molten metal flung into said annular curtain of cooling fluid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for producing metal particles including means for melting metal, a disc means mounted for rotation, means for pouring molten metal on said disc means, means for projecting a moving annular curtain of cooling fluid downwardly around said disc means, means for rotating said disc means for flinging said molten metal into said annular curtain of cooling fluid for forming metal particles, means below said disc means for collecting cooled metal particles, said means for projecting a moving annular curtain of cooling fluid downwardly around said disc means comprising an annular nozzle means having a plurality of annular nozzles positioned above said disc means, each annular nozzle being positioned for projecting annular section of said moving annular curtain of cooling fluid, said plurality of annular sections forming said moving annular curtain, each annular nozzle having an individual control for directing a desired mass flow rate of cooling fluid therethrough to form its annular section and obtain a high cooling rate of molten metal flung into said annular curtain of cooling fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said individual controls direct different mass flow rates of cooling fluid through said annular nozzles for obtaining the highest cooling rate of the molten metal flung into said annular curtain of cooling fluid for the total mass flow rate of cooling fluid passing through said annular nozzles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the flow rates of cooling fluid are decreased from the inner annular nozzle to the outer annular nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 having a housing with an upper and lower chamber, said means for melting metal being located in said upper chamber, said disc means being mounted for rotation in said lower chamber, plate means separating said two chambers, means being positioned in said plate means for receiving molten metal from said means for melting metal and directing molten metal on said disc means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 including vacuum producing means for evacuating the interior of the upper and lower chambers, and backfilling means for backfilling the upper and lower chambers with a gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 including means for directing an inert gas into said upper chamber, and means for directing a cooling gas into said lower chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 including means for maintaining a desired pressure differential between the inert gas in said upper chamber and the cooling gas in said lower chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said plate means contains a plurality of annular manifolds therein, each manifold having an annular nozzle means for directing flow therefrom downwardly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said lower chamber has a cylindrical wall around said disc means, said disc means having an outer edge, said nozzles being located adjacent each other for directing an annular curtain of cooling fluid from adjacent the outer edge of said disc means to adjacent said cylindrical wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said disc means has an outer edge, one of said annular nozzles being positioned for directing an annular section of cooling fluid downwardly adjacent the outer edge of the disc means, the other of said plurality of annular nozzles being located radially outwardly from said one annular nozzle, said plurality of annular nozzles being positioned adjacent each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of annular nozzles comprises three annular nozzles, said disc means having an outer edge, one of said annular nozzles being positioned for directing a first annular section of cooling fluid downwardly adjacent the outer edge of the disc means, the second of said annular nozzles being positioned for directing a second annular section of cooling fluid downwardly adjacent said first annular section of cooling fluid, said third annular nozzle being positioned for directing a third annular section of cooling fluid downwardly adjacent said second annular section of cooling fluid, said first, second, and third annular sections forming said moving annular curtain.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-13 | 1981-09-12 | 1982-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-13 | 1985-09-12 | 1986-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-13 | 1989-09-12 | 1990-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |