Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
355 words
A rotary atomization means for receiving a flow of molten metal on an upper surface for the production of solidified metal particles comprising a drive shaft mounted for rotation, disc means fixedly mounted to the top of said drive shaft, said disc means having a lower metal member fixed to the top of said drive shaft, said disc means having an upper metal member fixed to said lower metal member, said lower metal member and said upper metal member having their meeting sides contoured to form a cylindrical space therebetween, said cylindrical space having a cylindrical side wall with a circular top wall and an annular bottom wall, said cylindrical space being coaxial with said drive shaft, elongated opening means extending through the center of said drive shaft and said lower metal member into the opening in said annular bottom wall of said cylindrical space, an annular coolant baffle, said annular coolant baffle having an opening in the center thereof, said annular coolant baffle having an annular top surface and annular bottom surface, said annular coolant baffle having an outer peripheral surface between said annular top surface and said annular bottom surface, a tube connected to said annular coolant baffle around said opening and extending downwardly through the opening in said annular bottom wall of said cylindrical space and said elongated opening means, means centering said inlet coolant tube in said elongated opening means forming an annular outlet passage, said annular coolant baffle having radial passageways in the top and bottom surfaces thereof, said top passageways being aligned with said bottom passageways, axially extending passageways in the outer peripheral surface of said annular coolant baffle connecting the outward radial ends of each pair of said aligned passageways, said cylindrical space having its circular top wall abutting the annular top surface of said annular coolant baffle, said cylindrical space having its annular bottom wall abutting the annular bottom surface of said annular coolant baffle, and the cylindrical outer surface of said cylindrical space contacting the outer peripheral surface of said circular coolant baffle, means fixing said annular coolant baffle to said drive shaft for rotation therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
355 words
A rotary atomization means for receiving a flow of molten metal on an upper surface for the production of solidified metal particles comprising a drive shaft mounted for rotation, disc means fixedly mounted to the top of said drive shaft, said disc means having a lower metal member fixed to the top of said drive shaft, said disc means having an upper metal member fixed to said lower metal member, said lower metal member and said upper metal member having their meeting sides contoured to form a cylindrical space therebetween, said cylindrical space having a cylindrical side wall with a circular top wall and an annular bottom wall, said cylindrical space being coaxial with said drive shaft, elongated opening means extending through the center of said drive shaft and said lower metal member into the opening in said annular bottom wall of said cylindrical space, an annular coolant baffle, said annular coolant baffle having an opening in the center thereof, said annular coolant baffle having an annular top surface and annular bottom surface, said annular coolant baffle having an outer peripheral surface between said annular top surface and said annular bottom surface, a tube connected to said annular coolant baffle around said opening and extending downwardly through the opening in said annular bottom wall of said cylindrical space and said elongated opening means, means centering said inlet coolant tube in said elongated opening means forming an annular outlet passage, said annular coolant baffle having radial passageways in the top and bottom surfaces thereof, said top passageways being aligned with said bottom passageways, axially extending passageways in the outer peripheral surface of said annular coolant baffle connecting the outward radial ends of each pair of said aligned passageways, said cylindrical space having its circular top wall abutting the annular top surface of said annular coolant baffle, said cylindrical space having its annular bottom wall abutting the annular bottom surface of said annular coolant baffle, and the cylindrical outer surface of said cylindrical space contacting the outer peripheral surface of said circular coolant baffle, means fixing said annular coolant baffle to said drive shaft for rotation therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the top and bottom passageways along with the connecting extending passageways in the outer peripheral surface of said annular coolant baffle have a constant flow area to reduce contraction and expansion losses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the top and bottom passageways along with the connecting extending passageways in the outer peripheral surface of said annular coolant baffle are made narrow to reduce secondary flow losses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein the top and bottom passageways along with the connecting extending passageways in the outer peripheral surface of said annular coolant baffle are made having the narrow width of approximately 0.254 cm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein an elongated baffle is fixed in said inlet coolant tube, the upper end of said elongated baffle being located at the top of said inlet coolant tube so that a column of coolant in said inlet coolant tube is rotating at the same RPM as the annular coolant baffle as it enters the top passageways.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said elongated baffle has cylindrical bosses therearound at several locations, said bosses having contact with the interior of said inlet coolant tube, said bosses being fixed to said inlet coolant tube.