US4238427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Atomization of molten metals
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-04-05
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Granted: 1980-12-09
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Expires: 1999-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A stream of molten metal from a supply is impinged upon an electrode while an electrical potential is impressed between the supply and the electrode. The zone of impingement becomes a stable electric arc in which the stream is atomized. A carrier gas intersects the spray and removes heat from the metal particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas S. Chisholm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:41
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A process for producing a powdered metallic solid from a supply of electrically conductive molten liquid metallic material, comprising: directing a stream of said electrically conductive molten liquid metallic material from the supply to impinge upon an electrode; establishing and maintaining an electrical potential between said electrode and said supply sufficient to strike and maintain an electric arc in said stream in the vicinity of said electrode and sufficient to produce a metallic gas in the vicinity of said electrode, whereby, due to said electric arc and a disruptive effect of said metallic gas, said stream in the vicinity of said electrode is atomized into discrete droplets of molten metallic liquid; and contacting said discrete droplets with sufficient cooling fluid medium to at least superficially solidify said discrete droplets into metallic powder particles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A process for producing a powdered metallic solid from a supply of electrically conductive molten liquid metallic material, comprising: directing a stream of said electrically conductive molten liquid metallic material from the supply to impinge upon an electrode; establishing and maintaining an electrical potential between said electrode and said supply sufficient to strike and maintain an electric arc in said stream in the vicinity of said electrode and sufficient to produce a metallic gas in the vicinity of said electrode, whereby, due to said electric arc and a disruptive effect of said metallic gas, said stream in the vicinity of said electrode is atomized into discrete droplets of molten metallic liquid; and contacting said discrete droplets with sufficient cooling fluid medium to at least superficially solidify said discrete droplets into metallic powder particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1, wherein: said molten liquid material is magnesium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1, wherein: said electrode is disposed directly below said supply and said stream falls under the influence of gravity from said supply to impinge upon said electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein: the cooling fluid medium is a hydrocarbon gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1, wherein: the cooling fluid medium is an inert gas selected from argon and helium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 1, further including: coating each powder particle with a protective coating from said cooling fluid medium during said contacting step, in order to make the powder particles superficially less reactive in air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A process for producing a powdered metallic solid from a supply of electrically conductive molten liquid metallic material, comprising: directing a stream of said electrically conductive molten liquid metallic material from the supply to impinge upon an electrode; establishing and maintaining an electrical potential between said electrode and said supply sufficient to strike and maintain an electric arc in said stream in the vicinity of said electrode and sufficient to produce a metallic gas in the vicinity of said electrode, whereby, due to said electric arc and a disruptive effect of said metallic gas, said stream in the vicinity of said electrode is atomized into discrete droplets of molten metallic liquid; and contacting said discrete droplets with cooling means to at least superficially solidify said discrete droplets into metallic powder particles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
A process for producing a powdered metallic solid from a supply of electrically conductive molten liquid metallic material, comprising: directing a stream of said electrically conductive molten liquid metallic material from the supply to impinge upon an electrode; establishing and maintaining an electrical potential between said electrode and said supply sufficient to strike and maintain an electric arc in said stream in the vicinity of said electrode and sufficient to produce a metallic gas in the vicinity of said electrode, whereby, due to said electric arc and a disruptive effect of said metallic gas, said stream in the vicinity of said electrode is atomized into discrete droplets of molten metallic liquid; and contacting said discrete droplets with cooling means to at least superficially solidify said discrete droplets into metallic powder particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The process of claim 7, wherein: said discrete droplets of molten liquid travels along a path as a result of the atomization; and the contacting step is accomplished at least in part by intercepting said path with a cooled surface against which said discrete droplets travelling along said path impact, and are thereby splat-cooled to produce relatively flat powder particles.
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) | 1983-12-09 | 1984-06-09 | 1984-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-09 | 1988-06-09 | 1988-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-09 | 1992-06-09 | 1992-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |