US4374075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the plasma-arc production of metal powder
Assignee: Crucible Materials Corp
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Filing: 1981-06-17
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 2001-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing atomized metal particles, particularly of titanium-base alloys and superalloys, that are free from contamination by foreign material; this is achieved by providing a rod of the metal to be atomized and contacting an end portion of the rod with a plasma arc gas jet which simultaneously melts and atomizes the metal from the rod to form the atomized particles and preventing contamination of the particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles F. Yolton
- 👤 Thomas S. Cloran
- 👤 Thomas W. Sloan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:47
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/06; B22F9/08; B22F9/082; B22F2999/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for making atomized metal particles, comprising: (a) directing a plasma arc gas jet to contact a solid metal article to simultaneously heat, to melt, and to atomize said metal into droplets, and (b) cooling said metal droplets to solidification within an inert atmosphere to form said metal particles, while maintaining said droplets free from surface contact prior to solidification.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for making atomized metal particles, comprising: (a) directing a plasma arc gas jet to contact a solid metal article to simultaneously heat, to melt, and to atomize said metal into droplets, and (b) cooling said metal droplets to solidification within an inert atmosphere to form said metal particles, while maintaining said droplets free from surface contact prior to solidification.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said article is in the form of a rod or bar and a portion thereof is in contact with said plasma arc gas jet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said rod or bar during contact with said plasma arc gas jet is rotated axially and moved longitudinally towards said jet to progressively heat, melt and atomize metal from an end of said rod or bar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said rod or bar is positioned vertically and a lower end portion thereof is contacted with said plasma arc gas jet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said lower end portion of said rod or bar is contacted simultaneously by at least two plasma arc gas jets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said lower end portion of said rod or bar is contacted with a jet of inert gas simultaneously with said plasma arc gas jet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said plasma arc gas jet constitutes a gas selected from the group consisting of argon, helium, hydrogen and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said article is of titanium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said article is of a superalloy composition.
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) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |