US4482375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser melt spin atomized metal powder and process
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1983-12-05
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Granted: 1984-11-13
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Expires: 2003-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of producing rapidly solidified metal powder utilizes a spinning metal source and a laser beam to melt the surface layer of the source and atomize it. The laser beam is directed at a glancing angle along the surface of the spinning metal source. The source spins at a high speed of 10,000-30,000 revolutions per minute. The atomized metal is solidified rapidly in an inert gas atmosphere. Very high cooling rates up to 10 6 ° C. per second can be achieved. Very small and uniformly distributed particles of rapidly solidified metal can be obtained having a narrow particle size distribution from about 50-150 microns and typically having a high percentage of the particles at a particle size of below 100 microns.
Inventors
- 👤 Shankar M. Sastry
- 👤 James E. O'Neal
- 👤 Tzy C. Peng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:28
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/06; B22F9/08; B22F9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of melting and rapidly solidifying metals comprising rotating a body of the metal stock, impinging a laser beam on the surface of the rotating stock, the laser beam being disposed transversely across the surface of the rotating body of stock, to melt a thin film of metal from the surface of the rotating body, rotating the body at a speed effective to disperse the melted film from the periphery of the rotating body and atomize it into fine droplets and cooling and solidifying the droplets to form a metal powder.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of melting and rapidly solidifying metals comprising rotating a body of the metal stock, impinging a laser beam on the surface of the rotating stock, the laser beam being disposed transversely across the surface of the rotating body of stock, to melt a thin film of metal from the surface of the rotating body, rotating the body at a speed effective to disperse the melted film from the periphery of the rotating body and atomize it into fine droplets and cooling and solidifying the droplets to form a metal powder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the laser beam impinges on the rotating metal stock surface at a slight angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the angle of impingement is between about 3 and 10 degrees.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the stock body is a volume of revolution and is rotated at a rotational speed of between about 10,000 and 30,000 revolutions per minute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the atomized droplets are cooled into spherical particles having a diameter of between about 50 and 250 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the metal body is atomized in an inert gas atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the metal particles have a particle distribution such that substantially all of the particles are below 200 microns in diameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 in which the particle size distribution is such that substantially all of the particles have a particle size between 50 and 150 microns in diameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the particle size of the particles produced is controlled by controlling the speed of revolution of the rotating body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the rate of convection cooling is controlled by controlling the flow rate of the inert gas atmosphere in which the droplets are atomized.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the droplets are solidified in flight.
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) | 1987-11-13 | 1988-05-14 | 1988-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-13 | 1992-05-14 | 1992-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-13 | 1996-05-14 | 1996-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |