US4613076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for forming fine liquid metal droplets
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1985-09-26
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Granted: 1986-09-23
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Expires: 2005-09-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for generating fine liquid metal droplets from a liquid or molten metal comprises a rotatable member situated in a pressurized or evacuated chamber. Means are provided for generating an electric field at the edge of the member having sufficient strength to overcome the surface tension of the metal. A liquid metal delivery means directs liquid metal onto a surface of the member over which the metal flows toward the edge as the member is spun. As the liquid metal leaves the surface at the edge, the force of the electric field causes fine liquid metal droplets which are more uniform and smaller than those produced without an electric field to form. A method for forming fine liquid metal droplets is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter W. Dietz
- 👤 Russell S. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:57
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/06; B22F9/08; B22F9/10; B01; B01J; B01J2/00; B01J2/02; B01J2/04; B05; B05B; B05B5/00; B05B5/025; B05B5/04; B22F2999/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An apparatus for forming fine liquid metal droplets from a liquid metal comprising: (a) a chamber wherein the pressure within said chamber is greater than about 1.5 atmospheres; (b) a member rotatably mounted within said chamber and having a surface for receiving said liquid metal; (c) means for delivering said liquid metal to said surface of said member; (d) means for forming an electrical field at least at the edge of said surface sufficient to overcome the surface tension of said metal; and (e) means for rotating said member at a predetermined angular velocity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
An apparatus for forming fine liquid metal droplets from a liquid metal comprising: (a) a chamber wherein the pressure within said chamber is greater than about 1.5 atmospheres; (b) a member rotatably mounted within said chamber and having a surface for receiving said liquid metal; (c) means for delivering said liquid metal to said surface of said member; (d) means for forming an electrical field at least at the edge of said surface sufficient to overcome the surface tension of said metal; and (e) means for rotating said member at a predetermined angular velocity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for forming an electrical field comprises at least one ring electrode disposed about the rotational axis of said member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said member comprises a disk and said ring electrode is concentric with said disk.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the environment within said chamber is substantially nitrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the environment within said chamber is substantially argon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the environment within said chamber is substantially helium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said member comprises a transverse base section and a cylindrical section affixed thereto so as to form a cup like configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the rim of said cylindrical section is beveled such that the inner surface of said cylindrical section extends further than the outer surface of said cylindrical section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for forming an electrical field comprises at least a portion of a wall of said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a second means for forming an electrical field at least at the edge of said surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said second means for forming an electrical field comprises at least a portion of a wall of said chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the environment within said chamber is substantially sulfur hexafluoride.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the environment within said chamber is a mixture of inert gases.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for forming fine liquid metal droplets from a liquid metal comprising the steps of: (a) providing a member having a surface for receiving said liquid metal; (b) situating said member in an environment having a pressure greater than about 1.5 atmospheres; (c) generating an electric field at least at the edge of said surface sufficient to overcome the surface tension of said metal; (d) directing said liquid metal onto said surface; and (e) rotating said member at a predetermined angular velocity such that at least a portion of said liquid metal is sheared to form droplets.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for forming fine liquid metal droplets from a liquid metal comprising the steps of: (a) providing a member having a surface for receiving said liquid metal; (b) situating said member in an environment having a pressure greater than about 1.5 atmospheres; (c) generating an electric field at least at the edge of said surface sufficient to overcome the surface tension of said metal; (d) directing said liquid metal onto said surface; and (e) rotating said member at a predetermined angular velocity such that at least a portion of said liquid metal is sheared to form droplets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 14 wherein said environment comprises a gas which is non-reactive with said liquid metal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein said gas comprises nitrogen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein said gas comprises argon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein said gas comprises helium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein said gas comprises sulfur hexafluoride.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein said gas comprises a mixture of inert gases.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as in claim 14 wherein said step of generating said electric field includes adjusting the strength thereof such that the average size of said droplets is about 40 microns in diameter and substantially all the droplets are less than about 80 microns in diameter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 19 wherein the strength of the electric field is the range of about 10 6 to about 10 9 volts/m.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 14 wherein the angular velocity of said member is in the range of about 500 to about 30,000 RPM.
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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) | 1989-09-22 | 1990-03-24 | 1990-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-22 | 1994-03-24 | 1994-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-22 | 1998-03-24 | 1998-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |