US5164097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nozzle assembly design for a continuous alloy production process and method for making said nozzle
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1991-02-01
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Granted: 1992-11-17
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Expires: 2011-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A nozzle assembly design and a method for making the nozzle assembly, as well as a method for controlling a continuous skull nozzle process employing the nozzle assembly are provided wherein the cooling heat transfer coefficient at the nozzle is increased to maintain a steady-state solidified layer of a noncontaminating liner material, the cooling heat transfer coefficient being increased by reducing the contact resistance between a nozzle outer wall member and an inner liner made of the noncontaminating material, the reduction in contact resistance being achieved by shrink-fitting the nozzle outer wall member around the inner liner to increase the contact pressure between those members.
Inventors
- 👤 Hsin-Pang Wang
- 👤 Erin M. Perry
- 👤 Yuan Pang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:26
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D41/00; B22D41/50; B22D41/52; B22F; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/06; B22F9/08; B22F9/082; B22F2009/0848; B22F2009/0856; B22F2009/0892
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for constructing a discharge nozzle to be used in a skull melting process comprising: heating a copper outer wall member of said nozzle to a temperature sufficient to thermally expand said outer wall member; inserting a titanium or titanium alloy inner liner into an opening defined by an inner surface of said outer wall member, an outer surface of said inner liner having a greater peripheral dimension than a corresponding dimension of said opening when said outer wall is in an unexpanded condition, said inner liner being made of a material which is compatible with a molten material to be discharged through said nozzle; and cooling said outer wall member to cause said outer wall member to contract into contact with said inner liner.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for constructing a discharge nozzle to be used in a skull melting process comprising: heating a copper outer wall member of said nozzle to a temperature sufficient to thermally expand said outer wall member; inserting a titanium or titanium alloy inner liner into an opening defined by an inner surface of said outer wall member, an outer surface of said inner liner having a greater peripheral dimension than a corresponding dimension of said opening when said outer wall is in an unexpanded condition, said inner liner being made of a material which is compatible with a molten material to be discharged through said nozzle; and cooling said outer wall member to cause said outer wall member to contract into contact with said inner liner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein a shape of said outer surface of said inner linear corresponds substantially in geometry to a shape of said inner surface of said outer wall member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said outer wall member and said inner liner are substantially annular in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 3 wherein said outer wall member has cooling channels extending therethrough.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim comprising the further step of attaching said outer wall member carrying said inner liner to a crucible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer wall member is radially expanded to a size which is approximately 1% larger than an initial unexpanded size.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein a contact pressure produced by said outer wall member contracting into contact with said inner liner is greater than about 10 pounds per square inch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein at least said cooling step is conducted in a helium gas environment to further improve the heat transfer between said inner linear and said outer wall member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 8 wherein a shape of said outer surface of said inner liner corresponds substantially in geometry to a shape of said inner surface of said outer wall member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said outer wall member and said inner liner are substantially annular in shape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |