Atomization device

Abstract

The atomization device comprises a motor (1) rotatably driving a spinning disc (2) by means of a rotating shaft (3), and cooling means for cooling said spinning disc (2), wherein said cooling means comprise a cooling circuit (4) extending around at least one portion of the rotating shaft (3) and below at least one portion of said spinning disc (2). The invention allows providing an atomization device in which the rotating shaft of the motor is perfectly aligned with the spinning disc, thereby avoiding the use of mechanical transmission elements.

Description

[0001]The present invention relates to a metal powder atomization device, particularly to a centrifugal atomization device in which molten metal is dispersed in the form of particles due to centrifugal force upon contact with a spinning disc.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Atomization is a process of breaking up a bulk liquid into small droplets. Any material existing in liquid state can be atomized into micrometer-sized particles. This technique is used to produce elemental metal powder or alloys.[0003]Metal powder has a number of industrial applications, among which conventional powder metallurgy for the manufacture of parts by compaction and powder sintering, the formation of coatings by means of spray techniques, or the manufacture of components by means of additive manufacturing techniques stand out.[0004]There are different atomization processes distinguished from one another by the techniques used for breaking up the fluid being used. These can be classified as:[0005]Atomiza...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention relates to a device for cooling spinning discs and minimizing vibrations during operation. The cooling circuit is located outside the rotating shaft, making the drive system simpler and allowing for perfect alignment between the shaft and the spinning disc. The spinning disc and shaft can be made from a single part, reducing misalignments and vibrations. The spinning disc can be made of metal or ceramic, depending on the requirements. The technical effect of the invention is to minimize vibrations and misalignments, resulting in a more stable and efficient device for cooling spinning discs.

Problems solved by technology

Then, when the metal reaches the edge of the disc, the surface tension is insufficient to maintain the bulk liquid mass and accordingly turns into a spray of small droplets which solidify and form a powder.

To that end, these designs mean that the rotating shaft of the disc is hollow, which leads to a complex design of the drive system of this disc, which is prone to misalignments and vibrations, with the subsequent problems this entails.

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