Apparatus and method for homogenization of titanium alloy blend process mix

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of titanium alloy production equipment, in particular to a device and method for mixing and homogenizing in a titanium alloy melting process, which comprises a furnace body, an electrode transmission part is fixedly connected to the top of the inner wall of the furnace body, an electrode lifting part is fixedly connected to the lower part of the electrode transmission part, an electrode part is fixedly connected to the lower part of the electrode lifting part, a smelting part is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body and located below the electrode part, a topological mixing part is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body and located below the smelting part, and a casting chamber is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body and located below the topological mixing part. The application can change the flow condition of molten metal, improve the uniformity of the titanium alloy and strengthen the quality of the titanium alloy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of titanium alloy production equipment technology, and in particular to a device and method for mixing and homogenizing titanium alloys during the melting and blending process. Background Technology

[0002] Vacuum consumable electrode arc furnaces are currently the main industrial method for smelting titanium and rare metals, used to produce high-purity, dense castings from sponge-like structures. However, the smelting process of titanium is an extremely complex physicochemical reaction. The process of producing metallic titanium from titanium compounds is carried out at temperatures below the melting point of titanium, resulting only in porous metals—sponge titanium. To obtain titanium alloy products with specific properties, sponge titanium is generally first mixed with alloying elements and pressed into prefabricated electrodes. The chemical composition is then adjusted to produce titanium alloy ingots of a specific composition, which are then further processed or cast into castings for use. However, during the casting process, the alloying elements within the titanium alloy are not mixed uniformly, which cannot guarantee the uniformity of material properties, leading to uneven casting performance and compromised casting quality. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device and method for homogenizing the mixing process in the titanium alloy melting and blending process. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for mixing and homogenizing titanium alloys during the melting and blending process, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems, change the flow of molten metal, improve the uniformity of titanium alloys, and enhance the quality of titanium alloys.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0005] A device for mixing and homogenizing titanium alloys during melting and blending includes a furnace body. An electrode transmission mechanism is fixedly connected to the top of the inner wall of the furnace body, and a pneumatic lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the bottom of the electrode transmission mechanism. An electrode section is fixedly connected to the lower part of the pneumatic lifting mechanism. A melting section is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body and is located below the electrode section. A topological mixing section is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body and is located below the melting section. A casting chamber is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body and is located below the topological mixing section.

[0006] Preferably, the electrode transmission mechanism includes a lifting platform, a rapid lifting mechanism, and a portal frame. The bottom of the rapid lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the top of the furnace body. The lifting platform is located in the middle of the rapid lifting mechanism and is vertically slidably arranged with the rapid lifting mechanism. The bottom of the lifting platform is fixedly connected to the top of the portal frame. The outer wall of the portal frame is slidably arranged with the inner wall of the furnace body. The bottom of the portal frame is fixedly connected to the top of the pneumatic lifting mechanism.

[0007] Preferably, the pneumatic lifting mechanism includes an outer sleeve, a guide column, a lifting cylinder, a conductive plate, an inner sleeve, and a support column. The top of the outer sleeve is fixedly connected to the bottom of the portal frame. The bottom of the portal frame, away from the top of the outer sleeve, is fixedly connected to the fixed end of the lifting cylinder. The telescopic shaft of the lifting cylinder passes through the bottom of the portal frame and is fixedly connected to the top of the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is fitted inside the outer sleeve and is vertically slidable with the outer sleeve. The guide column is located in the middle of the side wall of the outer sleeve and is fixedly connected to the side wall of the outer sleeve. The support column passes through the end of the guide column away from the outer sleeve and is vertically slidable with the guide column. The bottom of the support column is fixedly connected to the conductive plate, and the other end of the conductive plate is fixedly connected to the side wall of the telescopic shaft of the lifting cylinder.

[0008] Preferably, the electrode part includes an electrode, and the upper part of the electrode is detachably connected to the lower part of the pneumatic lifting mechanism.

[0009] Preferably, the smelting section includes a water-cooled copper crucible, the water-cooled copper crucible and the lower part of the electrode are provided with a gap, and a rotating part is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the water-cooled copper crucible.

[0010] Preferably, the rotating part includes rotating rods, the outer wall of the water-cooled copper crucible is fixedly connected to two rotating rods, the two rotating rods are coaxially arranged, the rotating rods are rotatably connected to a rotating crucible mechanism, and the rotating crucible mechanism is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace.

[0011] Preferably, the topology mixing section includes a topology mixing device, with support frames on both sides of the topology mixing device, which is fixedly connected to the bottom of the furnace body through the support frames, and a gap is provided between the upper part of the topology mixing device and the lower part of the water-cooled copper crucible.

[0012] Preferably, the topology mixing device includes a housing, a valve core is fitted inside the housing, a topology mixing device chute is provided on the top of the valve core, and the topology mixing device chute is hinged to the housing.

[0013] A method for mixing and homogenizing in a titanium alloy melting and mixing process, based on an apparatus for mixing and homogenizing in a titanium alloy melting and mixing process, includes the following steps:

[0014] Step 1: The electrode section is transported to a position directly above the melting section via the electrode transmission mechanism;

[0015] Step 2: Use the pneumatic lifting mechanism to bring the electrode closer to the melting section;

[0016] Step 3: An electric arc is generated between the electrode section and the melting section, and molten titanium is generated by the electrode section under high temperature and dripped into the melting section;

[0017] Step 4: The molten titanium in the melting section is poured into the topological mixing section, and the molten titanium flows through the topological mixing section to accelerate and discharge into the casting chamber below.

[0018] The present invention has the following technical effects: molten titanium flows within a topological mixing device, which accelerates the flow of the titanium and minimizes its residence time within the channel, thus preventing temperature loss and solidification within the tube. As the titanium passes through the topological mixing device, it collides with the inner wall, which stirs the flowing titanium, further enhancing the uniformity of titanium and alloying elements and improving the performance of the titanium alloy. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view of the structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a left view of the structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the topology mixing device of the present invention;

[0023] Among them, 1. Electrode transmission mechanism; 101. Lifting platform; 102. Rapid lifting mechanism; 103. Portal frame; 2. Pneumatic lifting mechanism; 201. Outer sleeve; 202. Guide column; 203. Lifting cylinder; 204. Conductive plate; 205. Inner sleeve; 206. Support column; 3. Observation window; 4. Electrode; 5. Water-cooled copper crucible; 6. Rotating crucible mechanism; 7. Topological mixing device; 8. Casting chamber; 9. Furnace body; 10. Observation hole; 11. Topological mixing device chute; 12. Valve core; 13. Outer shell; 14. Topological mixing device outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0026] Reference Figure 1-3 This embodiment provides a device for mixing and homogenizing titanium alloy during the melting and blending process, including a furnace body 9. An electrode transmission mechanism 1 is fixedly connected to the top of the inner wall of the furnace body 9, a pneumatic lifting mechanism 2 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the electrode transmission mechanism 1, an electrode part is fixedly connected to the lower part of the pneumatic lifting mechanism 2, a melting part is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body 9 and is located below the electrode part, a topological mixing part is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body 9 and is located below the melting part, and a casting chamber 8 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body 9 and is located below the topological mixing part.

[0027] The pneumatic lifting mechanism 2 and the electrode part are quickly moved to the top of the melting part by the electrode transmission mechanism 1. The pneumatic lifting mechanism 2 brings the electrode part close to the melting part, and the titanium liquid generated by the electrode part drips into the melting part. The melting part collects the titanium liquid and pours it into the topology mixing part. The topology mixing part accelerates and stirs the titanium liquid to make it uniform. The titanium liquid flows into the casting chamber 8 through the topology mixing part. The furnace body 9 has a vacuum structure inside. The outer wall of the furnace body 9 is provided with an observation hole 10 to facilitate the observation of the equipment operation status.

[0028] Further optimization of the scheme: the electrode transmission mechanism 1 includes a lifting platform 101, a rapid lifting mechanism 102, and a portal frame 103. The bottom of the rapid lifting mechanism 102 is fixedly connected to the top of the furnace body 9. The lifting platform 101 is located in the middle of the rapid lifting mechanism 102. The lifting platform 101 and the rapid lifting mechanism 102 are vertically slidably arranged. The bottom of the lifting platform 101 is fixedly connected to the top of the portal frame 103. The outer wall of the portal frame 103 is slidably arranged to the inner wall of the furnace body 9. The bottom of the portal frame 103 is fixedly connected to the top of the pneumatic lifting mechanism 2.

[0029] The lifting platform 101 slides rapidly in the vertical direction through the rapid lifting mechanism 102, thereby causing the portal frame 103 fixed to the bottom of the lifting platform 101 to move up and down. This causes the pneumatic lifting mechanism 2 and the electrode part, which are fixed to the bottom of the portal frame 103, to move rapidly to directly above the melting section. The outer wall of the portal frame 103 contacts the inner wall of the furnace body 9 and can slide vertically along the inner wall of the furnace body 9, thus sealing the furnace body 9 and maintaining a vacuum state inside the furnace body 9.

[0030] The pneumatic lifting mechanism 2, further optimized, includes an outer sleeve 201, a guide column 202, a lifting cylinder 203, a conductive plate 204, an inner sleeve 205, and a support column 206. The top of the outer sleeve 201 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the portal frame 103. The bottom of the portal frame 103, away from the top of the outer sleeve 201, is fixedly connected to the fixed end of the lifting cylinder 203. The telescopic shaft of the lifting cylinder 203 passes through the bottom of the portal frame 103 and is fixedly connected to the top of the inner sleeve 205. The inner sleeve 205 is fitted onto the outer sleeve. Inside 201, the inner sleeve 205 and the outer sleeve 201 are vertically slidably arranged. The bottom of the inner sleeve 205 is fixedly connected to the top of the electrode part. The guide post 202 is located in the middle of the side wall of the outer sleeve 201 and is fixedly connected to the side wall of the outer sleeve 201. The support post 206 passes through the end of the guide post 202 away from the outer sleeve 201 and is vertically slidably arranged with the guide post 202. The bottom of the support post 206 is fixedly connected to the conductive plate 204, and the other end of the conductive plate 204 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the inner sleeve 205.

[0031] The rapid lifting mechanism 102 moves the portal frame 103 vertically, thereby rapidly moving the electrode section directly above the melting section. The lifting cylinder 203 slowly moves the inner sleeve 205 downwards vertically. The lifting cylinder 203 controls the movement speed of the inner sleeve 205, causing the electrode section, fixed to the bottom of the inner sleeve 205, to slowly approach the melting section. The bottom of the electrode section is kept at a fixed distance from the melting section according to the melting speed. The side wall of the outer sleeve 201 is fixed to the guide post 202, and the side of the guide post 202 away from the outer sleeve 201 is connected to the support post 206. The support column 206 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the conductive plate 204, and the other end of the conductive plate 204 is slidably connected to the inner sleeve 205. The support column 206 is equipped with a discharge device, which is slidably connected to the conductive plate 204 through a wire. When the electrode moves directly above the melting part, the discharge device discharges. In this embodiment, the discharge device is preferably a KVYDQW-20kVA / 50kV partial discharge complete set of equipment. The current is conducted to the electrode through the wire, the conductive plate 204 and the inner sleeve 205, so that an electric arc is generated between the electrode and the melting part.

[0032] A further optimized design includes an electrode 4, the upper part of which is detachably connected to the lower part of the pneumatic lifting mechanism 2. This facilitates the replacement of the electrode 4 connected to the lower part of the pneumatic lifting mechanism 2.

[0033] The scheme is further optimized. The smelting section includes a water-cooled copper crucible 5. There is a gap between the water-cooled copper crucible 5 and the lower part of the electrode 4. A rotating part is fixed to the outer wall of the water-cooled copper crucible 5.

[0034] The water-cooled copper crucible 5 serves as the anode and generates an electric arc with the electrode 4, causing the electrode 4 to melt. A molten pool is formed inside the water-cooled copper crucible 5. After the electrode 4 melts, the titanium liquid is formed and drips into the water-cooled copper crucible 5. After being collected in the water-cooled copper crucible 5, the titanium liquid is poured into the topological mixing section through the rotating part.

[0035] The scheme is further optimized. The rotating part includes a rotating rod. The outer wall of the water-cooled copper crucible 5 is fixedly connected to two rotating rods. The two rotating rods are coaxially arranged. The rotating rods are rotatably connected to a rotating crucible mechanism 6. The rotating crucible mechanism 6 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body 9.

[0036] Two rotating rods allow the water-cooled copper crucible 5 to rotate relative to the furnace body 9, allowing the molten titanium inside the water-cooled copper crucible 5 to be poured into the topological mixing section.

[0037] The scheme is further optimized. The topology mixing section includes a topology mixing device 7. The topology mixing device 7 is provided with support frames on both sides and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the furnace body through the support frames. There is a gap between the upper part of the topology mixing device 7 and the lower part of the water-cooled copper crucible 5.

[0038] The topological mixing device 7 allows the titanium liquid to pass through quickly, reducing heat loss and ensuring uniform mixing of the titanium liquid within the topological mixing device 7.

[0039] In a further optimized scheme, the topology mixing device 7 includes a housing 13, a valve core 12 is fitted inside the housing 13, and a topology mixing device chute 11 is provided on the top of the valve core 12. The topology mixing device chute 11 is hinged to the housing 13.

[0040] In this embodiment, the outer shell 13 is preferably made of a high-temperature and corrosion-resistant material, which allows the outer shell 13 to withstand high temperatures in the furnace body 9 and avoids corrosion affecting the quality of the molten titanium. In this embodiment, the valve core 12 is a Tesla valve, which can accelerate the flow of molten titanium and avoid heat loss. When passing through the valve core 12, it collides with the inner wall of the valve core 12, making the alloy molecules in the molten titanium more uniformly mixed. The topology mixing device chute 11 and the outer shell 13 are hinged by a torsion spring. When no molten titanium is passing through, the topology mixing device chute 11 and the outer shell 13 are in a closed state to prevent heat loss from the valve core 12. When the molten titanium falls to the topology mixing device chute 11, the topology mixing device chute 11 opens under the action of gravity, guiding the molten titanium into the valve core 12, avoiding direct collision between the molten titanium and the outer shell 13 to prevent molten titanium from splashing and losing molten titanium. The molten titanium flows into the casting chamber 8 through the topology mixing device outlet 14.

[0041] A method for mixing and homogenizing in a titanium alloy melting and bonding process is based on an apparatus for mixing and homogenizing in a titanium alloy melting and bonding process, comprising:

[0042] Step 1: Transport the electrode section to the top of the melting section via electrode transmission mechanism 1;

[0043] Step 2: Use the pneumatic lifting mechanism 2 to bring the electrode closer to the melting section;

[0044] Step 3: An electric arc is generated between the electrode section and the melting section, and molten titanium is generated at the electrode section under high temperature and drips into the melting section;

[0045] Step 4: The molten titanium in the melting section is poured into the topological mixing section, and the molten titanium flows through the topological mixing section to accelerate and discharge into the casting chamber 8 below.

[0046] Electrode 4 is driven to the top of the melting section by electrode transmission mechanism 1. Pneumatic lifting mechanism 2 brings electrode 4 close to water-cooled copper crucible 5. Water-cooled copper crucible 5 acts as the anode and reacts with electrode 4 to melt electrode 4. Electrode 4 produces titanium liquid that drips into water-cooled copper crucible 5. Water-cooled copper crucible 5 collects the titanium liquid and pours it into valve core 12 through topological mixing device chute 11. Valve core 12 accelerates and stirs the titanium liquid to make it uniform, greatly improving the uniformity of titanium and alloying elements. The titanium liquid stays in valve core 12 for a very short time, avoiding solidification in valve core 12, reducing equipment maintenance frequency and lowering costs.

[0047] The working process of this embodiment is as follows: The electrode transmission mechanism 1 transports the electrode 4 to the top of the water-cooled copper crucible 5. The pneumatic lifting mechanism 2 brings the electrode 4 close to the water-cooled copper crucible 5. The electrode 4 and the water-cooled copper crucible 5 generate an electric arc. Under the action of high temperature, the electrode 4 generates titanium liquid that drips into the water-cooled copper crucible 5. The water-cooled copper crucible 5 is flipped under the cooperation of the rotating rod and the rotating crucible mechanism 6. The titanium liquid in the water-cooled copper crucible 5 flows from the water-cooled copper crucible 5 into the topological mixing device chute 11. When the titanium liquid flows in the valve core 12, the collision with the wall of the valve core 12 promotes the uniform mixing of titanium and alloying elements, and accelerates the discharge of the titanium liquid into the casting chamber 8 below.

[0048] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0049] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for mixing and homogenizing titanium alloys during the melting and mixing process, characterized in that: The furnace includes a furnace body (9), an electrode transmission mechanism (1) is fixedly connected to the top of the inner wall of the furnace body (9), a pneumatic lifting mechanism (2) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the electrode transmission mechanism (1), an electrode part is fixedly connected to the lower part of the pneumatic lifting mechanism (2), a smelting part is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body (9), the smelting part is located below the electrode part, a topological mixing part is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body (9), the topological mixing part is located below the smelting part, and a casting chamber (8) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body (9), the casting chamber (8) is located below the topological mixing part. The smelting section includes a water-cooled copper crucible (5). The topology mixing section includes a topology mixing device (7), which has support frames on both sides and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the furnace body through the support frames. The upper part of the topology mixing device (7) and the lower part of the water-cooled copper crucible (5) have a gap. The topology mixing device (7) includes a housing (13), a valve core (12) is sleeved inside the housing (13), and a topology mixing device chute (11) is provided on the top of the valve core (12), and the topology mixing device chute (11) is hinged to the housing (13).

2. The apparatus for mixing and homogenizing titanium alloys during the melting and mixing process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode transmission mechanism (1) includes a lifting platform (101), a rapid lifting mechanism (102), and a portal frame (103). The bottom of the rapid lifting mechanism (102) is fixedly connected to the top of the furnace body (9). The lifting platform (101) is located in the middle of the rapid lifting mechanism (102). The lifting platform (101) and the rapid lifting mechanism (102) are vertically slidably arranged. The bottom of the lifting platform (101) is fixedly connected to the top of the portal frame (103). The outer wall of the portal frame (103) is slidably arranged to the inner wall of the furnace body (9). The bottom of the portal frame (103) is fixedly connected to the top of the pneumatic lifting mechanism (2).

3. The apparatus for mixing and homogenizing titanium alloys during the melting and mixing process according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pneumatic lifting mechanism (2) includes an outer sleeve (201), a guide column (202), a lifting cylinder (203), a conductive plate (204), an inner sleeve (205), and a support column (206). The top of the outer sleeve (201) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the portal frame (103). The bottom of the portal frame (103) away from the top of the outer sleeve (201) is fixedly connected to the fixed end of the lifting cylinder (203). The telescopic shaft of the lifting cylinder (203) passes through the bottom of the portal frame (103) and is fixedly connected to the top of the inner sleeve (205). The inner sleeve (205) is fitted inside the outer sleeve (201). The inner sleeve (205) and the outer sleeve (201) are vertically slidably arranged. The bottom of the inner sleeve (205) is fixedly connected to the top of the electrode part. The guide post (202) is located in the middle of the side wall of the outer sleeve (201). The guide post (202) is fixedly connected to the side wall of the outer sleeve (201). The support post (206) passes through the guide post (202) at one end away from the outer sleeve (201). The support post (206) is fixedly connected to the guide post (202). The bottom of the support post (206) is fixedly connected to the conductive plate (204). The other end of the conductive plate (204) is slidably connected to the inner sleeve (205).

4. The apparatus for mixing and homogenizing titanium alloys during the melting and blending process according to claim 3, characterized in that: The electrode section includes an electrode (4), the upper part of which is detachably connected to the lower part of the pneumatic lifting mechanism (2).

5. The apparatus for mixing and homogenizing titanium alloys during the melting and mixing process according to claim 4, characterized in that: The water-cooled copper crucible (5) has a gap between the lower part of the electrode (4), and a rotating part is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the water-cooled copper crucible (5).

6. The apparatus for mixing and homogenizing titanium alloys during the melting and mixing process according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rotating part includes a rotating rod (15), the outer wall of the water-cooled copper crucible (5) is fixedly connected to two rotating rods (15), the two rotating rods (15) are coaxially arranged, the rotating rods (15) are rotatably connected to a rotating crucible mechanism (6), and the rotating crucible mechanism (6) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the furnace body (9).

7. A method for mixing and homogenizing in a titanium alloy melting and batching process, based on the apparatus for mixing and homogenizing in a titanium alloy melting and batching process according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Step 1: The electrode section is transported to the position directly above the melting section via the electrode transmission mechanism (1); Step 2: Use the pneumatic lifting mechanism (2) to bring the electrode closer to the melting section; Step 3: An electric arc is generated between the electrode section and the melting section, and molten titanium is generated by the electrode section under high temperature and dripped into the melting section; Step 4: The molten titanium in the melting section is poured into the topological mixing section, and the molten titanium flows through the topological mixing section to accelerate and discharge into the casting chamber (8) below.

Images