Gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system and gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply method
Through the combined technology of humidification and ultrasonic vibration, the problems of electrostatic adhesion and agglomeration of fine powders during gas transportation are solved, and the quantitative and stable supply of fine powders and the uniformity of spray coating are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202280006835.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-07-06
- Filing Date
- 2022-06-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-05
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-06-20
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, micropowders adhere to the pipe wall due to electrostatic attraction during gas transportation, resulting in blockage of the transportation path. In addition, they are prone to form large lumps in a dry state, resulting in uneven spray coating and inability to achieve stable quantitative supply.
A humidifying chamber is used to adjust the humidity of the conveying gas. Combined with an ultrasonic vibration outflow unit, ultrasonic vibration is used to break up large lumps and achieve quantitative supply of fine powder under humidity control. The combined technology of the ultrasonic vibration outflow unit and the humidifying chamber is used to suppress static electricity and agglomeration.
The quantitative and stable supply of fine powder is achieved, which suppresses the blockage of the conveying path and the unevenness of the spray coating, and ensures the uniformity and stability of the spray coating.
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Figure CN116348197B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, a gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply method, and an ultrasonic unit used in the method and the system. Background Art
[0002] In the past, devices that quantitatively and stably supply powders with fine particle sizes such as metal, ceramic, and plastic have been widely used, for example, in spraying devices, pad spraying devices for liquid crystal substrates, powder compression molding, sandblasting devices, 3D printers, laser cladding, or powder coating devices (for example, refer to patent documents 1 and 2).
[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gas-conveyed quantitative supply device for powders as follows: by means of a surface position detection mechanism for detecting the position of the surface of the powder, a horizontal adjustment mechanism for adjusting the outflow port of the feed nozzle to an appropriate position near the surface of the powder, and a control mechanism for maintaining the outflow port of the feed nozzle at an appropriate position, the outflow port at the front end of the feed nozzle and the surface of the powder in the box container can always be set to the optimal device position, thereby enabling the desired amount of powder to be quantitatively supplied in accordance with the properties of the powder.
[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a gas-transport quantitative powder supply device that, in addition to the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, further includes a powder supply unit, thereby enabling a desired amount of powder to be continuously supplied to a spraying device or the like for a long period of time.
[0005] Such a gas-conveyed powder quantitative supply device first quantitatively takes powder from a powder storage container into a powder conveying path, then conveys the taken-in powder to a target location with gas, and quantitatively supplies powder by releasing a mixed fluid of the conveyed gas and powder at the target location.
[0006] Prior art literature
[0007] Patent Literature
[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-309177
[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-40196
[0010] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent No. 6612418 Summary of the Invention
[0011] Problems to be solved by the invention
[0012] As described above, the conventional technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 achieve a quantitative and stable introduction of powder from a powder storage container into a powder conveyor. However, in such devices, powder is electrostatically charged during gas conveyance due to friction with the inner wall of the conveyor. In particular, extremely lightweight fine powder particles cannot fully overcome the electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged inner wall of the tube and adhere to it. Furthermore, the layer of adhered fine powder grows over time as the device operates, eventually clogging the conveyor path and potentially halting the powder supply.
[0013] To avoid this problem, metals or conductive plastics that facilitate charge transfer have been used as materials for conveyor paths, dissipating static electricity to the ground. However, the use of such conductive materials creates a new problem: the inner wall of the conveyor path, made of this conductive material, wears out due to contact between the conveyor path and the powder being conveyed, necessitating frequent replacement of the conveyor path. Furthermore, methods are known that electrically neutralize the generated charge by spraying counter-charged ions at it. However, even if counter-charged ions are introduced through the entrance of a long, narrow passage, such as a powder conveyor path, the charge of the ions disappears midway due to the ions' short lifespan, preventing them from spreading throughout the entire conveyor path. Consequently, the effect is relatively weak.
[0014] On the other hand, in the past, the field of powder handling generally avoided moisture as much as possible. In particular, in the field of quantitative powder delivery using gas conveying, not only the powder but also the conveying gas was typically dried. This is because high moisture content creates liquid crosslinks between particles, which is a significant factor in interparticle adhesion that impairs the powder's fluidity. However, while the reduction in liquid crosslinks caused by removing moisture contributes to quantitative and stable delivery for powders with good fluidity, such as powders with low fluidity, the static electricity generated in the dry state can be a significant disadvantage. Therefore, solutions to the problems caused by static electricity are needed.
[0015] Therefore, in order to quantitatively transport and supply fine powder using a transport gas, a method for removing static electricity that causes powder to adhere to a transport path and a system used in such a method have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 3).
[0016] Here, the task of such a gas-transported powder quantitative supply device is completed through the following three steps: as a first step, a quantitative amount of powder is taken from the powder storage into the powder conveying path; as a second step, the taken-in powder is gas-transported to the target position; as a third step, the powder is released.
[0017] Therefore, the present inventors used the prior art described in Patent Document 1 to overcome the difficulty in taking in the poorly flowing powder (mainly fine powder) in the first step.
[0018] Furthermore, in the second step, there is a new problem that the conveying path is easily blocked by the poorly flowing powder. The present inventors have overcome this problem based on the prior art described in Patent Document 3, which suppresses static electricity generated in the mixed fluid by humidification.
[0019] However, it was found that even if the technology described in the above-mentioned patent document 3 is applied, in the micropowder spraying where the characteristic of quantitative supply of low-flowing powder should be most effectively utilized, the micropowder will still form large agglomerates. Through the above-mentioned first and second steps, in the third step, these large agglomerates are frequently directly released, and at this time, streaks appear in the spray coating.
[0020] That is, even when using the conventional technology described in Patent Document 3, which suppresses static electricity generated in a mixed fluid by humidification, the transportation of highly cohesive fine powders can still result in the formation of large aggregates and the resulting unevenness in the powder surface height. During the process of smoothing the powder surface using a scraper or movable plate, the highly cohesive fine powders can form large aggregates as the frequency of contact between the powders themselves or between the powders and the scraper increases.
[0021] If such aggregates form, it becomes impossible to smooth the powder surface using a scraper or movable plate, resulting in uneven powder surface height. Consequently, the supply nozzle attracts the aggregates, and uneven powder surface height leads to uneven powder intake. Consequently, in the spray coating system at the destination, unstable powder supply accompanied by large pulsations results, resulting in uneven, streaky spray coatings.
[0022] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems and provides a method and system for quantitatively supplying fine powders by gas-transported ultrasonic gushing, which can quantitatively and stably supply powders, particularly extremely light fine powders. Furthermore, a device that can be used in such a method and system is also provided.
[0023] Means for solving problems
[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, a gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system is characterized by comprising: a humidifying chamber for humidifying conveying gas; and a gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device, which quantitatively supplies a mixed fluid of the conveying gas and fine powder to a fine powder using device by supplying the conveying gas from the humidifying chamber. In the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system comprises: a fine powder storage container for storing the fine powder; a shell for gas-tightly storing the fine powder storage container; a supply port for supplying the conveying gas to the shell; a flow rate regulating mechanism for adjusting the supply amount of the conveying gas to the shell; and a supply nozzle having a powder suction port for taking in the fine powder and the conveying gas, so that the fine powder is supplied from the fine powder storage container to the fine powder using device along with the conveying gas. A position detection sensor for detecting the relative position between the supply nozzle and the surface of the fine powder layer of the fine powder contained in the fine powder containing container; an ultrasonic vibration gushing portion, which is arranged at least below the powder suction port of the supply nozzle and is capable of ultrasonic vibration, and has a passing area through which the fine powder can pass in the up-down direction; a supply nozzle driving portion that moves the supply nozzle and the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion in the up-down direction; and a humidity measurement sensor for measuring the humidity in the shell, in a state in which at least a portion of the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion is in contact with the surface of the fine powder layer of the fine powder contained in the fine powder containing container, the fine powder that flows from the surface of the fine powder through the passing area of the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion to the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion is taken in together with the conveying gas from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle by performing ultrasonic vibration.
[0025] In addition, in the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micropowder quantitative supply system, it is characterized in that, in a state in which the relative positional relationship between the surface of the micropowder and the ultrasonic vibration gushing part in a lateral direction perpendicular to the up and down directions is changed, the ultrasonic vibration gushing part is ultrasonically vibrated, and the micropowder passes through the passing area from below to above the passing area in the ultrasonic vibration gushing part that is in contact with the surface of the micropowder, thereby causing the micropowder to gush out from the surface of the micropowder onto the ultrasonic vibration gushing part.
[0026] Furthermore, the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system is characterized by further comprising an ultrasonic vibration driving unit disposed in the housing for causing the ultrasonic vibration gushing unit to ultrasonically vibrate.
[0027] Furthermore, in the gas-transport type ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, the ultrasonic vibration driving unit is an ultrasonic vibrator.
[0028] Furthermore, the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system is characterized by comprising a gripping portion that fixes the ultrasonic vibration driving portion, the position detection sensor, and the supply nozzle.
[0029] Furthermore, the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system is characterized by further comprising: an ultrasonic vibration control device that controls the frequency and amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion by controlling the operation of the ultrasonic vibration driving portion.
[0030] In addition, in the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, it is characterized in that the ultrasonic vibration control device controls the action of the ultrasonic vibration driving part in a manner that makes the frequency of vibration of the ultrasonic vibration gushing part be above 3 kHz when at least a part of the ultrasonic vibration gushing part is in contact with the surface of the fine powder.
[0031] Furthermore, the gas transport type ultrasonic gushing powder quantitative supply system is characterized by comprising: a rotation drive unit that drives the powder storage container to rotate along a reference rotation direction with the vertical direction as the rotation axis;
[0032] The soot storage container is rotated along the reference rotation direction by the rotation drive unit, so that the relative positional relationship between the soot surface and the ultrasonic vibration ejection unit in the reference rotation direction changes.
[0033] In addition, in the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, it is characterized in that the ultrasonic vibration gushing part includes a plate part with a plate-like shape, and the plate part is formed with a through hole that passes through the upper surface and the lower surface of the plate part along the up-down direction as the passing area. When the rotation drive part rotates the fine powder storage container along the reference rotation direction, the supply nozzle drive part moves the ultrasonic vibration gushing part along the up-down direction so that the lower surface side of the plate part contacts the surface of the fine powder.
[0034] Furthermore, in the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, the plate portion is made of metal, ceramic, or resin having a certain degree of rigidity or higher.
[0035] In addition, in the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, it is characterized in that it includes a smoothing wall portion connected to the end of the plate portion, and when the relative positional relationship between the fine powder surface and the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion in the reference rotation direction changes, the smoothing wall portion smoothes the fine powder surface of the surface layer of the fine powder, and suppresses the fine powder located on the surface of the fine powder from flowing laterally to the upper surface side of the plate portion.
[0036] In addition, in the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, it is characterized in that, while the rotation drive unit rotates the fine powder storage container along the reference rotation direction and causes the ultrasonic vibration gushing unit to perform ultrasonic vibration, the fine powder located on the upper surface side of the plate portion is taken in from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle together with the conveying gas.
[0037] Furthermore, in the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, the plate portion is connected to the ultrasonic vibration driving portion via the smoothed wall portion.
[0038] In addition, in the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, it is characterized in that the ultrasonic vibration gushing part includes a tube part having a tubular shape, and the tube part is formed with an interior of the tubular shape connecting the upper end and the lower end of the tube part in the up-down direction as the passing area. When the lower end of the tube part is in contact with the surface of the fine powder and the relative positional relationship between the surface of the fine powder and the ultrasonic vibration gushing part in the lateral direction is changed, the ultrasonic vibration gushing part is ultrasonically vibrated, and the supply nozzle takes in the fine powder together with the conveying gas from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle through the interior of the tubular shape as the passing area, and the fine powder gushes out from the upper end of the tube part to the upper surface of the ultrasonic vibration gushing part.
[0039] In addition, in the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, it is characterized in that the ultrasonic vibration gushing part includes a mesh part with a mesh shape that penetrates between the upper surface and the lower surface as the passing area. When the lower surface of the mesh part is in contact with the surface of the fine powder and the relative positional relationship between the surface of the fine powder and the ultrasonic vibration gushing part in the lateral direction is changed, the ultrasonic vibration gushing part is ultrasonically vibrated, and the supply nozzle takes in the fine powder together with the conveying gas from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle through the mesh part as the passing area and gushes out to the upper surface of the ultrasonic vibration gushing part.
[0040] Furthermore, in the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, the average particle size of the fine powder is 3 μm or less.
[0041] Furthermore, in the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, the fine powder is characterized in that the fine powder is a powder composed of spinel, titanium oxide, yttrium oxide, tungsten carbide, copper, zinc, nickel, or aluminum oxide.
[0042] Furthermore, in the gas-transport ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, the humidification chamber is characterized in that it comprises: a water tank for storing liquid for humidifying the transport gas; an ultrasonic vibration mechanism for atomizing the liquid; and a humidity control mechanism for controlling the humidity within the housing in conjunction with the humidity measurement sensor.
[0043] An apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing micropowder quantitative supply system; and a spraying device as a device for using the micropowder, wherein the micropowder is supplied along with the conveying gas from the supply nozzle of the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing micropowder quantitative supply device of the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing micropowder quantitative supply system.
[0044] In addition, in the device, the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system supplies the fine powder to the spraying device in a manner that suppresses the generation of pulsation in the transport of the fine powder transported in the transport path from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle to the spraying device. The spraying device uses the fine powder supplied from the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system to form a spray coating on the object in a manner that suppresses the generation of streaks and makes it uniform.
[0045] 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the air-conveying ultrasonic gushing powder quantitative supply method comprises: a humidifying chamber for humidifying conveying gas; and a gas-conveying ultrasonic gushing powder quantitative supply device for quantitatively supplying a mixed fluid of the conveying gas and the fine powder to a fine powder using device by supplying the conveying gas from the humidifying chamber. The gas-conveying ultrasonic gushing powder quantitative supply device comprises: a fine powder storage container for storing the fine powder; a shell for gas-tightly storing the fine powder storage container; a supply port for supplying the conveying gas to the shell; a flow regulating mechanism for regulating the supply amount of the conveying gas to the shell; a supply nozzle having a powder suction port for taking in the fine powder and the conveying gas, so that the fine powder is supplied from the fine powder storage container to the fine powder using device along with the conveying gas; a position detection mechanism for detecting the position of the fine powder; and The ultrasonic vibration ejection portion is configured to eject the powder from the powder container and move the powder container toward the supply nozzle. The ultrasonic vibration ejection portion is configured to eject the powder from the powder container toward the supply nozzle. The ultrasonic vibration ejection portion is configured to eject the powder from the powder container toward the supply nozzle. The ultrasonic vibration ejection portion is configured to eject the powder from the powder container toward the supply nozzle. The ultrasonic vibration ejection portion is configured to eject the powder from the powder container toward the supply nozzle.
[0046] In addition, in the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply method, it is characterized in that, in a state in which the relative positional relationship between the surface of the fine powder and the ultrasonic vibration gushing part in the lateral direction perpendicular to the up and down directions is changed, the ultrasonic vibration gushing part is ultrasonically vibrated, and the fine powder passes through the passing area in the ultrasonic vibration gushing part from below to above the passing area in contact with the surface of the fine powder, thereby causing the fine powder to gush out from the surface of the fine powder onto the ultrasonic vibration gushing part.
[0047] Effects of the Invention
[0048] According to the present invention, extremely lightweight fine powder can be quantitatively and stably fed and supplied to a device using the fine powder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the method for quantitatively supplying fine powder according to the present invention.
[0050] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the accumulation of fine powder in a tube used for powder transportation.
[0051] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing pulsation generated in a conveying path due to agglomerated fine powder during powder conveyance.
[0052] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of conveying fine powder from the surface of the fine powder into the supply nozzle together with a conveying gas in a conventional fine powder supply device.
[0053] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a powder supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0054] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a part of an ultrasonic vibration outflow portion and a supply nozzle according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the structure of a grip portion attached near the front end of a rod according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a powder supply system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0057] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing a humidifying unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] Figure 10 This is a graph showing the relationship between the supply amount of fine powder and the elapsed time in the test examples of the present invention and the conventional technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0059] Hereinafter, the mode for implementing the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiment) will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited by the following embodiment. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiment represent elements that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, including substantially the same elements. Furthermore, the constituent elements disclosed in the following embodiment can be appropriately combined.
[0060] <Gas-transport ultrasonic gushing powder quantitative supply method>
[0061] The gas-transport ultrasonic-flushing fine powder quantitative supply method of the present invention will be described. Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing method for quantitatively supplying fine powder of the present invention. As a basic configuration, the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing method for quantitatively supplying fine powder of the present invention adjusts the humidity of the conveying gas in a manner that reduces the generation of static electricity in the mixed fluid of the fine powder and the conveying gas when conveying fine powder. The humidity of the conveying gas is adjusted as follows: Figure 1 As shown in the process F1 of FIG. 1 , when supplying dry gas from the gas supply source to the powder supply device, humidity can be adjusted by mixing with high-humidity gas. Figure 1 As shown in the process F2 of FIG. 1 , the conveying gas whose humidity has been adjusted can be prepared in advance and the conveying gas after the humidity adjustment can be directly supplied to the powder supplying device.
[0062] As for the method of adjusting the humidity (humidification) of the conveying gas, any method may be used as long as it can exert the effect of the present invention. For example, a dry gas is mixed with a gas with a high humidity containing a liquid that has been micronized by atomization, and by appropriately adjusting their mixing ratio, the conveying gas can be adjusted to a humidity within a desired range. The atomization method of the liquid is generally an ultrasonic method. Therefore, in the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing micropowder quantitative supply method of the present invention, before supplying the conveying gas to the micropowder quantitative supply device, a process of mixing the dry gas with the high-humidity gas and adjusting the humidity may be included, or the humidity of the conveying gas may be adjusted in advance and then supplied to the micropowder quantitative supply device as it is.
[0063] Here, in the present invention, the fine powder is a fine powder with an average particle size of 10 μm or less (preferably an average particle size of 3 μm or less), and the smaller the average particle size, the more susceptible it is to static electricity. The type of fine powder is not particularly limited, and metals, plastics, ceramics, etc. can be listed. In addition, plastics and ceramics, which are easily charged and lightweight compared to metals, are easily affected by static electricity, and therefore, there is a high demand for removing static electricity. In the present invention, the average particle size of the fine powder, for example, in the case of powder used for conventional spraying, can be obtained by geometric particle size measurement based on image measurement.
[0064] Such extremely small and lightweight micropowders cannot prevent adsorption between micropowders or between micropowders and other substances by reducing liquid crosslinking forces or capillary forces caused by water removal, which has been implemented in the field of powder supply in the past. The fluidity of powders, which contributes to the ease of powder transportation, depends more on surface properties as the particle size decreases. Especially in pipes such as conveyor pipes, the friction generated between the powder and the conveyor pipe during transportation makes the adsorption of micropowders due to electrostatic forces more dominant than the liquid crosslinking caused by water. In addition, methods that use metals or conductive plastics that easily transfer charge as materials for conveyor paths and dissipate static electricity to the ground pose a new problem of wear on the conveyor path caused by micropowder colliding with the inner wall of the tube. In addition, because ions cannot fully spread throughout the interior of the extremely slender powder conveyor path, the neutralization effect caused by the oppositely charged ions is weak.
[0065] Here, static electricity is a physical phenomenon caused by static electric charges. In the case of powder supply, it is considered that static electricity is generated when the powder moving at a certain speed or above comes into contact with the inner wall of the conveying pipe when the powder is conveyed by gas. Figure 2 As shown, when static electricity is generated within the mixed fluid during the transport of fine powder, the extremely lightweight fine powder a is drawn toward and adheres to the transport tube 1, accumulating on the inner wall of the tube 1. The accumulated fine powder a' then draws in the subsequently transported fine powder a, further stacking the fine powder a. Ultimately, the transport tube 1 becomes clogged, preventing the supply of fine powder a. Therefore, suppressing static electricity within the mixed fluid of fine powder a and the transport gas is considered important for the quantitative and stable supply of fine powder.
[0066] On the other hand, when the humidity of the transport gas is too high or the powder itself is humidified, condensation may form in the transport path and the powder may adhere to the transport path, making it impossible to supply the powder, and the subsequent melting of the powder may be incomplete during thermal spraying.
[0067] Therefore, in the present invention, as a basic configuration which is a premise, the static electricity generated during the transportation and supply process is reduced by adjusting the humidity within a predetermined humidity range as described in the aforementioned Patent Document 3.
[0068] <scattering time τ>
[0069] As an indicator of the magnitude of the effect of static electricity on powder transportation, scattering time τ can be used for evaluation. τ is a parameter representing the time from the occurrence of static electricity to its elimination (scattering). For example, it is known that the higher the absolute humidity, the less likely static electricity is to be charged, so τ becomes smaller, and the ease of static electricity accumulation and humidity correlation are very high. In addition, it is known that at the same absolute humidity, the lower the temperature, the smaller τ. Therefore, it can be considered that by lowering the temperature while maintaining the absolute humidity high, the time until the disappearance of static electricity can be shortened.
[0070] In the present invention, the scattering time τ is a value measured using the following method. Specifically, a fixed amount of charged powder (e.g., alumina powder) is placed in a Faraday cup and placed in a humidified chamber maintained at a desired humidity. Immediately after the Faraday cup containing the powder is placed in the humidified chamber, the charge level of the powder is measured using a measuring device such as a capacitance meter. A charge level curve is recorded, and the time it takes for the charge level of the powder to drop to 37.8% of its initial value at t = 0 is recorded as τ.
[0071] There is a unique correlation between absolute humidity and τ. Knowing the value of one can determine the other regarding static electricity generated in a specific substance. Specifically, the following equation is used to represent the relationship between the scattering time τ (seconds), the resistance R (Ω) of the substance generating static electricity, and the capacitance C (F):
[0072] τ=R×C
[0073] Here, C is a value that can be measured by an electrostatic capacitance meter such as an LCR meter. It is known that the resistance R has an exponential relationship with the absolute humidity. Therefore, if either the absolute humidity or the scattering time τ is known, the other can be calculated.
[0074] The scattering time τ is 0 to 10 seconds, preferably 0 to 8 seconds, and more preferably 0 to 5 seconds. When τ is within this range, the effect of static electricity generated in the tube on powder clogging is minimal, and the fine powder can be quantitatively and stably conveyed.
[0075] Furthermore, by predetermining the correlation between τ and humidity, the scattering time τ can be maintained within a predetermined range by adjusting the humidity.
[0076] Therefore, when implementing the present invention, it is sufficient to know only one value of the scattering time τ or the humidity.
[0077] As mentioned above, even when using a technique to suppress static electricity generated in a mixed fluid by humidification (e.g., see Patent Document 3 above), the transport of highly cohesive fine powders can still result in the formation of large aggregates and the resulting unevenness in the powder surface height. During the process of smoothing the powder surface using a scraper, movable plate, etc., highly cohesive fine powders can sometimes form large aggregates as the frequency of contact between the powders themselves or between the powders and the scraper increases.
[0078] If such agglomerates are generated, the scraper, movable plate, etc. cannot smooth the powder surface, and the powder surface height becomes uneven. As a result, the supply nozzle attracts the agglomerates and the unevenness of the powder surface height causes uneven intake. As a result, in the spraying device at the destination, for example, Figure 3 As shown, unstable powder supply accompanied by large pulsation in the conveying path results in a spray coating including uneven streaks.
[0079] Furthermore, for example, when the powder is pulverized or crushed by a dry method, a rotary mill, a bead mill, a jet mill, or the like is used.
[0080] However, when crushing and pulverizing powders with small particle size and strong cohesion, there are often cases where cohesive powders are generated during the crushing process, and powders adhere to the inside of the device and the discharge path, making the continuous operation of the device difficult ( Figure 4 ).
[0081] Therefore, the inventors investigated ultrasonic vibration as a new fragmentation method. Generally speaking, when vibration is applied to a highly cohesive powder, the particles come into contact and collide with each other, initially forming agglomerated powder. Furthermore, if vibration is continued to be applied to the resulting agglomerated powder, the agglomerated powder increases in size, growing into large clumps. Meanwhile, verification tests have shown that applying vibrations at frequencies above 3 kHz to large agglomerates will fragment them.
[0082] Furthermore, for example, when using a scraper to smooth out highly cohesive powder, contact with the scraper will naturally cause adhesion. However, applying ultrasonic vibrations to the scraper reduces friction, making it difficult for the powder to adhere. By utilizing this effect, powder can be made to flow out of small holes in a metal plate (a rigid plate) used to smooth the powder surface.
[0083] Normally, even if a plate with small holes is passed horizontally along the surface of a highly cohesive powder to smooth it, it is not possible to expect the powder to continuously flow out of the holes at a constant rate. This is because large agglomerates are too large to pass through the holes, and the frictional resistance when passing through the holes is very high.
[0084] However, as will be described later, in the present invention, if the plate-shaped plate portion constituting the ultrasonic vibration outflow portion is subjected to ultrasonic vibration, the fluidity of the fine powder near the plate portion increases due to the crushing of large agglomerates and the friction reduction effect, and the fine powder flows out from the through-holes formed in the through-region of the plate portion toward the upper surface side of the plate portion. The amount of fine powder flowing out of the through-holes varies depending on the size of the through-holes in the plate portion, the shape of the plate portion, the speed at which the plate portion moves, the material of the plate portion, the frequency and amplitude of the vibration of the plate portion, and other settings (conditions). In other words, by strictly controlling these settings (conditions), the crushed fine powder is taken in from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle, and the supply amount of fine powder of the gas-transported ultrasonic outflow fine powder quantitative supply device 10 becomes quantitative.
[0085] By utilizing this phenomenon in a gas-transport type fine powder supply device, the previously problematic unstable powder supply accompanied by large pulsations in the spraying device serving as the delivery destination is eliminated. Consequently, the occurrence of streaks is suppressed, enabling a uniform spray coating to be obtained.
[0086] Thus, the present invention provides a gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system, a gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply method and an apparatus that are capable of breaking up large agglomerates based on ultrasonic vibration, highly smoothing the surface of powder, and stably supplying fine powder without large pulsations.
[0087] In this embodiment, the powder is, for example, ceramic powder or alumina powder. However, as mentioned above, the powder may also be powder of inorganic or organic substances other than alumina and ceramics. More specifically, the powder may be powder of spinel, titanium oxide, yttrium oxide, tungsten carbide, copper, zinc, or nickel.
[0088] Furthermore, as described above, when the average particle size of the fine powder is, for example, less than 10 μm, and in particular, when the average particle size of the fine powder is less than 3 μm, which indicates greater cohesion, the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system of the present invention can be applied to achieve the crushing of the coagulated fine powder, the smoothing of the powder surface, and the high-precision intake of the fine powder.
[0089] An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the specific examples shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings accompanying this specification, the scales and aspect ratios are appropriately altered and exaggerated from those of the actual objects for ease of illustration and understanding. Furthermore, terms specifying shapes or geometric conditions, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," and "identical," as well as lengths and angle values, used in this specification are not to be construed in their strictest senses and are to be interpreted as encompassing a range of degrees within which the same functionality can be expected.
[0090] <Micropowder quantitative supply device>
[0091] The gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing powder quantitative supply method of the present invention can be implemented using any powder quantitative supply device as long as it can exhibit the effects of the present invention. The present invention preferably uses a conventional powder conveying device, such as the so-called surface-emulation type powder quantitative supply device disclosed in Patent Document 3, to quantitatively and stably supply fine powder having an average particle size of 10 μm or less (particularly, 3 μm or less), but is not limited to such.
[0092] here, Figure 5 This is a diagram showing one embodiment of a fine powder quantitative supply device that can be used in the gas transport type ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply method of the present invention. Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing a portion of an ultrasonic vibration outflow portion and a supply nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the structure of a grip portion attached near the front end of a rod according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0093] For example, Figure 5 As shown, the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device 10 includes a fine powder storage container (circular cup) 11, a shell 12, a supply port 13, a first flow rate adjustment mechanism 14, a supply nozzle 15, a position detection sensor 16, a position control mechanism 17, a humidity measurement sensor 19, a rotation drive unit 25, a rotating shaft 40, a rotating base 41, an ultrasonic vibration drive unit 101, an ultrasonic vibration gushing unit 102, and an ultrasonic vibration control device 200.
[0094] The shell 12 has a powder storage container 11 inside it. The shell 12 is formed into a cylindrical shape, for example. The shell 12 has an airtight structure, and inside it, there is a box-shaped space b between the powder storage container 11. In addition, a humidity sensor 19 for monitoring the humidity of the box-shaped space b may be provided, and the amount of humidified conveying gas supplied from the supply port 13 to the shell 12 through the conveying gas supply passage L1 may be adjusted by the first flow regulating mechanism 14 in conjunction with the humidity sensor 19. By adjusting the supply amount of humidified conveying gas in conjunction with the humidity sensor 19, the humidity in the box-shaped space b can be maintained within a specified range. Furthermore, in the case where the pressure in the box-shaped space b becomes too high, an exhaust valve (not shown) may be provided to exhaust the gas if it becomes above a specified pressure.
[0095] The powder container 11 contains the powder a. The powder a can be filled into the powder container 11 before the device starts operating, or, for example, can be filled using a supply nozzle (not shown) while the device is operating. Because the powder 11 can be supplied externally from the start of the device's operation, it is preferable to pre-fill the powder container 11 with the powder a.
[0096] The powder a contained in the powder container 11 is taken in by the supply nozzle 15 along with the conveying gas, and supplied as a mixed fluid c of the powder a and the conveying gas through the powder supply passage (conveying path) L2 to a powder-using device such as the spraying device 20. Thus, when the powder a is supplied to the powder-using device via the conveying gas, by adjusting the humidity of the conveying gas within a predetermined range, clogging of the powder a in the powder supply passage L2 due to static electricity can be prevented.
[0097] The supply nozzle 15 has a powder suction port 15A for taking in the powder a and the conveying gas G, and discharges the powder a in the powder storage container 11 along with the conveying gas with adjusted humidity supplied from the supply port 13 .
[0098] The transport gas supplied into the powder container 11 flows toward the supply nozzle 15 while taking in the powder a in the powder container 11. The mixed fluid c flowing out of the supply nozzle 15 is supplied to a powder-using device such as the spraying device 20 through the powder supply passage L2.
[0099] The supply rate of the mixed fluid c supplied from the powder supply device 10 to the thermal spraying device 20 is preferably adjusted appropriately according to the application of the powder and the properties of the powder, such as the specific gravity and bulk density of the powder.
[0100] When the powder a in the powder storage container 11 is accompanied by a transport gas, for example, Figure 6 As shown, the powder inlet (outlet) 15A provided at the tip of the supply nozzle 15 is located on the plate portion 102P that constitutes the ultrasonic vibration outflow section 102, and is preferably located near the passage area Q. Thus, the fine powder a located on the plate portion 102P near the tip of the supply nozzle 15 is simultaneously drawn in by the suction effect of the conveying gas flowing through the supply nozzle 15 and discharged along with the conveying gas. The amount of fine powder a conveyed depends on the penetration depth of the tip relative to the surface of the fine powder a and the penetration speed of the fine powder a into the powder inlet (outlet) 15A at the tip of the nozzle (the movement speed of the fine powder). Furthermore, the penetration speed of the fine powder a into the outlet 15A at the tip of the supply nozzle 15 depends on, for example, the rotation speed of the fine powder storage container 11.
[0101] As described above, when the plate-shaped plate portion 102P constituting the ultrasonic vibration outflow unit 102 is ultrasonically vibrated, the fluidity of the fine powder near the plate portion 102P increases due to the breaking up of large aggregates and the friction reduction effect, causing the fine powder to flow out from the through-holes 102B toward the upper surface of the plate portion 102P. The amount of fine powder a flowing out of the through-holes 102B varies depending on settings (conditions) such as the size of the through-holes 102B in the plate portion 102P, the shape of the plate portion 102P, the speed at which the plate portion 102P moves, the material of the plate portion 102P, and the frequency and amplitude of the vibration of the plate portion 102P. Specifically, by strictly controlling these settings (conditions), the crushed fine powder a is drawn into the powder intake port 15A of the supply nozzle 15, and the supply amount of fine powder a from the gas-transported ultrasonic outflow fine powder quantitative supply device 10 is constant.
[0102] The supply nozzle 15 is inserted into the housing 12 from the cover 18 . The supply nozzle 15 is configured to be movable in the housing 12 in the up-down direction by a position control mechanism 17 .
[0103] The position control mechanism 17 is provided on the cover portion 18 of the upper portion of the housing 12 and enables the supply nozzle 15 to move in the vertical direction. Although not limited to this, as the position control mechanism 17, for example, an electric cylinder can be used.
[0104] The position control mechanism 17 includes a cylinder body 30 that moves the supply nozzle 15 up and down, a rod 31 that can move up and down in the cylinder body 30 , a gripping portion 32 connected to the rod 31 and gripping the supply nozzle 15 , and a supply nozzle driving portion (driving mechanism) 33 .
[0105] The position control mechanism 17 adjusts the height of the supply nozzle 15 and the ultrasonic vibration ejection unit 102, which are held by the gripping unit 32, by adjusting the height of the rod 31. With respect to the supply nozzle 15, the gripping unit 32 of the cylinder body 30 is moved vertically via the rod 31 to adjust the position of the tip of the supply nozzle 15. In other words, the supply nozzle driving unit 33 moves the supply nozzle 15 and the ultrasonic vibration ejection unit 102 vertically. This allows the position (height) of the outlet 15A and the ultrasonic vibration ejection unit 102, located at the tip of the supply nozzle 15, to be adjusted to an appropriate position near the soot surface Z.
[0106] For example, when the powder a in the powder storage container 11 is supplied to the powder supply passage L2 , the position control mechanism 17 lowers the tip of the supply nozzle 15 and the ultrasonic vibration ejection unit 102 toward the powder surface Z of the powder a in the powder storage container 11 .
[0107] On the other hand, when the supply of the fine powder a in the fine powder storage container 11 to the fine powder supply passage L2 is stopped, the position control mechanism 17 causes the supply nozzle 15 and the ultrasonic vibration ejection portion 102 to rise so that the front end portion of the supply nozzle 15 and the lower surface side of the ultrasonic vibration ejection portion 102 are out of contact with the fine powder a.
[0108] The rotation drive unit 25 rotates the powder storage container 11 in a horizontal direction relative to the axial direction. The powder storage container 11 is placed on a rotating base 41 having a rotation shaft 40 at the center of its bottom. The rotation drive unit 25 is operated to rotate the rotation shaft 40, thereby rotating the powder storage container 11. The rotation drive unit 25 can rotate the rotation shaft 40 at a speed corresponding to the supply amount of the mixed fluid c. By rotating the powder storage container 11, the ultrasonic vibration drive unit 102 that performs ultrasonic vibrations smoothes the surface Z of the powder, while suppressing the depletion of the powder a near the ultrasonic vibration drive unit 102 that performs ultrasonic vibrations (i.e., the depletion of the powder a that flows out from the through hole 102B near the powder suction port 15A of the supply nozzle 15), thereby stably taking in the powder a.
[0109] In particular, inside the housing 12 , the rotation drive unit 25 drives the powder storage container 11 to rotate along the reference rotation direction R (for example, at a rotation speed of 400 rpm) with the vertical direction as the rotation axis. The rotation drive unit 25 is, for example, an electric motor.
[0110] The soot storage container 11 is rotated in the reference rotation direction R by the rotation drive unit 25 , and the relative positional relationship between the soot surface Z and the ultrasonic vibration outflow portion 102 in the reference rotation direction R (lateral direction) changes.
[0111] Relative to the front end of the supply nozzle 15 (powder suction port 15A) and / or the ultrasonic vibration driving unit 102, the position detection sensor 16 is maintained at a specified height and fixed to the supply nozzle 15, and is used to measure the distance to the surface of the fine powder a based on the position of the front end of the supply nozzle 15 and / or the position of the lower surface of the ultrasonic vibration driving unit 102.
[0112] That is, the position detection sensor 16 detects the relative position between the powder supply nozzle 15 and the powder surface Z of the surface layer ZA of the powder a accommodated in the powder accommodation container 11 .
[0113] The position detection sensor 16 detects the surface position of the powder inlet 15A at the front end of the powder container 11 and / or the powder in front of the ultrasonic vibration driving unit 102 on the trajectory of relative motion described by the rotation of the powder container 11 .
[0114] Thus, the height between the surface position of the powder a sucked in through the powder inlet 15A and the powder inlet 15A, and / or the height between the surface position of the powder a contacted by the lower surface of the ultrasonic vibration drive unit 102 and the powder inlet 15A can be measured in advance. The height of the supply nozzle 15 and / or the height of the ultrasonic vibration drive unit 102 can be appropriately adjusted based on the measurement results of the position detection sensor 16.
[0115] In addition, for example, Figure 6 As shown, the ultrasonic vibration ejection portion 102 is disposed at least below the powder suction port 15A of the supply nozzle 15 and is capable of ultrasonic vibration. It has a passing region Q through which the powder a can pass in the vertical direction.
[0116] And, for example, Figure 6 As shown, the ultrasonic vibration outflow portion 102 includes a plate portion 102P having a plate-like shape and a smoothed wall portion 102K.
[0117] Furthermore, the plate portion 102P is formed with a through hole (for example, a cross-sectional diameter of the through hole in the horizontal direction is approximately 2 mm) that passes through between the upper and lower surfaces of the plate portion 102P in the vertical direction as the through region Q.
[0118] The plate portion 102P is made of, for example, alumina, PEEK, a metal having a certain degree of rigidity or higher, ceramics, or resin, etc. In particular, the plate portion 102P is a metal plate such as a copper plate or a stainless steel plate.
[0119] In particular, while the rotation drive unit 25 rotates the soot storage container 11 in the reference rotation direction R, the supply nozzle drive unit 33 moves the ultrasonic vibration ejection unit 102 in the vertical direction so that the lower surface of the plate 102P contacts the soot surface Z.
[0120] In addition, for example, Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the smoothing wall portion 102K is connected along the end portion 102A of the plate portion 102P and extends in the vertical direction. Figure 6 As shown, the plate portion 102P is connected to the ultrasonic vibration driving unit 101 via the smoothed wall portion 102K.
[0121] Here, when the relative positional relationship between the powder surface Z and the ultrasonic vibration outflow portion 102 in the reference rotation direction R changes, the smoothing wall portion 102K smoothes the powder surface Z of the surface layer ZA of the powder a, and suppresses (blocks) the powder a located on the powder surface Z from flowing from the horizontal direction (reference rotation direction R) to the upper surface side of the plate portion 102P.
[0122] In addition, for example, Figure 5 As shown, the ultrasonic vibration driving unit 101 is disposed in the housing 12 and ultrasonically vibrates the ultrasonic vibration emitting unit 102. The ultrasonic vibration driving unit 101 is, for example, an ultrasonic vibrator.
[0123] In addition, for example, Figure 5 As shown, the ultrasonic vibration driving portion 101 (ultrasonic vibration emitting portion 102 ), the position detection sensor 16 , and the supply nozzle 15 are fixed to the gripping portion 32 .
[0124] (Ultrasonic vibration control device)
[0125] In addition, for example, Figure 5 As shown, the ultrasonic vibration control device 200 controls the frequency and amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration outflow portion 102 by controlling the operation of the ultrasonic vibration driving portion 101 .
[0126] In particular, the ultrasonic vibration control device 200 controls the operation of the ultrasonic vibration driving unit 101 so that the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration outflowing unit 102 is 3 kHz or higher when at least a portion of the ultrasonic vibration outflowing unit 102 is in contact with the soot surface Z.
[0127] Here, for example, Figure 5 、 Figure 6As shown, the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device 10 is in a state where at least a portion of the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion 102 is in contact with the fine powder surface Z of the surface layer ZA of the fine powder a contained in the fine powder containing container 11. By performing ultrasonic vibration, the fine powder a that gushes (crushed) from the fine powder surface Z through the passing area Q of the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion 102 and onto the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion 102 (for example, the plate portion 102) is taken in from the powder suction port 15A of the supply nozzle 15 together with the conveying gas G.
[0128] In more detail, if Figure 6 As shown, the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device 10 changes the relative positional relationship between the fine powder surface Z and the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion 102 in the transverse direction (reference rotation direction R) perpendicular to the up-down direction, and by ultrasonically vibrating the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion 102, the fine powder a passes through the passing area from below to above the passing area Q in the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion 102 that contacts the fine powder surface Z, thereby causing the fine powder a to gush out from the fine powder surface Z onto the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion 102 (plate portion 102P).
[0129] In particular, as described above, when the relative positional relationship between the powder surface Z in the reference rotation direction R and the ultrasonic vibration outflow portion 102 changes due to the rotation drive portion 25, the smoothing wall portion 102K smoothes the powder surface Z of the surface layer ZA of the powder a, and suppresses (blocks) the powder a located on the powder surface Z from flowing from the lateral direction (reference rotation direction R) to the upper surface side of the plate portion 102P.
[0130] Furthermore, while the rotation drive unit 25 rotates the powder storage container 11 in the reference rotation direction R and the ultrasonic vibration ejection unit 102 is ultrasonically vibrating, the powder a located on the upper surface side of the plate portion 102P is taken in together with the conveying gas G from the powder suction port 15A of the supply nozzle 15 .
[0131] This enables the crushing of large aggregates by ultrasonic vibration, highly smoothening of the powder surface, and stable supply of fine powder without large pulsation.
[0132] In addition, for example, Figure 7As shown, the scraper 60, movable plate 61, and brush 62 can also be fixed to the holding portion 32 and made to hang down. By fixing the scraper 60, movable plate 61, and brush 62 to the holding portion 32 and making them hang down, the surface of the fine powder a in the fine powder storage container 11 can be leveled and made smooth. This can reduce the difference in the surface height of the fine powder a, and stabilize the amount of fine powder a taken in from the supply nozzle 15. In addition, since the surface is smoothed, the difference in the surface height of the fine powder a can be measured more accurately. The holding portion 32 does not need to be equipped with all of the scraper 60, movable plate 61, and brush 62, and can also be equipped with one or more of them.
[0133] By using the fine powder supply device 10 having the above-described structure, static electricity generated during the transportation of the mixed fluid c of the fine powder a and the transport gas is suppressed, and at the same time, the agglomerated fine powder is broken up and taken into the supply nozzle, thereby enabling the quantitative and stable transportation of fine powder to the fine powder using device.
[0134] Gas Conveying Ultrasonic Ejection Micropowder Quantitative Supply System
[0135] Here, the gas-transport ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system of the present invention will be described. Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of an apparatus (powder supply system) including the gas-transported ultrasonic gushing powder quantitative supply system 70 of the present invention, which can be used to implement the above-mentioned powder quantitative supply method.
[0136] The gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system 70 of the present invention comprises a humidifying chamber 80 for humidifying the conveying gas, and a gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device 10 which quantitatively supplies a mixed fluid c of the conveying gas and fine powder a to a fine powder-using device such as a spraying device 20 by supplying the humidified conveying gas from the humidifying chamber 80.
[0137] Furthermore, as the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device 10, as described above, it is preferable to use a device including a fine powder storage container 11, a shell 12, a supply port 13, a first flow rate adjustment mechanism 14, a supply nozzle 15, a position detection sensor 16, a position adjustment mechanism 17, a humidity measurement sensor 19, a rotation drive unit 25, a rotating shaft 40, a rotating base 41, an ultrasonic vibration drive unit 101, an ultrasonic vibration gushing unit 102, and an ultrasonic vibration control device 200. However, the present invention is not limited to such a device, and any gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device may be used as long as it can exert the effects of the present invention.
[0138] In addition, the humidification chamber 80 has a water tank 81 for storing liquid d for humidifying the conveying gas, an ultrasonic vibration mechanism 82 for atomizing the liquid d, a humidification conveying gas supply nozzle 83 for supplying the humidified conveying gas to the device via the conveying gas supply passage L1, and a humidity control mechanism 85 for controlling the humidity in the shell 12 of the powder supply device 10 by linking with the humidity measurement sensor 19 in the shell 12.
[0139] The humidification chamber 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example, and is gas-tight. The water tank 81 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example, and its upper portion is open.
[0140] The water tank 81 includes a liquid d for humidifying the transport gas and an atomizing ultrasonic vibration mechanism 82 for atomizing the liquid d. The liquid d for humidifying the transport gas is preferably water, but may be a liquid other than water as desired.
[0141] In addition, in the present embodiment, water is atomized by the ultrasonic vibration mechanism 82 , but water may be evaporated by heating as long as the transport gas can be humidified.
[0142] The ultrasonic vibration mechanism 82 is composed of a piezoelectric element and a high-frequency power supply. It applies a high-frequency electric field to the piezoelectric element to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The vibration energy of the vibration mechanism 82 can atomize liquid d such as water.
[0143] The atomized liquid d such as water is mixed with the dried conveying gas in the humidifying chamber 80 , thereby being humidified to a desired humidity range.
[0144] The humidity measurement sensor 19 monitors the humidity of the box-shaped space b in the housing 12 of the powder supply device 10 .
[0145] In order to maintain the humidity of the box-shaped space b within a specified range, the humidity measurement sensor 19 uses the second flow adjustment mechanism 84 to control the output of the atomization ultrasonic vibration mechanism 82 and the amount of dry gas supplied to the humidification chamber 80 through the humidity control mechanism 85 based on the humidity measurement result, thereby being able to adjust the humidity of the conveying gas supplied to the fine powder supply device 10 to be within a specified range.
[0146] <Humidification Unit>
[0147] The humidifying unit of the present invention will be described. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a humidifying unit 90 of the present invention, which is used in the aforementioned gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply method and gas-transported ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system 70.
[0148] The humidifying unit 90 of the present invention includes a humidity measuring sensor 19 for measuring the humidity of the box-shaped space b within the housing 12 of the fine powder supply device 10, a humidifying chamber 80 for humidifying the conveying gas, and a humidifying conveying gas supply nozzle 83 for supplying the humidified conveying gas to the device. The humidifying chamber 80 includes a water tank 81 for storing a liquid d for humidifying the conveying gas, an ultrasonic vibration mechanism 82 for atomizing the liquid d, a second flow rate regulating mechanism 84 for controlling the amount of dry gas supplied to the humidifying chamber 80, and a humidity control mechanism 85 for controlling the humidity within the housing 12 in conjunction with the humidity measuring sensor 19.
[0149] The humidity control mechanism 85 is linked to the humidity of the box-shaped space b within the housing 12 of the powder supply device 10 measured by the humidity measurement sensor 19, adjusts the output of each component constituting the humidification chamber 80, and adjusts the humidity and flow rate of the humidified conveying gas supplied from the humidification chamber 80 to the powder supply device 10, thereby maintaining the humidity of the box-shaped space b at a specified value.
[0150] <Control Department>
[0151] Here, the gas transport type ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system and the humidifying unit of the present invention may further include a control unit (not shown).
[0152] The control unit can also be connected to various components such as the first flow regulating mechanism 14, the position control device 17, the rotation drive unit 25, the ultrasonic vibration mechanism 82, and the second flow regulating mechanism 84 based on the information obtained from the position detection sensor 16 and the humidity measurement sensor 19, and can also include the above-mentioned ultrasonic vibration control device 200.
[0153] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation drive unit 25 is controlled and operated by the control unit, and can rotate the rotation shaft 40 at a speed corresponding to a desired supply amount of the mixed fluid c.
[0154] In particular, in one embodiment of the present invention, based on the measurement results of the position detection sensor 16, the supply nozzle driving unit 33 is controlled by the control unit to appropriately adjust the height of the supply nozzle 15 and the ultrasonic vibration driving unit 101 to a height at which at least a portion of the ultrasonic vibration gushing unit 102 contacts the powder surface Z of the surface layer ZA of the powder a contained in the powder containing container 11, and the control unit controls the rotation driving unit 25 and the ultrasonic vibration driving unit 101, so that the amount of powder a taken in can be controlled by causing the ultrasonic vibration gushing unit 102 to ultrasonically vibrate at a specified frequency and amplitude while changing the relative positional relationship between the powder surface Z and the ultrasonic vibration gushing unit 102 in the lateral direction (reference rotation direction R).
[0155] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may also have the function of a humidity control mechanism 85, which can adjust the humidity of the humidified conveying gas supplied to the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device 10 by adjusting the output of the ultrasonic vibration mechanism 82 and the amount of dry gas supplied to the humidification chamber 80 by the second flow regulating mechanism 84 based on the measurement results of the humidity measurement sensor 19.
[0156] The control unit can be configured to include, for example, a storage device that stores a control program and various stored information, and a computing device that operates based on the control program. To calculate the amount of humidified conveying gas supplied to the powder quantitative supply device 10, the control unit stores, in the storage device, calculated relationship equations or correlation tables, such as those previously determined through experiments, for example, regarding the relationship between the humidity of the box-shaped space b and the conveying gas supply rate, the relationship between the humidity of the box-shaped space b and the output of the ultrasonic vibration mechanism 82, and the relationship between the amount of powder a in the powder storage container 11 taken into the supply nozzle 15 and the rotational speed of the rotation drive unit 25.
[0157] The control unit can appropriately adjust the supply amount of dry gas to the humidification chamber 80, the output of the ultrasonic vibration mechanism 82, the supply amount of humidified conveying gas supplied from the supply port 13 to the shell 12, the supply amount of the mixed fluid c from the fine powder quantitative supply device 10 to the spraying device 20, etc. based on the above-mentioned relationship or correlation table, so that the fine powder can be quantitatively and stably conveyed during transportation.
[0158] That is, for example, Figure 8 The shown fine powder supply system may also include: a gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system 70, and a spraying device as a fine powder using device 20, which is supplied with fine powder a accompanied by conveying gas from the supply nozzle 15 of the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device 10 of the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system 70.
[0159] Furthermore, for example, in this fine powder supply system, the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system 70 suppresses the generation of pulsation in the transport of fine powder a transported in the transport path from the powder suction port 15A of the supply nozzle 15 to the spraying device 20, thereby supplying fine powder a to the spraying device 20.
[0160] Therefore, the thermal spraying apparatus 20 uses the fine powder a supplied from the gas transport type ultrasonic ejection fine powder quantitative supply system 70 to form a uniform spray coating on a predetermined object while suppressing the generation of unevenness.
[0161] Test Example
[0162] Here, a test example of the gas transport type ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system according to the embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration will be described. Figure 10 This is a graph showing the relationship between the supply amount of fine powder and the elapsed time in the test examples of the present invention and the conventional technology.
[0163] For example, Figure 10 As shown, under the conditions that the flow rate of the conveying gas (N2) is 35 L / min and the average particle size of the fine powder (aluminum oxide) is 1 μm, for example, in the conventional gas conveying ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device for adjusting the humidity of the conveying gas described in Patent Document 3, the ultrasonic vibration gushing part is not applied, and therefore, the conveying path of the supply nozzle (polyurethane tube, inner diameter: Length: 1 m), the supply amount of fine powder was not stable even after a predetermined time had passed, and pulsation occurred.
[0164] On the other hand, it can be seen that under the same conditions, in the gas conveying type ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the humidity of the conveying gas is adjusted, and the ultrasonic vibration frequency of the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion is set to 40 kHz, for example, so that the conveying path of the supply nozzle (polyurethane tube, inner diameter: Length: 1 m), the supply amount of fine powder remains stable even after a predetermined time has passed, and the generation of pulsation is suppressed.
[0165] As described above, the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing powder quantitative supply system, gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing powder quantitative supply method, and apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention can quantitatively and stably supply extremely lightweight powder to an apparatus using the powder.
[0166] In addition, in this embodiment, the case of supplying fine powder to a spraying device is described, but it can also be similarly applied to fine powder-using devices such as spacer spraying devices for liquid crystal substrates, powder compression molding, sandblasting devices, and powder coating devices.
[0167] Modifications
[0168] Here, the powder quantitative supply device 10 of the above embodiment is not limited to, for example Figures 5 to 9 The configuration shown may also assume modifications in which additional configurations are added to the configuration of the powder quantitative supply device 10, or in which a portion of the function of the configuration of the powder quantitative supply device 10 is added or modified.
[0169] [Variation 1]
[0170] Here, in the above Figures 5 to 9In the illustrated embodiment, the ultrasonic vibration ejection portion 102 of the powder quantitative supply device 10 includes a plate portion 102P in which a through hole 102B serving as a passing area Q is formed.
[0171] However, in this first modification, the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion 102 of the fine powder quantitative feeding device 10 may include a tubular portion (not shown). Furthermore, the tubular portion has a tubular interior that vertically connects the upper and lower ends of the tubular portion, serving as the passing region Q.
[0172] In this case, while the lower end of the tube portion is brought into contact with the surface of the fine powder and the relative positional relationship between the surface Z of the fine powder and the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion 102 in the lateral direction (reference rotation direction R) is changed, the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion 102 is ultrasonically vibrated, and the supply nozzle 15 takes in the fine powder a together with the conveying gas G from the powder suction port 10A of the supply nozzle 15, passes through the interior of the tubular shape serving as the passing area Q, and gushes out from the upper end of the tube portion onto the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion 102.
[0173] This enables the crushing of the powder a aggregated in the powder storage container 11 and the smoothing of the powder surface Z, as well as the high-precision introduction of the powder a into the supply nozzle 15 by the powder quantitative supply device 10 .
[0174] [Variation 2]
[0175] In addition, instead of the above-mentioned modification 1, in this modification 2, the ultrasonic vibration outflow portion 102 of the powder quantitative supply device 10 may include a mesh portion (not shown) having a mesh shape penetrating between the upper surface and the lower surface as the passing area Q.
[0176] In this case, while the lower surface of the mesh portion of the ultrasonic vibration gushing section 102 is brought into contact with the surface Z of the fine powder, and the relative positional relationship between the surface Z of the fine powder and the ultrasonic vibration gushing section 102 in the lateral direction (reference rotation direction R) is changed, the ultrasonic vibration gushing section 102 is ultrasonically vibrated, and the supply nozzle 15 takes in the fine powder a together with the conveying gas G from the powder suction port 15A of the supply nozzle 15, which flows out to the upper surface of the ultrasonic vibration gushing section 102 through the mesh portion serving as the passing area Q.
[0177] This enables the crushing of the powder a aggregated in the powder storage container 11 and the smoothing of the powder surface Z, as well as the high-precision introduction of the powder a into the supply nozzle 15 by the powder quantitative supply device 10 .
[0178] [Variation 3]
[0179] In addition, in the above Figures 5 to 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the ultrasonic vibration ejection portion 102 of the powder quantitative supply device 10 performs ultrasonic vibration. However, other structures of the powder quantitative supply device 10 may also perform ultrasonic vibration to break up aggregated powder.
[0180] For example, in this third modification, the powder quantitative supply device 10 may include an ultrasonic vibration smoothing unit that performs ultrasonic vibrations to smooth the powder surface Z of the surface layer ZA of the powder a contained in the powder storage container 11. Furthermore, the powder quantitative supply device 10 may further include an ultrasonic vibration driving unit (e.g., an ultrasonic vibrator) that causes the ultrasonic vibration smoothing unit to perform ultrasonic vibrations.
[0181] In this case, the ultrasonic vibration smoothing unit can be driven, for example, Figure 7 The brush 62, the scraper 60, or the movable plate 61 shown above is implemented by ultrasonic vibration. In addition, the ultrasonic vibration smoothing part may have a plate shape.
[0182] That is, in this variant example 3, the fine powder quantitative supply device 10 performs ultrasonic vibration through the ultrasonic vibration smoothing part while changing the relative position of the fine powder surface Z of the surface layer ZA of the fine powder a contained in the fine powder containing container 11 and the ultrasonic vibration smoothing part at least along the horizontal direction (reference rotation direction R), thereby smoothing the fine powder surface Z and breaking up the agglomerated fine powder a in the fine powder surface Z.
[0183] In particular, by rotating the soot storage container 11 by the rotation drive unit 25 , the relative position in the lateral direction between the soot surface Z of the surface layer ZA of the soot a stored in the soot storage container 11 and the ultrasonic vibration smoothing portion changes.
[0184] This allows the powder a aggregated in the powder storage container 11 to be crushed and the surface Z of the powder to be smoothed.
[0185] Furthermore, as described above, the powder quantitative supply device of the present modification 3 can be applied to surface simulation.
[0186] [Variation 4]
[0187] In addition, for example, in this modification example 4, the powder quantitative supply device 10 may also break up the agglomerated powder a contained in the powder containing container 11 by ultrasonically vibrating the powder containing container 11 while the powder a is contained in the powder containing container 11.
[0188] This enables the fine powder a aggregated in the fine powder storage container 11 to be broken up.
[0189] Furthermore, the powder quantitative supply device of this modification 4 is applicable to a local flow type in addition to the surface simulation type.
[0190] [Variation 5]
[0191] Furthermore, for example, in the fifth modification, the fine powder quantitative supply device 10 may further include an ultrasonic vibration nozzle driving unit (not shown) that causes the supply nozzle 15 to ultrasonically vibrate.
[0192] Furthermore, when the supply nozzle 15 takes in the fine powder from the powder suction port 15A, the fine powder quantitative supply device 10 causes the supply nozzle 15 to vibrate ultrasonically by the ultrasonic vibration nozzle driving unit, so that the supply nozzle 15 breaks up the agglomerated fine powder a and takes it in from the powder suction port 15A, while at the same time, suppressing the re-agglomeration of the taken-in fine powder a in the conveying path of the supply nozzle 15.
[0193] In the fifth modification, the supply nozzle 15 may have a flat nozzle structure having a gas injection port (not shown) provided adjacent to the powder suction port 15A for supplying a predetermined gas (transport gas) into the housing 12 .
[0194] In this case, the supply nozzle 15 releases the transport gas from the gas injection port (not shown) to lift the fine powder, and the lifted fine powder and the transport gas are taken in from the powder suction port 15A.
[0195] This allows the powder quantitative supply device 10 to accurately take in the powder a into the supply nozzle 15 while preventing reaggregation in the supply nozzle.
[0196] Furthermore, the fine powder quantitative supply device 10 of the present modification 5 is applicable to not only the surface simulation type but also the local flow type and the volumetric type.
[0197] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments may be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are intended to be encompassed by the invention set forth in the claims and their equivalents, as long as they fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.
[0198] Description of Reference Numerals
[0199] 1 delivery pipe
[0200] 10 Gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply device
[0201] 11 Powder storage container
[0202] 12 Housing
[0203] 13 Supply Port
[0204] 14. First flow regulating mechanism
[0205] 15 Supply nozzle
[0206] 15A Powder suction port (outlet)
[0207] 16 Position detection sensor
[0208] 17 Position control mechanism
[0209] 18 cover
[0210] 19 Humidity measurement sensor
[0211] 20 Spraying device
[0212] 30 cylinder body
[0213] 31 strokes
[0214] 32 grip
[0215] 33 Supply nozzle drive unit (drive mechanism)
[0216] 40 Rotation axis
[0217] 41 swivel seat
[0218] 60 scraper
[0219] 61 movable board
[0220] 62 Brush
[0221] 70 Gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system
[0222] 80 Humidification Chamber
[0223] 81 sink
[0224] 82 Ultrasonic vibration mechanism
[0225] 83 Humidified conveying gas supply nozzle
[0226] 84 Second flow regulating mechanism
[0227] 85 Humidity Control Mechanism
[0228] 90 humidification unit
[0229] L1 transport gas supply path
[0230] L2 Powder supply path (transport path)
[0231] a Micro powder
[0232] a' Accumulated powder
[0233] b Enclosure space
[0234] c Mixed fluid
[0235] d liquid
[0236] Z powder surface
[0237] ZA Powder storage container The surface layer of the powder
[0238] W Agglomerated fine powder
[0239] Q - Move through area
[0240] R Reference rotation direction
[0241] G Delivery gas
[0242] 101 Ultrasonic vibration drive unit
[0243] 102 Ultrasonic vibration outflow part
[0244] 102A terminal
[0245] 102B through hole
[0246] 102P board
[0247] 102K Smooth wall
[0248] 200 Ultrasonic vibration control device
Claims
1. A gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system, characterized in that: The invention also provides a method for the quantitative feeding of fine powder by the ultrasonic gushing of gas, wherein the mixed fluid of the conveying gas and the fine powder is quantitatively supplied to the fine powder using device through the supply of the conveying gas from the humidifying chamber. In the method, the ultrasonic gushing of gas is quantitatively supplied to the fine powder using device, wherein the mixed fluid of the conveying gas and the fine powder is quantitatively supplied to the fine powder using device through the supply of the conveying gas from the humidifying chamber. In the method, the ultrasonic gushing of gas is quantitatively supplied to the fine powder using device, wherein the mixed fluid of the conveying gas and the fine powder is quantitatively supplied to the fine powder using device through the supply of the conveying gas from the humidifying chamber. In the method, the ultrasonic gushing of gas is quantitatively supplied to the fine powder using device, wherein the mixed fluid of the conveying gas and the fine powder is quantitatively supplied to the fine powder using device through the supply of the conveying gas from the humidifying chamber. The relative positions of the surfaces of the surface layer of the fine powder contained in the fine powder containing container; an ultrasonic vibration gushing portion, which is arranged at least below the powder suction port of the supply nozzle and is capable of ultrasonic vibration, and has a passing area through which the fine powder can pass in the up and down directions; a supply nozzle driving portion, which moves the supply nozzle and the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion in the up and down directions; and a humidity measuring sensor for measuring the humidity in the shell, in a state in which at least a portion of the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion is in contact with the surface of the fine powder contained in the fine powder containing container, the fine powder that flows from the surface of the fine powder through the passing area of the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion to the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion is taken in from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle together with the conveying gas by ultrasonic vibration.
2. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: In a state in which the relative positional relationship between the surface of the fine powder body and the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion in a lateral direction perpendicular to the up-down direction is changed, the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion is ultrasonically vibrated, and the fine powder passes through the passing area in the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion from below to above the passing area in contact with the surface of the fine powder body, thereby causing the fine powder to gush out from the surface of the fine powder body onto the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion.
3. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The invention further includes an ultrasonic vibration driving unit disposed in the housing and configured to ultrasonically vibrate the ultrasonic vibration emitting unit.
4. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The ultrasonic vibration driving unit is an ultrasonic vibrator.
5. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 4, characterized in that: A holding portion is provided, the holding portion fixing the ultrasonic vibration driving portion, the position detection sensor, and the supply nozzle.
6. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The device further includes an ultrasonic vibration control device for controlling the frequency and amplitude of vibration of the ultrasonic vibration outflow portion by controlling the operation of the ultrasonic vibration driving portion.
7. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The ultrasonic vibration control device controls the operation of the ultrasonic vibration driving unit so that the vibration frequency of the ultrasonic vibration gushing unit is 3 kHz or higher in a state in which at least a portion of the ultrasonic vibration gushing unit is in contact with the surface of the soot.
8. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that: A rotation drive unit is provided, which drives the powder storage container to rotate along a reference rotation direction with the vertical direction as the rotation axis. The rotation drive unit rotates the powder storage container along the reference rotation direction, thereby changing the relative positional relationship between the powder surface and the ultrasonic vibration outflow unit in the reference rotation direction.
9. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The ultrasonic vibration gushing portion includes a plate portion having a plate-like shape, and the plate portion is formed with a through hole that penetrates between the upper surface and the lower surface of the plate portion in the up-down direction as the passing area. When the rotation driving portion rotates the powder storage container along the reference rotation direction, the supply nozzle driving portion moves the ultrasonic vibration gushing portion in the up-down direction so that the lower surface side of the plate portion contacts the surface of the powder.
10. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The plate portion is made of rigid metal, ceramic, or resin.
11. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The invention also includes a smoothing wall portion connected to the end of the plate portion, wherein when the relative positional relationship between the surface of the powder body and the ultrasonic vibration outflow portion in the reference rotation direction changes, the smoothing wall portion smoothes the surface of the powder body at the surface layer of the powder body and suppresses the powder body located on the surface of the powder body from flowing laterally to the upper surface side of the plate portion.
12. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 11, characterized in that: While the rotation drive unit rotates the powder storage container in the reference rotation direction and ultrasonically vibrates the ultrasonic vibration ejection unit, the powder located on the upper surface of the plate portion is taken in together with the conveying gas from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle.
13. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 12, characterized in that: The plate portion is connected to the ultrasonic vibration driving portion via the smoothing wall portion.
14. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ultrasonic vibration outflowing portion includes a tube portion having a tubular shape, wherein the tube portion is formed with an interior of the tubular shape connecting the upper end and the lower end of the tube portion in the up-down direction as the passing region. When the lower end of the tube portion is brought into contact with the surface of the fine powder and the relative positional relationship between the surface of the fine powder and the ultrasonic vibration outflowing portion in the lateral direction is changed, the ultrasonic vibration outflowing portion is ultrasonically vibrated, and the supply nozzle takes in the fine powder together with the conveying gas from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle, which flows out from the upper end of the tube portion to the upper surface of the ultrasonic vibration outflowing portion through the interior of the tubular shape serving as the passing region.
15. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ultrasonic vibration outflowing portion includes a mesh portion having a mesh shape extending between the upper surface and the lower surface as the passing area. When the lower surface of the mesh portion is in contact with the surface of the fine powder and the relative positional relationship between the surface of the fine powder and the ultrasonic vibration outflowing portion in the lateral direction is changed, the ultrasonic vibration outflowing portion is ultrasonically vibrated, and the supply nozzle takes in the fine powder through the mesh portion as the passing area and flows out to the upper surface of the ultrasonic vibration outflowing portion together with the conveying gas from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle.
16. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The average particle size of the fine powder is 3 μm or less.
17. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The micro powder is a powder composed of spinel, titanium oxide, yttrium oxide, tungsten carbide, copper, zinc, nickel, or aluminum oxide.
18. The gas-transported ultrasonic gushing micro-powder quantitative supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The humidification chamber includes a water tank for storing liquid for humidifying the transport gas, an ultrasonic vibration mechanism for atomizing the liquid, and a humidity control mechanism for controlling the humidity in the housing in conjunction with the humidity measurement sensor.
19. A device, characterized in that The spray coating device is provided with: the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing micropowder quantitative supply system as described in claim 17; and a spray coating device as a device using the micropowder, the micropowder being supplied with the conveying gas from the supply nozzle of the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing micropowder quantitative supply device of the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing micropowder quantitative supply system, the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing micropowder quantitative supply system supplies the micropowder to the spray coating device in a manner that suppresses the generation of pulsation of the micropowder conveyed in the conveying path from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle to the spray coating device, and the spray coating device uses the micropowder supplied from the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing micropowder quantitative supply system to form a film on an object in a manner that suppresses the generation of streaks and makes the film uniform.
20. A method for quantitatively supplying fine powder by gas-transported ultrasonic gushing, characterized in that: A gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system is used, and the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply system comprises: a humidifying chamber for humidifying conveying gas; and a gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device, which quantitatively supplies a mixed fluid of the conveying gas and fine powder to a fine powder using device through the supply of conveying gas from the humidifying chamber, and the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply device comprises: a fine powder storage container for storing the fine powder; a shell for gas-tightly storing the fine powder storage container; a supply port for supplying the conveying gas to the shell; a flow regulating mechanism for adjusting the supply amount of the conveying gas to the shell; a supply nozzle having a powder suction port for taking in the fine powder and the conveying gas, so that the fine powder is supplied from the fine powder storage container to the fine powder using device along with the conveying gas; a position detection sensor for detecting the position of the supply nozzle and the storage The relative position between the surface of the fine powder layer of the fine powder in the fine powder storage container; an ultrasonic vibration gushing part, which is arranged at least below the powder suction port of the supply nozzle and can perform ultrasonic vibration, and has a passing area through which the fine powder can pass in the up and down directions; a supply nozzle driving part, which moves the supply nozzle and the ultrasonic vibration gushing part in the up and down directions; and a humidity measurement sensor for measuring the humidity in the shell. In the gas-conveyed ultrasonic gushing fine powder quantitative supply method, in a state in which at least a part of the ultrasonic vibration gushing part is in contact with the fine powder surface of the surface layer of the fine powder stored in the fine powder storage container, the fine powder that gushes out from the fine powder surface through the passing area of the ultrasonic vibration gushing part onto the ultrasonic vibration gushing part is taken in from the powder suction port of the supply nozzle together with the conveying gas by performing ultrasonic vibration.
Citation Information
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