Centrifugal atomization apparatus and system

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing metal powder atomization equipment, and particularly relates to a centrifugal atomization equipment and system, which utilizes a first protective cover and an inert gas blown out through a protective space between the first protective cover and a rotating driving member to form a wind curtain in an isolation space to protect the rotating driving member, thereby solving the technical problems of heat stress caused by high temperature of the atomizer during work, centrifugal stress caused by ultra-high rotation speed, direct crushing of the atomizer body during atomization under extreme working conditions, hidden dangers of direct invasion of high-temperature melt jet into the high-speed motor body, and damage of the high-speed motor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing powder atomization equipment, in particular to a centrifugal atomization equipment and system. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, metal 3D printing powder raw materials are mainly produced by VIGA, EIGA, PREP and PA processes, among which VIGA and EIGA belong to double-flow atomization process, and the powders produced inevitably have problems of satellite balls, hollow powders and low yield of powders in the target particle size range, the powders produced by PREP process have coarse particle size, and the PA process equipment is complex and high in cost. Centrifugal atomization method has achieved remarkable results in the field of low-temperature alloy powder production, but 3D printing powder raw materials are mainly high-temperature metals such as titanium alloy, aluminum alloy and stainless steel with atomization temperature exceeding 600 DEG C, and the centrifugal atomization process for preparing corresponding 3D printing alloy powder needs special attention in terms of stability and safety of the equipment.

[0003] The process principle of centrifugal atomization method is that the superheated alloy melt liquid column flows to the center position of the atomization surface of the atomizer, forms a liquid film under the action of centrifugal stress and friction force, and then is thrown out from the edge of the atomizer to become small liquid droplets, and then solidifies into powder. Centrifugal atomization method has the advantages of little consumption of expensive inert gas, narrow powder particle size distribution (high yield of powders in specific particle size range), no hollow balls and few satellite balls.

[0004] In related technologies, the atomizer bears thermal stress caused by high temperature and centrifugal stress caused by ultra-high speed during work, and the atomizer body is directly broken during atomization under extreme working conditions, which has the hidden danger of high-temperature melt jet directly invading the high-speed motor body, resulting in damage of the high-speed motor. SUMMARY

[0005] The main purpose of the present application is to provide a centrifugal atomization equipment and system, which aims to solve the technical problems that the atomizer in related technologies bears thermal stress caused by high temperature and centrifugal stress caused by ultra-high speed during work, and the atomizer body is directly broken during atomization under extreme working conditions, which has the hidden danger of high-temperature melt jet directly invading the high-speed motor body, resulting in damage of the high-speed motor.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, in a first aspect, the present application provides a centrifugal atomization equipment,

[0007] comprising:

[0008] an atomization tank, an atomization chamber is formed in the atomization tank, and a flow guide nozzle is formed on the atomization chamber;

[0009] A centrifugal atomization mechanism is installed in the atomization chamber, comprising a support frame, a rotary drive, and a centrifugal disc installed on the output shaft of the rotary drive and above the rotary drive, the rotary drive is installed on the support frame, and the centrifugal disc is correspondingly arranged below the flow guide nozzle to centrifugally atomize the metal liquid flow flowing into the centrifugal disc through the flow guide nozzle; and

[0010] A first protection mechanism is provided on the outer periphery of the rotary drive, comprising a first protection cover, a protection space is formed between the first protection cover and the rotary drive, an isolation space is formed between the top of the first protection cover and the centrifugal disc, which communicates with the atomization chamber, the top of the first protection cover is provided with an air outlet communicating the protection space with the atomization chamber, and the bottom is provided with an air inlet communicating with the protection space, the air inlet communicates with an external gas source through a pipeline, and the gas supplied by the external gas source enters the protection space through the air inlet and blows upward from the air outlet into the isolation space to form a wind curtain to blow the metal liquid flow flowing vertically downward and blow it out of the isolation space.

[0011] Optionally, the centrifugal disc is connected to the rotary drive through a support shaft, the air outlet is provided around the outer periphery of the support shaft, and the air outlet comprises two air outlet parts in communication with each other, and the side of one of the air outlet parts extends downward to form a wind blocking edge.

[0012] Optionally, the protection space comprises a first space and a second space which are both gradually expanded from top to bottom, a turning port is formed between the first space and the second space, the first space and the second space communicate through the turning port, the air outlet communicates with the first space, and the air inlet communicates with the second space.

[0013] Optionally, the first protection cover is a frustum structure with a small end upward.

[0014] Optionally, the first protection mechanism further comprises a support frame and an adjusting frame, the support frame is installed in the atomization tank, the rotary drive and the adjusting frame are both installed on the support frame, the rotary drive and the adjusting frame are distributed in a spaced manner, and the adjusting frame is connected with the first protection cover, the adjusting frame can drive the first protection cover to ascend and descend relative to the rotary drive to correspondingly adjust the size of the first space and the second space.

[0015] Optionally, the first protection mechanism further comprises a second protection cover, the second protection cover is arranged on the outer periphery of the first protection cover, the top of the second protection cover extends into the isolation space, and the top of the second protection cover is below the centrifugal disc and a gap is formed between the top of the second protection cover and the centrifugal disc.

[0016] Optionally, the second protection cover is a frustum structure with a small end upward.

[0017] Optionally, the second protection cover is made of mica sheet or ceramic.

[0018] Optionally, the second protection mechanism is further provided, the second protection mechanism is installed on the inner top wall of the atomization tank, the second protection mechanism comprises a walking driving element and a protection sheet installed on the walking driving element.

[0019] The walking driving element can drive the protection sheet to be close to the centrifugal disc to shield the molten metal liquid in the flow state from flowing into the centrifugal disc, or the walking driving element can drive the protection sheet to be away from the centrifugal disc to enable the molten metal liquid in the flow state to flow into the centrifugal disc.

[0020] Optionally, the protection sheet is made of mica sheet or ceramic.

[0021] Optionally, the second protection mechanism further comprises a guide element and a mounting bracket, the guide element is installed on the inner top wall of the atomization tank, the mounting bracket is in sliding fit with the guide element, the protection sheet is installed on the mounting bracket, and the mounting bracket is connected with the output end of the walking driving element; the walking driving element can drive the mounting bracket to drive the protection sheet to be close to the centrifugal disc to shield the molten metal liquid in the flow state from flowing into the centrifugal disc, or the walking driving element can drive the protection sheet to be away from the centrifugal disc to enable the molten metal liquid in the flow state to flow into the centrifugal disc.

[0022] Based on the same technical concept, in a second aspect, the present application further provides a centrifugal atomization system, comprising:

[0023] The centrifugal atomization device in the first aspect;

[0024] A smelting tank, the smelting tank is installed on the centrifugal atomization device, and the smelting tank is in communication with the flow guide nozzle;

[0025] An external gas source, the external gas source is installed outside the centrifugal atomization device, the external gas source is in communication with the gas inlet through a pipeline; and

[0026] A control terminal, the control terminal is in communication connection with the centrifugal atomization device, the smelting tank and the external gas source respectively.

[0027] This invention provides a centrifugal atomizing mechanism by setting up an atomizing can, forming an atomizing chamber within the can, and providing a guide nozzle on the atomizing chamber. A centrifugal atomizing mechanism is then mounted within the atomizing chamber via a support frame. This mechanism comprises a rotating drive and a centrifugal disc, with the centrifugal disc positioned on the output shaft of the rotating drive and above it, correspondingly positioned below the guide nozzle. This centrifugal atomizes the molten metal flowing into the centrifugal disc through the guide nozzle. A first protective mechanism is then provided around the rotating drive, creating a protective space between the first protective cover and the outer periphery of the rotating drive. An isolation space communicating with the atomizing chamber is formed between the top of the first protective cover and the centrifugal disc. An air outlet connecting the protective space and the atomizing chamber is located at the top of the first protective cover. Furthermore, its bottom is provided with an air inlet connected to the protective space. The air inlet is connected to an external air source through a pipeline. The gas supplied by the external air source enters the protective space through the air inlet and is blown upward into the isolation space from the air outlet to form an air curtain. This deflects the vertically downward flowing molten metal flow and blows it out of the isolation space. In specific implementation, this invention can use the first protective cover and the inert gas blown out through the protective space between the first protective cover and the rotating drive component, and the air curtain formed in the isolation space to protect the rotating drive component. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where the atomizer is subjected to thermal stress caused by high temperature and centrifugal stress caused by ultra-high speed during operation. Under extreme working conditions, the atomizer body is directly broken during atomization, and there is a risk that the high-temperature molten jet directly invades the high-speed motor body, causing damage to the high-speed motor. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a centrifugal atomizing device as an example of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An enlarged structural diagram of part A in the example;

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the protective sheet structure shown in the example;

[0032] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of another mounting configuration for the protective plate shown in the example;

[0033] Figure 5 For Figure 1 The structure schematic view of B part of the example in the present application is enlarged;

[0034] Figure 6 The structure schematic view of the centrifugal atomization system of the example in the present application is enlarged.

[0035] Explanation of reference signs:

[0036]

[0037] The purposes, functional features and advantages of the present application will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all the other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work under the premise that the application falls within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0039] It should be noted that all the directionality indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present application are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement condition, etc. between the mechanisms in a certain specific posture (as shown in the drawings), and if the specific posture changes, the directionality indications will also change accordingly.

[0040] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms “connection”, “fixation” and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, “fixation” can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integral; can be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; can be direct connection, or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise explicitly limited. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] In addition, if the description of "first", "second" and the like is involved in the embodiments of the present application, the description of "first", "second" and the like is only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance of the indicated technical features or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In addition, the meaning of "and / or" appearing throughout the text includes three parallel schemes. For example, "A and / or B" includes A scheme, or B scheme, or A and B simultaneously satisfy the scheme. In addition, the technical solutions of each embodiment can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the realization of ordinary skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions appears contradictory or unachievable, it should be considered that the combination of technical solutions does not exist, and is not within the protection scope required by the present application.

[0042] The inventive concept of the present application will be further illustrated below in conjunction with some specific embodiments.

[0043] The present application proposes a centrifugal atomization device and system.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 to 6 , an embodiment of the centrifugal atomization device and system of the present application is proposed.

[0045] In this embodiment, please refer to Figures 1-6 , the centrifugal atomization device 10 includes:

[0046] The atomization tank 100 is formed with an atomization chamber 110 in the atomization tank 100, and a flow guide nozzle is provided on the atomization chamber 110;

[0047] The centrifugal atomization mechanism 200 is installed in the atomization chamber 110, and the centrifugal atomization mechanism 200 includes a support frame 340, a rotary drive member 210, and a centrifugal disc 220 installed on the output shaft of the rotary drive member 210 and located above the rotary drive member 210. The rotary drive member 210 is installed on the support frame 340, and the centrifugal disc 220 is correspondingly arranged below the flow guide nozzle to perform centrifugal atomization on the metal liquid flowing into the centrifugal disc 220 through the flow guide nozzle; and

[0048] The first protection mechanism 300 is arranged on the outer periphery of the rotary driving member 210, and comprises a first protection cover 310. A protection space 320 is formed between the first protection cover 310 and the rotary driving member 210. A top portion of the first protection cover 310 and the centrifugal disc 220 form an isolation space 330 which is in communication with the atomization chamber 110. The top portion of the first protection cover 310 is provided with a gas outlet which is in communication with the atomization chamber 110. The bottom portion of the first protection cover 310 is provided with a gas inlet which is in communication with the protection space 320. The gas inlet is in communication with the external gas source 30 through a pipeline. The gas supplied by the external gas source 30 enters the protection space 320 through the gas inlet and is blown upward from the gas outlet into the isolation space 330 to form a wind curtain, so as to blow the metal liquid stream flowing vertically downward and blow it to the outside of the isolation space 330.

[0049] In the embodiment, the atomizing tank 100 is arranged to form the atomizing chamber 110 in the atomizing tank 100, the flow guide nozzle is arranged on the atomizing chamber 110, the centrifugal atomizing mechanism 200 is arranged in the atomizing chamber 110 through the support frame, the centrifugal atomizing mechanism 200 is arranged to include the rotating driving member 210 and the centrifugal disc 220, the centrifugal disc 220 is arranged on the output shaft of the rotating driving member 210 and above the rotating driving member 210, and the centrifugal disc 220 is arranged below the flow guide nozzle to centrifugally atomize the metal liquid flowing into the centrifugal disc through the flow guide nozzle, the first protective mechanism 300 is arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating driving member 210, and the protective space 320 is formed between the first protective cover 310 and the outer periphery of the rotating driving member 210, the isolation space 330 is formed between the top of the first protective cover 310 and the centrifugal disc 220 and communicates with the atomizing chamber 110, the top of the first protective cover 310 is provided with the gas outlet communicating the protective space 320 and the atomizing chamber 110, and the bottom of the first protective cover 310 is provided with the gas inlet communicating with the protective space 320, the gas inlet communicates with the external gas source 30 through the pipeline, the gas supplied by the external gas source 30 enters the protective space 320 through the gas inlet and is blown upward into the isolation space 330 from the gas outlet to form the air curtain, so that the metal liquid flowing vertically downward is blown away and toward the outside of the isolation space, and the rotating driving member 210 is protected by the first protective cover 310 and the air curtain formed by the inert gas blown out of the protective space 320 between the first protective cover 310 and the rotating driving member 210, so that the technical problems that the atomizer in the related art bears the thermal stress caused by high temperature and the centrifugal stress caused by ultra-high speed in working, the atomizer body is directly broken in atomizing under extreme working conditions, the high-temperature melt jet directly invades the high-speed motor body, the high-speed motor is damaged, and the heat is inevitably transferred from the rotating disc body to the high-speed motor when the high-temperature alloy melt is atomized at a temperature higher than 600 DEG C, the temperature of the core part of the high-speed motor is increased, and the high-speed motor is even directly damaged are solved.

[0050] It should be particularly and explicitly pointed out that, in the embodiment, the first protective cover 310 is preferably a steel cover, and in specific implementation, in order to improve the sealing effect of the protective space 320 between the first protective cover 310 and the rotating driving member 210, a sealing strip or the like is preferably arranged at the connecting position between the first protective cover 310 and the rotating driving member 210 to improve the sealing property. In the embodiment, the rotating driving member 210 is preferably a driving motor. Meanwhile, in the embodiment, in specific implementation, the air curtain is arranged to reduce the heat conduction of the high-temperature melt to the motor in normal working of the centrifugal atomizing process, and the metal liquid flowing vertically downward is blown away and toward the outside of the isolation space when the centrifugal disc is broken or other extreme working conditions occur.

[0051] In some specific embodiments, the rotating driving member 210 is connected with the centrifugal disc 220 through a supporting shaft, the air outlet is arranged around the outer periphery of the supporting shaft, and the air outlet comprises two air outlet parts in communication with each other, and the side edge of one of the air outlet parts extends downward to form a wind-blocking edge.

[0052] In the embodiment, by arranging the air outlet around the outer periphery of the supporting shaft, and arranging the air outlet in a structure comprising two air outlet parts in communication with each other, and making the side edge of one of the air outlet parts extend downward to form a wind-blocking edge, the application can ensure that the flow rates of the gases discharged from the two air outlet parts are different, and thus the size of the air curtain is uneven, and the metal liquid flowing or overflowing on the centrifugal disc can be blown away. And good fluidity can be formed.

[0053] It should be particularly and explicitly pointed out that the downward extending manner of the wind-blocking edge in the embodiment can be vertical extension or oblique extension, but no matter what the extending manner is, a gap should be reserved between the bottom end of the wind-blocking edge and the top surface of the rotating driving member 210 for the inert gas to pass through. In addition, in specific implementation, the wind-blocking edge can be fixed or slidably connected with the air outlet end of the first protective cover 310. Through this connection manner, the gap between the bottom end of the wind-blocking edge and the top end of the rotating driving member 210 can be adjusted, and the gas discharge effect can be improved.

[0054] In some specific embodiments, the protective space 320 comprises a first space 321 and a second space 322 which are both arranged in a gradually expanding manner from top to bottom, a turning opening 323 is formed between the first space 321 and the second space 322, the first space 321 and the second space 322 are in communication through the turning opening 323, the air outlet is in communication with the first space 321, and the air inlet is in communication with the second space 322.

[0055] In the embodiment, by arranging the protective space 320 as the first space 321 and the second space 322 which are both arranged in a gradually expanding manner from top to bottom, and communicating the first space 321 and the second space 322 through the turning opening 323, the application can make the gas supplied from outside accelerate in the second space 322, then enter the first space 321 through the turning opening 323, and finally be discharged from the air outlet, so as to ensure the flow speed of the air curtain formed by the discharged gas, and avoid that the metal particles after centrifugal atomization enter the protective space 320 to damage the rotating driving member 210.

[0056] In some specific embodiments, the first protective cover 310 is a frustoconical structure arranged with the small end upward, and the first protective cover 310 surrounds to form the first space 321 and the second space 322.

[0057] In the embodiment, by setting the first protective cover 310 as a structure of small end upward and frustum, the application can ensure that the metal particles after centrifugal atomization fall from the surface of the first protective cover 310, and at the same time, the protective space 320 becomes an irregular structure, so that the person skilled in the art can control the gas flow rate of the air curtain during implementation. Moreover, in the embodiment, by setting the first protective cover as a structure of small end upward and frustum, the application can solve the problem of damage to the rotating driving member 210 caused by the overflow or outflow of the metal liquid from the centrifugal disc 220 during implementation.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first protective mechanism 300 further comprises an adjusting frame 350, the supporting frame 340 is installed in the atomization tank 100, the adjusting frame 350 is installed on the supporting frame 340, the rotating driving member 210 is distributed with the adjusting frame 350, and the adjusting frame 350 is connected with the first protective cover 310. The adjusting frame 350 can drive the first protective cover 310 to rise and fall relative to the rotating driving member 210, so as to correspondingly adjust the size of the first space 321 and the second space 322.

[0059] In the embodiment, by setting the supporting frame 340 and the adjusting frame 350, connecting the adjusting frame 350 with the first protective cover 310, and driving the first protective cover 310 to rise and fall relative to the rotating driving member 210 by the adjusting frame 350, the application can adjust the size of the first space 321 and the second space 322 during implementation, and thus can adjust the acceleration distance of the gas in the second space 322, and finally realize the function of controlling the flow rate and flow of the gas discharged from the gas outlet.

[0060] It needs to be particularly and explicitly pointed out that in the embodiment, the adjustment mode of the size of the first space 321 and the second space 322 during implementation can be determined according to the specific metal material selected during centrifugal atomization. In the embodiment, the example of the adjusting frame 350 can be but not limited to an adjusting screw, a telescopic scissor frame, etc.

[0061] In some embodiments, the first protective mechanism 300 further comprises a second protective cover 360, the second protective cover 360 covers the outer periphery of the first protective cover 310, the top of the second protective cover 360 extends into the isolation space 330, and the top of the second protective cover 360 is located below the centrifugal disc 220 and forms a gap with the centrifugal disc.

[0062] In the embodiment, the second protective cover 360 is arranged and installed on the outer periphery of the first protective cover 310, and the top of the second protective cover 360 extends into the isolation space 330, and the top of the second protective cover 360 is below the centrifugal disc 220 and a gap is formed between the top of the second protective cover 360 and the centrifugal disc 220, so that the application can ensure that the high-temperature metal particles formed after centrifugal atomization do not accumulate on the surface of the second protective cover 360 and finally do not fall into the rotating driving member. At the same time, the gap between the top of the second protective cover 360 and the centrifugal disc 220 can also ensure that the centrifugal disc 220 does not collide with the second protective cover 360 during rotation.

[0063] In some embodiments, the second protective cover 360 is a frustum structure with a small end upward.

[0064] In the embodiment, when the metal liquid flows over or out of the centrifugal disc 220 during the centrifugal atomization process, the outer surface of the second protective cover 360 with a small end upward can guide the overflowing or flowing metal liquid, avoiding damage to the rotating driving member 210 caused by the metal liquid in a high-temperature state due to untimely discharge.

[0065] In some embodiments, the second protective cover 360 is made of mica or ceramic.

[0066] In the embodiment, the second protective cover 360 is made of mica or ceramic, so that the second protective cover 360 can be a consumable and replaceable structure during the implementation of the application, improving the durability of the application.

[0067] In some embodiments, the second protective mechanism 400 is further included, the second protective mechanism 400 is installed on the inner top wall of the atomization tank 100, the second protective mechanism 400 includes a walking driving member 410 and a protective sheet 420 installed on the walking driving member 410, the walking driving member 410 can drive the protective sheet 420 to approach the centrifugal disc to block the molten metal liquid from flowing into the centrifugal disc 220, or the walking driving member 410 can drive the protective sheet 420 to move away from the centrifugal disc 220 to allow the molten metal liquid to flow into the centrifugal disc 220.

[0068] In the embodiment, the second protection mechanism 400 is arranged to block or move away from the flow guide nozzle, so that the centrifugal disc 220 can be protected in the implementation of the application, and the molten metal stream and metal oxide slag in molten state are prevented from dropping to the centrifugal disc 220 and damaging the centrifugal disc 220 in extreme working conditions or at the end of centrifugal atomization. It should be particularly and explicitly pointed out that in the embodiment, the extreme working conditions include but are not limited to the breakage of the centrifugal disc 220, the dropping of metal oxide slag at the outlet of the flow guide nozzle, and the like.

[0069] In some embodiments, the protection sheet 420 is made of mica sheet or ceramic.

[0070] In the embodiment, the protection sheet 420 is arranged to be made of mica sheet or ceramic, so that the protection sheet 420 can be a consumable and replaceable structure in the implementation of the application, and the durability of the application is further improved.

[0071] In some embodiments, the second protection mechanism 400 further includes a guide 430 and a mounting bracket 440, the guide 430 is mounted to the inner top wall of the atomization tank 100, the mounting bracket 440 is in sliding fit with the guide 430, the protection sheet 420 is mounted to the mounting bracket 440, the mounting bracket 440 is connected with the output end of the walking driving member 410, the walking driving member 410 can drive the mounting bracket 440 to drive the protection sheet 420 to approach the centrifugal disc 220 to block the molten metal stream in molten state from flowing into the centrifugal disc 220, or the walking driving member 410 can drive the protection sheet 420 to move away from the centrifugal disc 220 to enable the molten metal stream in molten state to flow into the centrifugal disc 220.

[0072] In the embodiment, the mounting bracket 440 is arranged to be slidable relative to the guide 430, so that the protection sheet 420 can be conveniently disassembled and assembled when it needs to be replaced in the implementation of the application.

[0073] Based on the same technical concept, in a second aspect, the application further provides a centrifugal atomization system, which comprises:

[0074] the centrifugal atomization device 10 of the first aspect;

[0075] a smelting tank 20, which is mounted to the centrifugal atomization tank 10 and is in communication with the flow guide nozzle;

[0076] an external gas source 30, which is mounted outside the centrifugal atomization device 10 and is in communication with the gas inlet through a pipeline; and

[0077] The control terminal 40 is in communication connection with the control valves of the centrifugal atomization device 10, the smelting pot 20 and the external air source 30 through the industrial computer 50.

[0078] In some exemplary embodiments, the present application can also be executed in the following manner:

[0079] At present, the metal 3D printing powder raw materials are mainly produced by VIGA, EIGA, PREP and PA processes, wherein the VIGA and EIGA belong to double-flow atomization processes, and the powders produced inevitably have the problems of satellite balls, hollow powders and low powder yield in the target particle size range, the PREP process produces powders with coarse particle size, and the PA process has complex equipment and high cost. The centrifugal atomization method has achieved remarkable results in the field of low-temperature alloy powder production, but the 3D printing powder raw materials are mainly high-temperature metals such as titanium alloy, aluminum alloy and stainless steel with atomization temperature exceeding 600 DEG C, and the centrifugal atomization process for preparing the corresponding 3D printing alloy powder needs special attention in terms of stability and safety of the equipment.

[0080] The process principle of the centrifugal atomization method is that the superheated alloy melt liquid column flows to the center position of the atomization surface of the atomizer, forms a liquid film under the action of centrifugal stress and friction force, and finally is thrown out from the edge of the atomizer to become a small liquid drop, and finally solidifies into powder. The centrifugal atomization method has the advantages of extremely small consumption of expensive inert gas, narrow powder particle size distribution (high powder yield in a specific particle size range), no hollow balls and few satellite balls.

[0081] However, when the high-temperature alloy melt with atomization temperature exceeding 600 DEG C is atomized, heat is inevitably transferred from the rotating disc body to the high-speed motor, causing the temperature of the core part of the high-speed motor to rise, and even possibly causing direct damage to the high-speed motor. At the same time, due to the physicochemical properties of aluminum alloy, titanium alloy and stainless steel, the atomizer can be made of ceramic material or refractory hard metal material. These materials are relatively brittle, and the atomizer is subjected to high temperature stress and centrifugal stress caused by ultra-high speed. In extreme working conditions, the atomizer body is directly broken during atomization, and there is a possibility that the high-temperature melt jet directly invades the high-speed motor body, causing direct damage to the high-speed motor. In addition, slag is generated during the alloy smelting process, and the slag is mainly composed of metal oxides. At the alloy atomization temperature level, the slag has high viscosity and poor flowability. When the alloy atomization is completed, the slag falling from the flow guide pipe will adhere to the surface of the centrifugal disc 220, causing the dynamic balance level of the centrifugal disc 220 to decrease, and further causing the centrifugal atomization efficiency to decrease, the service life of the centrifugal disc 220 to greatly decrease, and the atomization cost to increase.

[0082] The present application aims to provide a protection method and device for a high-temperature metal centrifugal atomization powder production device, to solve the problems of high-temperature heat conduction and safety of the high-speed motor in extreme working conditions, and the problem of slag adhering to the centrifugal disc 220.

[0083] Atomization chamber, used to install the centrifugal atomization mechanism 200 and support frame 340;

[0084] The centrifugal atomizing mechanism 200 includes a centrifugal disc 220. The centrifugal atomizing mechanism 200 is used to transfer mechanical energy to the alloy melt to be atomized, thereby realizing powder production.

[0085] The melting chamber is used to melt and refine the alloy melt to be atomized.

[0086] The guide nozzle guides the flow of the alloy melt to be atomized;

[0087] Centrifugal support, used to install high-speed motors and protective covers, is in the shape of a grid, and at least one support frame 340 is used to arrange water, electricity and gas pipelines required for the normal operation of high-speed motors and protective covers;

[0088] A protective cover protects the motor from damage caused by high temperatures, metal jets, and powder.

[0089] A protective mechanism protects the motor from damage by the metal jet and prevents molten slag from adhering to the centrifugal disc 220.

[0090] A high-definition camera monitors whether the centrifuge tray 220 is broken and transmits the acquired image data to the control terminal 40.

[0091] The control terminal 40 issues action commands and alarm signals based on the image information captured by the high-definition camera.

[0092] The industrial computer 50 receives commands from the control terminal 40 and issues action commands to increase the air pressure in the air supply pipeline.

[0093] The gas supply line fills the air chamber formed by the protective cover and the high-speed motor housing with inert gas to prevent powder from entering the high-speed motor, cools the lower surface of the centrifugal atomizing mechanism 200 and the support rod, and deflects the alloy melt jet that flows vertically toward the output shaft of the high-speed motor under extreme working conditions, thus protecting the high-speed motor.

[0094] After the alloy is smelted and refined in the smelting chamber, the alloy is guided by the flow guide nozzle to form a high-temperature metal jet, the metal jet falls on the surface of the centrifugal disc 220, the centrifugal disc 220 transmits mechanical energy to the metal melt, and finally the metal melt is atomized into a large number of small liquid streams, which are cooled and solidified into powder in the flight process in the atomization chamber. Because the temperature of the metal jet is high, the temperature of the centrifugal disc 220 is close to the temperature of the metal jet when the centrifugal disc 220 is normally working. The high-temperature centrifugal disc 220 will emit bright light. After the centrifugal disc 220 starts to work, the high-definition camera is turned on, and the high-definition camera collects image information of the area where the centrifugal disc 220 is located according to the set sampling. In the normal working state, the area of the high-temperature centrifugal disc 220 body is high-brightness color; in the extreme working condition, when the centrifugal disc 220 is broken, the area where the centrifugal disc 220 is located becomes the gray-black background color in the atomization chamber. The control terminal 40 sends an action command to the industrial computer 50, and the industrial computer moves the protective sheet 420 to the lower side of the flow guide nozzle, and raises the air pressure of the air supply pipeline in the protective cover. In addition, the control terminal 40 sends an alarm command to the operator.

[0095] When the atomization work is about to end, the control terminal 40 sends an action command to the industrial computer 50, and the industrial computer 50 moves the protective sheet 420 to the lower side of the flow guide nozzle to prevent the alloy slag from falling on the surface of the centrifugal disc 220, thereby improving the service life of the centrifugal disc 220. The reset action of the protective sheet 420 needs to be manually operated by the operator after confirming that the equipment state is safe.

[0096] The protective cover adopts a double-layer structure, the inner protective cover is made of high-quality stainless steel, and the inner protective cover and the high-speed motor form a tapered structure air chamber. Low-temperature slightly positive pressure inert gas is introduced into the air chamber, which cools the high-speed motor and prevents dust from entering the interior of the high-speed motor. At the same time, the liquid stream can be blown away in the extreme working condition to avoid falling into the high-speed motor. At this time, the outlet of the air chamber adopts an asymmetric design, which can make the high-temperature liquid stream easily obtain a transverse speed, so that the liquid stream is deviated, and the protective gas pressure is increased.

[0097] The protective sheet 420 adopts a shallow cup structure, the cup thickness is between 5 mm and 20 mm, and the total thickness of the protective sheet 420 does not exceed 1 / 2 of the vertical distance a between the lower end surface of the flow guide pipe and the upper surface of the centrifugal disc 220. The protective sheet 420 is rotatably arranged on the support seat and is provided with three cylindrical protrusions which are uniformly distributed along the circumference and have a diameter of 3 mm, which does not exceed 1 / 2 of the height of the cup wall. The protective sheet 420 is provided with three circular recesses at the corresponding positions, and the recesses and the protrusions can be assembled.

[0098] By setting the atomizing tank 100, an atomizing chamber 110 is formed in the atomizing tank 100, and a flow guide nozzle is arranged on the atomizing chamber 110, and then the centrifugal atomizing mechanism 200 is installed in the atomizing chamber 110, and the centrifugal atomizing mechanism 200 is arranged to include a rotating driving member 210 and a centrifugal disc 220, the centrifugal disc 220 is arranged on the output shaft of the rotating driving member 210 and is located above the rotating driving member 210, and the centrifugal disc 220 is arranged below the flow guide nozzle, so as to centrifugally atomize the metal liquid flowing into the centrifugal disc 220 through the flow guide nozzle, and then a first protective mechanism 300 is arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating driving member 210, and the protective space 320 is formed between the first protective cover 310 and the outer periphery of the rotating driving member 210, and the isolation space 330 is formed between the top of the first protective cover 310 and the centrifugal disc 220, which is communicated with the atomizing chamber 110, and the top of the first protective cover 310 is provided with the gas outlet communicated with the atomizing chamber 110, and the bottom is provided with the gas inlet communicated with the protective space 320, and the gas inlet is communicated with the external gas source 30 through the pipeline, and the gas supplied by the external gas source 30 enters the protective space 320 through the gas inlet and is blown upward from the gas outlet into the isolation space 330 to form a wind curtain, so as to blow the metal liquid flowing vertically downward and blow it out of the isolation space, so that the first protective cover 310 and the inert gas blown out of the protective space 320 between the first protective cover 310 and the rotating driving member 210 and the wind curtain formed in the isolation space 330 can protect the rotating driving member 210 when the present application is implemented, which solves the technical problems that the atomizer in the related art bears high temperature stress and centrifugal stress caused by ultra-high speed in working, the atomizer body is directly broken in extreme working conditions, there is a hidden danger that the high-temperature melt jet directly invades the high-speed motor body, which causes damage to the high-speed motor, and when the atomizing temperature exceeds 600 DEG C, the high-temperature alloy melt is atomized, heat is inevitably transferred from the rotating disc body to the high-speed motor, which causes the temperature of the core part of the high-speed motor to rise, and even the high-speed motor may be directly damaged.

[0099] The above is only an optional embodiment of the present application, and does not limit the patent scope of the present application, and any equivalent structural transformation made by using the content of the present application specification and drawings, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields is included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A centrifugal atomization apparatus characterized by, The application relates to a centrifugal atomization device for metal liquid, which comprises the following parts: a spray tank, a spray chamber is formed in the spray tank, and a flow guide nozzle is arranged on the spray chamber; a centrifugal atomization mechanism is installed in the spray chamber, the centrifugal atomization mechanism comprises a supporting frame, a rotating driving element and a centrifugal disc which is installed on an output shaft of the rotating driving element and located above the rotating driving element, the rotating driving element is installed on the supporting frame, and the centrifugal disc is arranged below the flow guide nozzle to perform centrifugal atomization on metal liquid flowing into the centrifugal disc through the flow guide nozzle; and a first protection mechanism is arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating driving element, the first protection mechanism comprises a first protection cover, a protection space is formed between the first protection cover and the rotating driving element, an isolation space which is communicated with the spray chamber is formed between the top of the first protection cover and the centrifugal disc, the top of the first protection cover is provided with an air outlet which is communicated with the spray chamber, the bottom of the first protection cover is provided with an air inlet which is communicated with the protection space, the centrifugal disc is connected with the rotating driving element through a supporting shaft, the air outlet is arranged on the outer periphery of the supporting shaft, the air inlet is communicated with an external air source through a pipeline, and air supplied by the external air source enters the protection space through the air inlet and is blown upwards into the isolation space from the air outlet to form an air curtain so as to blow the metal liquid flowing vertically downwards and blow it out of the isolation space; the first protection mechanism further comprises adjusting frames, the adjusting frames are installed on the supporting frame, the rotating driving element and the adjusting frames are distributed in a spaced mode, the adjusting frames are connected with the first protection cover, and the adjusting frames can drive the first protection cover to ascend and descend relative to the rotating driving element so as to adjust the sizes of the first space and the second space; the protection space comprises the first space and the second space which are arranged in a gradually expanding mode from top to bottom, a turning port is arranged between the first space and the second space, the first space and the second space are communicated through the turning port, the air outlet is communicated with the first space, and the air inlet is communicated with the second space; the first protection cover is a frustum structure with a small end arranged upwards.

2. The centrifugal atomization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air outlet comprises two air outlets which are communicated with each other, and the side of one of the air outlets extends downwards to form a wind blocking edge.

3. The centrifugal atomization apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first protection mechanism further comprises a second protection cover, the second protection cover is arranged on the outer periphery of the first protection cover, the top of the second protection cover extends into the isolation space, and the top of the second protection cover is located below the centrifugal disc and forms a gap with the centrifugal disc.

4. The centrifugal atomization apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second protection cover is a frustum structure with a small end arranged upwards.

5. The centrifugal atomization apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second protection cover is made of mica sheet or ceramic.

6. The centrifugal atomization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, the application further relates to a second protection mechanism, the second protection mechanism is installed on the inner top wall of the spray tank, and the second protection mechanism comprises a walking driving element and a protection sheet which is installed on the walking driving element. ​ The walking driving element can drive the protection piece to close to and shield the centrifugal disc, so as to prevent the molten metal liquid from flowing into the centrifugal disc, or the walking driving element can drive the protection piece to move away from the centrifugal disc, so that the molten metal liquid can flow into the centrifugal disc.

7. The centrifugal atomization apparatus of claim 6, wherein The protection piece is made of mica or ceramic.

8. The centrifugal atomization apparatus of claim 7, wherein The second protection mechanism further comprises a guide element and a mounting bracket, the guide element is mounted on the inner top wall of the atomizing tank, the mounting bracket is in sliding fit with the guide element, the protection piece is mounted on the mounting bracket, and the mounting bracket is connected with the output end of the walking driving element. The walking driving element can drive the mounting bracket to drive the protection piece to close to and shield the centrifugal disc, so as to prevent the molten metal liquid from flowing into the centrifugal disc, or the walking driving element can drive the protection piece to move away from the centrifugal disc, so that the molten metal liquid can flow into the centrifugal disc.

9. A centrifugal atomization system characterized by, It comprises: The centrifugal atomizing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 8; A smelting tank is mounted on the atomizing tank and is in communication with the flow guide nozzle; An external gas source is mounted outside the centrifugal atomizing equipment, and the external gas source is in communication with the gas inlet through a pipeline; and A control terminal is in communication connection with the centrifugal atomizing equipment, the smelting tank and the external gas source respectively.

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