Real-time powder collecting device

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of metal powder preparation, and particularly relates to a real-time powder collecting device which comprises a flow guide tank and an atmosphere box, the flow guide tank is arranged at the top of the atmosphere box, an opening is formed in the position, corresponding to the flow guide tank, of the atmosphere box, and powder in the flow guide tank flows into the atmosphere box through the opening. A valve is arranged at the opening and used for controlling the amount and the flow speed of powder flowing into the atmosphere box. The flow guide tank comprises an outer wall, and a cooling mechanism is arranged in the outer wall; an air supply port is formed in the atmosphere box and connected with an external inert air source, a conveying rail and a powder collecting box are arranged in the atmosphere box, the powder collecting box is arranged on the side, away from the flow guide tank, of the conveying rail, and a linear vibrator is arranged at the bottom of the conveying rail and used for vibrating and driving metal powder on the conveying rail to be conveyed to the powder collecting box. And a cooling mechanism is arranged on the transmission track. According to the powder collecting device, cooling, conveying and collecting can be integrated, online powder collecting is achieved, and great convenience is brought to post-treatment of powder spheroidization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of metal powder preparation, and particularly relates to a real-time powder collection device, specifically a powder collection device for online cooling, transmission and collection. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasingly widespread application of 3D printing technology, the demand for consumables is rising. Metal 3D printing requires metal powder as a raw material. Besides good plasticity, 3D printing metal powders must also meet requirements such as fine particle size, narrow particle size distribution, high sphericity, good flowability, and high bulk density. However, most small-particle-size metal powders are highly reactive, especially at high temperatures when exposed to oxygen, making them highly flammable and potentially explosive, posing significant safety hazards.

[0003] Existing cooling, transfer, and collection equipment mainly falls into two categories: one involves high-temperature powder falling directly into a tank, which is then sealed once full and transferred to a vacuum glove box for further cooling and packaging. Because the powder temperature is very high, any decrease in the tank's seal can easily lead to powder combustion or explosion. The other method uses a water-fluid-through transition tank to cool the descending high-temperature powder before collection. Since the transition tank consists of two closed valves, the falling high-temperature powder can cause irreversible damage to the silicone seals of the valves, thus affecting the overall sealing performance of the equipment. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a real-time powder collection device that integrates cooling, transmission, and collection, enabling online powder collection and on-demand access, which will greatly facilitate the post-processing of powder spheroidization.

[0005] A real-time powder collection device includes a flow guide tank and an atmosphere chamber. The flow guide tank is disposed on top of the atmosphere chamber, and the atmosphere chamber has an opening corresponding to the flow guide tank. The opening is used for the powder in the flow guide tank to flow into the atmosphere chamber. A valve is provided at the opening, and the valve is used to control the amount of powder flowing into the atmosphere chamber and the powder flow rate.

[0006] The upper end of the flow guide tank is connected to the spheroidizing equipment, and the flow guide tank includes an outer wall, within which a cooling mechanism is provided;

[0007] The atmosphere chamber is equipped with an air inlet, which is connected to an external inert gas source. The air inlet is used to input inert gas into the atmosphere chamber to create an inert atmosphere. The atmosphere chamber is equipped with a conveying track and a powder collection box. The powder collection box is located on the side of the conveying track away from the guide tank. A linear vibrator is installed at the bottom of the conveying track to vibrate and drive the metal powder on the conveying track to the powder collection box. A cooling mechanism is installed on the conveying track.

[0008] According to the embodiment of this utility model, the longitudinal section of the outer wall has a structure that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, for example, a trumpet-shaped structure.

[0009] According to the embodiment of this utility model, the outer wall has a hollow structure, the cooling mechanism is a cooling pipe installed in the hollow structure, or the hollow structure is a cooling mechanism, and the lower part of the outer wall is provided with a condensate inlet and the upper part is provided with a condensate outlet.

[0010] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, when a cooling pipe is provided inside the hollow structure, the inlet of the cooling pipe is connected to an external condensate source through a condensate inlet. The water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the outlet of the cooling pipe and the condensate outlet. It is then cooled by the condenser in the water source and recycled.

[0011] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, when the hollow space is used as a cooling space, the condensate inlet is directly connected to an external condensate source to introduce condensate into the cooling space. The water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the condensate outlet, where it is cooled by the condenser in the water source before being reused.

[0012] According to the embodiment of this utility model, a first powder transfer channel is provided below the flow guide tank. The top of the first powder transfer channel is located at the bottom of the valve. The first powder transfer channel is inclined, and a second powder transfer channel is provided at the bottom. The second powder transfer channel is inclined, and the inclination direction is opposite to that of the first powder transfer channel. This is used to guide the metal powder onto the transfer track, avoiding the metal powder from directly hitting the transfer track under gravity and causing splashing of the metal powder. It also extends the cooling stroke.

[0013] According to the embodiment of this utility model, the included angle between the second powder transfer channel and the first powder transfer channel is set according to actual needs, for example, 60°.

[0014] According to the embodiment of this utility model, cooling structures are provided on the first powder transfer channel and the second powder transfer channel.

[0015] According to an embodiment of this utility model, the first and second powder transfer channels are hollow structures, and the cooling mechanism is a cooling pipe disposed inside the hollow structure, or the hollow structure itself is a cooling mechanism. The first and second powder transfer channels are provided with condensate inlets and condensate outlets.

[0016] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, when a cooling pipe is provided inside the hollow structure, the inlet of the cooling pipe is connected to an external condensate source through a condensate inlet. The water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the outlet of the cooling pipe and the condensate outlet, where it is cooled by a condenser in the water source and then reused.

[0017] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, when the hollow space is used as a cooling space, the condensate inlet is directly connected to an external condensate source to introduce condensate into the cooling space. The water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the condensate outlet, where it is cooled by the condenser in the water source before being reused.

[0018] According to the embodiment of this utility model, the transmission track includes a top plate and a bottom plate arranged opposite to each other, with a distance of 25mm between the top plate and the bottom plate. A side plate is provided between the top plate and the bottom plate, and the top plate, the bottom plate and the side plate form a closed space. A powder inlet is provided on the top plate at a position corresponding to the second powder transfer channel, and a powder outlet is provided on the side plate at one end near the powder collection box.

[0019] According to the embodiment of this utility model, a guide plate is provided at the bottom of the powder outlet, and the guide plate is inclined and extends into the powder collection box.

[0020] According to an embodiment of this utility model, the top plate, bottom plate, and / or side plate of the transmission track are hollow structures, and the cooling mechanism is a cooling pipe disposed inside the hollow structure, or the hollow structure is a cooling mechanism. The top plate, bottom plate, and / or side plate are provided with a condensate inlet and a condensate outlet.

[0021] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, when a cooling pipe is provided inside the hollow structure, the inlet of the cooling pipe is connected to an external condensate source through a condensate inlet. The water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the outlet of the cooling pipe and the condensate outlet, where it is cooled by a condenser in the water source and then reused.

[0022] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, when the hollow space is used as a cooling space, the condensate inlet is directly connected to an external condensate source to introduce condensate into the cooling space. The water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the condensate outlet, where it is cooled by the condenser in the water source before being reused.

[0023] Beneficial effects

[0024] 1) This utility model includes a guide tank and a powder collection box. The upper end of the guide tank is connected to the spheroidizing equipment, and a conveying track is installed inside the powder collection box. Cooling mechanisms are installed on both the guide tank and the conveying track. High-temperature powder falling from the spheroidizing equipment above is cooled by the guide tank and the conveying track before being collected into the powder collection box. To retrieve the powder, the spheroidizing equipment and valves are closed, the atmosphere chamber is filled to atmospheric pressure through the air inlet, and the atmosphere chamber is opened to remove the powder collection box. This utility model integrates cooling, conveying, and collection, achieving online powder collection and on-demand retrieval, which will greatly facilitate the post-processing of powder spheroidization.

[0025] 2) In this invention, a valve is provided between the guide tank and the powder collection box, which controls the amount and flow rate of powder entering the collection box. A first powder transfer channel is provided below the guide tank, with its top positioned at the bottom of the valve. The first powder transfer channel is inclined, and a second powder transfer channel is provided at its bottom, also inclined in the opposite direction to the first channel. Both the first and second powder transfer channels are equipped with cooling mechanisms to guide the metal powder onto the conveying track, preventing the metal powder from splashing directly onto the track under gravity and extending the cooling path. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the real-time powder collection device in this utility model.

[0027] Among them, 1-Guide tank, 2-Transfer track, 3-Powder outlet, 4-Linear vibrator, 5-Powder collection box, 6-Valve, 7-Atmosphere box, 8-Air inlet, 9-First powder transfer channel, 10-Second powder transfer channel, 11-Powder inlet, 12-Guide plate. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The structure of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following embodiments are merely illustrative and explanatory of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. All technologies implemented based on the above content of this utility model are covered within the scope of protection intended by this utility model.

[0029] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0030] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] This embodiment provides a real-time powder collection device, including a flow guide tank 1 and an atmosphere chamber 7. The flow guide tank 1 is disposed on top of the atmosphere chamber 7, and the atmosphere chamber 7 has an opening corresponding to the flow guide tank 1, allowing powder from the flow guide tank 1 to flow into the atmosphere chamber 7. A valve 6 is provided at the opening, used to control the amount and flow rate of powder flowing into the atmosphere chamber 7. The upper end of the flow guide tank 1 is connected to a spheroidizing device. The flow guide tank 1 includes an outer wall, within which a cooling mechanism is provided. The longitudinal section of the outer wall has a structure that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, for example, a trumpet-shaped structure.

[0033] The outer wall has a hollow structure containing cooling pipes. The hollow structure itself can also serve as a cooling space. The cooling mechanism is either the cooling pipes within the hollow structure, or the hollow structure itself is the cooling mechanism, with a condensate inlet at the bottom and a condensate outlet at the top of the outer wall. When cooling pipes are installed within the hollow structure, the inlet of the cooling pipes connects to an external condensate source via the condensate inlet. Water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the outlet of the cooling pipes and the condensate outlet, where it is cooled by a condenser and recycled. When the hollow structure serves as a cooling space, the condensate inlet connects directly to an external condensate source, guiding condensate into the cooling space. Water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the condensate outlet, where it is cooled by a condenser and recycled.

[0034] The atmosphere chamber 7 is equipped with an air inlet 8, which is connected to an external inert gas source. The air inlet 8 is used to input inert gas into the atmosphere chamber 7 so that the atmosphere chamber 7 is inert.

[0035] The atmosphere chamber 7 is equipped with a transfer track 2 and a powder collection box 5. The powder collection box 5 is located on the side of the transfer track 2 away from the guide tank 1. A linear vibrator 4 is installed at the bottom of the transfer track 2 to vibrate and drive the metal powder on the transfer track 2 to be transferred to the powder collection box 5.

[0036] A first powder transfer channel 9 is provided below the guide tank 1. The top of the first powder transfer channel 9 is located at the bottom of the valve 6. The first powder transfer channel 9 is inclined, and a second powder transfer channel 10 is provided at its bottom. The second powder transfer channel 10 is inclined in the opposite direction to the first powder transfer channel 9. It is used to guide the metal powder onto the conveying track 2, preventing the metal powder from directly hitting the conveying track 2 under gravity and causing splashing. It also extends the cooling stroke. The angle between the second powder transfer channel and the first powder transfer channel is set according to actual needs, for example, 60°. Cooling mechanisms are provided on the first powder transfer channel 9 and the second powder transfer channel 10.

[0037] The first powder transfer channel 9 and the second powder transfer channel 10 are hollow structures, each containing cooling pipes. The hollow structure itself can also serve as a cooling space, with the cooling mechanism being either the cooling pipes within the hollow structure or the hollow structure itself acting as the cooling mechanism. Both the first powder transfer channel 9 and the second powder transfer channel 10 have condensate inlets at the bottom and condensate outlets at the top. When cooling pipes are installed within the hollow structure, the inlet of the cooling pipes connects to an external condensate source via the condensate inlet. Water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the outlet of the cooling pipes and the condensate outlet, where it is cooled by a condenser and reused. When the hollow structure serves as a cooling space, the condensate inlet connects directly to an external condensate source, guiding condensate into the cooling space. Water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the condensate outlet, where it is cooled by a condenser and reused. The hollow structures of the first powder transfer channel 9 and the second powder transfer channel 10 can be interconnected or independent of each other.

[0038] The transmission track 2 includes a top plate and a bottom plate arranged opposite each other, with a distance of 25mm between the top plate and the bottom plate. A side plate is provided between the top plate and the bottom plate, and the top plate, the bottom plate and the side plate form a closed space. A powder inlet 11 is provided on the top plate corresponding to the second powder transfer channel 10. A powder outlet 3 is provided on the side plate near the powder collection box 5. A guide plate 12 is provided at the bottom of the powder outlet 3. The guide plate 12 is inclined and extends into the powder collection box 5.

[0039] The top, bottom, and / or side plates of the transmission track 2 are hollow structures. Cooling pipes are installed inside the hollow structures, or the hollow structures themselves serve as cooling spaces, with the cooling mechanism being either the cooling pipes located within the hollow structures or the hollow structures themselves acting as cooling mechanisms. The top, bottom, and / or side plates are equipped with condensate inlets and outlets. When cooling pipes are installed within the hollow structures, the inlet of the cooling pipes is connected to an external condensate source via the condensate inlet. Water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the outlet of the cooling pipes via the condensate outlet, where it is cooled by a condenser for reuse. When the hollow structures serve as cooling spaces, the condensate inlet is directly connected to an external condensate source, guiding condensate into the cooling space. Water that has absorbed heat returns to the condensate source through the condensate outlet, where it is cooled by a condenser for reuse.

[0040] The guide tank 1 is located above the atmosphere chamber 7 and connected via valve 6. During spheroidization, valve 6 is opened, and the entire equipment is under vacuum. Water flows through the outer wall of the guide tank 1, cooling the high-temperature powder as it falls from the guide tank 1. The first and second powder transfer channels are located below the guide tank 1 and are also water-filled. Below the second powder transfer channel is the transmission channel 2. The powder output can be controlled by adjusting the width of the powder outlet 3. Water flows through the top, bottom, and / or side plates of the transmission track 2, and a linear vibrator 4 is installed below it. The powder falls onto the transmission track 2 and gradually disperses under the action of the linear vibrator 4, spreading evenly on the transmission track 2. After sufficient cooling, it falls into the powder collection box 5. When powder needs to be collected, valve 6 is closed, and the atmosphere chamber 7 is filled to atmospheric pressure through the air inlet 8. Then, the atmosphere chamber 7 is opened, and the powder collection box 5 is removed.

[0041] The method of using this utility model is as follows:

[0042] 1. Open valve 6 and evacuate the air to bring the entire system into a vacuum state.

[0043] 2. Cool the flow tank 1, the transfer track 2, and the first and second powder transfer channels with water.

[0044] 3. Start the linear vibrator 4 so that the powder falling from the guide tank 1 is cooled while being transported on the conveyor track 2, and finally falls into the powder collection tank 5.

[0045] 4. Close valve 6, fill atmosphere chamber 7 to atmospheric pressure through air inlet 8, open atmosphere chamber 7 and take out powder collection box 5.

[0046] 5. Adjusting the size of the powder outlet 3 can control the amount of powder dispensed.

[0047] The specific embodiments of this utility model have been described above by way of example. However, the protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made by those skilled in the art within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A real-time powder collection device, characterized by, The device comprises a flow guide tank and an atmosphere box, the flow guide tank is arranged on the top of the atmosphere box, the atmosphere box is provided with an opening corresponding to the flow guide tank, the opening is used for guiding the powder in the flow guide tank to flow into the atmosphere box, and a valve is arranged at the opening and used for controlling the amount and flow rate of the powder flowing into the atmosphere box. The upper end of the flow guide tank is connected with a spheroidizing device, and the flow guide tank comprises an outer wall, and a cooling mechanism is arranged in the outer wall. An air inlet is arranged on the atmosphere box and connected with an external inert gas source, the air inlet is used for inputting inert gas into the atmosphere box, so that the atmosphere box is filled with inert atmosphere, a transmission track and a powder collecting box are arranged in the atmosphere box, the powder collecting box is arranged on the side of the transmission track away from the flow guide tank, a linear vibrator is arranged at the bottom of the transmission track and used for vibrating and driving the metal powder on the transmission track to be transmitted to the powder collecting box, and a cooling mechanism is arranged on the transmission track.

2. The real-time powder collection device of claim 1, wherein, The outer wall is a hollow structure, the cooling mechanism is a cooling pipeline arranged in the hollow structure, or the hollow structure is a cooling space, the lower part of the outer wall is provided with a condensate water inlet, and the upper part of the outer wall is provided with a condensate water outlet.

3. The real-time powder collection device of claim 2, wherein, When the cooling pipeline is arranged in the hollow structure, the water inlet of the cooling pipeline is connected with an external condensate water source through the condensate water inlet, the water absorbing heat is returned to the condensate water source through the condensate water outlet of the cooling pipeline, and the water is recycled after being cooled by a condenser in the water source.

4. The real-time powder collection device of claim 2, wherein, When the hollow structure is a cooling space, the condensate water inlet is directly connected with an external condensate water source, the condensate water is introduced into the cooling space, the water absorbing heat is returned to the condensate water source through the condensate water outlet, and the water is recycled after being cooled by a condenser in the water source.

5. A real-time powder collection device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, A first powder transmission channel is arranged below the flow guide tank, the top of the first powder transmission channel is arranged at the bottom of the valve, the first powder transmission channel is arranged in an inclined manner, the bottom of the first powder transmission channel is provided with a second powder transmission channel, the second powder transmission channel is arranged in an inclined manner, the inclined direction of the second powder transmission channel is opposite to that of the first powder transmission channel, and the second powder transmission channel is used for guiding the metal powder to the transmission track. Cooling mechanisms are arranged on the first powder transmission channel and the second powder transmission channel.

6. A real-time powder collection device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The transmission track comprises oppositely arranged top and bottom plates, and a side plate is arranged between the top and bottom plates, the top and bottom plates and the side plate form a closed space, an inlet is arranged on the top plate and corresponding to the second powder transmission channel, an outlet is arranged on the side plate and close to one end of the powder collecting box, and cooling mechanisms are arranged on the transmission track.

7. A real-time powder collection device according to claim 6, wherein, A guide plate is arranged at the bottom of the outlet and extends into the powder collecting box.

8. The real-time powder collection device of claim 6, wherein, The top and bottom plates and / or the side plate of the transmission track are hollow structures, the cooling mechanisms are cooling pipelines arranged in the hollow structures, or the hollow structures are the cooling mechanisms, and condensate water inlets and condensate water outlets are arranged on the top and bottom plates and / or the side plate.

9. The real-time powder collection device of claim 8, wherein, When the cooling pipelines are arranged in the hollow structures, the water inlets of the cooling pipelines are connected with an external condensate water source through the condensate water inlets, the water absorbing heat is returned to the condensate water source through the condensate water outlets of the cooling pipelines, and the water is recycled after being cooled by a condenser in the water source.

10. The real-time powder collection device of claim 8, wherein, When the hollow is used as a cooling space, the condensate water inlet is directly connected with an external condensate water source to introduce condensate water into the cooling space, and the water absorbing heat is returned to the condensate water source from the condensate water outlet and reused after being cooled by a condenser in the water source.

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