Anti-clogging cladding powder feeder

Abstract

This invention discloses an anti-clogging cladding powder feeder, comprising a powder storage box and a conveying pipe. The powder storage box includes an upper box and a lower box connecting the upper box and the conveying pipe, with the upper end of the lower box being larger than the lower end. A first spiral groove is provided on the inner wall of the conveying pipe, and a ridge is formed between adjacent first spiral grooves, with periodically arranged micro-protrusions on the ridge. A stirring rod driven by a power source is installed inside the powder storage box. This invention induces a circumferential swirling flow field through the first spiral groove, causing the powder to migrate towards the center of the pipe under centrifugal force, reducing the wall concentration. The micro-protrusion array disturbs the boundary layer, generating a stable Karman vortex street, enhancing wall shear disturbance, and preventing powder from adhering to the wall surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of laser cladding powder feeding equipment technology, and in particular to a cladding powder feeder that prevents clogging. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of laser cladding technology, the powder feeder, as a key component, plays a crucial role in the powder conveying process. However, existing powder feeders still have many problems in practical applications, especially in terms of powder anti-clogging, which affects the stability and efficiency of equipment operation.

[0003] Inside the conveying straight pipe, powder deposits and forms a continuous accumulation layer due to gravity or static electricity. Existing powder feeders often use mechanical vibration to prevent powder blockage. On the one hand, adding an external mechanical vibration device can easily increase the overall energy consumption of the equipment. On the other hand, mechanical vibration introduces uncertainties, which can easily affect the stability of powder delivery. Furthermore, the conveying straight pipe is constantly in a vibrating environment, which can easily affect its service life. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design an anti-blocking cladding powder feeder. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an anti-clogging cladding powder feeder, which solves the problem that powder in existing powder feeders is prone to clogging due to gravity or static electricity.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A clog-resistant cladding powder feeder includes a powder storage box and a conveying pipe. The powder storage box includes an upper box and a lower box that connects the upper box and the conveying pipe. The upper part of the lower box is larger than the lower part.

[0007] The inner wall of the conveying pipeline is provided with a first spiral groove, and a ridge is formed between adjacent first spiral grooves. Micro protrusions are periodically arranged on the ridge.

[0008] The powder storage tank is equipped with a stirring rod that is driven to rotate by a power source.

[0009] Furthermore, the ridge section is also provided with eddy current induction grooves. The number of eddy current induction grooves and micro protrusions are the same and they are arranged accordingly. The upstream and downstream directions are defined by the axial conveying direction of the powder in the conveying pipe. The eddy current induction grooves are located downstream of the micro protrusions and are close to the micro protrusions. The eddy current induction grooves extend in the downstream direction and are connected to the first spiral groove.

[0010] Furthermore, the bottom of the eddy current induction groove is a concave arc;

[0011] The bottom of the eddy current induction groove is tangent to the bottom of the first spiral groove;

[0012] The micro-protrusion is hemispherical in shape, and the width of the vortex-induced groove is smaller than the diameter of the micro-protrusion.

[0013] Furthermore, the curvature of the bottom arc of the eddy current induction groove gradually decreases along the powder conveying direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the depth h1 on the upstream side of the first spiral groove is greater than the depth h2 on the downstream side.

[0015] Furthermore, the lower housing includes an inlet area, a transition area, and an outlet area that are fixedly connected in sequence along the powder conveying direction. The inner wall of the inlet area has a concave arc cross-section and is tangent to the inner wall of the upper housing. The inner wall of the outlet area has a convex arc cross-section and is tangent to the inner wall of the conveying pipe. The inner wall of the transition area is tangent to the inner walls of both the inlet and outlet areas.

[0016] The curvature of the inner wall of the entrance area is greater than that of the inner wall of the exit area.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes an air pump, the output end of which is connected to an air supply pipe, and the air supply pipe extends into the upper housing.

[0018] Furthermore, the direction of rotation of the stirring rod is the same as the direction of downward extension of the first spiral groove;

[0019] The stirring section at the lower end of the stirring rod is shaped like a "п".

[0020] Furthermore, the inner wall of the powder storage box is provided with a second spiral groove that rotates in the same direction as the first spiral groove;

[0021] The starting position of the upper end of the second spiral groove is set to correspond to the position of the stirring part at the lower end of the stirring rod.

[0022] Furthermore, the power source is a stirring motor;

[0023] The lower housing and the conveying pipeline are connected by threaded connectors.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0025] This invention induces a circumferential swirling flow field through a first spiral groove, causing the powder to migrate towards the core of the tube under centrifugal force, thus reducing the wall concentration. A micro-protrusion array disturbs the boundary layer, generating a stable Karman vortex street, enhancing wall shear disturbance and preventing powder from adhering to the wall surface. This invention also uses a stirring rod to agitate the powder, preventing powder accumulation and blockage in the powder storage box, while simultaneously improving the airflow within the powder storage box.

[0026] In this invention, the vortex-induced groove quasi-captures the vortex generated by the micro-protrusion, and converts the rotational kinetic energy into an axial high-speed jet through the inclined channel, which enhances the disturbance and reduces powder deposition on the wall. At the same time, the jet impacts the wall of the first spiral groove and is orthogonally coupled with the spiral swirling flow field, thus avoiding powder deposition in the first spiral groove. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model 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 this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc., shown in the accompanying drawings of this specification are only for the purpose of assisting those skilled in the art in understanding and reading the content disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to limit the implementation conditions of this utility model. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in the proportions, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effects and purposes that this utility model can produce, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this utility model.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the anti-clogging cladding powder feeder in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the anti-clogging cladding powder feeder after part of the powder storage box has been removed in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the anti-clogging cladding powder feeder in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0032] Figure 4 This utility model Figure 3 Enlarged diagram of point A in the middle.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the first spiral groove, ridge, micro-protrusion, and eddy current induction groove in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the dimensions of the first spiral groove in Embodiment 1 of this utility model. In order to avoid obscuring the dimensions, the cross-sectional lines of the conveying pipe wall are not marked.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the anti-clogging cladding powder feeder in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0036] Illustration: 1. Powder storage box; 11. Upper box; 111. Second spiral groove; 12. Lower box; 121. Inlet area; 122. Transition area; 123. Outlet area;

[0037] 2. Conveying pipe; 21. First spiral groove; 22. Ridge section; 23. Micro-protrusion; 24. Vortex induction groove;

[0038] 3. Stirring motor; 4. Stirring rod; 5. Air pump; 51. Air supply pipe; 6. Threaded connector. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To make the utility model's objectives, features, and advantages more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0040] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. It should be noted that when a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be a component centrally located at the same time.

[0041] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0042] Example 1:

[0043] The anti-clogging cladding powder feeder described in this embodiment is used to transport powder during laser cladding, combined with... Figures 1-3As shown, the anti-clogging cladding powder feeder includes a powder storage box 1, a conveying pipe 2, a stirring motor 3, a stirring rod 4, an air pump 5, and a threaded connector 6. The powder storage box 1 is used to store the powder required for laser cladding. The powder storage box 1 includes an upper box 11 and a lower box 12 connecting the upper box 11 and the conveying pipe 2. The upper dimension of the lower box 12 is larger than the lower dimension. In this embodiment, the upper box 11 is cylindrical, and the lower box 12 is a hollow rotating body with the axis of the conveying pipe 2 as the center of rotation. The lower housing 12 includes an inlet area 121, a transition area 122, and an outlet area 123, which are sequentially and fixedly connected along the powder conveying direction. The inner wall of the inlet area 121 has a concave arc cross-section and is tangent to the inner wall of the upper housing 11. The inner wall of the outlet area 123 has a convex arc cross-section and is tangent to the inner wall of the conveying pipe 2. The inner wall of the transition area 122 is tangent to both the inner walls of the inlet area 121 and the outlet area 123. The concave curvature of the inlet area 121 generates a centripetal acceleration field, which counteracts the radial inertial force when the powder leaves the upper housing 11 and eliminates the annular accumulation at the junction of the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12. The convex curvature of the outlet area 123 is controlled by the direction of the normal force, so that the main component of the impact force works in conjunction with gravity to efficiently convert the collision energy into axial kinetic energy. The continuous tangential transition of the transition area 122 maintains a smooth evolution of the flow field and avoids energy step loss. The lower housing 12 is a three-section combination that achieves a closed loop: the inlet zone 121 suppresses initial buildup, transitions without loss, and the outlet zone 123 prevents adhesion.

[0044] The curvature of the inner wall of the inlet zone 121 is greater than that of the inner wall of the outlet zone 123. The large radius of curvature of the inlet zone 121 forms a low-gradient transition surface, increases the effective tangential angle, significantly reduces Coulomb friction resistance, and ensures smooth initiation of low-kinetic-energy powder. The small radius of curvature of the outlet zone 123 enhances the synergy between the wall normal and the direction of gravity, shortens the powder's thermal exposure time to below the critical value for liquid bridge formation, and forms an anti-adhesion connection with the inlet structure of the conveying pipeline.

[0045] In this invention, the conveying pipe 2 is used to convey powder, and it is installed below the lower housing 12. Specifically, in this embodiment, the powder storage box 1 and the conveying pipe 2 are connected by a threaded connector 6 to achieve the connection between the powder storage box 1 and the conveying pipe 2. Figure 4-6As shown, a first spiral groove 21 is provided on the inner wall of the conveying pipe 2, and a ridge portion 22 is formed between adjacent first spiral grooves 21. Micro-protrusions 23 are periodically arranged on the ridge portion 22. The first spiral groove 21 induces a circumferential swirling flow field, causing the powder to migrate towards the pipe center under centrifugal force, reducing the wall concentration. The array of micro-protrusions 23 disturbs the boundary layer, generating a stable Karman vortex street, enhancing wall shear disturbance, and preventing powder from adhering to the wall surface. The two structures of the first spiral groove 21 work together to form a two-stage anti-clogging system of swirling pre-separation → vortex fine removal. The depth h1 on the upstream side of the first spiral groove 21 is greater than the depth h2 on the downstream side, wherein the upstream side of the first spiral groove 21 is located downstream of the powder axial conveying direction in the conveying pipe 2 relative to the downstream side. The asymmetric depth of the first spiral groove 21 forms a low-pressure adsorption zone on the upstream side to accelerate the airflow, and maintains a pressure recovery gradient on the downstream side, synergistically enhancing the swirling intensity and stability. At the same time, the secondary flow generated by the depth difference interacts with the vortex street of the micro-protrusions 23, improving energy transfer efficiency and achieving low flow resistance and high-efficiency anti-clogging. The micro-protrusion 23 is hemispherical in shape. The hemispherical geometry optimizes the position of the airflow separation point, generates periodic and stable vortices, and ensures continuous unblocking capability; moreover, the hemispherical feature forms a geometric match with the concave arc surface inside the vortex induction groove, enhancing the vortex capture efficiency.

[0046] The ridge section 22 is also provided with vortex induction grooves 24. The number of vortex induction grooves 24 and the micro-protrusions 23 are the same and correspondingly arranged. The upstream and downstream directions are defined by the axial conveying direction of the powder in the conveying pipe 2. The vortex induction grooves 24 are located downstream of and adjacent to the micro-protrusions 23. The vortex induction grooves 24 extend along the powder conveying direction and are connected to the first spiral groove 21. The vortex induction grooves 24 capture the vortices generated by the micro-protrusions 23 and convert the rotational kinetic energy into an axial high-speed jet through the inclined channel, enhancing the disturbance and reducing powder deposition on the wall. At the same time, the jet impacts the wall of the first spiral groove 21 and is orthogonally coupled with the spiral swirling flow field, avoiding powder deposition in the first spiral groove 21. The width of the vortex induction grooves 24 is smaller than the diameter of the micro-protrusions 23. The narrow groove width forms a geometric sealing boundary, forcibly capturing all the vortex core energy generated by the micro-protrusions and preventing the vortex from laterally escaping. The channel compression effect increases the vortex core rotational angular velocity, efficiently converting the turbulent pulsating energy into axial jet kinetic energy. The bottom of the vortex induction channel 24 is a concave arc; the bottom of the vortex induction channel 24 is tangent to the bottom of the first spiral groove 21. The concave arc surface of the vortex induction channel 24 constrains the rotational motion of the vortex core, increasing energy density; the tangential connection ensures a smooth flow field transition, avoids vortex energy dissipation, and seamlessly connects with the swirling flow field of the first spiral groove 21, forming a composite flow field enhancement effect. The curvature of the arc at the bottom of the vortex induction channel 24 gradually decreases along the powder conveying direction. The high curvature of the inlet section of the vortex induction channel 24 enhances the vortex capture capability, while the low curvature of the outlet section expands the flow cross-section and maintains unblocking stability.

[0047] The powder storage box 1 of this invention is equipped with a stirring rod 4 driven by a power source to rotate. The stirring rod 4 is used to stir the powder in the powder storage box 1, preventing the powder from accumulating and clogging, and improving the airflow inside the powder storage box 1. In this embodiment, the power source is a stirring motor 3. The mechanical shearing force generated by the stirring rod 4 breaks the powder agglomeration structure and disrupts the mechanical balance of the arched bridge; at the same time, it disturbs the airflow to eliminate the conditions for the formation of mouse holes. The stirring part at the lower end of the stirring rod 4 is shaped like a "п". The "п" shape generates a centripetal suction flow field, guiding the powder on the wall to the central flow channel and eliminating dead corner deposition. The rotation direction of the stirring rod 4 is the same as the downward spiral direction of the first spiral groove 21. The two spiral directions work together to maintain the conservation of powder angular momentum and reduce the loss of abrupt changes in flow direction when moving from the powder storage box to the conveying pipe 2; the stirring pre-swirl flow is seamlessly connected with the spiral flow field of the first spiral groove 21, improving energy transfer efficiency.

[0048] The output end of the air pump 5 is connected to the air supply pipe 51, and the air supply pipe 51 extends into the interior of the upper housing 11. The air pump 5 provides airflow to disrupt the electrostatic balance between powders and suppress powder bridging; at the same time, it compensates for insufficient gravitational flow.

[0049] Example 2:

[0050] The anti-clogging cladding powder feeder described in this embodiment is used to transport powder during laser cladding, combined with... Figure 7 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that: in this embodiment, the inner wall of the powder storage box 1 is provided with a second spiral groove 111 with the same spiral direction as the first spiral groove 21. The second spiral groove 111 generates a spiral pre-swirl flow field and works in tandem with the spiral flow field of the first spiral groove 21, enabling the powder to obtain continuous angular momentum. The starting position of the upper end of the second spiral groove 111 corresponds to the position of the stirring part at the lower end of the stirring rod 4. If the second spiral groove 111 is set at a position higher than the stirring part of the stirring rod 4 on the inner wall of the powder storage box 1, the powder is prone to accumulate in the second spiral groove 111 at a position higher than the stirring part of the stirring rod 4 due to less mechanical stirring energy and less gas flow, resulting in unnecessary powder accumulation; in addition, the stirring disturbance is precisely coupled with the inlet of the second spiral groove 111, reducing energy transfer loss.

[0051] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A clog-resistant cladding powder feeder, characterized in that: It includes a powder storage box (1) and a conveying pipe (2). The powder storage box (1) includes an upper box body (11) and a lower box body (12) that connects the upper box body (11) and the conveying pipe (2). The upper part of the lower box body (12) is larger than the lower part. The inner wall of the conveying pipe (2) is provided with a first spiral groove (21), and a ridge (22) is formed between adjacent first spiral grooves (21). Micro protrusions (23) are periodically arranged on the ridge (22). A stirring rod (4) driven by a power source is installed inside the powder storage box (1).

2. The anti-clogging cladding powder feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ridge section (22) is also provided with a vortex induction groove (24). The number of vortex induction grooves (24) and micro protrusions (23) are the same and they are arranged accordingly. The upstream and downstream directions are defined by the axial conveying direction of powder in the conveying pipe (2). The vortex induction groove (24) is located downstream of the micro protrusion (23) and close to the micro protrusion (23). The vortex induction groove (24) extends along the downstream direction and communicates with the first spiral groove (21).

3. The anti-clogging cladding powder feeder according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the eddy current induction groove (24) is a concave arc; The bottom of the eddy current induction groove (24) is tangent to the bottom of the first spiral groove (21); The micro-protrusion (23) is hemispherical in shape, and the width of the vortex induction groove (24) is smaller than the diameter of the micro-protrusion (23).

4. The anti-clogging cladding powder feeder according to claim 3, characterized in that: The curvature of the bottom arc of the eddy current induction groove (24) gradually decreases along the powder conveying direction.

5. The anti-clogging cladding powder feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The depth h1 on the front side of the first spiral groove (21) is greater than the depth h2 on the back side.

6. The anti-clogging cladding powder feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower housing (12) includes an inlet area (121), a transition area (122), and an outlet area (123) that are fixedly connected in sequence along the powder conveying direction. The inner wall of the inlet area (121) has a concave arc cross-section and is tangent to the inner wall of the upper housing (11). The inner wall of the outlet area (123) has a convex arc cross-section and is tangent to the inner wall of the conveying pipe (2). The inner wall of the transition area (122) is tangent to the inner walls of both the inlet area (121) and the outlet area (123). The curvature of the inner wall of the entrance area (121) is greater than that of the inner wall of the exit area (123).

7. The anti-clogging cladding powder feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an air pump (5), the output end of which is connected to an air supply pipe (51), and the air supply pipe (51) extends into the upper housing (11).

8. The anti-clogging cladding powder feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The direction of rotation of the stirring rod (4) is the same as the direction of downward extension of the first spiral groove (21); The stirring part at the lower end of the stirring rod (4) is shaped like a "п".

9. The anti-clogging cladding powder feeder according to claim 8, characterized in that: The inner wall of the powder storage box (1) is provided with a second spiral groove (111) with the same spiral direction as the first spiral groove (21). The starting position of the upper end of the second spiral groove (111) is set to correspond to the position of the stirring part at the lower end of the stirring rod (4).

10. The anti-clogging cladding powder feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power source is a stirring motor (3); The lower housing (12) and the conveying pipe (2) are connected by a threaded connector (6).

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