Preparation device for spherical metal powder

Abstract

A preparation device for spherical metal powder, comprising: a melting zone (5) which is used for melting a metal feedstock to obtain a melt and comprises a melting-zone housing and a melting mechanism (2) and a guide mechanism which are provided in the melting-zone housing, wherein the melting mechanism (2) can tilt to pour the melt into one end of the guide mechanism, and the other end of the guide mechanism is arranged in a settling tower (14); a settling zone which is used for settling the melt to obtain the spherical metal powder and comprises the settling tower (14) and a rotating roller (12) provided in the settling tower (14) and capable of rotating, wherein the rotating roller (12) is arranged directly below the other end of the guide mechanism and is spaced apart from the guide mechanism by a preset distance, the rotating roller (12) comprises a cylindrical base body (17) and a plurality of crushing meshes (18) circumferentially arranged around the outer periphery of the cylindrical base body (17) at equal intervals, and a plurality of circular through holes are distributed in an array on the surface of each crushing mesh (18); and a collection zone which is used for collecting the spherical metal powder. The device can be used for preparing spherical metal powder having different particle sizes, achieves high powder density, a uniform particle size distribution, and a reduced amount of hollow powder, reduces device costs and maintenance difficulty, and improves production efficiency.

Description

An apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of spherical metal powder technology, and particularly relates to an apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder. Background Technology

[0002] In modern industry, spherical metal powders are widely used in many key sectors such as aerospace, automotive manufacturing, electronics, and biomedicine. For example, in the aerospace field, spherical metal powders are used to manufacture key components for aircraft engines. Due to their excellent flowability and filling properties, they can be used to manufacture complex structures and high-performance parts through additive manufacturing technology.

[0003] Currently, common methods for preparing spherical metal powders include gas atomization and plasma rotating electrode methods. Gas atomization equipment typically consists of a melting device, an atomizing device, and a collecting device. In the melting device, the metal raw material is heated to a molten state and then atomized into tiny droplets by high-pressure gas. These droplets cool and solidify during flight, forming spherical metal powder. Plasma rotating electrode equipment utilizes plasma to melt a high-speed rotating metal electrode; centrifugal force causes the molten metal to detach from the electrode and form spherical powder. However, these methods are limited by equipment structure and have some drawbacks. For example, gas atomization equipment: firstly, controlling the flow rate and pressure of the high-pressure gas is difficult; even small fluctuations can lead to uneven powder particle size distribution. Secondly, hollow powder is easily formed during gas atomization, affecting the purity and performance of the powder. Plasma rotating electrode equipment: the equipment structure is complex, manufacturing costs are high, and maintenance is difficult. The rotational speed control of the rotating electrode requires extremely high precision; unstable speed will result in large differences in powder particle size. Furthermore, this method causes significant wear and tear on the electrode material, increasing production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention proposes a device for preparing spherical metal powder. By using a rotating roller to crush and sphericalize the powder, spherical metal powder of different particle sizes can be prepared. The spherical powder has high density, uniform particle size distribution, and few hollow particles. At the same time, it reduces equipment costs and maintenance difficulty, improves production efficiency, and meets the growing demand of various industries for high-quality spherical metal powder.

[0005] This invention proposes a device for preparing spherical metal powder, which comprises, from top to bottom, a smelting zone, a settling zone, and a collection zone;

[0006] The smelting zone, used for smelting metal raw materials to obtain a melt, includes: a smelting zone shell and a smelting mechanism and a flow guiding mechanism disposed within the smelting zone shell; the smelting mechanism is capable of being flipped to pour the melt into one end of the flow guiding mechanism, and the other end of the flow guiding mechanism is arranged inside a settling tower.

[0007] The settling zone, used to settle the melt to obtain spherical metal powder, includes: a settling tower and a rotatable roller disposed in the settling tower; the roller is arranged directly below the other end of the diversion mechanism and at a predetermined distance from the diversion mechanism; wherein, the roller includes a cylindrical base and a plurality of equally spaced crushing meshes surrounding the outer periphery of the cylindrical base, and the surface of the crushing meshes is arrayed with a plurality of circular through holes;

[0008] The collection area, used to collect the spherical metal powder, includes a material tank, which is arranged directly below and in communication with the settling tower.

[0009] The metal raw material is melted into a melt in the smelting mechanism, and the melt is poured into the diversion mechanism. The melt enters the settling tower through the diversion mechanism and is crushed into spherical droplets under the action of the rotating roller. The spherical droplets settle and solidify into spherical metal powder under gravity and then fall into the material tank.

[0010] In the apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder according to the present invention, the central axis of the guiding mechanism is perpendicular to the central axis of the rotating roller.

[0011] According to the apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder of the present invention, the rotating roller is connected to a motor located outside the settling tower via a rotating shaft.

[0012] According to the apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder of the present invention, the center point of the end face of the guide mechanism located inside the settling tower is on the same vertical line as the center point of the side face of the rotating roller.

[0013] According to the apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder of the present invention, a heating mechanism is provided on the outer layer of the flow guiding mechanism.

[0014] According to the apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder of the present invention, the flow guiding mechanism includes: an intermediate liner and a flow guiding tube;

[0015] The tundish is arranged inside the shell of the smelting zone, one end of the drain pipe is connected to the tundish, and the other end of the drain pipe is arranged inside the settling tower.

[0016] In the apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder according to the present invention, the guide tube is a vertical through tube.

[0017] According to the apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder of the present invention, the smelting zone further includes a feeding bin arranged on the shell of the smelting zone, and the feeding bin is connected to the smelting mechanism.

[0018] According to the apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder of the present invention, the smelting zone further includes: a first vacuum interface and a first protective gas inlet, both arranged on the shell of the smelting zone.

[0019] According to the apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder of the present invention, the settling zone further includes: a second vacuum interface and a second protective gas inlet, both arranged on the shell of the settling tower.

[0020] The solution proposed in this invention has the following technical effects:

[0021] The device of the present invention utilizes a rotating roller to crush spherical powder, which can prepare spherical metal powders of different particle sizes. The spherical powders have high density, uniform particle size distribution, and few hollow powders. At the same time, it reduces equipment costs and maintenance difficulty, improves production efficiency, and meets the growing demand of various industries for high-quality spherical metal powders.

[0022] Furthermore, the device of the present invention can adjust the size, distribution, and sphericity of metal powder by adjusting the rotation speed of the rotating roller and the distance between the guiding mechanism and the rotating roller.

[0023] Furthermore, the device of the present invention is simple to operate, has a short process flow, and is highly operable. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a device for preparing spherical metal powder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rotating roller in Figure 1.

[0027] In the figure, 1-first vacuum interface, 2-melting mechanism, 3-first protective gas inlet, 4-feeding bin, 5-melting zone, 6-intermediate ladle heating mechanism, 7-intermediate ladle, 8-drain pipe, 9-drain pipe heating mechanism, 10-motor, 11-shaft, 12-roller, 13-second protective gas inlet, 14-settling tower, 15-tank, 16-second vacuum interface, 17-cylindrical base, 18-crushing mesh. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] This embodiment proposes a device for preparing spherical metal powder, as shown in Figure 1. The device includes, from top to bottom, a smelting zone 5, a settling zone, and a collection zone.

[0030] The smelting zone 5 is used to smelt metal raw materials to obtain a melt, and includes: a smelting zone shell and a smelting mechanism 2 and a flow guiding mechanism disposed in the smelting zone shell; the smelting mechanism 2 can be flipped to pour the melt into one end of the flow guiding mechanism, and the other end of the flow guiding mechanism is arranged in the settling tower 14.

[0031] Specifically, the melting mechanism 2 is a medium-frequency induction melting mechanism.

[0032] The settling zone, used to settle the melt to obtain spherical metal powder, includes: a settling tower 14 and a rotatable roller 12 disposed in the settling tower 14; the roller 12 is arranged directly below the other end of the diversion mechanism and at a predetermined distance from the diversion mechanism; wherein, as shown in FIG2, the roller 12 includes a cylindrical base 17 and a plurality of equally spaced crushing meshes 18 surrounding the outer periphery of the cylindrical base 17, and the surface of the crushing meshes is arrayed with a plurality of circular through holes.

[0033] Preferably, the number of the crushing nets 18 is 6-8.

[0034] Specifically, the crushing mesh 18 and the cylindrical base 17 are detachably connected, and the particle size of the spherical metal powder can be adjusted by adjusting the size of the circular through holes of the crushing mesh.

[0035] The collection area, used to collect the spherical metal powder, includes a material tank 15, which is arranged directly below and in communication with the settling tower 14.

[0036] The metal raw material is melted into a melt in the smelting mechanism 2. The melt is poured into the guiding mechanism and enters the settling tower 14 through the guiding mechanism. Under the action of the rotating roller, it is crushed into spherical droplets. The spherical droplets settle and solidify into spherical metal powder under gravity and then fall into the material tank 15.

[0037] In some embodiments, the central axis of the drainage mechanism is perpendicular to the central axis of the rotating roller 12.

[0038] In some embodiments, the roller 12 is connected to a motor 10 located outside the settling tower via a rotating shaft 11.

[0039] Specifically, the contact position between the rotating shaft 11 and the shell of the settling tower 14 is dynamically sealed to enable the rotating shaft 11 to move up and down, thereby driving the rotating roller 12 to move closer to or away from the diversion mechanism.

[0040] Specifically, the vertical adjustable distance of the rotating roller 12 is 50cm, and the particle size of the spherical metal powder can be adjusted by adjusting the connection between the rotating roller 12 and the guiding mechanism.

[0041] Specifically, the rotational speed of the rotating roller 12 is controlled by the motor 10, and the size, distribution and sphericity of the metal powder are adjusted by adjusting the rotational speed of the roller.

[0042] In some embodiments, the center point of the end face of the diversion mechanism located inside the settling tower 14 is on the same vertical line as the center point of the side of the rotating roller 12.

[0043] In some embodiments, the outer layer of the flow guiding mechanism is fitted with heating mechanisms 6 and 9 to ensure that the melt does not solidify.

[0044] In some embodiments, the drainage mechanism includes: an intermediate package 7 and a drainage tube 8;

[0045] The intermediate ladle 7 is arranged inside the shell of the smelting zone, one end of the drain pipe 8 is connected to the intermediate ladle 7, and the other end of the drain pipe 8 is arranged inside the settling tower 14.

[0046] Specifically, the intermediate ladle 7 is used to store the melt (i.e., the molten metal).

[0047] In some embodiments, the drainage tube 8 is a vertical tube.

[0048] In some embodiments, heating mechanisms 6 and 9 are fitted on the outer layers of both the intermediate ladle 7 and the drain tube 8 to ensure that the melt does not solidify.

[0049] Specifically, the outer layer of the intermediate cask 7 is equipped with an intermediate cask heating mechanism 6, and the outer layer of the drain pipe 8 is equipped with a drain pipe heating mechanism 9.

[0050] In some embodiments, the smelting zone 5 further includes a feeding bin 4 disposed on the shell of the smelting zone, the feeding bin 4 being connected to the smelting mechanism 2.

[0051] Specifically, raw materials can be continuously fed through the feeding hopper 4.

[0052] In some embodiments, the smelting zone 5 further includes a first vacuum interface 1 and a first protective gas inlet 3, both arranged on the shell of the smelting zone.

[0053] Specifically, the first vacuum interface 1 is used to connect an external vacuum system to perform vacuuming on the melting zone; the first protective gas inlet 3 is used to connect an external protective gas to fill the melting zone with protective gas.

[0054] In some embodiments, the settling zone further includes a second vacuum interface 16 and a second protective gas inlet 13, both arranged on the settling tower shell.

[0055] Specifically, the second vacuum interface 16 is used to connect an external vacuum system to perform vacuuming on the settling area; the second protective gas inlet 13 is used to connect an external protective gas to fill the settling area with protective gas.

[0056] This embodiment provides vacuum interfaces and protective gas inlets in both the smelting and settling zones to ensure that easily oxidized metals can be smelted and settling under vacuum or protective gas conditions. In addition, vacuuming the settling zone can accelerate the solidification of the melt into metal powder.

[0057] In summary, the solution proposed in this invention has the following technical effects:

[0058] The device of the present invention utilizes a rotating roller to crush spherical powder, which can prepare spherical metal powders of different particle sizes. The spherical powders have high density, uniform particle size distribution, and few hollow powders. At the same time, it reduces equipment costs and maintenance difficulty, improves production efficiency, and meets the growing demand of various industries for high-quality spherical metal powders.

[0059] Furthermore, the device of the present invention can adjust the size, distribution, and sphericity of metal powder by adjusting the rotation speed of the rotating roller and the distance between the guiding mechanism and the rotating roller.

[0060] Furthermore, the device of the present invention is simple to operate, has a short process flow, and is highly operable.

[0061] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder, characterized in that, The device comprises, from top to bottom, a smelting zone, a settling zone, and a collection zone; The smelting zone, used for smelting metal raw materials to obtain a melt, includes: a smelting zone shell and a smelting mechanism and a flow guiding mechanism disposed within the smelting zone shell; the smelting mechanism is capable of being flipped to pour the melt into one end of the flow guiding mechanism, and the other end of the flow guiding mechanism is arranged inside a settling tower. The settling zone, used to settle the melt to obtain spherical metal powder, includes: a settling tower and a rotatable roller disposed in the settling tower; the roller is arranged directly below the other end of the diversion mechanism and at a predetermined distance from the diversion mechanism; wherein, the roller includes a cylindrical base and a plurality of equally spaced crushing meshes surrounding the outer periphery of the cylindrical base, and the surface of the crushing meshes is arrayed with a plurality of circular through holes; The collection area, used to collect the spherical metal powder, includes a material tank, which is arranged directly below and in communication with the settling tower. The metal raw material is melted into a melt in the smelting mechanism, and the melt is poured into the diversion mechanism. The melt enters the settling tower through the diversion mechanism and is crushed into spherical droplets under the action of the rotating roller. The spherical droplets settle and solidify into spherical metal powder under gravity and then fall into the material tank.

2. The apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central axis of the diversion mechanism is perpendicular to the central axis of the rotating roller.

3. The apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating roller is connected to a motor located outside the settling tower via a rotating shaft.

4. The apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The center point of the end face of the diversion mechanism located inside the settling tower is on the same vertical line as the center point of the side of the rotating roller.

5. The apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drainage mechanism is covered by a heating mechanism.

6. The apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drainage mechanism includes: an intermediate package and a drainage tube; The tundish is arranged inside the shell of the smelting zone, one end of the drain pipe is connected to the tundish, and the other end of the drain pipe is arranged inside the settling tower.

7. The apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder according to claim 6, characterized in that, The drainage tube is a vertical tube.

8. The apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The smelting zone also includes a feeding bin arranged on the shell of the smelting zone, and the feeding bin is connected to the smelting mechanism.

9. The apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The smelting zone also includes a first vacuum interface and a first protective gas inlet, both arranged on the shell of the smelting zone.

10. The apparatus for preparing spherical metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The settling zone also includes a second vacuum interface and a second protective gas inlet, both of which are arranged on the shell of the settling tower.

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