Inertable Container for Additive Manufacturing Powder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting and storing additive manufacturing powders are inadequate, leading to quality degradation due to exposure to air and humidity, and pose health and safety risks, as they require multiple sealed containers and do not allow for efficient handling or reuse.
Innovation Solution
A hermetically sealed, inertable container with a passive half-valve and inerting taps that maintains a protected atmosphere, allowing for the transportation and storage of large quantities of powder while enabling refilling with inert gas, thus preserving powder quality and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sealed pots are used to supply additive manufacturing powder, then the powder can be protected from air exposure, but the handling efficiency and storage capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple small sealed pots into a single large container with a capacity of several tens of litres, allowing multiple powder batches to be stored and handled as one unit, thereby improving handling efficiency and storage capacity while maintaining protection from air exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The large container is designed to serve multiple functions: storage of multiple powder batches, protection from air and humidity, and can be reused after cleaning, replacing the need for multiple single-use pots
2Reliability
If small sealed pots are used for powder storage, then the powder is protected from air, but the storage capacity and reuse capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protection function of multiple small pots into a single large container with a capacity of several tens of litres, enabling storage of much larger quantities of powder while maintaining quality protection through the same hermetic sealing principle
3Ease of operation
If pots are opened for powder transfer, then the powder can be supplied to manufacturing machines, but the pots cannot be reused to re-store powder in inert atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the container by designing a system where the large container can be cleaned and refilled with inert gas after powder transfer, allowing it to be reused multiple times unlike single-use pots
Solution Approach 2:
The container is pre-filled with inert gas before powder loading, and the inert atmosphere is maintained throughout storage and transfer operations, allowing the container to be reused without requiring re-sealing or re-inerting
4Ease of operation
If powder is exposed to air during transportation and storage, then the powder can be easily handled, but the chemical composition degrades due to oxidation and adsorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an inert gas atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) inside the sealed container to displace air and prevent oxidation and adsorption reactions, maintaining the chemical composition stability of the powder during storage and transportation while allowing easy handling within the sealed environment
5Ease of operation
If additive manufacturing powder is stored in open containers, then the powder is accessible for use, but health and safety risks increase due to toxic compounds and fire explosion hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fills the container with inert gas to create a protective atmosphere that prevents oxidation and reduces fire and explosion hazards associated with oxygen-reactive powders, while still allowing easy access to the powder through the sealed opening when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The inert gas acts as an intermediary between the powder and the external environment, creating a barrier that prevents direct contact with oxygen and moisture while allowing the powder to be accessed and handled within the sealed container
Data Source
AI summary
An inertable container (10) for transporting an additive manufacturing powder comprises an inertable volume (12) and a main opening (14) granting access to the inside of this inertable volume, the inertable volume (12) comprising an upper portion (16) and a lower portion (18), the main opening (14) being located in the lower portion (18) of the inertable volume, and the section (S12) of the inertable volume (12) increasing gradually over at least part of the height (H10) of the container (10) and from the lower portion (18) towards the upper portion (16) of the inertable volume. The main opening is equipped with a passive half-valve (20) allowing this main opening (14) to be closed in such a way as to be sealed in an airtight and humidity-proof manner. The container comprises at least two inerting tappings.