Cooling means for molten metal rotary atomization means

Abstract

A rotary liquid metal atomizer is positioned to receive a stream of molten metal on the top thereof. The atomizer is formed as a hollow disc means having a concave top surface and mounted for rotation at high RPM's on the top of a hollow drive shaft. A circular coolant baffle is located in the hollow disc means having radial passageways on the top and bottom thereof and connected at the outer periphery for cooling fluid to flow around, and is mounted on the top of an inlet cooling tube located within the drive shaft. Cooling fluid is directed through the inlet cooling tube to the top of the water baffle wherein it flows through a hole in the center thereof and through the passageways between the baffle and the interior of the hollow disc means and down between the inlet cooling tube and drive shaft. A pin fixes the baffle to the disc means. The top of the disc means over the coolant baffle is formed of copper. A metal rim is placed around the upper outer periphery of the copper disc with a ceramic coating within. A pre-whirl tube insert fixed in said inlet cooling tube aids in preventing backflow by rotating the column of water with the inlet cooling tube.