The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 12, 1997
Filed:
May. 16, 1995
Steven Alfred Miller, Amsterdam, NY (US);
Russell Scott Miller, Ballston Spa, NY (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
Close-coupled atomization methods employing non-axisymmetric fluid flow geometries have demonstrated superior efficiency in the production of fine superalloy powder, such as, for example, nickel base superalloys compared to conventional close-coupled atomization utilizing an axisymmetric gas orifice and an axisymmetric melt nozzle. It is believed that the principal physical mechanisms leading to non-axisymmetric atomization system fine powder yield improvement are atomization plume spreading, the at least lessening of the melt pinch down at the interaction point between the atomization liquid and the liquid melt and improved melt film formation at the melt guide tube tip. The greatest fine powder yield improvement occurred when the non-axisymmetric atomization systems are operated with atomization parameters that result in the formation of multiple atomization plumes. Recognition of the atomization plume characteristics ranging from pinch-down to spreading to multiple sub-plume formation provides a basis for atomization process control to provide the greatest fine powder yield improvement verses conventional close-coupled axisymmetric atomization systems.