System for powder heat treatment and classification via fluidized bed
AssigneeRaytheon Technologies Corporation
InventorsYing She, Aaron T. Nardi, Lawrence Binek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluidized powder heat treatment classification assembly includes a gas source. A fluidized bed is connected to the gas source via a metered connection. The fluidized bed includes a first output connected to a powder classifier via at least a first valve. The powder classifier includes a catch container operable to decelerate a gas flow from the output and operable to catch particles entrained in the gas flow.
Claims19
A fluidized powder heat treatment classification assembly comprising:
- a gas source;
- a fluidized bed connected to the gas source via a metered connection;
- the fluidized bed including a first output connected to a powder classifier via at least a first valve and connected to a fine powder collector via the first valve, wherein the first valve is one of a multi-output valve and a network of two-way valve;
- the fluidized bed having a primary chamber including a perforated floor angled relative to gravity, a gas inlet below said perforated floor, such that gas entering the fluidized bed flows upward through said perforated floor to said first output;
- and
- the powder classifier including a catch container operable to decelerate a gas flow from the output and operable to catch particles entrained in the gas flow.
A method for heat treating and classifying powders comprising:
- degassing a powder in a fluidized bed;
- entraining a first group of particles of said powder below a first particle size in a first gas stream having a first flowrate;
- transmitting the first gas stream to a fine powder collector;
- and
- depositing the entrained first group of particles in a sealable container within the fine powder collector;
- entraining a second group of particles of a said powder below a second particle size, larger than the first particle size, in a second gas stream having a second flowrate, the second flowrate being faster than the first flowrate subsequent to entraining the first group of particles, transmitting the first gas stream and depositing the entrained first group of particles;
- transmitting the second gas stream to a classification chamber;
- and
- depositing the entrained second group of particles in a sealable container within the classification chamber.
A heat treatment and powder classification system comprising:
- a fluidized bed including a degassing chamber;
- a first powder classifier connected to an output of the fluidized bed via a sealed gas line and a three way valve;
- a fine powder collector connected to the output of the fluidized bed via a second sealed gas line and the three way valve;
- and
- wherein said fluidized bed, said powder classifier and said fine powder collector are sealed such that a powder within the heat treatment and powder classification system is prevented from being exposed to an ambient atmosphere.
A fluidized powder heat treatment classification assembly comprising:
- a gas source;
- a fluidized bed connected to the gas source via a metered connection;
- the fluidized bed including a first output connected to a powder classifier via at least a first valve and connected to a fine powder collector via the first valve, wherein the first valve is one of a multi-output valve and a network of two-way valve;
- the powder classifier including a catch container operable to decelerate a gas flow from the output and operable to catch particles entrained in the gas flow;
- and
- a cooling loop disposed between the first output and the powder classifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.