Powder feeding device, thermal spraying apparatus, powder feeding method, and thermal spraying method

A powder feeding device comprising:

• a cartridge configured to store powder in an airtight condition, the cartridge including a port from which the powder is stored and withdrawn, and a first shutter configured to open and close the port;
• a replenishing unit including a housing in which the cartridge is removably stored, a supply port configured to supply the powder in the cartridge stored in the housing into a feeder, and a second shutter configured to open and close the supply port;
• and
• the feeder configured to insert the powder supplied from the supply port into a nozzle;
• wherein
• the cartridge and the replenishing unit are configured to form an enclosed space between the port and the supply port in response to the cartridge being stored into the replenishing unit.

A method of supplying powder from a feeder of a powder feeding device of a thermal spraying apparatus to a nozzle, the powder feeding device including:

• a cartridge configured to store powder in an airtight condition, the cartridge including a port from which the powder is stored and withdrawn, and a first shutter configured to open and close the port;
• and
• the feeder including a connection portion to which the cartridge is removably connected, a supply port configured to supply the powder in the cartridge connected to the connection portion into the feeder, a second shutter configured to open and close the supply port, and a container configured to store the powder;
• wherein
• the feeder is configured to insert the powder supplied from the supply port to the feeder into a nozzle,
• the cartridge and the feeder are configured to form an enclosed space between the port and the supply port in response to the cartridge being connected to the connection portion,
• the second shutter is located upstream from the container, and
• the thermal spraying apparatus is configured to melt the powder of a thermal spraying material inserted into the nozzle from the feeder, and deposit a film onto a workpiece using molten powder, the method comprising:
• purging the enclosed space by supplying an inert gas to the enclosed space;
• after the purging of the enclosed space, causing the cartridge to be in communication with the feeder;
• and
• replenishing the powder in the cartridge into the feeder in communication with the cartridge.