Powder handling device
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsAnthony Charlebois, Mathieu Roy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A powder handling device is provided, along with apparatus and methods of its use. The powder handling device includes a mounting portion defining a plane and comprising a mounting interface; a fixture device configured to mount the mounting portion over an opening of a powder container at a mounting interface; and a powder suction unit attached to the mounting portion and passing through the plane. The powder suction unit is movable relative to the mounting portion with at least one degree of freedom. The powder handling device may be mounted onto an opening of a powder container.
Claims16
A powder handling device comprising:
- a powder container defining an opening;
- a mounting portion defining a plane and comprising a mounting interface and a mounting portion inlet including a fluid flow valve;
- a fixture device configured to mount the mounting portion over the opening of the powder container at the mounting interface;
- a powder suction unit attached to the mounting portion and passing through the plane, wherein the powder suction unit is movable relative to the mounting portion with at least one degree of freedom and includes a suction unit inlet on one side of the powder suction unit to receive a powder from the powder container and a suction unit outlet disposed on an opposite side of the powder suction unit from the suction unit inlet, wherein the mounting portion inlet and the suction unit outlet are fluidly connected independently to a flow device such that a closed loop system is formed;
- and
- a relief valve disposed within the closed loop system.
A closed-loop powder handling apparatus, comprising:
- a powder container defining an opening;
- a mounting portion defining a plane and comprising a mounting interface attached to the opening of the powder container;
- a powder suction unit attached to the mounting portion, the powder suction unit comprising:
- a suction unit inlet disposed inside the powder container;
- and
- a suction unit outlet disposed outside the powder container;
- a handling unit disposed flow-wise between the suction unit outlet and the mounting portion;
- and
- a relief valve disposed within the closed loop powder handling apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.