Structure and method for compaction of powder-like materials

A structure for increasing the density of a powder, comprising:

• a support for receiving and supporting the powder,
• an electrically conductive driver positioned adjacent the support, a connector for connecting the driver to a source of electrical energy for energization of the driver to create a magnetic field for applying pressure to the powder without direct electrical contact therebetween to increase the density thereof, thereby producing an integeral part from said powder.

A structure for producing a dense body of particulate material, comprising:

• a container provided with an annular recess for retaining particulate material, the container also being provided with an inner chamber, the annular recess encompassing the inner chamber,
• an electrical conductor driver positioned within the inner chamber and energizable to create a magnetic field and to apply electromagnetic pressure toward the annular recess for applying pressure upon particulate material which is within the annular recess, whereby the particulate material within the recess is compressed to provide a dense body without direct electrical contact between said driver and said material.

A magnetic compactor device for producing a wheel which is comprised of compressed particulate material, comprising a container, the container being provided with an annular recess, the annular recess being adapted to retain particulate material, an electrical conductor adjacent the annular recess, a cylindrical electrically conductive wall member positioned between the annular recess and the electrical conductor, the electrical conductor being energizable to create a magnetic field and to apply magnetic pressure upon the cylindrical electrically conductive wall member to move the cylindrical electrically conductive wall member toward the recess to compress the particulate material to produce said wheel without direct electrical contact between the electrical conductor and the wall member.

A structure for producing a dense body of particulate material, comprising a housing, an electrically conductive stem having a portion within the housing, the electrically conductive stem being movable with respect to the housing, an electrical conductor encompassing the stem, the electrical conductor being energizable to create a magnetic field and to apply electromagnetic force to the electrically conductive stem for movement of the electrically conductive stem with respect to the housing, a retainer adjacent the housing for retaining said particulate material, whereby energization of the electrical conductor creates a magnetic field which moves the electrically conductive stem and the engagement means toward the retainer and toward the particulate material within the retainer and compaction pressure is applied to the particulate material and the particulate material is compressed and a dense body of particulate material is produced without direct electrical contact between the electrical conductor and the retainer.

A structure for producing a body of compacted particulate material comprising a cylinder for receiving electrically conductive material, said cylinder having movable wall portions, for receiving electrically conductive material, means for applying magnetizing energy to the cylinder to create a magnetic field which is applied to the cylinder for slidably moving the movable wall portions of the cylinder to apply pressure upon particulate material within the cylinder for compacting the particulate material to provide an internal body of compacted particulate material without direct electrical contact between said driver and said cylinder.

Structure for producing a body of compacted particulate material, comprising a first wall member and a second wall member, the first wall member and the second wall member being in adjacent relationship, the first wall member having an electrically conductive movable portion adapted to contain particulate material,

• electrically conductive slide engagement means slidably engaging the electrically conductive movable portion of the first wall member, the electrically conductive movable portion of the first wall member having a first position and a second position, the second wall member being of electrically conductive material, means for establishing flow of electrical current through the second wall member for creating an electromagnetic field within the first wall member for moving the electrically conductive movable portion of the first wall member from the first position thereof to the second position thereof for compressing and compacting the particulate material which is contained by the electrically conductive movable portion of the first wall member and producing a body of compacted particulate material.