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US 6,003,439 AGranted
Microflake glitter fabrication
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsRobert Alois Knezek, James Clinton Couchman, Russell Guy Torti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A metallic flake manufacturing device uses a bearing to form the flakes. The bearing is located within a container which receives a fluid having suspended metallic particles. The bearing has an outer race, an inner race, and a plurality of bearings disposed between the races. The bearings are immersed in the fluid for flattening the suspended particles into flakes. A shaft extends into the container. The shaft engages one of the races for rotating it relative to the other race.
Claims13
An apparatus for making small flakes from particles, said apparatus comprising:
- a container having an interior for receiving a fluid having suspended particles;
- an outer bearing race positioned on said interior of said container;
- an inner bearing race positioned complementary to said outer bearing race;
- a plurality of bearings disposed between said outer bearing race and said inner bearing race, and immersed in said fluid for flattening said suspended particles into flakes;
- a shaft extending into said container, said shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of said shaft engages one of said races and is rotatably driven relative the other of said races;
- and
- a recirculation device for causing flow to pass downward in a stream through said bearings, then up and back down through said bearings, the recirculation device comprising a plurality of vanes located downstream from the bearings.
4 more elements
An apparatus for making small flakes from particles, said apparatus comprising:
- a container having an interior for receiving a fluid having suspended particles;
- an outer bearing race positioned on said interior of said container;
- an inner bearing race positioned complementary to said outer bearing race;
- a plurality of bearings disposed between said outer bearing race and said inner bearing race, and immersed in said fluid for flattening said suspended particles into flakes;
- a shaft extending into said container, said shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of said shaft engages one of said races and is rotatably driven relative the other of said races;
- a recirculation device for causing flow to pass downward in a stream through said bearings, then up and back down through said bearings, the recirculation device comprising a plurality of vanes located downstream from the bearings;
- and
- a flake filter for receiving said fluid having suspended particles and flakes after passing through said bearings for separating particles from flakes.
5 more elements
An apparatus for making small flakes from particles, said apparatus comprising:
- a container having an interior for receiving a fluid having suspended particles;
- an outer bearing race positioned on said interior of said container;
- an inner bearing race positioned complementary to said outer bearing race;
- a plurality of bearings disposed between said outer bearing race and said inner bearing race, and immersed in said fluid for flattening said suspended particles into flakes;
- a shaft extending into said container, said shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of said shaft engages one of said races and is rotatably driven relative the other of said races;
- a recirculation device for causing flow to pass downward in a stream through said bearings, then up and back down through said bearings, the recirculation device comprising a plurality of vanes located downstream from the bearings;
- and
- a recirculation pump, said recirculation pump having an intake for receiving fluid from an outlet of said container and an outlet for delivering fluid into said container.
5 more elements
An apparatus for making small flakes from particles, said apparatus comprising:
- a container having an interior for receiving a fluid having suspended particles;
- an outer bearing race positioned on said interior of said container;
- an inner bearing race positioned complementary to said outer bearing race;
- a plurality of tapered roller bearings disposed between said outer bearing race and said inner bearing race and immersed in said fluid for flattening said suspended particles into flakes;
- a shaft extending into said container, said shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of said shaft engages one of said races and is rotatably driven relative the other of said races;
- and
- a recirculation device for causing flow to pass downward in a stream through said bearings, then up and back down through said bearings, the recirculation device comprising a plurality of vanes located downstream from the bearings.
4 more elements
An apparatus for making small flakes from particles, said apparatus comprising:
- a container having an interior and a floor, said container for receiving a fluid having suspended particles;
- an inner bearing race positioned on said floor of said container, said inner bearing race having a longitudinal axis;
- a shaft extending into said container along said longitudinal axis, said shaft having a lower end;
- a bearing race housing having an interior and an exterior, said bearing race housing affixed to said lower end of said shaft;
- an outer bearing race positioned on said interior of said bearing race housing, said outer bearing race for rotation proximate said inner bearing race;
- and
- a plurality of tapered roller bearings disposed between said outer bearing race and said inner bearing race, said roller bearings for flattening said suspended particles into flakes.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.