CN114951674B - Continuous feeding mechanism for rotary electrode atomization powder preparation, powder preparation equipment and powder preparation method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of plasma rotary electrode atomization powder preparation, in particular to a continuous feeding mechanism, powder preparation equipment and a powder preparation method for rotary electrode atomization powder preparation, which comprise the following steps: the electrode transmission chamber is connected with the atomizing chamber through a discharge hole, a carrier roller for supporting the electrode bar is arranged in the electrode transmission chamber, so that the axis of the electrode bar is aligned to the discharge hole, and the carrier roller is arranged to drive the electrode bar to rotate; and the pushing part is arranged in the electrode transmission chamber and used for moving the electrode bar on the carrier roller from a first position to a second position along the axis of the electrode bar. According to the invention, the gate valve is arranged between the transition bin and the electrode transmission chamber, when the gate valve is opened, the transition bin is communicated with the electrode transmission chamber, bars in the transition bin can be transferred into the electrode transmission chamber, and after the gate valve is closed, the transition bin can be communicated with the atmosphere, so that feeding is realized, and the protective atmosphere environment of the electrode transmission chamber is not disturbed.

Description

Continuous feeding mechanism for rotary electrode atomization powder preparation, powder preparation equipment and powder preparation method

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of plasma rotary electrode atomization powder preparation, in particular to a continuous feeding mechanism for rotary electrode atomization powder preparation, powder preparation equipment and a powder preparation method.

Background

In recent years, 3D printing, hot isostatic pressing, injection molding and other technologies are vigorously developed, the demand for metal powder is gradually increased year by year, and the requirement for the quality of the metal powder is also more and more severe; the 3D printing industry requires high metal powder flowability, which requires high sphericity of the metal powder.

The plasma rotary electrode atomization powder process has great advantages for preparing spherical powder, but the current plasma rotary electrode atomization powder process equipment uses a bin with limited volume, when electrode bars in the bin are completely processed, an atomization chamber and the bin are communicated with the atmosphere, after a new batch of electrode bars are added, the vacuum is pumped again, argon is filled, and due to the fact that the volumes of the atomization chamber and the bin are large, and cooling time is needed after each batch of electrode bars are processed, the efficiency of the plasma rotary electrode atomization powder process equipment is greatly reduced, and the cost of metal powder is also greatly increased; the use of a larger bin also cannot realize truly infinite continuous feeding, and the larger the bin is, the higher the manufacturing cost is, and the more and more bulky the equipment is.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a continuous feeding mechanism for atomizing and pulverizing a rotary electrode, which comprises the following components:

the electrode transmission chamber is connected with the atomizing chamber through a discharge hole, a carrier roller for supporting the electrode bar is arranged in the electrode transmission chamber, so that the axis of the electrode bar is aligned to the discharge hole, and the carrier roller is arranged to drive the electrode bar to rotate;

the pushing component is arranged in the electrode transmission chamber and is used for moving the electrode bar on the carrier roller from a first position to a second position along the axis of the electrode bar, and the electrode bar continuously enters the atomizing chamber to be atomized and pulverized with the plasma gun in the process of moving from the first position to the second position;

a flipping member coupled to the pushing member for driving the pushing member in a pushing position and a feeding position, the pushing member having a portion coincident with an axis of the electrode bar when the pushing member is in the pushing position, the pushing member being offset from the axis of the electrode bar when the pushing member is in the feeding position;

the transition bin is connected with the feed inlet of the electrode transmission chamber and is provided with an air valve group for controlling the atmosphere in the inner cavity of the transition bin;

the feeding component is arranged at one end of the transition bin far away from the electrode transmission chamber and is used for conveying the electrode bar stock in the transition bin to a first position of the electrode transmission chamber;

the electrode transmission chamber and the transition bin are provided with a gate valve therebetween, the gate valve is used for controlling the electrode transmission chamber and the transition bin to be in a communicating/isolating state, when materials in the transition bin are transmitted to the electrode transmission chamber, the gate valve is opened to enable the electrode transmission chamber and the transition bin to be in a communicating state, when new electrode bars are placed in the transition bin, the gate valve is closed to enable the electrode transmission chamber and the transition bin to be in an isolating state, and the protective atmosphere in the electrode transmission chamber is not relieved by feeding.

Preferably, the feeding component comprises a feeding cylinder and a telescopic rod connected to the output end of the feeding cylinder, and the axis of the telescopic rod coincides with the axis of the discharging hole and the axis of the feeding hole.

Preferably, the transition bin is provided with a detachable upper cover, and when the upper cover is opened, new electrode bars can be put into the transition bin.

Preferably, the powder preparation time of a single electrode material rod is defined as T, T1 is the time for opening the upper cover of the transition bin, T2 is the time for adding a new electrode bar into the transition bin, T3 is the time for closing the upper cover of the transition bin, T4 is the time for vacuumizing the transition bin, and T5 is the time for filling inert gas into the transition bin;

wherein, T > t1+t2+t3+t4+t5, defining the volume of the transition bin as Q, the speed of vacuumizing as a, and the speed of filling inert gas as b, t4+t5=q/a+q/b;

the volume of the transition bin is Q < (T-T1-T2-T3) ((a+b)/ab).

Preferably, the gate valve comprises a valve body, a valve plate and an electromagnetic driving part, wherein the valve body is provided with a circular channel, the valve plate is controlled by the electromagnetic driving part to extend into the circular channel or slide out of the circular channel, and when the valve plate is positioned in the circular channel, the valve plate completely covers the circular channel, so that the circular channel is closed.

Preferably, the pushing component comprises a driving component, a screw rod, a threaded sleeve and a push rod, wherein bearing seats are arranged at two ends of the screw rod, the bearing seats are fixed to the outer wall of the turnover shaft through bolts, the screw rod is driven by the driving component to rotate relative to the bearing seats, the threaded sleeve is arranged to be capable of moving reversely along the axis of the screw rod, and the push rod is fixed to the outer wall of the threaded sleeve and used for pushing the electrode bar to move along the axis direction of the feeding port and move from a first position to a second position.

Preferably, the push rod is arranged to be driven by the reversing element such that the push rod is in a pushing position and a feeding position.

Preferably, the turning component comprises a turning shaft, a turning cylinder and a turning arm, the turning cylinder is fixed to the electrode transmission chamber, a first end of the turning arm is hinged to an output end of the turning cylinder, a second end of the turning arm is fixed to the first end of the turning shaft, the turning shaft is rotationally connected with the electrode transmission chamber, and when the turning cylinder stretches, the turning arm rotates around the axis of the turning shaft to enable the turning shaft to turn.

Preferably, the driving part comprises a motor and a universal coupling, a first end of the universal coupling is connected to the screw rod, a second end of the universal coupling is connected to an output shaft of the motor, and the motor is fixed with the electrode transmission chamber.

Preferably, a supporting groove is formed in the bottom of the transition bin, when the electrode is placed in the supporting groove in the transition bin, the electrode is limited to be in a third position, the telescopic rod in the retracted position is attached to the end face of the electrode, when the telescopic rod is in the feeding position, the electrode is in a first position, and the right end face of the electrode is flush with the left end face of the push rod.

Preferably, the air valve group comprises a first valve and a second valve, the first valve is used for vacuumizing the transition bin, and the second valve is used for filling inert gas into the transition bin so as to construct protective atmosphere in the transition bin.

Preferably, the electrode transmission chamber is provided with a detachable cover body, and when the cover body is opened, the electrode transmission chamber is used for throwing electrode bars.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a technical scheme is provided, and the rotary electrode atomization powder making equipment comprises the continuous feeding mechanism and a plasma gun, wherein one end of the plasma gun is positioned in the atomization chamber, a plasma arc is formed between the plasma gun and the electrode material rod, and atomized particles are formed in the atomization chamber.

Preferably, the rollers include a first roller and a second roller, the electrode bar is placed between the first roller and the second roller and contacts the surfaces of the first roller and the second roller, the first roller and the second roller are driven by the driving component to rotate, and the directions of the first roller and the second roller are opposite.

The third aspect of the present invention provides a technical solution, a rotary electrode atomizing powder manufacturing method, using the above rotary electrode atomizing powder manufacturing apparatus, comprising the following steps:

step 1, filling an electrode bar into an electrode transmission chamber and a transition bin respectively;

step 2, communicating the electrode transmission chamber with the transition bin, vacuumizing the transition bin and filling inert gas into the transition bin, so that the electrode transmission chamber, the transition bin and the atomization chamber reach a protective atmosphere;

step 3, controlling the electrode bar in the electrode transmission chamber to move into the atomization chamber at a preset speed and a preset rotating speed, and making contact with a plasma arc emitted by the plasma gun to perform atomization powder preparation;

step 4, when the electrode bar is completely consumed, transferring the electrode bar in the transition bin to the electrode transmission chamber, and isolating the electrode transmission chamber from the transition bin;

step 5, continuous atomization powder preparation is realized through the following actions 1 and 2:

action 1: opening a transition bin, filling new electrode bars into the transition bin, closing the transition bin, and independently vacuumizing and filling inert gas into the transition bin to ensure that the protective atmosphere of the transition bin is the same as that of the electrode transmission chamber and the electrode transmission chamber is communicated with the transition bin;

action 2: the electrode bar in the electrode transmission chamber is moved into the atomization chamber at a preset speed and a preset rotating speed, and is contacted with a plasma arc emitted by the plasma gun to be atomized and pulverized;

wherein, the actions in the steps are synchronously performed and the time of the actions is longer than that of the actions;

and (5) repeating the step (4) and the step (5) to realize continuous atomization powder preparation.

Preferably, the electrode bar is transferred from the electrode drive chamber into the atomising chamber by a pushing member, and the pushing member is arranged to be offset from the axis of the electrode bar to avoid the path of movement of the electrode bar when a new electrode bar is transferred from the transition bin to the electrode drive chamber.

Compared with the prior art, the invention has the advantages that:

according to the invention, the gate valve is arranged between the transition bin and the electrode transmission chamber, when the gate valve is opened, the transition bin is communicated with the electrode transmission chamber, bars in the transition bin can be transferred to the electrode transmission chamber, and after the gate valve is closed, the transition bin can be communicated with the atmosphere, so that feeding is realized, and the atmosphere of the protective gas of the electrode transmission chamber is not disturbed;

the transition bin can be independently vacuumized and inflated with argon, so that the transition bin reestablishes the same protective atmosphere as the atomizing chamber; when the transition bin and the atomizing chamber have the same protective atmosphere, the gate valve can be opened to ensure that the transition bin is communicated with the electrode transmission chamber again, and electrode bars in the transition bin can enter the electrode transmission chamber, so that the continuous feeding can be realized by repeating the steps;

because the feeding only carries out environment reconstruction on the transition bin, and does not need to carry out environment reconstruction (vacuumizing and inert gas protection) on the electrode transmission chamber, the required inert gas has less gas consumption, the reconstruction process is short, the production interruption time is greatly reduced, the processing efficiency is improved, and the production cost is reduced.

Drawings

The drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a continuous feeding mechanism for atomizing powder by a rotary electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural view of a continuous feeding mechanism for atomizing powder by using a rotary electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a left side view of the electrode drive chamber (pushing member in the electrode bar axis).

Fig. 4 is a left side view of the electrode drive chamber (the pusher member is offset from the electrode bar axis).

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural view of the transition bin.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the structure of the electrode bar stock placed in both the electrode driving chamber and the transition bin.

FIG. 7 is a dynamic schematic diagram of electrode bar pushing powder process in the electrode transmission chamber shown in the invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the pusher member of the present invention offset from the feed axis.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the process of the electrode bar stock entering the electrode transmission chamber from the transition bin according to the invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the electrode bar stock of the present invention entering the electrode drive chamber from the transition bin.

Fig. 11 is a schematic illustration of the external addition of electrode bars to a transition bin according to the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic illustration of the charging of a transition silo with a shielding gas in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing a state in which electrode bars are to be fed in the transition bin according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

For a better understanding of the technical content of the present invention, specific examples are set forth below, along with the accompanying drawings.

In order to realize continuous feeding in an electrode transmission chamber 10 and atomization preparation of a continuous rotary electrode, an electrode bar 100 enters an atomization powder preparation environment from an atmospheric environment, and release of a vacuum environment and a protective atmosphere environment in equipment is involved in the process, so that the vacuum environment and the protective atmosphere environment of a feeding link and the electrode transmission link are required to be reestablished, energy and gas are wasted, the interruption time of powder preparation is long, and the efficiency and the productivity of atomization powder preparation are affected.

Therefore, after the electrode bar in the electrode transmission chamber 10 is consumed by the atomization pulverizing process, the electrode bar in the transition bin 50 which is communicated with the electrode transmission chamber 10 and establishes the vacuum protection atmosphere can be supplemented, in the normal pulverizing process of the electrode bar, the connection between the electrode transmission chamber 10 and the cavity of the transition bin 50 is cut off, the vacuum protection atmosphere in the electrode transmission chamber 10 is normally kept, the vacuum protection atmosphere in the transition bin 50 is independently relieved, the electrode bar is supplemented into the cavity of the electrode transmission chamber, then the vacuum protection atmosphere in the transition bin 50 is reestablished, the vacuum protection atmosphere in the transition bin 50 is identical to the vacuum protection atmosphere in the electrode transmission chamber 10, and the transition bin 50 and the electrode transmission chamber 10 can be communicated again through control components such as a gate valve, so that the feeding from the transition bin 50 into the electrode transmission chamber 10 is realized. The processes of dividing the two chambers, removing the environment of the transition bin, reconstructing the environment of the transition bin and communicating the two chambers are repeated in this way, so that continuous feeding to the electrode transmission chamber 10 is realized.

In the process, the environment reconstruction is only carried out on the transition bin, and the environment reconstruction (vacuumizing and inert gas protection) is not needed on the electrode transmission chamber, so that the needed inert gas has less gas consumption, the reconstruction process is short, and the production interruption time is greatly reduced.

Electrode driving chamber

The electrode transmission chamber 10 comprises an electrode transmission bin 11 and a cover body, a closed cavity is formed in the electrode transmission bin 11 and the cover body, one end, far away from the transition bin 50, of the electrode transmission chamber 10 is connected with the atomization chamber 101, the electrode transmission chamber 10 is communicated with the atomization chamber 101 through a feeding port, a carrier roller 12 is arranged in the electrode transmission chamber 10 and used for supporting an electrode, and the axis of the electrode is aligned with the axis of the feeding port, wherein the carrier roller 12 is driven by a motor, so that an electrode bar 100 on the carrier roller 12 rotates.

Alternatively, the two supporting rollers 12 are arranged side by side, a space for holding the electrode bar 100 is formed between the two supporting rollers 12, and the electrode bar 100 is attached to the surfaces of the two supporting rollers 12, wherein the two supporting rollers 12 are turned oppositely, so that the electrode bar 100 between the two supporting rollers 12 is driven to rotate.

The electrode transmission chamber 10 is further internally provided with a pushing component 30 and a turning component 20, the pushing component 30 is used for conveying the electrode on the carrier roller 12 into the atomizing chamber 101 from the feeding port along the axis of the electrode, and the turning component 20 is used for controlling the pushing component 30 to turn over so that the pushing structure deviates from the axis of the feeding port.

In this way, when the electrode bar 100 is on the carrier roller 12, the electrode bar 100 is pushed by the pushing component 30 to move towards the feeding port, and meanwhile, the electrode bar 100 rotates at a high speed and reacts with the plasma arc of the plasma gun 102 arranged in the atomizing chamber 101, so that the electrode bar 100 can be uniformly consumed to form atomized powder, and the electrode bar 100 needs to be fed into the electrode transmission chamber 10 again along with continuous feeding and consumption of the electrode bar 100.

Turnover component

Since the electrode bar 100 needs to be fed along the moving direction of the pushing member 30 during the process of transferring the electrode bar 100 from the transition bin 50 to the electrode driving chamber 10, if the pushing member 30 is kept on the moving path of the electrode bar 100, interference will be caused to smooth transfer of the electrode bar 100, so in order to avoid interference caused by the pushing member 30 to the feeding of the electrode bar 100, the turning member 20 is used for controlling the turning of the pushing member 30, so that the pushing member 30 deviates from the moving path of the electrode bar 100, that is, deviates from the axis of the feeding port.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, 3 and 4, the turnover member 20 includes a turnover shaft 23, a turnover cylinder 21, and a turnover arm 22, the turnover cylinder 21 is fixed to the electrode driving chamber 10, and a first end of the turnover arm 22 is hinged to an output end of the turnover cylinder 21, a second end of the turnover arm 22 is fixed to a first end of the turnover shaft 23, the turnover shaft 23 is rotatably connected to the electrode driving chamber 10, and when the turnover cylinder 21 expands and contracts, the turnover arm 22 rotates around an axis of the turnover shaft 23 to turn the turnover shaft 23.

Further, the pushing member 30 is fixed to the surface of the turnover shaft 23, and as shown in fig. 3, the pushing member 30 can push the electrode bar 100 when the turnover cylinder 21 is in an extended state, and as shown in fig. 4, when the turnover cylinder 21 is in a compressed state, the left end of the turnover arm 22 moves downward, the right end rotates centering on the axis of the turnover shaft 23, and the turnover shaft 23 rotates, and at this time, the pushing member 30 is deviated from the feed port axis, so that the electrode bar 100 can be pushed into the electrode transfer chamber 10 by the transition bin 50.

Material pushing component

As shown in fig. 1, the pushing member 30 includes a driving member, a screw 33, a sleeve 34, and a push rod 35, both ends of the screw 33 are provided with bearing blocks, the bearing blocks are fixed to the outer wall of the tilting shaft 23 by bolts, the screw 33 is driven by the driving member to rotate relative to the bearing blocks, the sleeve 34 is provided to be movable reversely along the axis of the screw 33, and the push rod 35 is fixed to the outer wall of the sleeve 34 for pushing the electrode to move along the axial direction of the feed port.

In a preferred embodiment, in order to provide a better support for the pushing member 30, a slide rail 331 is provided at one side of the screw 33, a fixed ring is provided at one side of the slide rail 331, and is welded to the surface of the tilting shaft 23, and when the tilting shaft 23 is rotated, the slide rail 331 is rotated around the axis of the tilting shaft 23.

Specifically, two bearing seats are arranged at two ends of the sliding rail 331 far away from one side of the turning shaft 23, two ends of the screw 33 are respectively connected to the bearing seats, the threaded sleeve 34 is sleeved on the surface of the screw 33, a sliding block is arranged at one side of the threaded sleeve 34 and is in sliding connection with the sliding rail 331 along the length direction of the screw 33, and when the driving part drives the screw 33 to rotate, the threaded sleeve 34 slides on the surface of the screw 33 and drives the push rod 35 to push the electrode bar 100 to move forward.

Alternatively, the driving part includes a motor 31 and a universal coupling 32, a first end of the universal coupling 32 is connected to a screw 33, and a second end is connected to an output shaft of the motor 31, and the motor 31 is fixed to the electrode driving chamber 10.

Thus, when the screw 33 is rotated reversely by the driving of the tilting shaft 23, the motor 31 can be kept connected to the screw 33 by the universal joint 32.

Transition feed bin

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, the transition bin 50 includes a bin body 51 and an upper cover 52, the bin body 51 and the upper cover 52 are connected in a sealing manner, a feeding cavity 53 is formed in the transition bin 50, a first end 531 of the feeding cavity 53 is communicated with the electrode transmission chamber 10, and a second end 532 of the feeding cavity 53 is communicated with the feeding part 40.

The bin body 51 and the upper cover 52 are arranged to be detachable, and a sealing ring is arranged between the bin body 51 and the upper cover 52 to ensure sealing after closing.

The volume of the transition silo 50 should be as small as possible to reduce the time to reestablish the protective atmosphere.

Specifically, defining the pulverizing time of a single electrode rod as T, T1 as the time of opening the upper cover of the transition bin 50, T2 as the time of adding a new electrode rod 100 into the transition bin 50, T3 as the time of closing the upper cover of the transition bin 50, T4 as the time of vacuumizing the transition bin 50, and T5 as the time of filling the transition bin 50 with inert gas;

wherein, T > t1+t2+t3+t4+t5, defining the volume of the transition bin 50 as Q, the speed of vacuum pumping as a, and the speed of inert gas filling as b, t4+t5=q/a+q/b;

the volume Q of the transition bin 50 satisfies Q < (T-T1-T2-T3) ((a+b)/ab).

Further, the transition bin 50 is provided with two valves, a first valve 54 is used for vacuumizing the transition bin 50, and a second valve 55 is used for filling inert gas into the transition bin 50. Thus, by controlling the first valve 54 and the second valve 55, the operations of evacuating and filling argon into the charging chamber 53 can be realized.

In a specific embodiment, after materials are thrown into the transition bin 50 and the electrode transmission chamber 10 for the first time, the electrode transmission chamber 10 and the cavity of the transition bin 50 are in a mutually communicated state, the cavity of the transition bin 50 and the cavity of the electrode transmission chamber 10 are vacuumized through a first valve 54, argon is filled into the transition bin 50 and the electrode transmission chamber 10 through a second valve 55, and a protective atmosphere of inert gas is established;

before the transition bin 50 is filled with new materials, the cavities of the transition bin 50 and the electrode transmission chamber 10 are separated through the gate valve 60, so that the cavities of the transition bin 50 and the electrode transmission chamber 10 are independent, at the moment, new electrode bars 100 are filled in the transition bin 50, the original protective atmosphere environment is relieved, and after the vacuumizing-argon filling operation is performed, the protective atmosphere in the transition bin 50 is again the same as the protective atmosphere in the electrode transmission chamber 10, at the moment, the gate valve 60 is opened, so that the transition bin 50 is communicated with the electrode transmission chamber 10.

Wherein, the end of the transition bin 50 far away from the electrode transmission chamber 10 is provided with a feeding cylinder 41, the telescopic rod 42 of the feeding cylinder 41 comprises a contraction position and a feeding position, and when the telescopic rod 42 is in the feeding position, the electrode in the transition bin 50 passes through the gate valve 60 and moves into the electrode transmission chamber 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the transition bin 50 is provided with a holding groove, which when placed in the holding groove in the transition bin 50, confines the electrode in a first position, where the telescoping rod 42 in the retracted position engages the end face of the electrode, and where the electrode is in a second position, where the right end face of the electrode is flush with the left end face of the push rod 35, where the telescoping rod 42 is in the feeding position.

Preferably, the push rod 35 includes a start position and an end position, when the push rod 35 is in the start position, the end surface of the pushing end of the push rod 35 and the end surface of the telescopic rod 42 in the feeding position are located on the same plane, and when the end position is in the end position, the end surface of the pushing side of the push rod 35 extends into the feeding opening.

Preferably, a circular channel is arranged in the gate valve 60, and the axis of the circular channel coincides with the axis of the telescopic rod 42 and the axis of the feeding port.

In a specific embodiment, the gate valve 60 includes a valve body and a valve plate, a circular opening is formed on the valve body, the gate plate is opened and closed by controlling the electromagnetic valve, the gate plate and the circular opening on the gate body are completely separated from each other and are in fit with each other, so that the gate valve 60 is opened or closed, when the gate valve 60 is opened, the electrode transmission chamber 10 and the transition bin 50 are communicated with each other, and when the gate valve 60 is closed, the electrode transmission chamber 10 and the transition bin 50 are isolated from each other.

As described above, by the alternate action of the telescopic rod 42 and the push rod 35, the telescopic rod 42 can be used to push the electrode bar 100 from the first position to the second position in the first stage, and then the push rod 35 can be used to push the electrode bar 100 from the second position to the feed port of the electrode transmission chamber 10 in the second stage.

Further, a first end of the gate valve 60 is connected with the electrode transmission chamber 10 through a transition flange, and a second end of the gate valve 60 is connected with the transition bin 50 through a bellows.

In this way, the communication state of the electrode driving chamber 10 and the transition bin 50 can be controlled by opening and closing the gate valve 60.

Specifically, after the gate valve 60 is closed, the transition bin 50 can be communicated with the atmosphere to realize feeding; the transition bin 50 can be independently vacuumized and filled with argon, and after feeding is completed, the transition bin 50 is vacuumized and filled with argon so as to realize that the transition bin 50, the electrode transmission chamber 10 and the atomization chamber 101 have the same atmosphere; after the transition bin 50 and the atomizing chamber 101 have the same atmosphere, the gate valve 60 is opened, and the electrode bar 100 in the transition bin 50 can enter the atomizing chamber 101, so that the process is repeated, and continuous feeding is realized.

[ rotating electrode atomizing powder-making apparatus ]

In a second aspect of the present invention, a rotary electrode atomizing powder making apparatus is provided, which includes the continuous feeding mechanism and a plasma gun 102, wherein one end of the plasma gun is located in the atomizing chamber 101, and forms a plasma arc with the electrode, and atomized particles are formed in the atomizing chamber 101.

The above atomization powder making equipment can realize continuous feeding, does not need to pause the operation of vacuumizing and filling argon into the atomization chamber 101 and the electrode transmission chamber 10, and greatly reduces the production interruption time.

Preferably, the idlers 12 comprise a first idler and a second idler, the electrode bar 100 is placed between and in contact with the surfaces of the first idler and the second idler, the first idler and the second idler are driven to rotate by the driving member, and the first idler and the second idler are turned in opposite directions.

[ rotating electrode atomizing powder-making method ]

Referring to fig. 6-13, a third aspect of the present invention provides a method for preparing powder by atomizing a rotary electrode, comprising the following steps:

the method comprises the following steps:

step 1, referring to fig. 6, filling an electrode bar 100 into the electrode transmission chamber 10 and the transition bin 50 respectively;

step 2, as shown in fig. 7, the electrode transmission chamber 10 is communicated with the transition bin 50, and the transition bin 50 is vacuumized and filled with inert gas, so that the electrode transmission chamber 10, the transition bin 50 and the atomization chamber 101 reach a protective atmosphere;

step 3, referring to fig. 8, the electrode bar 100 in the electrode transmission chamber 10 is controlled to move into the atomization chamber at a preset speed and a preset rotating speed, and is contacted with the plasma arc emitted by the plasma gun 50 to perform atomization powder preparation;

step 4, referring to fig. 9-11, when the electrode bar 100 is consumed, transferring the electrode bar 100 in the transition bin 50 into the electrode transmission chamber 10, and isolating the electrode transmission chamber 10 from the transition bin 50;

step 5, referring to fig. 11-13, continuous atomization pulverizing is realized through the following actions 1 and 2:

action 1: opening a transition bin 50, filling new electrode bars 100 into the transition bin 50, closing the transition bin 50, and independently vacuumizing and filling inert gas into the transition bin 50 to ensure that the protective atmosphere of the transition bin 50 is the same as that of the electrode transmission chamber 10, and the electrode transmission chamber 10 is communicated with the transition bin 50;

action 2: the electrode bar 100 in the electrode transmission chamber 10 is moved into the atomization chamber 101 at a preset speed and a preset rotating speed, and is contacted with plasma arc emitted by the plasma gun 102 to perform atomization powder preparation;

wherein, in step 5, action 1 and action 2 are performed synchronously, and the time of action 1 is longer than the time of action 2;

and (5) repeating the step (4) and the step (5) to realize continuous powder preparation.

Preferably, the electrode bar 100 is transferred from the electrode transmission chamber 10 to the atomizing chamber 101 by the pushing member 30, and the pushing member 30 is disposed to be deviated from the axis of the electrode bar 100 to avoid the moving track of the electrode bar 100 when a new electrode bar 100 is transferred from the transition bin 50 to the electrode transmission chamber 10.

Preferably, a gate valve is used to control the mutual isolation or communication between the electrode transfer chamber 10 and the transition bin 50.

In a specific embodiment, the gate valve 60 includes a valve body and a valve plate, a circular opening is formed on the valve body, the gate plate is opened and closed by controlling the electromagnetic valve, the gate plate and the circular opening on the gate body are completely separated from each other and are in fit with each other, so that the gate valve 60 is opened or closed, when the gate valve 60 is opened, the electrode transmission chamber 10 and the transition bin 50 are communicated with each other, and when the gate valve 60 is closed, the electrode transmission chamber 10 and the transition bin 50 are isolated from each other.

Powder process

1. Establishing a protective atmosphere, pushing and pulverizing: before atomization powder preparation is started, a feeding cylinder 41 is retracted into place, a turnover cylinder 21 is extended into place, at the moment, a push rod 35 is positioned on a feeding center line, electrode bars 100 are respectively placed in an electrode transmission chamber 10 and a transition bin 50, a top cover and an upper cover 52 of the electrode transmission chamber 10 are closed, a gate valve 60 is opened, at the moment, the transition bin 50 is communicated with the electrode transmission chamber 10, the electrode transmission chamber 10 is vacuumized and filled with argon through a first valve 54 and a second valve 55, and after the argon pressure reaches a set value, a plasma gun 102 is started to perform atomization powder preparation on the electrode bars 100 rotating at a high speed;

2. feeding electrode bars in the electrode transmission chamber: the motor 31 positively drives the screw rod 33 to rotate, so that the push rod 35 starts to push the electrode bar stock to advance along the feeding center line from the initial position, the electrode bar stock 100 enters the atomizing chamber 101 and contacts with the plasma arc emitted by the plasma gun 102 to perform atomization powder preparation, wherein the advancing speed of the electrode bar stock is matched with the powder preparation speed;

3. the pushing member 30 is offset from the feed axis: when the electrode bar 100 in the electrode transmission chamber 10 is consumed to a certain extent, the motor 31 reverses and drives the screw 33 to rotate, so that the push rod 35 returns to the initial position along the feeding center line; the overturning cylinder 21 retracts and transmits an retracting signal to the upper computer, and the overturning arm 22 and the overturning shaft 23 drive the whole pushing structure to overturn, so that the push rod 35 deviates from the feeding center line (as shown in fig. 4);

4. the electrode bar stock 100 in the transition bin 50 is fed into the electrode transmission chamber 10: the upper computer controls the feeding cylinder 41 to extend according to the retraction signal of the overturning cylinder 21, pushes the electrode bar 100 in the transition bin 50 into a designated position (shown in fig. 2) in the electrode transmission chamber 10, and immediately retracts the feeding cylinder 41 after reaching the designated position;

5. the electrode transmission chamber is separated from the transition bin; closing the gate valve 60;

6. pushing and pulverizing new bar stock: the overturning cylinder 21 stretches out, and drives the pushing structure to integrally overturn through the overturning arm 22 and the overturning shaft 23, so that the push rod 35 returns to the feeding center line (shown in figure 3), and the interior of the electrode transmission chamber 10 is repeatedly 2-3;

7. removing the environment of a transition bin, and adding new electrode bars: opening the upper cover 52, placing an electrode bar, closing the upper cover 52, and locking by using a locking assembly;

8. and (5) reconstructing the environment of a transition bin: the first valve 54 is opened for vacuumizing the transition bin 50, the vacuum degree is measured by a vacuum gauge and transmitted to the upper computer, and when the vacuum degree reaches a set value, the first valve 54 is closed; opening a second valve 55 for filling inert gas such as argon into the transition bin 50, measuring the argon pressure by a pressure sensor 56 and transmitting the measured argon pressure to the upper computer, and closing the second valve 55 when the argon pressure reaches a set value;

in the process of the step 7-8, electrode bars in the electrode transmission chamber 10 are pushed by the push rod 35 to be continuously atomized and pulverized;

9. the electrode transmission chamber and the transition bin are communicated again: opening the gate valve 60 to wait for the retraction signal of the reversing cylinder 21;

10. after the inversion cylinder 21 is retracted into place, 5-9 is repeated.

The processes of dividing the two chambers, removing the environment of the transition bin, reconstructing the environment of the transition bin and communicating the two chambers are repeated, so that continuous feeding to the electrode transmission chamber 10 is realized, and continuous supplementing of electrode bars in the electrode transmission chamber 10 can be continuously carried out in an atomizing chamber pushed by the push rod 35 for pulverizing.

According to the embodiment, the gate valve is arranged between the transition bin and the electrode transmission chamber, when the gate valve is opened, the transition bin is communicated with the electrode transmission chamber, bars in the transition bin can be transferred to the electrode transmission chamber, and after the gate valve is closed, the transition bin can be communicated with the atmosphere, so that feeding is realized, and the atmosphere of the electrode transmission chamber is not disturbed;

the transition bin can be independently vacuumized and inflated with argon, so that the transition bin reestablishes the same protective atmosphere as the atomizing chamber; when the transition bin and the atomizing chamber have the same protective atmosphere, the gate valve can be opened to ensure that the transition bin is communicated with the electrode transmission chamber again, and electrode bars in the transition bin can enter the electrode transmission chamber, so that the continuous feeding can be realized by repeating the steps;

because the feeding only carries out environment reconstruction on the transition bin, and does not need to carry out environment reconstruction (vacuumizing and inert gas protection) on the electrode transmission chamber, the required inert gas has less gas consumption, the reconstruction process is short, the production interruption time is greatly reduced, the processing efficiency is improved, and the production cost is reduced.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to be limiting. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. The utility model provides a rotary electrode atomizing continuous feed mechanism for powder process which characterized in that includes:

the electrode transmission chamber (10), a discharge hole of the electrode transmission chamber (10) is connected with the atomizing chamber (101), a carrier roller (12) for supporting the electrode bar (100) is arranged in the electrode transmission chamber (10), the axis of the electrode bar (100) is aligned with the discharge hole, and the carrier roller (12) is arranged to drive the electrode bar (100) to rotate;

the pushing component (30) is arranged in the electrode transmission chamber (10) and is used for moving the electrode bar (100) on the carrier roller (12) from a first position to a second position along the axis of the electrode bar (100), and the electrode bar (100) continuously enters the atomizing chamber (101) to be atomized and pulverized with the plasma gun (102) in the process of moving from the first position to the second position;

a flipping member (20) connected to the pushing member (30) for driving the pushing member (30) in a pushing position and a feeding position, the pushing member (30) having a portion coinciding with the axis of the electrode bar (100) when the pushing member (30) is in the pushing position, the pushing member (30) being offset from the axis of the electrode bar (100) when the pushing member (30) is in the feeding position;

the transition bin (50) is connected with a feed inlet of the electrode transmission chamber (10), and the transition bin (50) is provided with an air valve group for controlling the atmosphere environment in the cavity of the transition bin (50);

a feeding part (40) arranged at one end of the transition bin (50) far away from the electrode transmission chamber (10) and used for conveying the electrode bar stock (100) in the transition bin (50) to a first position of the electrode transmission chamber (10);

wherein, be equipped with push-pull valve (60) between electrode drive room (10) and transition feed bin (50), be used for controlling between electrode drive room (10) and transition feed bin (50) are in intercommunication/isolation state:

when the material in the transition bin (50) is transmitted to the electrode transmission chamber (10), the gate valve (60) is opened to enable the electrode transmission chamber (10) to be in a communication state with the transition bin (50), and when new electrode bars (100) are placed in the transition bin (50), the gate valve (60) is closed to enable the electrode transmission chamber (10) and the transition bin (50) to be in an isolation state, and the protective atmosphere in the electrode transmission chamber (10) is not relieved by feeding;

the transition bin (50) is provided with a detachable upper cover, and when the upper cover is opened, a new electrode bar (100) can be put into the transition bin (50).

2. Continuous feeding mechanism for atomizing powder with rotary electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that the feeding member (40) comprises a feeding cylinder (41) and a telescopic rod (42) connected to the output end of the feeding cylinder (41), the axis of the telescopic rod (42) coincides with the axis of the outlet and the axis of the inlet.

3. The continuous feeding mechanism for rotary electrode atomization powder preparation according to claim 1, wherein the powder preparation time of a single electrode rod is defined as T, T1 is the time of opening the upper cover of a transition bin (50), T2 is the time of adding a new electrode rod (100) into the transition bin (50), T3 is the time of closing the upper cover of the transition bin (50), T4 is the time of vacuumizing the transition bin (50), and T5 is the time of filling the transition bin (50) with inert gas;

wherein, T > t1+t2+t3+t4+t5, the volume of the transition bin (50) is defined as Q, the vacuumizing speed is a, and the inert gas filling speed is b, and t4+t5=q/a+q/b;

the volume Q of the transition bin (50) satisfies: q < (T-T1-T2-T3) ((a+b)/ab).

4. A continuous feeding mechanism for atomizing powder by a rotary electrode according to claim 1, wherein the gate valve (60) comprises a valve body and a valve plate and an electromagnetic driving part, the valve body is provided with a circular passage, the valve plate is controlled by the electromagnetic driving part to extend into or slide out of the circular passage, and when the valve plate is positioned in the circular passage, the valve plate completely covers the circular passage, so that the circular passage is closed.

5. Continuous feeding mechanism for atomizing powder by using a rotary electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that the pushing member comprises a driving member, a screw (33), a screw sleeve (34) and a push rod (35), both ends of the screw (33) are provided with bearing seats, the bearing seats are fixed to the outer wall of the turning shaft (23) by bolts, the screw (33) is driven to rotate relative to the bearing seats by the driving member, the screw sleeve (34) is arranged to be reversely movable along the axis of the screw (33), and the push rod (35) is fixed to the outer wall of the screw sleeve (34) for pushing the electrode bar to move along the axis direction of the feeding port from the first position to the second position.

6. A continuous feeding mechanism for atomizing powder with a rotary electrode according to claim 5, wherein the push rod (35) is provided so as to be driven by the turning member, so that the push rod (35) is placed in a pushing position and a feeding position.

7. The continuous feeding mechanism for rotary electrode atomizing powder process according to claim 6, wherein the turning member comprises a turning shaft (23), a turning cylinder (21), a turning arm (22), the turning cylinder (21) is fixed to the electrode transmission chamber (10), and a first end of the turning arm (22) is hinged to an output end of the turning cylinder (21), a second end of the turning arm (22) is fixed to a first end of the turning shaft (23), the turning shaft (23) is rotatably connected with the electrode transmission chamber (10), and when the turning cylinder (21) stretches, the turning arm (22) rotates around an axis of the turning shaft (23) to turn the turning shaft (23).

8. Continuous feeding mechanism for rotary electrode atomizing powder process according to claim 7, characterized in that the driving means comprise a motor (31) and a universal coupling (32), the first end of the universal coupling (32) being connected to the screw (33) and the second end being connected to the output shaft of the motor (31), the motor (31) being fixed with the electrode transmission chamber (10).

9. The continuous feeding mechanism for rotary electrode atomization powder process according to claim 5, wherein a supporting groove is formed in the bottom of the transition bin (50), when the electrode is placed in the supporting groove in the transition bin (50), the electrode is limited to a third position, a telescopic rod (42) in a retracted position is attached to the end face of the electrode, and when the telescopic rod (42) is in a feeding position, the electrode is in a first position, and the right end face of the electrode is flush with the left end face of the push rod (35).

10. The continuous feeding mechanism for rotary electrode atomizing powder process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the air valve group comprises a first valve (54) and a second valve (55), the first valve (54) is used for vacuumizing the inside of the transition bin (50), and the second valve (55) is used for filling inert gas into the transition bin (50) so as to construct a protective atmosphere in the transition bin (50).

11. Continuous feeding mechanism for rotary electrode atomisation milling according to any of the claims 1-9 characterized in that the electrode transfer chamber (10) is provided with a detachable cover for throwing electrode bars into the electrode transfer chamber (10) when the cover is opened.

12. A rotary electrode atomizing powder making device, characterized by comprising the continuous feeding mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1-11 and a plasma gun, wherein one end of the plasma gun is positioned in the atomizing chamber (101) and forms a plasma arc with the electrode material rod, and atomized particles are formed in the atomizing chamber (101).

13. A rotary electrode atomizing powder apparatus according to claim 12, said carrier rollers (12) comprising a first carrier roller and a second carrier roller, said electrode bar (100) being placed between and in contact with surfaces of said first carrier roller and said second carrier roller, said first carrier roller and said second carrier roller being driven in rotation by said drive member, said first carrier roller and said second carrier roller being counter-rotating.

14. A rotary electrode atomizing powder manufacturing method, characterized by using the rotary electrode atomizing powder manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12, comprising the steps of:

step 1, filling an electrode bar stock (100) into an electrode transmission chamber (10) and a transition bin (50) respectively;

step 2, the electrode transmission chamber (10) is communicated with the transition bin (50), and the transition bin (50) is vacuumized and filled with inert gas, so that the electrode transmission chamber (10), the transition bin (50) and the atomizing chamber (101) reach a protective atmosphere;

step 3, controlling the electrode bar (100) in the electrode transmission chamber (10) to move into the atomization chamber at a preset speed and a preset rotating speed, and making contact with plasma arcs emitted by the plasma gun (50) for atomization powder preparation;

step 4, when the electrode bar stock (100) is consumed, transferring the electrode bar stock (100) in the transition bin (50) into the electrode transmission chamber (10), and isolating the electrode transmission chamber (10) from the transition bin (50);

step 5, continuous atomization powder preparation is realized through the following actions 1 and 2:

action 1: opening a transition bin (50), filling new electrode bars (100) into the transition bin (50), closing the transition bin (50), and independently vacuumizing and filling inert gas into the transition bin (50), so that the protective atmosphere of the transition bin (50) is the same as that of the electrode transmission chamber (10), and the electrode transmission chamber (10) is communicated with the transition bin (50);

action 2: the electrode bar (100) in the electrode transmission chamber (10) is moved into the atomization chamber (101) at a preset speed and a preset rotating speed, and is contacted with a plasma arc emitted by the plasma gun (102) to perform atomization powder preparation;

wherein, in step 5, action 1 and action 2 are performed synchronously, and the time of action 1 is longer than the time of action 2;

and (5) repeating the step (4) and the step (5) to realize continuous atomization powder preparation.

15. A rotary electrode atomizing powder process according to claim 14, characterized in that the electrode bar (100) is transferred from the electrode drive chamber (10) into the atomizing chamber (101) by means of a pushing member (30), and that the pushing member (30) is arranged offset from the axis of the electrode bar (100) to avoid the movement trajectory of the electrode bar (100) when a new electrode bar (100) is transferred from the transition bin (50) to the electrode drive chamber (10).