CA1039051A - Nozzle for energy beam - Google Patents

Nozzle for energy beam

Info

Publication number
CA1039051A
CA1039051A CA212,729A CA212729A CA1039051A CA 1039051 A CA1039051 A CA 1039051A CA 212729 A CA212729 A CA 212729A CA 1039051 A CA1039051 A CA 1039051A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
sleeve
electrode
nozzle
hollow
gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA212,729A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA212729S (en
Inventor
Thomas E. Fairbairn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sirius Corp
Original Assignee
Sirius Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sirius Corp filed Critical Sirius Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1039051A publication Critical patent/CA1039051A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05HPLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
    • H05H1/00Generating plasma; Handling plasma
    • H05H1/24Generating plasma
    • H05H1/26Plasma torches
    • H05H1/30Plasma torches using applied electromagnetic fields, e.g. high frequency or microwave energy
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01JELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J33/00Discharge tubes with provision for emergence of electrons or ions from the vessel; Lenard tubes
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01JELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J37/00Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof
    • H01J37/02Details
    • H01J37/04Arrangements of electrodes and associated parts for generating or controlling the discharge, e.g. electron-optical arrangement, ion-optical arrangement
    • H01J37/06Electron sources; Electron guns

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved nozzle for an energy beam system including an outer hollow cylindrical sleeve having an internal radial plate across the interior of the sleeve with the plate having axial passages therethrough, an inner hollow tubular sleeve telescopically mounted in one end of the outer sleeve, and an elongated hollow electrode telescopically mounted interiorly of both sleeves and radially spaced apart from the inner sleeve.

Description

10~905~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved nozzle for an energy beam ~ ;
system such as the system disclosed in my United States Patent No. 3,64~,015, issued March 7, 1972. In my prior United States Patent No. 3,648,015, there is described a system for generating a narrow radio frequency electronic beam outwardly from a nozzle with the ability to utilize this beam (among other purposes) for spraying a powder or aggregate as a coating upon a target While the system including ~he nozzle described in my prior patent operates successfully, I have found that better results including better control 10 of the beam rnay be obtained by the improved nozzle of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ;
The present invention provides an improved nozzle for an energy beam system, the improved nozzle including an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, and a hollow electrode secured within the inner sleeve. Both the hollow electrode and the inner sleeve are independently telescopically adjustable relative to the outer sleeve, The energy system itself includes a radio frequency generator having, as its output tank coil, a first hollow coiled metal tube, with a second hollow metal tube inside the first metal tube. A "mechanical" input is supplied to a high current low voltage po7nt of the tubes in the form of a gas (as herein~
after explained); gas is separately supplied to each tube. The output of each tube is taken at the low current high voltage point and is coupled to the nozzle;
the outer tube couples gas around the electrode (interiorly of the inner sleeve) -~
and the inner tube couples gas to the hollow center of the electrode.
A radial plate within the outer sleeve has a plurality of apertures therethrough, a central aperture provides for the application of the inner tube gas through the hollow electrode and the outer apertures provide for the application of the outer tube gas within the inner sleeve but exteriorly of the electrode The improved nozzle of the present invention provides for a laminar flow of the gases; the gas around the electrode appears as an outer tube or column sheathing the energy beam, and the gas through the electrode appears as an inner tube or column and conducts the energy beam to the target. Each column of gas, in longitudinal cross-section, appears as laminar flow. The .-. -1- ' ~

,, ~, , , ..................... .. -,:. . : - . . :.................... .

~ ~039051 r Jlative telescopic adjustments of the electrode and the inner sleeve relative ~o the outer sleeve provides for focusing of the energy beam, and for greater intensity of the energy beam with reduced scattering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings.
In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify corres-ponding parts:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the beam system;
Figure 2 is a sectional view of the improved nozzle of the present invention as seen in the plane of arrows 2-2 of Figure 4, connected schemati-cally to the energy system;
Figure 3 is a perspective illustration of the nozzle of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is an end view of the nozzle as seen in the plane of the arrows 4-4 of Figure 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The improved nozzle of the present invention is explained in the context of an energy beam system such as that described in my United States Patent No. 3,648,015. The aforementioned patent contains a description of the energy beam system and the principles and theories of operation, together with various advantages and usages of such a system. However, certain features of the above prior patent will be repeated here in detail, it being understood that the nozzle 10 of the present invention is an improvement over the nozzle 18 of the prior patent, The improved nozzle 10 of the present invention is adapted to be connected to a maximum vOltage zero current point of a tank coil 12 of a radio frequency generator 14. The tank coil may be made from hollow copper tubing and includes an internal metal tube 16 extending through the coils of the outer tube 12.
A feed or supply line couples gas under pressure to both the inner and outer tubes of the tank coil with the gas being introduced at a maximum current zero voltage point of the tubes 12 and 16. 5pecifically, gas may be E~ -2-.
., ~ - .
.

` 1(~39051 provided from two gas supplies 18 and 20 through appropriate "T" fittings 21 and 22 to the coil or tubes 12 and 16 respectively. One or more powders or aggregates 24, may be coupled through each IITI~ fitting for introduction into the respective tubes 12 and 16 by opening one inlet to each IITII fitting as desired.
In the operation of the nozzle according to the principles of the present invention the gas utilized in each tube may be air, an inert gas or com_ bination of înert gases or even liquids or gases containing some solid particles.
The specific parameters for the gas will be set forth in greater detail herein-after. However, for the purpose of explanation of the present invention the 10 word "gas" will be used generically to include air, inert gases, and liquids whether or not they include solid particles.
Upon making the appropriate electrical connections and turning on -the gas as set forth in my prior patent, a beam emanates from the nozzle 10 and is directed at a target 28.
The details of the nozzle will now be explained. The nozzle includes ~;
an outer hollow cylinder or sleeve 30 having a first end 32 which may be defined as the nozzle orifice or opening and a second end 34 which is ultimately coupled to the supply of gas. The hollow sleeve 30 includes an internal radial plate 36 having a central aperture 38 and a plurality of peripheral apertures 40. The front or forward portion of the central aperture 38 is threaded as at 42.
Telescopically mounted interiorly of the outer sleeve 30 is a second hollow cylindrical sleeve 50 having a first end 52 exteriorly of the sleeve 30 and a second end interiorly of the sleeve. The sleeve 50 has a radially out_ wardly extending plug or stud 54 threaded therein, which extends outwardly through a suitable axially elongated slot 56 in the wall of the sleeve 30. Move-ment of the plug or stud 54 relative to the slot 56 serves to telescopically posi-tion the sleeve 50 within the sleeve 30.
The nozzle of the present invention includes a hollow electrode 60 having a first end or top 62 and an elongated central hole 64. The rear of the electrode 60 is threaded as at 66 into the threads 42 in the central aperture 38 of the plate 36. The electrode is radially spaced apart from the inner sleeve 50, as at 68.

The electrode is further adjustably mounted relative to the nozzle through a plurality of threaded holes 70 in the periphery of the sleeve 30 which _3_ :~6)39051 extend radially inwardiy. Fasteners such as set screws 72 thrsaded in the holes 70 serve to frictionally engage and retain the electrode 60. Three set screws, each 120 apart are preferred. The set screws are metallic and con-duct the radio frequency energy from the tank coil 12 and outer sleeve 30 to the electrode 60.
When the nozzle is connected to the energy system of the present invention, the inner tube 16 and its associated gas 20 are connected through the central aperture 38 in the radial plate through the hollow portion or holes 64 in the electrode 60. The outer tank coil or tube 12 and its associated gas 18 is lO connected to the second end 34 of the outer sleeve so that the gas 18 may be coupled through the peripheral apertures 40 and along the exterior of the electrode 60 but interiorly of the inner sleeve 50.
With appropriate adjustments in the gas pressures, it has been determined that the desired phenomenon of laminar or columnar gas flow is obtained under several concurrent conditions. Specifically, the ~'outer" gas, i.e., the gas through the peripheral apertures 40 and along the outside of the electrode 60 should be under a pressure or flow raee of five standard cubic feet per hour (SCFH). The interior gas, through the central aperture and through the interior of the electrode should be under a velocity of 17.5 20 standard cubic feet per hour (SCFH). Another condition is that the tip 62 of the electrode should be in the same radial plane as the first end 52 of the sleeve 50.
Under these conditions, laminar or columnar flow is obtained. Specifically, this laminar or columnar flow results in an energy beam emanating from the hole in the tip of the electrode and being conducted by the inner gas to the target 28.
The gas coming through the nozzle around the exterior of the electrode 60 sheathes, surrounds or focuses the energy beam. From the electrode tip 62 to the target the gas through the center of the electrode remains independent of the gas surrounding the electrode. Hence the flow of the gas is 30 referred to as laminar or columnar. Each gas maintainsits straight or laminar flow (in cross-section) or, -since each orifice or opening is circular, the gases are actually in tubes or hollow columns from the orifice of the nozzle to the target.
The outer sleeve 30 and inner sleeve 50 may both be manufactured .

~39f;~5~
copper or brass. Alternately, the inner sleeve may be a ceramic such as boron nitride as sold under the name "Combat" by the Carborundum Company.
Optionally, it has been found that both the outer sleeve and inner sleeve may be manufactured of stainless steel.
The electrode may be of tungsten or stainless steel or preferably of molybdenum.
With the powder supply turned off through the respective l~T
fittings or valves, the energy beam may be utilized for welding, cutting, melting or drilling, etc. Once the powders through either or both of the gases are turned on, the powder or aggregate material may be deposited on to the target and coated or fused into place. Certain additional features are provided by the nozzle of the present invention when the powder is introduced. Speci- -fically, one important feature is that the gas rate of flow is not changed by the introduction of powder. That is, the rates of flow are maintained constant and not perturbed or obstructed by the introduction of powder. Thus, the introduc-tion of the powder does not adversely affect the laminar flow. The main reason is there are no perturbations of the r~. F. energy, with respect to incident andreflected power, when the powder is fed into the beam from the center electrode hole. That is, the power does not change.
For best operation of the apparatus using the nozzle of the present invention, the front face or end 32 of sleeve 30, the front end 52 of sleeve 50 and the tip 62 of the electrode 60 must all be parallel and radial with respect to the elongated axis of the nozzle. Furthermore, the tip 62 of the electrode 60 and the front end 52 of the sleeve 50 must be in the same radial plane. If his latter condition is not maintained, the intensity and focus of the energy beam is changed from a sharp focus at the target to a beam which is focused either short of the target or which is a scattered beam as it hits the target (corres-ponding to a beam which would focus beyond the target). Furthermore, this lack of accurate focus upon the target may cause a slight spluttering of the electrode tip 62.
Thus, for best results, the parallel faces of the two sleeves and the electrode and the alignment of the inner sleeve and the electrode should be maintained. To aid in focusing the beam the inner sleeve is telescopically adjustable, by moving the adjusting stud 54. The electrode is adjustable ~ ~a~e ~k _5_ ...
.. . . ~ .. . . . ...
., . . ~ ~ ,:
- , ~LO;~5~
~ 1escopically, by the threads 66 and threads 42 in the outer sleeve and by the set screws. The set screws also serve to center the electrode within the interior of sleeve 50 to maintain the space 68 for the outer sheath gas.
The foregoing is a description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be read in a limiting sense but only as describing the underlying concepts of the present invention. The invention may be developed further within the scope of the following claims.

:,. .
.. , . . ~ :: ,

Claims (7)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. In an apparatus for generating an energy beam, said apparatus including a sine wave generator having a tank coil formed of a first hollow electrically conductive tube and a second hollow electrically conductive tube positioned interiorly of said first hollow electrically conductive tube, and a system for supplying gas through each of said tubes, and a nozzle adapted to be attached at one end of said tubes, the improved nozzle comprising a first hollow cylindrical sleeve having first and second ends and an integral interior radial plate intermediate said first and second ends, said plate having at least two axial passages therethrough, a second hollow cylindrical sleeve, a hollow electrode, means for mounting said hollow electrode radially interiorly of said first sleeve and in communication with said first axial passage for defining a first continuous flow path through said nozzle from said second tube, through a first axial passage in said plate and through said electrode, and means for mounting said second sleeve radially intermediate said electrode and said first sleeve and in communication with said second axial passage for defining a second continuous flow path through said nozzle from said first tube through said second axial passage in said plate and through said second sleeve radially exteriorly of said electrode, whereby upon the application of gas through each of said tubes, a laminar gas flow is produced by said nozzle including an inner column of gas emanating from said hollow electrode and conducting said energy beam and an outer column of gas emanating between said electrode and said second sleeve and surrounding and sheathing said energy beam.
2. The improved nozzle of claim 1 wherein said electrode and said second sleeve are telescopically mounted in said first sleeve.
3. The improved nozzle as in claim 1 wherein one end of said elec-trode is threadably mounted within said radial plate.
4. The nozzle as in claim 1 wherein said first sleeve has an axially elongated slot extending radially therethrough and said second sleeve includes a stud extending radially outwardly therefrom and extending through said slot for telescopically adjusting said second sleeve interiorly of said first sleeve.
5. The nozzle as in claim 1 wherein said second sleeve and said electrode each extend axially outwardly beyond said first sleeve and terminate in the same plane transversely of their axial dimension.
6. An improved nozzle comprising an outer hollow cylindrical sleeve having first and second ends and an integral internal radial plate intermediate said ends, said plate having an axial passage therethrough; an elongated hollow electrode; means for mounting said electrode radially interiorly of said first end of said outer sleeve, said hollow electrode being in communication with said axial passage for defining a first continuous flow path from said second outer sleeve end, through said radial plate passage and through said hollow electrode; an inner hollow tubular sleeve; and means for mounting said inner sleeve radially interiorly of said outer sleeve and radially exteriorly of said electrode, said inner sleeve for defining a second continuous flow path through said inner sleeve, said second flow path being radially outwardly of said first flow path.
7. The nozzle of claim 6 wherein said inner sleeve and said electrode are telescopically mounted.
CA212,729A 1973-11-23 1974-10-31 Nozzle for energy beam Expired CA1039051A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US418721A US3894209A (en) 1973-11-23 1973-11-23 Nozzle for energy beam system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1039051A true CA1039051A (en) 1978-09-26

Family

ID=23659315

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA212,729A Expired CA1039051A (en) 1973-11-23 1974-10-31 Nozzle for energy beam

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3894209A (en)
JP (1) JPS50105731A (en)
AU (1) AU7567574A (en)
BE (1) BE822528A (en)
CA (1) CA1039051A (en)
DE (1) DE2456042A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1484156A (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4147916A (en) * 1976-04-05 1979-04-03 Sirius Corporation Split-flow nozzle for energy beam system
US4536640A (en) * 1981-07-14 1985-08-20 The Standard Oil Company (Ohio) High pressure, non-logical thermal equilibrium arc plasma generating apparatus for deposition of coatings upon substrates
FR2614751B1 (en) * 1987-04-29 1991-10-04 Aerospatiale METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE INJECTION OF A MATERIAL IN A FLUID FORM INTO A HOT GAS FLOW AND APPARATUS USING THE SAME
US4990739A (en) * 1989-07-07 1991-02-05 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Plasma gun with coaxial powder feed and adjustable cathode
US9443634B2 (en) * 2008-08-20 2016-09-13 Fripro Energy, Llc Atmospheric electron particle beam generator

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2587331A (en) * 1947-08-08 1952-02-26 Gen Electric High-frequency electrical heating method and apparatus
US3035155A (en) * 1960-04-08 1962-05-15 Thore C Hawk Welding torch
US3130292A (en) * 1960-12-27 1964-04-21 Union Carbide Corp Arc torch apparatus for use in metal melting furnaces
US3221212A (en) * 1961-10-27 1965-11-30 Gen Electric Plasma accelerator
US3307011A (en) * 1963-08-29 1967-02-28 Union Carbide Corp Method for increasing electrode life
US3514567A (en) * 1968-07-22 1970-05-26 Virgil G Strang Welding equipment
US3648015A (en) * 1970-07-20 1972-03-07 Thomas E Fairbairn Radio frequency generated electron beam torch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE822528A (en) 1975-03-14
GB1484156A (en) 1977-09-01
US3894209A (en) 1975-07-08
AU7567574A (en) 1976-05-27
JPS50105731A (en) 1975-08-20
DE2456042A1 (en) 1975-05-28

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