Apparatuses and methods for forming hollow spheres

US10011513B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force · US

Inventors

• Aaron Wiest · Los Angeles, US
• Craig Andrew MacDougall · Norco, US
• Steven Rogers · Phelan, US
• Robert Heller · Corona, US
• Matthew P Khalil · Corona, US
• Matthew T McCormick · Angelus Oaks, US
• Dylan R. Switzer · Riverside, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 5, 2016
• Grant date: Jul 3, 2018
• Expiry date: May 5, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P40/57
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods of forming hollow spheres are provided. Hollow sphere forming apparatus incorporate a bubble forming nozzle assembly in which outlets for gas and liquid materials are disposed substantially coaxially. The relative positions of the gas and liquid outlets are adjustable in at least one dimension (e.g., axially, radially or angularly relative to each other), such that a more uniform annular exit region for the gas and liquid outlets may be configured, such that more symmetric bubbles may be formed thus reducing the rejection rate in solidified bubbles due to asymmetry or decentering of entrapped gas.