Nozzle cleaning in jetting of metal alloys
US12083599B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The nozzles of a MHD liquid metal ejector/printhead can be clogged by contaminants in the liquid metal. Typically, these contaminants are in the form of small particles of aggregates of particles, such as metal oxides, that are insoluble in the liquid metal. Possible cleaning methods include mechanically removing the clogging material, such as by using a physical device to dislodge the clogging material and remove it; chemically removing the clogging material, such as by using selected chemicals/flux to chemically react with the clogging material; using ultrasound to break/remove the clogging material; and providing reversed and/or oscillating flow of material through the nozzle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.