Abstract: A vacuum chamber (10, 10') having first and second ends (28, 28') with a flow passage (30) at each end for directing the flow of particulate material into and out of the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber has a vacuum outlet duct (26) midway between the first and second ends (28, 28') thereof for removing gaseous contaminants. A flow control structure (32, 32') is disposed within the vacuum chamber (10, 10') between said first and second ends and has symmetrical ends for receiving particulate material from one of the flow passages (30) and directing the flow of particulate material to the other one of the flow passages while isolating the flow of particulate material from the surrounding space of the vacuum chamber through the central portion of the vacuum chamber adjacent the vacuum outlet duct (26) and for dispersing the particulate material while being subjected to the vacuum chamber adjacent the other one of the flow passages before the particulate material flows out the other one of the flow passages.

Abstract: A closed loop assembly for dissolving a layer from an article by exposing the article to a leaching solution having a predetermined boiling temperature. The assembly includes a sealed reaction container including an inner compartment to contain the leaching solution and the article, a recirculation system connected to the reaction container for receiving boiled off leaching solution vapor and condensing the vapor and returning the vapor to the reaction container, and a heater for heating the article within the reaction container above the boiling temperature of the leaching solution.The assembly performs a method of dissolving the layer from an article by exposing the article to the leaching solution.

Abstract: An apparatus (10, 110) and method are disclosed for cleaning gas-contaminated particulate material such as powder metal. The gas-contaminated powdered metal is passed through a vacuum chamber (12, 112) having a gas outlet (14, 114) connected to a vacuum pump (119) which evacuates the chamber (12, 112). The vacuum chamber (12, 112) has first (20, 120) and second (22, 122) ends with a flow passage at each end for directing the flow of the particulate material into and out of the chamber (12, 112). The gas-contaminated particulate material is subjected to an electric field in the vacuum chamber (12, 112) to electrically charge the gaseous contaminates and cause separation of the gaseous contaminates from the powdered metal to facilitate the removal (14, 114) of the gaseous contaminates from the vacuum chamber (12, 112). First (24, 124) and second (26, 126) containers are connected to the flow passages of the vacuum chamber (12, 112).

Abstract: A measuring and dispensing assembly including a sealed housing defining a supply chamber with a measuring chamber immediately below the supply chamber. An outlet valve is disposed at the bottom of the measuring chamber and an inlet valve controls the flow of material from the supply chamber into the measuring chamber. The inlet valve has a cavity surrounding a control member which is movable into and out of the measuring chamber for changing the volume thereof. The inlet valve has a tubular portion extending upwardly and exteriorly of the housing for connection to an actuator. The control member for controlling the volume has a tubular section extending upwardly through the tubular portion of the inlet valve and exteriorly of the housing for connection to an adjustment means for varying the volume of the measuring chamber. The outlet valve has a stem extending upwardly through the tubular section of the control member exteriorly of the housing for connection to an actuator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying desirable particles of powder metal by size and removing particles of undesirable material of a different density than the metal particles. There is included a housing defining a closed flow path for a recirculated stream of protective gas different than ambient air. A particle supply device introduces particles into the housing at a controlled rate in a downwardly falling stream. A plurality of receptacle trays are disposed in the housing generally vertically below the particle supply device with each tray having a forward lip positioned forwardly in the direction of the gas flow of the trays thereabove.

Abstract: A powder dispensing assembly including an elongated chute having opposite ends pivotally supported for rotation about a pivot axis within an elongated housing and having a funnel-shaped cross section with a wide upper portion and a narrow lower portion. A dispensing platform is integral with the rear wall of the chute and extends forwardly beneath the front wall and slopes upwardly to a lip over which particles of powder move to define a falling curtain of powder particles. A supply platform is supported just above the pivot axis and receives powder from an elongated slot and supplies powder to the dispensing platform as the powder falls downwardly through the chute. The supply platform is wider than the angle of repose of the powder supplied thereto so that when the supply platform is not moving powder is not being supplied to the lower dispensing platform. An electromagnet cooperates with a spring plate which is, in turn, connected by a rod through the housing to the rear wall of the chute.

Abstract: An assembly and method for hot consolidating powder metal by heat and pressure in a container. The container is a mass of material substantially fully dense and incompressible with at least a portion which is capable of plastic flow at pressing temperatures and forming a closed cavity of a predetermined shape and volume for receiving a quantity of powder metal with the interior walls being movable to reduce the volume of the cavity for compacting powder metal into an article. A shaping insert is disposed in the cavity for defining a void in the article as the powder metal is compacted against the shaping insert. A force-responsive means allows relative movement between the shaping insert and at least a portion of the interior walls of the cavity as powder metal is compacted in response to a force reducing the volume of the cavity.

Abstract: A method for sonic testing powder metal articles made by hot isostatic pressing in a thick-walled container including the steps of preparing the composite thick-walled container and article for sonic testing by machining sonic surfaces in the exterior surface of the thick-walled container and thereafter sonic testing the article through the walls of the container.

Abstract: A method for filling and sealing a container which includes a fill tube for filling the container with particulate material, e.g., powder metal, wherein at least a portion of the fill tube is filled with powder metal and a section of the filled portion is heated to melt the powder metal. The molten metal is then permitted to solidify thereby forming a fused mass of material in the fill tube which hermetically seals the container.

Abstract: A container for hot consolidating powder of metallic and non-metallic composition and combinations thereof by the application of heat and pressure wherein the container includes a mass of container material which is substantially fully dense and incompressible and is capable of plastic flow at pressing temperatures, a cavity of a predetermined shape formed within the mass for receiving a quantity of powder, the mass including walls around the cavity of sufficient thickness so that the exterior surface thereof does not closely follow the contour of the cavity whereby, upon the application of heat and pressure to the container, the mass acts like a fluid to apply hydrostatic pressure to the powder contained in the cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of forming and subsequently heat treating articles of near net shape from powder metal which includes the steps of producing a thickwalled container by forming a cavity of predetermined shape in a mass of suitable container material such that the walls of the container are of sufficient thickness so that the exterior surface thereof does not closely follow the contour of the cavity, filling the container with powder metal, applying heat and pressure to the container such that the container material acts like a fluid to apply hydrostatic pressure to the heated powder contained in the cavity thereby consolidating the powder metal to produce a densified compact, preparing the densified compact for heat treating by selectively removing portions of the container to form a jacket of container material around the densified compact, heat treating the densified compact and completing removal of the container material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cleaning contaminated particulate material, such as, gas contaminated powder metal. Degassification is accomplished by introducing contaminated particulate material into a vacuum chamber which is connected to a vacuum pump. One or more electric fields are produced within the vacuum chamber by applying a potential across one or more sets of electrodes. The electrical field charges the contaminants and excites them so that the contaminants are separated for the particulate material and, in the case of a gaseous contaminant, are more easily removed from the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cold working metal powder to produce a metal powder highly suited for consolidation wherein the apparatus comprises a cold rolling mill including a pair of driven rolls mounted within a sealed work chamber for receiving and deforming a closely metered amount of powder. The work chamber is continuously purged with an inert atmosphere to protect the powder from gaseous contaminants and circulating and filter means is provided for removing solid contaminants. To facilitate cold rolling the powder is lubricated prior to passage through the rolls and brushes are provided for cleaning any adhering powder from the surface of the rolls. The resulting cold worked powder particles have a coin, or plate-like, shape and demonstrate desirable properties for hot consolidation, such as, a low incidence of hollow particles and nonmetallic inclusions, the capability of achieving a condition of superplasticity, and an increased tap density of the loose powder.