Patent ID: 6139302
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: C01B,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A powder delivery apparatus comprising:a powder supply bin having an exit port, said supply bin storing a powder;a buffer chamber receiving said powder from said supply bin;level-detecting means, disposed within said buffer chamber, for detecting the level of the powder in said buffer chamber;a flow control device, coupled to said powder supply bin and responsive to said level-detecting means, for regulating the flow of the powder from said powder supply bin to said buffer chamber and maintaining the level of the powder in said buffer chamber at a desired level;a powder feed channel having a length and an exit orifice, said feed channel receiving the powder from said buffer chamber, the powder within said buffer chamber providing a back pressure on the powder within said feed channel;a vibrator, connected to said powder feed channel, transmitting vibrations to said powder feed channel along the length thereof, said vibrations and said back pressure causing the power in said feed channel to be extruded from said exit orifice;an accelerometer, coupled to said powder feed channel, for measuring the acceleration of said powder feed channel along the length thereof, said accelerometer providing an acceleration signal corresponding to the acceleration; anda control device, electrically connected to said vibrator and responsive to said acceleration signal, for regulating the vibration of said powder feed channel via said vibrator, whereby to maintain a desired vibration of said powder feed channel.