Patent ID: 6565342
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: B22F,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for fabricating metal spheres, comprising:a droplet generator that generates a droplet from a molten metal mass; a buffering chamber that receives the droplet from the droplet generator, and diminishes internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet; and a cooling drum that receives the droplet from the buffering chamber, and cools the droplet to the extent that the droplet solidifies into a metal sphere; wherein the droplet generator includes a receptacle in which the molten metal mass is contained, wherein the receptacle includes a plurality of walls and a tube; an aperture through a first wall of the plurality of walls of the receptacle; and a piston disposed within the tube and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal with the tube; wherein reciprocating motion of the piston within the tube changes pressure of the molten metal mass.