Patent ID: 9022063
Filing Date: 2015-05-05
Classification: C23C,G01F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A closed loop powder feed rate control system for a material deposition system comprising: a powder source having a controllable powder feed rate; a powder output conduit configured to output powder from the powder source into a chamber, wherein the chamber comprises a gas inlet located in the chamber configured to introduce a carrier gas flow into the chamber; a container positioned at an oblique angle relative to the powder output conduit, with an upper end located at an angle within the chamber, the container including: a diaphragm located over the upper end of the container to receive powder directed onto the diaphragm from the conduit, the diaphragm emitting acoustic vibration pulses caused by the powder contacting the diaphragm, an acoustic sensor located within the container configured to detect the acoustic vibration pulses and convert the acoustic vibration pulses to an electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal is a representation of a powder feed rate, wherein after the powder contacts the diaphragm, it is entrained in the carrier gas flow and moved to a deposition system; and a powder feed rate control module configured to control a rate of delivery of powder from the powder source based on the electrical signal.