MOLTEN MATERIAL INTERFACES FOR MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC METAL MANUFACTURING
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing, the method comprising:
- providing a liquid metal in a firing chamber at least partially defined by electrodes, the firing chamber in fluid communication with a discharge region defined by a housing supporting the electrodes;
directing a magnetic field into the liquid metal in the firing chamber; and
delivering electric current from the electrodes into the liquid metal in the firing chamber in a direction intersecting the magnetic field in the firing chamber to eject the liquid metal from the discharge region to form an object, wherein the electrodes and the liquid metal are formed of the same material at a respective interface between each electrode and the liquid metal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems, and methods are directed to applying magnetohydrodynamic forces to liquid metal to eject liquid metal from a nozzle along a controlled pattern, such as a controlled three-dimensional pattern as part of additive manufacturing of an object. Electrodes used to deliver electric current across a firing chamber of the nozzle are formed of the same material as the liquid metal being ejected from the nozzle. For example, respective interfaces between the electrodes and the liquid metal can be molten material. Forming the electrodes and the liquid metal of the same material can facilitate, for example, ejecting liquid metals having high melt temperatures.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing, the method comprising:
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providing a liquid metal in a firing chamber at least partially defined by electrodes, the firing chamber in fluid communication with a discharge region defined by a housing supporting the electrodes; directing a magnetic field into the liquid metal in the firing chamber; and delivering electric current from the electrodes into the liquid metal in the firing chamber in a direction intersecting the magnetic field in the firing chamber to eject the liquid metal from the discharge region to form an object, wherein the electrodes and the liquid metal are formed of the same material at a respective interface between each electrode and the liquid metal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for jetting liquid metal, the system comprising:
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electrodes defining at least a portion of a firing chamber, an electric current conductable into liquid metal in the firing chamber between the electrodes; one or more magnets disposed relative to the electrodes with a magnetic field of the magnet extending through the firing chamber and intersecting the electric current in the firing chamber; and a housing defining at least one portion of a fluid chamber, the fluid chamber having an inlet region, a discharge region, and recesses, wherein the electrodes are disposed in the recesses such that the firing chamber is within the fluid chamber between the inlet region and the discharge region and a maximum radial dimension of the firing chamber is greater than a maximum radial dimension a portion of the fluid chamber adjacent to the firing chamber. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification