METHOD FOR USING A TUBULAR SONOTRODE

• US 20170335427A1
• Filed: 11/02/2015
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Issoire Constellium
• Original Assignee: Issoire Constellium
• Inventors: JARRY, Philippe, ACHARD, Jean-Louis
• Granted Patent: US 10,837,081 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 3/00 Methods or apparatus specially adapted for transmitting mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 1/00 Treatment of fused masses in the ladle or the supply runners before casting for continuous casting B22D11/10; metallurgical processing, e.g. refining of iron or other metal C21, C22, C25C
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 1/002 Treatment with gases C21C7/072, C22B9/05 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/06 refining electrolytic refining C25C; C22B21/0046, C22B21/0061 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/064 using inert or reactive gases C22B21/066 and C22B21/068 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/026 by acoustic waves, e.g. supersonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/20 Recycling

Abstract

The method includes the following steps:

• • a) providing a tubular sonotrode (1) formed in a material substantially inert to liquid aluminum, such as a ceramic, for example, silicon oxynitride, the sonotrode comprising a first open end region (2) and a second optionally closed end region (3),
  • b) submerging at least some of the open end region (2) of the tubular sonotrode (1) in the liquid aluminum alloy, and
  • c) applying power ultrasound on the liquid aluminum alloy by means of the tubular sonotrode (1).

Claims

1. Method for using a sonotrode, in a liquid aluminum alloy, comprising:

a) providing a tubular sonotrode formed in a material substantially inert to liquid aluminum, such as a ceramic, for example, silicon oxynitride, the sonotrode comprising a first open end region and a second optionally closed end region,

b) submerging at least some of the open end region of the tubular sonotrode in the liquid aluminum alloy, and

c) applying power ultrasound on the liquid aluminum alloy by means of the tubular sonotrode.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the sonotrode in a) has previously been wetted by partial immersion in a liquid aluminum alloy (M) having a content of at least 0.05% magnesium and application of power ultrasound.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein c) includes a i) of placing the liquid aluminum alloy surface under an inert anhydrous atmosphere outside and inside the tubular sonotrode.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the placement of the liquid aluminum alloy surface under an inert anhydrous atmosphere inside the tubular sonotrode according to i) includes the injection of an anhydrous inert gas inside the tubular sonotrode.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method also includes creating a descending velocity field in the liquid aluminum alloy at the first end region of the tubular sonotrode, so as to generate a descending liquid aluminum alloy flow inside the tubular sonotrode.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the liquid aluminum alloy is placed in an induction crucible configured so as to generate a descending velocity field in the liquid aluminum alloy at the first end region of the tubular sonotrode.

7. Method according to claim 5, wherein a) consists in providing a tubular sonotrode, the first end region of which has a flared shape configured so as to generate a descending velocity field at the first end region of the tubular sonotrode.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the application of power ultrasound of c) is performed intermittently, and the method includes, between two power ultrasound applications, the use of an over-pressure applied on the surface of the liquid aluminum alloy inside the tubular sonotrode, so as to form an intermittent descending velocity field in the liquid aluminum alloy.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the method includes ii) placing the liquid aluminum alloy under a partial vacuum inside the tubular sonotrode during the intermittent application of power ultrasound in c).

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method includes the arrangement of a complementary sonotrode, generally in the form of a rod with a flat end, in the liquid aluminum alloy (A) at the first end region of the tubular sonotrode, wherein the application of power ultrasound of c) is performed continuously, and wherein the method includes iii) exciting the complementary sonotrode in longitudinal mode, so as to create an intermittent acoustic current in the liquid aluminum alloy.

11. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method includes y) comprising the incorporation of ceramic particles in the liquid aluminum alloy contained in the sonotrode.

12. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method includes at least partial submersion of a master alloy wire in the liquid aluminum alloy contained in the tubular sonotrode.

13. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method includes application of gaseous NH3 in the liquid aluminum alloy contained in the tubular sonotrode so as to form a composite Al—

AlN material.

14. Insonification device suitable for the treatment of the liquid aluminum alloy, the insonification device including a tubular sonotrode formed in a material substantially inert to liquid aluminum, such as a ceramic, optionally a silicon oxynitride, the sonotrode comprising a first open end region and a second optionally closed end region, and a power ultrasound emission transducer attached to the tubular sonotrode.