This invention relates to a device for gas atomizing a liquid stream, such as a stream of molten metal or metal alloy.

The atomizing and spray depositing of a stream of liquid metal is well known for example from British Patent Specification No. 1262471, and our own British Patent Specifications Nos. 1379261 and 1472939. However, the control of the mass deposition of the metal on a deposition surface has always been a problem.

One proposal to improve the control of the mass distribution of the deposited layer of gas atomized of metal is set out in British Patent Specification No. 1455862 where it is proposed to oscillate the spray of atomized particles by the use of a primary set of gas jets for atomization and two sets of secondary jets which are rapidly switched on and off to impart an oscillatory motion to the spray of atomized metal. An alternative proposal- was disclosed in

European Patent Publication No. 0127303A where individual gas jets were switched on and off to accomplish the function of both atomizing and oscillating the spray. However, we found both these methods very difficult to control. In the first proposal the use of secondary jets can result in excess cooling of the deposited metal

meaning that subsequently arriving particles do not coalesce properly with the -already -deposited metal . In the second method the shape and properties (e.g. temperature) of the spray can change as individual jets are switched on and off' which makes it extremely difficult to ensure uniform deposition and solidification conditions. We therefore proposed in European Patent Publication No. 225080 an improved device for imparting more controlled and precise movements to an atomized liquid stream of molten metal or metal alloy which involved tilting the actual atomizer on an axis so that the atomizing gas flow field remained the same but was moved to and fro by to and fro tilting of the atomizer.

However, whilst such a device enables more controlled deposition, there can be inertia problems inherent in a mechanical to and ro tilting movement. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved atomizing device and method of atomization.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus, for gas atomizing a liquid stream, comprising: an atomizing device defining an opening through which the stream may be teemed; an atomizing means for forming an atomizing

gas flow field of asymmetric geometry with respect to the axis of the stream which atomizes the stream into a spray of droplets; and means for varying the positional relationship of the asymmetric gas flow field relative to the stream whereby the asymmetry of the gas flow field may impart movement to the spray whilst the overall geometry of the atomizing gas flow field may remain substantially constant. The invention also includes a method of moving a spray comprising the steps of passing a liquid stream, such as a stream of molten metal or metal alloy, through an atomizing device, atomizing the stream into a spray of droplets by the application of an atomization gas forming an atomizing gas flow field of asymmetric geometry relative to the stream, and varying the asymmetric relationship of the gas flow field relative to the stream during atomization whereby the asymmetry of the gas flow field imparts movement to the spray whilst the overall geometry of the atomizing gas flow field remains substantially constant.

The improved method of the present invention does not involve the switching on and off of gas jets to move the spray. Instead, despite the proximity to the nozzle from which molten metal issues, we have devised a system whereby the spray is moved by moving the atomizing jets themselves

possibly with the whole atomizing device tilting as well if desired. ..This has the -following particular advantages over previous methods:

(a) on average the atomizing conditions can be kept more consistent because gas jets are not being switched on and off;

(b) the movement imparted is preferably a rotation or angular oscillation about the stream so that the spray can be moved very easily by varying movements of atomizing rotor(s) and, if desired, tilting the atomizer;

(c) the rate of movement can be easily varied by the speed of the rotor and, if required, the tilt of the atomizer; (d) the speed of movement of the locus of the spray axis at any instant during deposition can be easily varied;

(e) some alloys, such as aluminium alloys, cast irron, tin and zinc alloys, tend to produce spray cones of relatively small angle of divergence and therefore the cooling of the particles in flight can be inhibited. When taken together with the relatively high local mass flux at the deposition surface this can result in excessive deposition temperatures. Spreading the spray by rotation or angular oscillation of the atomizer to cause corresponding movement of the gas field in accordance with the present invention

will, in this case, result in more uniform and cooler deposition conditions. As a result the deposition rate could be increased;

(f) the main axis of the spray can be made to follow a wide range of pre-determined paths; e.g. a circular path, an elliptical path, etc. This is in contrast to our prior tilting method where the path of the spray is undertaking a to and fro movement along a straight line only. Therefore, the greater control over the spray movements and provides increased flexibility in operation;

(g) the rate of deposition can be increased because of the increased area over which the metal is deposited (ie. the increased size of the spray relative to the product). This is achieved because the metal will cool more quickly and therefore can be poured at a higher rate; and

(h) the quality of the deposit will improve in that the microstructure and porosity distribution will be more uniform.

Consequently, the apparatus and method of the present invention provides a very high degree of control over the atomizing device and the movement of the spray which previously has not been attainable. This enables the locus of the spray axis to be varied to suit the shape of deposit being produced or to control the deposition

conditions and/or the profile of the spray on the surface of the collector.

In one form of the method of the invention the liquid stream is molten metal or metal alloy, 5 the spray is directed at a substrate moving continuously through the spray and the spray is moved transverse to the direction of movement to achieve uniformity of thickness of deposition across the width of the substrate and is spread 10 laterally in the direction of movement by the asymmetry of the gas flow field whereby strip, coated strip, plate or coated plate products may be formed.

The invention will now be described by way of 15 example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is sectional side elevation of an atomizer of the closest prior art;

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c are diagrammatic Ztt perspective view of -the formation of tube and bar deposits using the apparatus of figure 1 and the spray mass flux profile exemplified as applied to tube;

Figures 3a, 3b and 3σ are diagrammatic views 25 showing respectively, the side elevation of the formation of strip, a view on A-A in figure 3b, and the spray mass flux profile using atomizers of the prior art according to figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-section of a first embodiment of atomizing device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 is a cross-section of a second embodiment of atomizing device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-section of a third embodiment of atomizing device in accordance with the invention; Figures 7a and 7b are examples of spray profiles that can be achieved with the present invention;

Figures 8a, 8b and 8σ are diagrammatic perspective views of the formation of tube and bar deposits using apparatus of the present invention in contrast to figures 2a and 2b and the spray mass flux profile exemplified as applied to tube; Figures 9a, 9b and 9c are diagrammatic views of the invention showing respectively the side elevation of the foundation of strip in contrast to figure 3a, a view in the direction of arrow B, and the spray mass flux profile; and

Figures 10a and 10b, respectively, show the spray mass flux profile of a spray for forming strip using the tilting atomizing device of figure 1 and using the rotational device of the present invention in conjunction with tilting.

In the drawings illustrating the closest

prior art an atomizing device (10) is positioned within an atomizer housing (11) and below the nozzle opening (12) of tundish (13). The atomizing device (10) includes a plenum chamber (14) and has atomizing gas jet openings ("15). The atomizing device (10) is substantially annular in shape having a central opening (16) through which a stream (17) from the tundish (13) is arranged to pass. The atomizing device is supported within the housing (11) by diametrically opposed supports (18, 19) which project outwardly from the atomizing device (10) and is positioned sufficiently away from the bottom of the tundish (13) and has a central opening (16) dimensioned so that the atomizing device may be made to undergo a tilting motion. So that this tilting motion may be achieved the supports (18, 19) are mounted within respective bearings (20, 21) in the atomizer housing (11). One of the supports (18) also serves as a conduit (22) to supply atomizing gas to the plenum chamber (14).

The movement of the atomizing device (10) is effected by mechanical means consisting of a rotated cam and a cam follower held against the cam profile (not shown). The cam follower has a connecting arm (27) pivoted to it and extends to a pivotal connection (29) on a plate (30). The plate (30) is freely movable and is fixed to the

support (19) at a position offset from the pivotal connection (29).

Accordingly, it will be understood that movement of the rotated cam is translated into movement of the atomizing ^" device (10) via the cam follower connecting arm (27) and plate (30). The cam profile may be designed to define a predetermined degree of movement and the speed of rotation of the cam controls the speed of movement of the atomizing device. The to and fro tilting movement of the atomizing device imparts a corresponding scanning movement to the spray (31) since the atomizing device (10) carries with it the atomizing gas jet openings (15). Further details of this arrangement may be obtained from our aforementioned European Patent Publication No. 225080.

For examples of products formed using the apparatus of figure 1 reference may be had to figures 2a, 2b, and 2c. In those figures the spray (31) is shown scanning the deposition surface, either axially in the direction of arrow (32) in the formation of a tube (33) (figure 2a) or about the end of a bar deposit (34) which, as with the tube, is rotated in the direction of arrows (35) and moved axially in the direction of arrow (36) as shown in figure 2b.

When a spray is scanned across the bar end or

along the rotating tube as shown in those figures, the locus of the spray axis (37) on the surface follows a to and fro linear path. It is therefore essential to ensure that the scanning frequency of the spray is sufficiently high that the resulting layer per revolution is effectively uniform. For example, as shown in figure 2c with respect to the formation of tube, the spray profile (38) defined about the locus of the spray axis must overlap to give uniform deposition for each revolution.

However, in the formation of tube for example, as the required diameter of the deposit increases the ratio of scanning frequency to rotational speed increases, which can lead to mechanical design problems due to the inherent inertia of the tilting atomizer.

In figure 3a strip or plate (60) is shown being formed on a substrate (61) moving in the direction of arrow (62). But, in order to achieve maximum spray density whilst accommodating the maximum spray mass flux profile of a spray without defects consequential on too hot deposition (indicated by line (63) with respect to spray profiles (64), it is necessary to use two or more rows (65) of two or more atomized sprays (66) to produce strip with sufficiently uniform deposition conditions throughout the section even though the atomized sprays (66) scan transverse to the

direction of movement as indicated by arrows (67). In the tilting atomizer of figure 1 the spray cone generated by the atomizing device is always maintained, the tilting of the atomizer achieving to and fro movement of the spray cone, and the gas jets are used merely for atomization.

In the present invention the atomizing device may be tilted, but movement of the spray may be achieved without such motion. For example, in figure 4, a liquid stream (41) of molten metal or metal alloy is atomized by gas which is fed via pipes (42) to an atomizer body (43). The gas exits through orifices (44) arranged around the liquid stream (41) in a rotor (45) which is movable about the axis of the liquid stream (41) and may be arranged either to undertake angular oscillation to and fro about the stream or to undertake complete rotation about the stream. As can be seen from the figure, the size of the orifices (44) differ according to the circumferential position around the liquid stream in order to generate an asymmetric atomizing gas field. The rotor (45) is held in position by bearings (46) and (47), the gas leakage is prevented between the rotor (45) and the atomizer body (43) by suitable seals (48) and (49) as shown. The gas jets emerging from the orifices (44) atomize the liquid stream (41) to form the

spray (50). The rotor (45) is movable about the stream (41) by means of a driven actuating means (51 ) such as a spur gear for example. On rotation or angular oscillation to and fro of the rotor the overall asymmetry of the atomizing gas field remains the same but because its position relative to the stream varies, the different asymmetrical positions of the gas flow field imparts rotation or an oscillation to the spray (50). In figure 5 a similar apparatus is shown including a rotor (145) and similar reference numerals to those in figure 4 have been used in a one hundred series to indicate corresponding parts. However, in figure 5, instead of varying the size of orifice (144) about the circumference of the atomizing device the angles of attack of the emerging gas jets - indicated by references (152) - are varied a*bout the circumference to produce the asymmetric spray pattern. If desired, combinations of figure 4 and figure 5 are possible, ie. varying the orifice size and the angles of attack.

In the embodiment of figure 6 an asymmetric atomizing gas field is produced by means of two rotors which are rotatable relative to each other and to the atomizer body. In figure 6 a liquid metal stream (241) passing through the atomizer body is atomized by an atomizing gas fed via pipes

(242) to the atomizer body (243). The gas is received in a plenum chamber (253) and exists the atomizer body (243) through atomizing orifices

(244). The orifices (244) are arranged in two circular arrays in two concentric rotors (254,

255) and are distributed about the stream (241) in order to atomize it. The size of the orifices in each rotor (254, 255) differ according to their circumferential position around the liquid stream in order to generate an asymmetric atomizing gas field. However, by using two rotors (254, 255) more flexibility in the control of the resultant spray shape is provided.

The inner rotor (254) is held in position by bearings (246) and (247) and the outer rotor (255) by bearings (256) and (257). Gas leakage is prevented between the rotors (254, 255) and the atomizer body (243) by suitable seals (248, 249 and 258). The atomizing gas jets emerging from the orifices (244) and atomize the liquid stream

(241) to form a spray (250). The arrays of gas jets in the respective rotors (254, 255) may be focused at a single atomizing point relative to the stream or at an atomizing zone (259) where the stream (241) is broken up into a spray. The rotors (254, 255) are movable by means of respective bevel gears (260, 261). By synchronizing the two rotors (254, 255) the

asymmetric gas flow field can be kept substantially constant and rotation or to and fro angular oscillation imparts movement to the spray whilst it retains its same cross-sectional shape determined by the gas flow field. However, by moving one rotor relative to the other the geometry of the gas flow field may be altered as well which provides increased flexibility.

If desired, the atomizer with a rotor or rotors for rotation and/or angular to and fro oscillation about the stream can be used in the tilting arrangement of figure 1 so that the atomizing device tilts and rotates or angularly oscillates simultaneously. In use, referring to figures 7a and 7b if the pattern of the atomizing gas jets (300) emerging from respective orifices (44, 144, 244) is arranged such that the result is a conical jet the axis (301) of which is inclined at a small angle and relative to the axis (302) of rotation of the respective rotors, then the spray profile (303) will be symmetric about the conical jet axis (301) even though the gas field is asymmetric with respect to the atomizing device and particularly the main axis of the liquid stream (302) which, in this case, coincides with the rotor axis. If the rotor is angularly oscillated to and fro about the stream then the effective spray profile can be

modified as indicated by the plan view (304) at the bottom of figure 7a.

In figure 7b the rotor is rotated to form the effective spray profile (305). Obviously, the 5 actual spray profiles produced are a function of the gas jet pattern and the velocity profile applied to the respective rotor which may be angular oscillation or rotation.

In figures 8a, 8b, and 8c, the advantages of 10 the present invention are illustrated in the formation of tube (400) and bar (401) deposits. In both cases there is a rotational and axial movement of the forming deposits (402) and (403) respectively as well as scanning movement of the 15 sprays indicated by arrows (406). As opposed to the spray movement imparted solely by tilting the atomizer as disclosed in figures 2a, 2b, and 2c, the additional rotation or angular oscillation of ^' the atomizing rotor causes the locus of the spray 2.0 axis indicated by lines (404) and (405) in figures 8a and 8b respectively to be spread (or to have an effective wider spray profile (407) as indicated in figure 8c with reference to the formation of tube) which allows the scanning speed of the spray 5 to be reduced whilst still achieving the necessary overlap to give uniform deposition. As the scanning speed is reduced more metal can be put down without having a detrimental effect on the

desired properties of the finished deposit.

In figures 9a and 9b the production of strip or plate (410) is diagrammatically illustrated. In contrast to the tilting of figures 3a and 3b, the addition of rotation or angular oscillation to the atomizing rotor produces a spread uniformity illustrated by spray profile (411) of figure 9c, such that only one row of tilting atomizers (412) is required as opposed to two greatly simplifying the plant needed and possibly increasing the production rate. Of course, although rows of two atomizers have been disclosed in figures 3a and 9a, if a reduced width of strip or plate is required then a single atomizer may be sufficient in the present invention as opposed to two atomizers, one behind the other, previously required.

The contrasting spray profiles in the formation of strip are more clearly shown in figures 10a and 10b where the combination of rotation to tilting is demonstrated. In particular, the scanning of a spray by tilting the atomizer plus rotation has the advantage in strip production by spreading the spray laterally, by tilting, to obtain the correct uniformity of thickness and also longitudinally, by rotation. Thus, figure 10a shows a spray profile (420) achieve solely by tilting the atomizer to and fro

whereas figure 10b shows a spray profile (421) with the addition of rotation or angular oscillation to achieve greater spread. This results in more uniform deposition conditions throughout the thickness of the strip which will reduce the amount of porosity in the bottom and top surfaces of the strip deposit (caused by low deposition rates at the edge of the spray). In the present invention there is less variation in deposition rate as the collector traverses under the spray and therefore porosity is reduced.

The method of rotation of the present invention will also have significant advantages in the production of tubes, billets and clad products, particularly for billets and tubes of large diameter. The reason for this is that the spray will cover a larger area, ie. have a larger 'footprint' and therefore it is easier to obtain complete coverage of the tube or the billet surface compared to the old method solely of tilting. Although the invention has been particularly described with a stream axis which passes through the centre of a rotatable atomizing device, the axis of rotation of atomizer or the axis of the jets could be different to axis of metal stream. In this arrangement the holes could be uniform whilst the geometry of the gas flow field and thus the spray would be asymmetric to

the liquid stream. Further, the jets need not be arranged on a circle; for example, the jets could be in an elliptical arrangement and there could be one, two or more rotors. In the case of two rotors, these could be rotating in the same or opposite directions (or angularly oscillated in the same or opposite directions) .

The above devices can also be used for producing gas atomized metal powders whereby the movement of the spray can impart improved cooling to the atomized particles.