A method to quickly change a nozzle assembly suitable for use in a liquid metal atomizing process in which a liquid metal held in a liquid metal reservoir and exiting said metal reservoir through a reservoir opening is atomized by an atomizing fluid to form a metallic spray in an atomizing tower. A sliding nozzle assembly system in which replacement nozzles can be changed on the fly during production. A nozzle assembly designed to be used in conjunction with a support structure. Said nozzle assembly and support structure being designed for use in a nozzle change equipment according.

An atomizer nozzle includes: a molten metal nozzle extending in a vertical direction and which allows a molten metal to flow downward from a lower end thereof; and a gas nozzle including a chamber having an inner peripheral surface surrounding an outer periphery of the molten metal nozzle, a blow portion which introduces a gas to the chamber toward a circumferential direction of the molten metal nozzle, and a cover extending from the chamber to a position below the lower end of the molten metal nozzle while surrounding the molten metal nozzle, wherein the cover is provided with a tapered inner peripheral surface connected to the inner peripheral surface of the chamber and of which diameter is decreased as close to a lower end portion of the tapered inner peripheral surface.

The nozzles of a MHD liquid metal ejector/printhead can be clogged by contaminants in the liquid metal. Typically, these contaminants are in the form of small particles of aggregates of particles, such as metal oxides, that are insoluble in the liquid metal. Possible cleaning methods include mechanically removing the clogging material, such as by using a physical device to dislodge the clogging material and remove it; chemically removing the clogging material, such as by using selected chemicals/flux to chemically react with the clogging material; using ultrasound to break/remove the clogging material; and providing reversed and/or oscillating flow of material through the nozzle.

A jetting device includes: a fluid chamber connected to a nozzle and containing an electrically conductive liquid to be jetted out through the nozzle; a magnetic field generator arranged to create a magnetic field in the fluid chamber; a pair of electrodes contacting the electrically conductive liquid in the fluid chamber; and a controller arranged to control a flow of an electric current through the electrodes and the electrically conductive liquid. The magnetic field generator is arranged to create a rotating magnetic field in the fluid chamber.

A plasma atomization metal powder manufacturing process includes providing a heated metal source and contacting the heated metal source with the plasma of at least one plasma source under conditions effective for causing atomization of the heated metal source. The atomization may be carried out using a gas to metal ratio of less than about 20, thereby obtaining a raw metal powder having a 0-106 m particle size distribution yield of at least 80%. The process may further include aligning the heated metal source with the plasma of at least one plasma source. An atomizing system may include an alignment system positioned upstream of the plasma source and adapted to adjust an orientation of the metal source relative to the at least one plasma source.

A changing system for a tundish unit of an atomization installation for atomizing metal melts including at least one chamber for accommodating at least one first tundish unit in a working position. The chamber has at least one connection to a charging device and at least one connection to an atomization tower or an atomization shaft, a mechanism for providing at least one second tundish unit in a readiness position within the changing system furthermore including at least one changing station designed as a locked chamber for accommodating and/or introducing and/or removing at least one third tundish unit, and including a displacement system, which is designed so that the introduction and/or removal of at least one tundish unit can take place while one tundish unit is located in the working position.

A method and apparatus for producing titanium metal powder from a melt. The apparatus includes an atomization chamber having an inner wall that is coated with or formed entirely of a titanium alloy that is the same as the titanium metal powder to prevent contamination of titanium metal powder therein. The inner surfaces of some or all components of the apparatus in a flow path following the atomization chamber may also be coated with or formed entirely of the titanium alloy or CP-Ti.

An alloy powder manufacturing device with temperature control design includes: a crucible unit, for accommodating a melt; a melt delivery tube, for delivering the melt from the crucible unit; a temperature control unit, inductively heating the melt delivery tube and the melt therein, to generate an overtemperature melt, and enabling the temperature of the overtemperature melt leaving the melt delivery tube to reach a predetermined temperature; and a powder spray unit in communication with the outlet of the melt delivery tube, for impacting and atomizing the overtemperature melt having the predetermined temperature and then quickly solidifying the overtemperature melt to form alloy powders.

An alloy powder manufacturing device with temperature control design includes: a crucible unit, for accommodating a melt; a melt delivery tube, for delivering the melt from the crucible unit; a temperature control unit, inductively heating the melt delivery tube and the melt therein, to generate an overtemperature melt, and enabling the temperature of the overtemperature melt leaving the melt delivery tube to reach a predetermined temperature; and a powder spray unit in communication with the outlet of the melt delivery tube, for impacting and atomizing the overtemperature melt having the predetermined temperature and then quickly solidifying the overtemperature melt to form alloy powders.

A concentric ring gas atomization nozzle with isolated gas supply manifolds is provided for manipulating the close-coupled atomization gas structure to improve the yield of atomized powders.