Particulate feed apparatus and hardfacing systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016288239-A1
Application number	US-201615087844-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 31, 2016
Priority date	Mar 18, 2014
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Arc welding systems, apparatus and methods are for hardfacing are provided, including particle feeding apparatus. In one aspect the workpiece is moved in an oscillatory fashion while keeping the welding torch and the particulate delivery system stationary during at least a portion of welding pass. The welding torch and particulate delivery system may also be moved in a non-oscillatory fashion. Process speeds of about 18-30 in/min can be obtained with carbide incorporation of greater than 30% and uniform distribution.

First claim

1 . A particulate feed apparatus, comprising:
(a) a particulate bin having an upper portion defining an open end leading to a inwardly sloped lower portion and concluding in an outlet; (b) a receiver trough having a proximate end and a distal end, the trough being substantially horizontally positioned beneath the particulate bin such that the proximate end is under the outlet, the distal end further defining an opening; (c) a pneumatic vibrator operatively fixed to the receiver trough at an angle of between 10 and 25 degrees relative to the receiver trough, and (d) a bracket secured to the particulate bin and configured to maintain the receiver trough in position beneath the particulate bin.

2 . The particulate feed apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is further attached to a movable component for automatically moving the particulate delivery system into at least one position.

3 . The particulate feed apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the trough is oriented such that the distal end of the trough is elevated relative to the proximate end and the trough is angled between 1 and 10 degrees relative to a horizontal x-axis.

4 . The particulate feed apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the particulate feed apparatus weighs less than eight pounds.

5 . The particulate feed apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the particulate feed apparatus weighs less than two pounds.

6 . The particulate feed apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pneumatic vibrator is an air-piston vibrator.

7 . The particulate feed apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the air-piston vibrator has an air inlet and an air outlet associated therewith and an outlet valve associated with the air outlet, the outlet valve being configured for controlling a back pressure associated with the air-piston vibrator.

8 . A welding system for forming a hardfacing layer on a workpiece, the welding system comprising:
(a) an arc welding head oriented substantially downwardly at an angle conducive for an arc welding operation, the arc welding head being configured to be at least one of stationary and limited to non-oscillatory movement during a given arc welding pass of the arc welding operation; (b) a particulate delivery system comprising a particulate drop tube and a particulate feed apparatus, the particulate feed apparatus being positionable proximate the particulate drop tube so as to maintain an essentially vertical fluid flow path therebetween during operation of the arc welding head, the particulate delivery system being configured to provide a flow of a particulate via the particulate drop tube to a surface of a workpiece during the given arc welding pass, and the particle drop tube defining a top receiving opening and a bottom delivery opening and being fixed proximate to the arc welding head; and (c) a movable workpiece holder configured to automatically move the workpiece during operation of the arc welding head, the movement of the workpiece comprising oscillation thereof at a frequency of 1 Hz to 10 Hz.

9 . The welding system of claim 8 , wherein the arc welding head, the particulate drop tube, and the particulate feed apparatus are each configured to be at least one of stationary and limited to non-oscillatory movement during a given arc welding pass.

10 . The welding system of claim 8 , wherein the arc welding head, the particulate drop tube and the particulate feed apparatus are each configured to be held stationary during a given arc welding pass of the arc welding system.

11 . The welding system of claim 8 wherein the particulate feed apparatus further comprises a receiver trough oriented substantially horizontally, the receiver trough defining an open top, a first closed end, a second open end, and a trough length; and the particulate feed apparatus further comprising a pneumatic vibrator operatively fixed to the receiver trough at a first mount relative thereto in the range of 10-25 degrees.

12 . The welding system of claim 11 , wherein the distance between the second open end of the receiver trough and the top receiving opening of the particulate drop tube is greater than zero and less than or equal to 12 inches during operation of the arc welding head.

13 . The welding system of claim 11 , wherein the particulate feed apparatus further comprises a particulate bin fixed above and proximate to the first closed end of the receiver trough, the particulate bin having an open top and a lower bin out-feed, the open top being configured for receiving a supply of particulate into the first particulate bin, the bin out-feed being directed toward the receiver trough, the particulate bin being configured for acting as a source of the particulate during operation of the arc welding head.

14 . The welding system of claim 13 , wherein the particulate bin comprises an upper cylindrical portion defining the open top and leading to a downwardly sloped conical portion and concluding in the lower bin out-feed.

15 . The welding system of claim 11 , wherein the particulate delivery system further includes:
(b1) a delivery element fixed vertically below the second open end of the receiver trough, the delivery element defining an upper end and a lower exit end, the upper end being configured for receiving the flow of particulate from the second open end of the receiver trough, the lower exit end directing the flow of particulate downwardly; and (b2) a substantially rigid delivery conduit defining a first conduit end and a second conduit end, the first conduit end being fluidly connected to the lower exit end of the delivery element and the second conduit end being configured for being aligned vertically with the top receiving opening of the particulate drop tube.

16 . The welding system of claim 15 , wherein the length of the delivery conduit is greater than zero and less than or equal to 10 inches.

17 . The welding system of claim 11 , wherein the welding system further comprises an articulating holder configured for carrying the particulate delivery system and configured for sequencing the particulate delivery system at least between:
(i) a first sequencing position wherein the second open end of the receiver trough is positioned vertically above the top receiving opening of the particulate drop tube; and (ii) a second sequencing position wherein the second open end of the receiver trough is no longer positioned vertically above the top receiving opening of the particulate drop tube and further wherein the particulate bin is located in operable range of a main particulate hopper, the particulate bin thereby being able to receive an amount of the particulate from the main particulate hopper.

18 .- 37 . (canceled)

38 . A particulate delivery system comprising
(a) particulate feed apparatus comprising:
(a1) a particulate bin having an upper portion defining an open end leading to an inwardly sloped lower portion and concluding in an outlet;
(a2) a receiver trough having a proximate end and a distal end, the trough being substantially horizontally positioned beneath the particulate bin such that the proximate end is under the outlet, the distal end further defining an opening;
(a3) a pneumatic vibrator operatively fixed to the receiver trough at an angle of between 10 and 25 degrees relative to the receiver trough, and
(a4) a bracket secured to the particulate bin and configured to maintain the receiver trough in position beneath the particulate bin; and
(b) a particulate drop tube defining a top receiving opening and a bottom delivery opening; wherein the particulate feed apparatus i

Assignees

• Vermeer Mfg Co

Inventors

• Beary Scott W
• Proffitt Michael J
• Weinberg Clint A
• Muchtar Wanti
• Landon David
• Johnson Bjorn

Classifications

• B23K9/324 Primary

  Devices for supplying or evacuating a shielding or a welding powder, e.g. a magnetic powder · CPC title

• B23K9/04

  Welding for other purposes than joining, e.g. built-up welding · CPC title