초록 ▼

A device for regulating the flow of particulate material comprising a first, inlet conduit having an outlet end, and a second, outlet conduit aligned with the first conduit and having an inlet end sufficiently close to the outlet end of the first conduit as to receive at least a portion of a particu

A device for regulating the flow of particulate material comprising a first, inlet conduit having an outlet end, and a second, outlet conduit aligned with the first conduit and having an inlet end sufficiently close to the outlet end of the first conduit as to receive at least a portion of a particulate material flow exiting the first conduit. The lateral relationship of the adjacent ends of the two conduits is adjusted to change the area of the inlet end exposed to material leaving the first conduit to adjust the flow of particulate material through the second conduit; material which does not enter the second conduit is recycled. The device is particularly useful for regulating the flow of small quantities of metal powder being fed to a laser consolidation process. The invention also includes the method of regulating by lateral adjustment of the adjacent conduit ends.

대표청구항 ▼

A device for regulating the flow of particulate material comprising a first, inlet conduit having an outlet end, and a second, outlet conduit aligned with the first conduit and having an inlet end sufficiently close to the outlet end of the first conduit as to receive at least a portion of a particu

A device for regulating the flow of particulate material comprising a first, inlet conduit having an outlet end, and a second, outlet conduit aligned with the first conduit and having an inlet end sufficiently close to the outlet end of the first conduit as to receive at least a portion of a particulate material flow exiting the first conduit. The lateral relationship of the adjacent ends of the two conduits is adjusted to change the area of the inlet end exposed to material leaving the first conduit to adjust the flow of particulate material through the second conduit; material which does not enter the second conduit is recycled. The device is particularly useful for regulating the flow of small quantities of metal powder being fed to a laser consolidation process. The invention also includes the method of regulating by lateral adjustment of the adjacent conduit ends. icating comprises casting a curable composition on a tool and at least partially curing the composition on the surface of the tool. 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising using the replicated surface of the article as a tool for further replication. 12. A method of replicating a structured surface comprising the steps of: providing a tool comprising a structured surface characterized by a plurality of pyramidal shaped structures exhibiting a continuous distribution of sizes ranging from less than 50 nm to greater than 1 micron; and replicating the structured surface of the tool into a material to form an article having a surface that replicates the structured surface of the tool, the replicated surface having enhanced hydrophobic properties relative to a surface of an article formed by replicating the same material from an otherwise similar tool having no surface structure. 13. The method of claim 1 or 12 wherein replicating comprises embossing the article with the structured surface of the tool. 14. The method of claim 1 or 12 wherein replicating comprises injection molding a polymeric material onto t surface of the tool. 15. The method of claim 1 or 12 wherein replicating comprises extruding a material onto the structured surface of the tool and hardening the material on the tool. 16. The method of claim 1 or 12 wherein replicating comprises electroforming a material onto the structured surface of the tool. 17. The method of claim 1 or 12 wherein replicating comprises vapor depositing a second material onto the structured surface of the tool. 18. A method of increasing the hydrophobicity of a surface, the method comprising: providing a tool comprising a structured surface characterized by a plurality of pyramidal shaped structures exhibiting a continuous distribution of sizes ranging from less than 50 nm to greater than 1 micron; providing an article having a hydrophobic surface; replicating the structured surface of the tool in the hydrophobic surface to form a replicated article; and separating the tool and the replicated article, wherein the hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic surface of the replicated article is increased. 19. A method of increasing the hydrophilicity of a surface, the method comprising: providing a tool comprising a structured surface characterized by a plurality of pyramidal shaped structures exhibiting a continuous distribution of sizes ranging from less than 50 nm to greater than 1 micron; providing an article having a hydrophilic surface; replicating the structured surface of the tool in the hydrophobic surface to form a replicated article; and separating the tool and the replicated article, wherein the hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic surface of the replicated article is increased.