US 12,259,185 B2
Powder feeder system and method for recycling metal powder
Paul Meese, Healdsburg, CA (US); Matthew Charles, Cloverdale, CA (US); Sonia Zacher, Cloverdale, CA (US); and Daniel Mendez, Healdsburg, CA (US)
Assigned to Continuum Powders Corporation, Coverdale, CA (US)
Filed by Continuum Powders Corporation, Cloverdale, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/516,776.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/109,436, filed on Nov. 4, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0136769 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. F27B 3/12 (2006.01); C22B 9/22 (2006.01); C22B 34/12 (2006.01); F27B 14/14 (2006.01); F27D 3/14 (2006.01)
CPC F27B 3/12 (2013.01) [C22B 9/22 (2013.01); C22B 34/1295 (2013.01); F27B 14/14 (2013.01); F27D 3/14 (2013.01); F27B 2003/125 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A powder feeder system for a foundry system having a mixing hearth configured to form a molten metal comprising:
a housing assembly comprising a plurality of tubular members configured to provide a sealed flow path for an additive manufacturing metal powder to the mixing hearth, the tubular members including a discharge conduit configured to discharge the additive manufacturing metal powder into the mixing hearth; and
a feeder assembly in the housing assembly comprising a moveable barrel feeder in flow communication with the discharge conduit configured to feed a pre-weighed charge of the additive manufacturing metal powder on demand through the discharge conduit into the mixing hearth of the foundry system during operation thereof, such that the additive manufacturing metal powder penetrates a surface of the molten metal in the mixing hearth.