US 11,731,195 B2
Method and apparatus for feeding material into a plasma
Pawel Matys, Jupiter, FL (US); Michael Kozlowski, Reading, MA (US); Makhlouf Redjdal, Stoneham, MA (US); Joseph Robert Caruso, Reading, MA (US); and Zongren Shang, Westborough, MA (US)
Assigned to 6K Inc., North Andover, MA (US)
Filed by 6K Inc., North Andover, MA (US)
Filed on Sep. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/484,686.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/083,204, filed on Sep. 25, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0097131 A1, Mar. 31, 2022
Int. Cl. H05H 1/42 (2006.01); B22F 1/065 (2022.01); H05H 1/30 (2006.01)
CPC B22F 1/065 (2022.01) [H05H 1/30 (2013.01); H05H 1/42 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for providing material feedstock into a plasma of a plasma torch, comprising:
a material feeding device having an input end and an output end, the output end extending at least partially about a periphery of a plasma generated proximal to an output end of a plasma torch, the material feeding device being oriented at an angle with respect to a central axis of the plasma torch; and
wherein the material feeding device at least partially surrounds a plasma torch liner of the plasma torch such that a gap exists between the plasma torch liner and the material feeding device;
wherein, during use, a portion of the plasma extends outside the confines of the output end of the material feeding device and the output end of the plasma torch, and wherein, during use, the material feedstock exits the material feeding device between the output end of the material feeding device and the plasma torch liner and enters the portion of the plasma.