Additive Manufactured Powder Processing System

Abstract

A system for treatment of atomized powder including a fluidized bed operable to treat feedstock alloy powders. A method of treating atomized powder including communicating an inert gas into a fluidized bed; communicating an atomized powder into the fluidized bed; and heating the atomized powder in the fluidized bed, eject the treated powders out of the fluidized bed to quench the powders.

1 . A system for treatment of atomized powder, comprising:
 a fluidized bed operable to heat treat feedstock alloy powders, the feedstock alloy powders heat treated for microstructure control to condition the feedstock alloy powders into a state to facilitate solid-state consolidation, the fluidized bed receiving an inert gas;   a quenching reservoir in communication with the fluidized bed;   a three-way valve in communication with the quenching reservoir;   a fine powder collector in communication with the three-way valve; and   a water bubbler in communication with the three-way valve, the inert gas exiting from the fluidized bed to the water bubbler.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the feedstock alloy powders are degassed. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an inert gas in communication with the fluidized bed. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a quenching powder collector in communication with the three-way valve. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a vibrator in communication with the fluidized bed and the line to a quenched powder collector to facilitate to eject the atomized powder. 
     
     
         8 - 15 . (canceled)