DROSS EXTRACTION SYSTEM FOR AN MHD PRINTER AND METHODS THEREOF
A dross extraction system for a printer is disclosed. The dross extraction system includes an ejector defining an inner cavity associated therewith, the inner cavity retaining a liquid printing material. The dross extraction system also includes an inlet coupled to the inner cavity and a conduit external to the ejector having a distal opening, positionable to contact the liquid printing material to attract dross therein, thereby extracting dross from the liquid printing material when a negative pressure is introduced between an internal volume of the conduit and the dross.
1 . A dross extraction system for a printer, comprising:
a conduit external to an ejector having a distal opening, positionable to contact a liquid printing material to attract dross therein, thereby extracting dross from the liquid printing material when a negative pressure is introduced between an internal volume of the conduit and the dross.
2 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 1 , wherein the conduit further comprises a filter disposed in an internal volume of the conduit and positioned away from the distal opening of the conduit, wherein a space between the filter and the distal opening of the conduit is configured to hold a volume of dross.
3 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 2 , wherein the filter comprises a temperature resistant material.
4 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 2 , wherein the filter comprises a porous ceramic.
5 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 1 , wherein the conduit further comprises a temperature resistant material.
6 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 1 , wherein the conduit further comprises a ceramic.
7 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 1 , wherein the conduit further comprises an internal piston, wherein when the internal piston translates along a length of the conduit, the internal volume of the conduit is subjected to a change in pressure.
8 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 7 , wherein the internal piston creates suction within an internal volume of the conduit when the piston is translated away from the distal opening.
9 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 1 , wherein the conduit further comprises an internal compressible member, wherein an internal volume is subjected to a change in pressure when the internal compressible member changes from a compressed state to an uncompressed state.
10 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 1 , wherein the conduit further comprises an internal compressible member, wherein an internal volume is subjected to a change in pressure when the internal compressible member changes from an uncompressed state to a compressed state.
11 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 1 , wherein the dross extraction system comprises no vacuum source.
12 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 1 , wherein the dross extraction system comprises no valve.
13 . The dross extraction system for a printer of claim 1 , further comprising a cooling element disposed on an outer portion of the conduit.
14 . A printer, comprising:
an ejector defining an inner cavity associated therewith, the inner cavity retaining a liquid printing material;
a first inlet coupled to the inner cavity; and
a dross extraction system, comprising:
a conduit external to the ejector; wherein
the conduit comprises a distal opening and is configured to contact the liquid printing material to attract dross therein;
is configured to be advanced into and retracted out from the inner cavity of the ejector; and
a filter disposed in an internal volume of the conduit and positioned away from the distal opening of the conduit, wherein a space between the filter and the distal opening of the conduit is configured to hold a volume of dross.
15 . The printer of claim 14 , wherein the conduit further comprises an internal piston, wherein:
the internal piston translates along a length of the conduit when the internal volume of the conduit is subjected to a change in pressure; and
the internal piston creates suction within an internal volume of the conduit when the piston is translated away from the distal opening.
16 . The printer of claim 14 , wherein the conduit further comprises an internal compressible member, wherein:
an internal volume is subjected to a change in pressure when the internal compressible member changes from a compressed state to an uncompressed state; and
an internal volume is subjected to a change in pressure when the internal compressible member changes from an uncompressed state to a compressed state.
17 . The printer of claim 14 , wherein the internal volume of the conduit only has an open connection to an external environment via the distal opening.
18 . The printer of claim 15 , further comprising a motor configured to control a position of the internal piston along the length of the conduit.
19 . The printer of claim 16 , further comprising a motor configured to control a compression state of the internal compressible member.
20 . A method of extracting dross from a metal jetting printer, comprising:
pausing an operation of the metal jetting printer;
advancing a conduit having an internal member and a distal opening into a melt pool within a nozzle pump reservoir in the metal jetting printer, the melt pool comprising a metal printing material;
creating suction within the conduit by increasing an internal volume of the conduit in a space between the internal member and the distal opening;
extracting dross from a surface of the metal printing material and into the conduit;
retracting the conduit including the dross from the nozzle pump reservoir; and
resuming the operation of the metal jetting printer.
21 . The method of extracting dross from a metal jetting printer of claim 20 , wherein the internal member comprises a piston.
22 . The method of extracting dross from a metal jetting printer of claim 20 , wherein the internal member comprises a compressible member.