Suspension plasma spray apparatus and use methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9669365-B2
Application number	US-201514735211-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 10, 2015
Priority date	Jun 11, 2014
Publication date	Jun 6, 2017
Grant date	Jun 6, 2017

Abstract

A suspension plasma spray feeder apparatus for delivering a suspension from a suspension source to a plasma spray gun. The feeder apparatus comprises a suspension line and a vibrator mounted to vibrate the suspension line.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for using a suspension plasma spray feeder apparatus for delivering a suspension from a suspension source to a plasma spray gun, the feeder apparatus comprising:
a suspension line; and
a vibrator mounted to vibrate the suspension line,

the method comprising:
detecting a pressure parameter; and
responsive to the detected pressure parameter, running the vibrator.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the suspension line is either:
a suspension supply line for passing suspension from the suspension source to the plasma spray gun; or
if present, a suspension recirculation line coupled to the suspension supply line to return suspension to the suspension source.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein:
the vibrator is a first vibrator mounted on the suspension supply line;
the apparatus includes the suspension recirculation line; and
a second vibrator is mounted on the suspension recirculation line.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein:
a purge fluid supply line is coupled to the suspension line; and
the vibrator is downstream of a junction of the purge fluid supply line.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein:
the purge fluid supply line comprises a purge liquid supply line and a purge gas supply line.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the vibrator is an air vibrator.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the vibrator is a turbine vibrator.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the suspension line comprises a metallic member; and
the vibrator is clamped to the metallic member.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the vibrator is on or adjacent a filter housing or an orifice housing.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the vibrator is within 20 cm of a filter housing or an orifice housing.

11. The method of claim 1 being a method for using a suspension plasma spray apparatus including the suspension plasma spray feeder apparatus, the suspension plasma spray apparatus further comprising:
a plasma spray gun coupled to the suspension line or adjacent an outlet of the suspension line.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the suspension plasma spray apparatus further: comprises:
a suspension supply coupled to the suspension supply line.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein:
the suspension supply comprises ceramic particulate in an alcohol-based carrier.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the suspension plasma spray apparatus further: comprises:
a carrier gas supply coupled to the plasma spray gun.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the suspension plasma spray apparatus further: comprises:
a power line coupled to the plasma spray gun.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the vibrator is clamped to the suspension line.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
the vibrator is connected to an air supply.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein:
the vibrator is clamped to the suspension line to or adjacent a filter housing or an orifice housing.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the suspension line is a suspension supply line;
the vibrator is a first vibrator mounted to vibrate the suspension supply line;
the apparatus includes a suspension recirculation line branching from the suspension supply line; and
a second vibrator is mounted to vibrate the suspension recirculation line.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the running of the vibrator comprises delivering compressed air to the vibrator.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the suspension line carries a suspension of particulate in a carrier liquid.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Werkheiser William F
• Hazel Brian T
• Blondin John F

Classifications

• B05B7/222 Primary

  using an arc · CPC title

• Y10T29/49828

  Progressively advancing of work assembly station or assembled portion of work · CPC title

• B05B7/226

  the material being originally a particulate material · CPC title

• C23C4/134

  Plasma spraying · CPC title

• B01F3/1242 Primary

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic