Abstract: Vacuum plasma gun and method of controlling plasma arc in a vacuum plasma gun. Vacuum plasma gun includes a rear gun body section having an electrode, and a cascade section configured to connect to the rear gun body section. The cascade section includes a plurality of neutrodes arranged to form a neutrode stack. The method includes connecting a cascade neutrode stack to a rear body section of a vacuum plasma gun.

Abstract: A plasma nozzle (120) having a nozzle body and a liner material (123) arranged within the nozzle body. The liner material (123) has a higher melting temperature than the nozzle body and includes one of a Tungsten alloy having a cross-sectional thickness (C) significantly greater than 0.25 mm, Molybdenum, Silver and Iridium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of non-magnetic, strong carbide forming alloys. In particular, the alloys can be advantageously used for powder manufacturing. Embodiments of the disclosure can have low FCC-BCC transition temperatures in combination with hard particles having a hardness of 1000 Vickers or greater. The alloys can be used in conjunction with, for example, drill pipe tool joints, drill collars, down hole stabilizers, or oilfield components, particularly as a hardbanding component.

Abstract: A mixture for forming a wear resistant layer on a substrate comprises particles of a first wear resistant particle type, particles of a second wear resistant particle type and a wear resistant layer binder for binding the first and the second wear resistant particles in the wear resistant layer when the layer is formed. As well, wear resistant particle size distributions for the first and second wear resistant particle types have a first mode and a second mode. The first particle type is associated with the first mode and the second particle type is associated with the second mode. Moreover, a number of first wear resistant particles associated with the first mode is larger than a number of second wear resistant particles associated with the second mode. Further, the second mode is larger than the first mode.

Abstract: Powder flow conveying from a powder feeder to a process (i.e. thermal spray gun) can have instabilities that can be detected and diagnosed using a hose back pressure. Incorporating a pressure transducer in a powder hose line at a connection of the powder hose line and the feeder allows the back pressure to be measured in real time at a high sample rate to detect instability and aid in diagnosing a cause of the instability. Diagnosis includes identifying periodic oscillations in the powder hose line such as acoustics as well as detecting hose clogging and hose rupture conditions. Once detected, proper corrective actions can be recommended to correct the cause of the instability.

Abstract: A drill bit comprising a body that includes a metal matrix composite (MMC). The MMC comprises a mixture comprising a plurality of particles and another plurality of particles, wherein each of the other plurality of particles is softer than each of the plurality of particles. The MMC comprises a metallic binding material that is metallurgically bonded to each of the plurality of particles and the other plurality of particles.

Abstract: The design and implementation of a thermally optimized neutrode stack for cascaded plasma guns is provided that reduces the thermal loss to the water while minimizing peak stack temperatures. Optimizing the cooling will permit longer stacks to be used without the penalty of high thermal losses.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring and diagnosing gun performance is derived that can determine proper gun operation and if not operating properly diagnose potential causes for abhorrent operation. The voltage produced by the gun is sampled in real time and the frequency spectrum produced analyzed using FFT and then reducing the FFT pattern down to a set of numerical values or a signature that can be compared to known signatures for both correct operation and abnormal operation. Using best fit techniques the cause of any abnormal behavior can then be identified. The method can also be used to predict the end of hardware life and aid in production scheduling and spare parts acquisition by providing advanced notice of wear and usage.

Abstract: A hopper assembly includes a hopper configured to contain a feedstock material. A vibration imparting device is arranged inside the hopper and a vibration source coupled to the vibration imparting device. Embodiments of the instant invention are believed to provide various improvements in feeding uniformity by providing various hopper configurations that ensure a more consistently uniform filling of the metering device for a variety of difficult-to-feed materials and not-so-difficult-to-feed materials. One, more or all of these embodiments are also believed to improve accuracy and add precision to control, and, in addition, offer more simplified hopper construction—which is less costly to manufacture and maintain.

Abstract: Powder feed rate control system that includes a hopper adapted to contain a powder and to maintain a hopper pressure. A carrier conduit delivers a carrier gas flow and having an orifice. The carrier gas flow conveys powder entering through the orifice at a powder feed rate. A differential pressure transducer includes a first pressure input associated with the hopper pressure and a second pressure input associated with the carrier gas flow downstream of the hopper. The differential pressure transducer (PT) outputs a signal related to a differential pressure between the first pressure input and the second pressure input. An electro pneumatic regulator (EP) is adapted to communicate with a control and receiving the signal related to the differential pressure.

Abstract: A powder composition adapted for use in suspension thermal spray coating processes. The powder includes agglomerated and/or non-agglomerated particles having at least one dispersing agent deposited thereon. The composition results in a homogeneous, stable suspension when combined with a liquid carrier for use in suspension thermal spray coating processes.

Abstract: Compositions and method for preparing thermally sprayed coatings are disclosed. The inventive compositions include at least one component that is electrically-insulating and/or non-subliming at thermal spray temperatures; and at least one component that has a high coefficient of thermal expansion. The invention also provides a compositions and methods for preparing a coating comprising a spinel, from materials that do not comprise a spinel; and also provides non-spinel materials used to prepare coatings comprising spinel. The invention includes coatings made from the materials and methods; and articles comprising the coatings.

Abstract: Powder feed rate control system that includes a hopper adapted to contain a powder and to maintain a hopper pressure. A carrier conduit delivers a carrier gas flow and having an orifice. The carrier gas flow conveys powder entering through the orifice at a powder feed rate. A differential pressure transducer includes a first pressure input associated with the hopper pressure and a second pressure input associated with the carrier gas flow downstream of the hopper. The differential pressure transducer (PT) outputs a signal related to a differential pressure between the first pressure input and the second pressure input. An electro pneumatic regulator (EP) is adapted to communicate with a control and receiving the signal related to the differential pressure.

Abstract: Powder flow conveying from a powder feeder to a process (i.e. thermal spray gun) can have instabilities that can be detected and diagnosed using the hose back pressure. Incorporating a pressure transducer in the powder hose line at the connection of the powder line to the feeder allows the back pressure to be measured in real time at a high sample rate to detect instability and aid in diagnosing the cause of the instability. Diagnosis includes identifying periodic oscillations in the hose such as acoustics as well as detecting hose clogging and hose rupture conditions. Once detected proper corrective actions can be recommended to correct the cause of the instability.

Abstract: A hopper assembly includes a hopper configured to contain a feedstock material. A vibration imparting device is arranged inside the hopper and a vibration source coupled to the vibration imparting device. Embodiments of the instant invention are believed to provide various improvements in feeding uniformity by providing various hopper configurations that ensure a more consistently uniform filling of the metering device for a variety of difficult-to-feed materials and not-so-difficult-to-feed materials. One, more or all of these embodiments are also believed to improve accuracy and add precision to control, and, in addition, offer more simplified hopper construction—which is less costly to manufacture and maintain.

Abstract: Cold gas spray coating methods, compositions and articles. A cold gas spray method is described including spraying a composition containing at least one nickel or iron based material blended with a softer, shear-deformable, secondary phase metal and/or metal alloy, onto a surface to deposit a dense, porous coating. The compositions used in and articles produced by such methods are also described.