Abstract: An improved plasma treatment apparatus and method are provided, wherein the flow of ionizable gas across an article surface to be treated is optimized through the use of one or more flow lines having a plurality of distribution orifices therealong. The flow lines closely conform to at least one contour of the article surface.

Abstract: A method of producing a plasma treated article in a tool having electrically isolated conductive members, wherein at least one of the members has a surface closely conforming to the surface of the article which is to be treated. The method includes the steps of placing the article between the members so as to create a relatively small bounded space between the article surface and the closely conforming member surface, drawing a vacuum in the bounded space, introducing a polymerizable gas into the bounded space and applying an electric field between the members to create a plasma in the bounded space to react with the article surface.

Abstract: A method of producing a plasma treated article in a tool having electrically isolated conductive members, wherein at least one of the members has a surface closely conforming to the surface of the article which is to be treated. The method includes the steps of placing the article between the members so as to create a relatively small bounded space between the article surface and the closely conforming member surface, drawing a vacuum in the bounded space, introducing an ionizable gas into the bounded space and applying an electric field between the members to create a plasma in the bounded space to react with the article surface.

Abstract: An induction heating method includes the steps of molding composite material having non-induction heatable reinforcement material and induction heatable material in a thermally curable polymer based resin, followed by curing the polymer based resin at least partially while in the mold by exposure to a time varying magnetic field. The molding tool apparatus has molding tool members defining a molding tool cavity corresponding to the desired composite article, and an induction heating system having induction coils integral with the molding tool members such that the molding tool cavity is disposed between them. An electrical circuit for providing power to the induction coils to generate a time varying magnetic field about the molding tool cavity includes an RF generator and a matching network for matching the impedance of the induction coils, electrical leads and connections of the induction heating system to the output of the RF generator.

Abstract: A method of producing a plasma treated article in a mold tool having electrically isolated mold dies including the steps of placing an article to be treated with a plasma between at least one of the dies and the article to be treated and applying an electric field between the dies to create a plasma in the space.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an apparatus for producing an article in a mold tool having electrically isolated dies, an electric field generator, and a sleeve made from a material having a very low dielectric loss factor and being operable between an extended and retracted position. The sleeve separates the dies when it is in an extended position and permits an electric field produced by the generator to be coupled between the dies.