Abstract: A thermal spray apparatus to apply coatings to external and internal surfaces in restricted areas is provided. The apparatus includes: a combustion chamber having a primary passage for combustion of fuel received through a fuel input line with oxygen or air received through an oxidizing gas input line; a divergence section located downstream of the combustion chamber; an elbow housing located downstream of the divergence section. A nozzle housing retaining a nozzle having an injection zone and a nozzle throat; a convergence section retained between the elbow housing and the nozzle housing; a feedstock injector for the injection of feedstock material into the injection zone of said nozzle; and a plurality of passageways extending through the combustion chamber, the divergence section, the elbow housing, and the convergence section for passing a coolant therethrough.

Abstract: An applicator is presented. The applicator comprises a fluidic channel extending from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet. The applicator also comprises a trigger. The trigger is configured to, when actuated, allow fluid to flow through the fluidic channel. The applicator also comprises an adjustable handle with a frame. The handle comprises a finger rest on a first side of the frame. The handle also comprises a grip on a second side of the frame. The second side is opposite the first side. The grip is coupled to the frame by an adjustment mechanism that, when actuated, is configured to change a distance between the finger rest and the grip.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus comprising: a combustion chamber; a primary fuel input conduit for supplying a fuel to the combustion chamber; a secondary input conduit for supplying a combustion gas to the combustion chamber; and combustion gas supply means, wherein the combustion gas supply means is adapted to switchably supply one of air and an oxygen rich gas to at least the secondary input conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a fusible coating or structure comprising a combustor that is operative to combust a fuel and contain the resulting flame to produce combustion products; means for cooling the combustion products to produce a hot carrier gas stream; and means for introducing fusible material into the hot carrier gas stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a fusible coating or structure comprising a combustor that is operative to combust a fuel and contain the resulting flame to produce combustion products; components for cooling the combustion products to produce a hot carrier gas stream; and elements for introducing fusible material into the hot carrier gas stream; made lightweight and easier to operate through the addition of a continuous electronic ignition system and a single air manifold.

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly includes a housing having an open side; a sprinkler body supported at one end of the housing and adapted to receive a nozzle. A nozzle magazine is attached to the housing along the open side and holds plural nozzles selectively alignable with said sprinkler body. An actuator is arranged to move a selected one of the plural nozzles from the nozzle magazine into the sprinkler body.

Abstract: A rock dusting or aggregate distributing apparatus is provided having a cylindrical tank body connected to an air supply unit. A circular member is disposed within the cylindrical tank body between the top member and the bottom member to divide the cylindrical tank body into a top portion and bottom portion, the circular member is configured to inject air from the bottom portion into the top portion in a substantially circumferential direction with respect to an axis of the cylindrical tank body to disperse rock dust or aggregate.

Abstract: A deposition apparatus includes a deposition source unit for vaporizing a deposition material, a plurality of nozzles disposed on an upper surface of the deposition source unit for spraying the vaporized deposition material onto a substrate facing the upper surface of the deposition source unit, a plurality of angle restriction members disposed on the upper surface of the deposition source unit and located at left and right sides of the nozzles, and a plurality of first heater units, each of which is disposed on an upper surface of a corresponding angle restriction member of the angle restriction members.

Abstract: A rock dust blower and method draws rock dust from a portable supply of rock dust, in response to a flow of pressurized air, and entrains the drawn rock dust in a stream of the air for direction to selected surfaces of a coal mine. The supply is contained in a substantially vertical column and rock dust is drawn from the column along a peripheral edge of the column located adjacent the lower end of the column to thereby militate against cavitation of the rock dust adjacent the center of the column as rock dust is drawn from the supply. A vibrator mechanism can be employed to transmit vibration to the supply and thereby facilitate an even distribution of rock dust in the supply and a smooth and continuous flow of rock dust as rock dust is drawn from the supply.

Abstract: A plasma spray nozzle is provided. Owing to their high degree of wear, previous plasma spray nozzles were not suitable for the coating of components for which long coating times were necessary. The coating times may be reduced considerably by the triple injection of powder into the inner channel through the plasma spray nozzle.

Abstract: Method of spraying a pulverulent material into a carrier gas, comprising the acceleration of the carrier gas under pressure up to a sonic velocity before an expansion enabling the pulverulent material to be entrained, with formation of a constant stream of carrier gas entraining an adjustable predetermined amount of pulverulent materials, and safety device for spraying pulverulent material into a carrier gas.

Abstract: A nozzle for a powder spray gun optionally includes an internal filter that allows air to be added to the powder flow within the nozzle shell. The nozzle may optionally include an off-axis outlet slot relative to a main flow axis of the powder into the nozzle shell so that powder encounters an obstruction before exiting through the outlet slot.

Abstract: A nozzle for a powder spray gun optionally includes an internal filter that allows air to be added to the powder flow within the nozzle shell. The nozzle may optionally include an off-axis outlet slot relative to a main flow axis of the powder into the nozzle shell so that powder encounters an obstruction before exiting through the outlet slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal spraying apparatus (1) for coating a surface (2) of a substrate (3) by means of a coating material (4). The thermal spraying apparatus (1) includes a spray pistol (5) with a heating device for heating the coating material (4) in a heating zone (6) and also a charging apparatus (7) with a feed (8) through which the coating material (4) can be introduced into the heating zone (6). In this arrangement the thermal spraying apparatus is so designed that a relative position (9) between the feed (8) and the heating zone (6) can be changed in the operating state.

Abstract: Purge arrangement for powder coating system includes a gun manifold (40) that is selectively assembled for fluid communication with either a purge manifold (36) or a hopper manifold (34). This allows purging of multiple hoses and guns at the same time and simplified color change operations.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a novel detonation flame spray apparatus which makes it possible to attain stable detonation flame spraying while using a hydrogen fuel. In the detonation flame spray apparatus, stable pulsed detonation with short DDTL has been attained by oppositely injecting hydrogen and oxygen while separating a sub-combustion room and a main combustion room to which a spiral ridge is formed at an inner wall. In addition, by distributing supply ports of flammable gas to the sub-combustion room and a rear end of the main combustion room, high frequency operation can be realized while assuring necessary heat amounts for fusing flame spray material and a mechanism for supplying intermittently the flame spray material to together with the hydrogen fuel has realized enhancement of flame spraying efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved nozzle assembly for use with a thermal spray apparatus for applying a coating to a workpiece. The nozzle assembly including a housing supporting a nozzle defining a gas conduit having an inlet and an outlet at opposing ends of the housing. The inlet for receiving a carrier medium from a thermal spray apparatus. The housing and the nozzle cooperating to define a material feed opening such that the material feed opening intersects the gas conduit proximate the outlet end of the nozzle. The material feed opening being angularly disposed relative to the gas conduit and intersecting the gas conduit proximate the outlet end of the nozzle such that coating material injected into the gas conduit through the material feed opening is heat-softened and propelled towards a workpiece to be coated by the carrier medium flowing outwardly from the nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for thermal spraying (1) including a spray gun (2) with a burner (3), wherein an operating media (5) can be supplied to the spray gun (2) via a feed line (4), and a base part (6) which is in communication with a supply unit (8) for the operating medium (5) via a supply line (7). A releasable coupling device (9) is provided, with the feed line (4) including an adapter part (10) such that the adapter part (10) can be connected to the base part (6) by means of the releasable coupling device (9).

Abstract: A modified high efficiency kinetic spray nozzle is disclosed. The modified nozzle has a rapid expansion rate in the diverging region relative to prior art nozzles, which enables one to achieve much higher particle velocities without an increase in the main gas temperature. Preferably, the expansion rate of the supersonic nozzle in a portion of the diverging region is at least 1 mm2 per millimeter, more preferably 2 mm2 per millimeter, more preferably 5 mm2 per mm, with a most preferable expansion rate being 10 mm2 per millimeter.

Abstract: A portable haze sprayer having a multi-function that can spray powder chemicals or a fertilizer, spray chemicals in a high pressure, and widely spray chemicals is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder diffuser nozzle (2) for an electrostatic dusting device, which is designed to be positioned at the end of an applicator gun. The inventive nozzle (2) comprises: a lateral wall (49) which defines a passage that extends from the powder conduit (8) of the gun (3), and a base (56) which seals said conduit (8) at the end thereof. In addition, a port (57) is provided in the lateral wall (49) close to the base (56) in order to connect the powder conduit (8) with the exterior of the nozzle (2). The axis (A1) of the port (57) forms a determined angle (A) with the axis (A2) of the powder conduit (8). Moreover, at least one deflector (58) is provided on the base of the nozzle (56) or on the lateral wall (49) close to said base in order to divert the jet of powder from the conduit (8) along the axis (A1) of the port (57).

Abstract: A system for thermal spray coating of a particulate material onto a substrate includes a spray gun apparatus having dual vortex chambers for the mixing of fuel gas and oxygen. The apparatus provides a jet flame resulting from a compression wave formed by compressed air. Dual venturis control the flow of fluidized coating material particles to provide smooth and controlled delivery of coating material to the spray gun.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric arc wire burner for spraying an electric arc, comprising at least two burner tubes (3) for feeding electrodes which are embodied in the form of wire (5). Said electrodes are guided through the burner tube (3) in the direction of the surface of the object which is to be coated. The wire (5) is guided by a deflection device (7) comprising a number of rotationally mounted guiding elements and/or sliding elements (8) and the wire (5) is deformed in an elastic area.

Abstract: A powder coating gun with an internal fan and a quick-change powder cartridge. Pressurized air generated by the fan entrains the powder coating material from the powder cartridge and the entrained powder coating material is charged in the ionizing field created by an emitter. The replaceable cartridge contains an inlet line and an outlet line oriented in a manner that allows the powder gun to be positioned in different angles and orientations with minimal risk of a powder spill from the powder coating gun. The powder cartridge contains a lid for supporting an inlet line and a body part constructed of clear or translucent material that allows the user to easily view the color of the powder. An electric power supply is used to power the fan and the emitter. A trigger is present in the handle of the powder coating gun and both controls the speed of the fan and enables the charge to the emitter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for high-velocity flame spraying, the spray particles being accelerated in a flame jet of combustion gases. The injection of spray particles according to the invention takes place axially and centrally in the divergent section of the Laval nozzle, the powder tube (2) and the outer nozzle body (1) together forming a Laval nozzle for acceleration of the flame jet.

Abstract: A thermal spray gun of the present invention is capable of forming a good-quality ceramic spray coating. According to the machine, a flame generated in a combustion chamber of the machine is sent into a passage formed from the combustion chamber and through a discharge port that communicates with the combustion chamber, and then the flame is discharged from the discharge port to outside of the machine. A spray material is fed to the flame passing through the passage so that the spray material can be softened or melted by the flame and can be jetted out. An auxiliary fuel is fed to the flame passing through the passage to increase a temperature of the flame.

Abstract: A detonation gun for thermal spraying formed by a combustion chamber (1) and a barrel (2), with entrances for fuel (5) and for oxidizer (4), one or more spark plugs (6) for detonating the fuel-oxidizer mixture and one or more injectors (7) for the introduction of the product into the barrel, the gun in the invention centers its characteristics on the incorporation of a direct injection system of the fuel and oxidizer gases into the explosion chamber, producing explosive mixtures of different compositions according to the various zones in the explosion chamber, with a constrained volume existing in this explosion chamber in which only fuel is injected in such a way that it can generate high-energy explosions, maintaining the cyclic operation of the gun.

Abstract: A deposit is formed on a deposition substrate using a deposition gun that bums a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer to form a deposition gas flow, mixes a powder into the deposition gas flow to form a deposition mixture flow, and projects the deposition mixture flow therefrom. The deposition gun is provided with a flowing coolant. A flow rate of the fuel to the deposition gun, a flow rate of the oxidizer to the deposition gun, a flow rate of the powder to the deposition gun, and a cooling capacity of the coolant flow are all measured. The flow rate of the fuel, the flow rate of the oxidizer, the flow rate of the powder, and the cooling capacity of the coolant flow are all controlled responsive to the step of measurements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for ejection of liquid drops comprising: a non-deformable body (28) provided with a cavity, filled with the said liquid (20) and at least one output orifice (19) for this liquid; means of transmitting a sufficiently large pulse to the liquid to cause ejection of at least one drop (26); these means include means (23) of striking a wall (30) of the said body (28).

Abstract: A coherent material is formed on a substrate (10) by providing a precursor suspension (14) in which particulates are suspended in a carrier fluid, and directing the precursor suspension (14) at the substrate (10) from a first source (12). Generally contemporaneously with application of the deposited precursor suspension (14) to the surface, hot gases, e.g. hot gases produced by a flame (16), are directed at the substrate (10) from a remote second source (18) to fuse the particulates into the coherent material.

Abstract: A powder injector assembly for delivering powder into an axial flow of heated gas of a powder coating applicator. The assembly includes a powder injector rotatable in a plane whose centerline is perpendicular to the gas flow for issuing powder thereto. An injection nozzle exit port is integral with and leads from the injector and is disposed in the centerline for angular rotation thereabout, and is alignable into the gas flow for powder melting and subsequent substrate deposition. An integral cooling system maintains the powder in a non-melted state until its exit. The injector is independently movable laterally, axially, and angularly for respective radial, axial, and angular movement of the injection nozzle exit port. Angular movement occurs along a centerline passing through the tip of the nozzle exit port to thereby permit independent angle adjustment without changing axial or lateral locations of the injection point.

Abstract: The apparatus is comprised of a compressed air source which is connected by a gas conduit to a heating unit whose outlet is connected to a supersonic nozzle inlet in which a supersonic portion is connected by a conduit to a powder feeder. Compressed air of pressure Po from the compressed air source by the gas conduit is delivered to the heating unit to be heated to the required temperature. The heated air enters the supersonic nozzle in which it is accelerated to a speed of several hundred meters per second. The powdered material is passed from the powder feeder by the powder feeding conduit to the supersonic nozzle portion in which it is accelerated by the air flow at section of the nozzle from the injection point to the nozzle outlet.

Abstract: The powder injection system consists of a dosage chamber directly fed by a conventional powder feeder and communicated with barrel of the detonation gun through a direct conduit. In this way, the pressure wave advancing through barrel enters the communication conduit and upon reaching dosage chamber undergoes a sudden expansion, interrupting powder feeding from the continuous feeder and causing the full fluidization of powder contained in dosage chamber. The fluidized powder is suctioned to barrel where it remains until the pressure wave generated in a new detonation cycle carries it away, depositing it on the surface of the part to be coated.

Abstract: A robotic machine includes a robotic arm with a machine tool mounted thereto. A powder injector is mounted near the tool. A local powder feeder is mounted to the arm and includes a local conduit for supplying powder to the injector, and a load cell for measuring powder weight therein to control feedrate. A remote powder feeder is spaced from the arm, and includes a remote conduit joined to the local feeder for supplying powder thereto. A process computer controls the arm, and two feeders and effects staged delivery of the powder from the remote feeder to the local feeder for improving powder delivery response time.

Abstract: A solder jet apparatus is disclosed. The solder jet apparatus is a continuous mode solder jet that includes a blanking system and raster scan system. The use of the raster scan and blanking systems allows for a continuous stream of solder to be placed anywhere on the surface in any desired X-Y plane. This allows for greater accuracy as well as greater product throughput. Additionally, with the raster scan system, repairs to existing soldered surfaces can be quickly and easily performed using a map of the defects for directing the solder to the defects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmatron for a plasma coating apparatus including an anode having an axial bore through which gas is passed around a cathode and an electric arc is established between the anode and cathode. A powder feed line or conduit is connected between the anode and a powder feed source. The feed line has a straight section along a portion of its length terminating at the axial bore of the anode. The straight section of feed line has a ratio of length to internal diameter at least about 4.8, preferably 10 and even more preferably 15.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating the outer surface of a workpiece comprises disposing a workpiece in a fixed position along an axis and rotating a thermal spray gun around the axis on a support with a thermal spray thereof directed towards the axis. The powder, fuel and oxygen are rotatably coupling to the gun and the thermal spray gun and the support are moving along the axis while rotating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmatron for a plasma coating apparatus including an anode having an axial bore through which gas is passed around a cathode and an electric arc is established between the anode and cathode. A powder feed line or conduit is connected between the anode and a powder feed source. The feed line has a straight section along a portion of its length terminating at the axial bore of the anode. The straight section of feed line has a ratio of length to internal diameter at least about 4.8, preferably 10 and even more preferably 15.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a glue gun system that utilizes either a stick or solid beads of meltable material such as glue. A motor in the interior of a body of the glue gun drives a drive member. The drive member forces the meltable material towards a nose assembly on the forward end of the body. An inductor and susceptor are provided in the nose assembly to transfer heat to the meltable material. The susceptor has multiple folds to increase the surface area of the susceptor and the rate of heat transfer to the meltable material. Electronics control the drive member and control the power to the inductor.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a glue gun system that utilizes solid beads of meltable material such as glue. The glue gun has a housing that contains a pervious barrier. The pervious diaphragm separates the beads from an airstream that is used to deliver the beads from a hopper to the housing. A load level control detects varying levels of the beads in the housing. A motor in the interior of the housing drives a feed screw. The feed screw forces the beads towards a nose assembly on the forward end of the housing. A heating element is provided in the nose assembly. A co-axial hose delivers the beads from a hopper to the housing through an interior passage. An exterior annulus of the hose delivers the separated airstream away from the housing. Electronics control the rotation of the feed screw and controls the power to the heating element. A hopper contains beads of the meltable material.

Abstract: A gas cap for a thermal spray gun has a spray passage extending from the combustion chamber to an exit end, and a thermal spray material is fed into the passage. A nozzle component of the gas cap is formed of a tubular inner member in thermal contact with a metallic outer member, such as copper, that is in contact with a fluid coolant. The inner member is formed of a hard, thermally conductive material, preferably a carbide in a metal matrix, such as tungsten carbide in cobalt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making sheet articles, for example, abrasive articles, retroreflective articles (such as traffic signs), pavement marking articles, or traction or non-skid articles. The method includes passing particles through a thermal sprayer to heat the particles and impinging the heated particles into a polymeric sheet so that the particles are at least partially embedded in the polymeric sheet. Preferably, the polymeric sheet is heated before impingement of the heated particles. One preferred method of softening the sheet is by a thermal sprayer that is used to heat the particles. A preferred thermal sprayer is a flame sprayer having a nozzle for emitting a flame, where the nozzle has a cross-web width and a downweb thickness, the width being substantially greater than the thickness.

Abstract: A gas detonation apparatus and method for powder coating a work piece. The present invention lies in the ability to preselect a discreet number of the detonation cells and the judicious selection of a suitable barrel diameter. The present invention employs an energy bleed system positioned in the downstream end of a combustion chamber of a detonation gun to bleed off unwanted energy from the combustion chamber leaving behind a discreet number of detonation cells. The detonation cells are then discharged into the barrel of the detonation gun. The barrel diameter is selected to match the total area of the discreet detonation cells selected. The effect is to discharge a discreet number of detonation cells into the barrel to preclude energy loss to the detonation cells from interference with reflected energy within the barrel itself. The present invention substantially increases the productivity of the detonation coating process.

Abstract: A hopper feeds powder underwater to a welding torch. The hopper includes a housing having a lower chamber and an integral upper chamber. An inlet joins the upper chamber for receiving powder and a pressurized carrier gas. A powder outlet joins the lower chamber for discharging the powder to the torch. A gas outlet joins the upper chamber for releasing the carrier gas. And, a control valve joins the gas outlet for selectively controlling pressure internal the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a selected pattern of solder onto a substrate on which electronic components are to be mounted. The apparatus includes a substrate support, a replaceable solder cartridge, and a solder ejector. The replaceable solder cartridge defines a cavity for containing solder and has an orifice for ejecting a continuous stream of molten solder. The solder ejector has a mechanism for retaining the replaceable solder cartridge during solder deposition and is positioned relative to the substrate support to deposit molten solder ejected from the orifice of the replaceable solder cartridge onto the substrate.

Abstract: A method of coating a surface using a plasma arc torch comprises directing a plasma plume externally from a discharge end of the plasma torch toward the surface, positioning a powder injector proximate the plasma plume to introduce ceramic oxide powder particles at a size less than 20 microns diameter into an outer mantle of the plasma plume so that the powder particles are confined in the outer mantle, directing first and second gas jets at the plasma plume downstream of the powder injector position and on opposite sides of the plasma plume to enhance entrainment of the injected powder particles in the outer mantle, circulating the powder particles in the outer mantle of the plasma plume for a residence time to heat the powder particles to melt them without substantial vaporization, and depositing the melted powder on the surface as a dense coating having closed porosity.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for jetting molten solder in the form of balls directly onto all the metallized interconnects lands for a ball grid array package in one step with no solder paste required. Molten solder is jetted out of a grid of holes using a piston attached to a piezoelectric crystal. When voltage is applied to the crystal it expands forcing the piston to extrude a desired volume of solder through holes in the aperture plate. When the voltage is decreased the piston reverses motion creating an instability in the molten solder at the aperture plate surface and thereby forming spherical solder balls that fall onto a metallized substrate. The molten solder balls land on the substrate and form a metallurgical bond with the metallized lands. The size of the solder balls is determined by a combination of the size of the holes in the aperture plate, the duration of the piston pulse, and the displacement of the piston. The layout of the balls is dictated by the location of the hooks in the grid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method feeds weld material to an underwater plasma transferred arc welding torch. The weld material comprises a powder, which can be entrained in a fluidizing gas flow. The weld material is fed by the apparatus from a first supply through at least one conduit to a supply container. The apparatus comprises a first powder supply pressurized with a powder carrier gas positioned above the surface of the body of water; a second powder supply container positioned below the surface of the body of water and the second powder supply container comprising at least one powder outlet port and a gas vent open to the above surface atmosphere; at least one powder conduit connecting the first container with the second container; an underwater welding torch positioned near the second container and having at least one powder inlet; and at least one powder conduit connecting the second powder supply container to the at least one powder inlet of the torch.

Abstract: A flame spray system and a method for applying uniform coatings of powdered plastics to surfaces which utilizes a pressurized carrier gas stream to transport plastic powder to a spray gun. The spray gun passes the powder through a flame produced at the end of the spray gun, melting the powder into droplets. When the molten plastic droplets strike the application surface, they adhere and combine to form a solid coat of plastic upon cooling.

Abstract: A supersonic flame jet device includes a body having an entry portion of relatively small cross-sectional area, an expanding supersonic nozzle section and a cylindrical duct of extended length connected in series with each other. In using the device, an oxidant at high pressure is introduced into the entry passage wherein the flow is increased to sonic velocity. The sonic velocity flow of oxidant is then introduced into the passage of expanding cross-section in the direction of the gas flow while introducing a fuel to be burned into the flow of the oxidant. The velocity of flow of the oxidant or the oxidant and the fuel is then increased to supersonic velocity prior to entry into the extended duct of constant cross-sectional area where a shock is produced to stabilize flame reactions along the extended duct length whereby a supersonic flame jet will exit the extended duct.