Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermal spraying a metal coating on a substrate is accomplished with a modified pulsejet and optionally an ejector to assist in preventing oxidation. Metal such as Aluminum or Magnesium may be used. A pulsejet is first initiated by applying fuel, air, and a spark. Metal is inserted continuously in a high volume of metal into a combustion chamber of the pulsejet. The combustion is thereafter controlled resonantly at high frequency and the metal is heated to a molten state. The metal is then transported from the combustion chamber into a tail pipe of said pulsejet and is expelled therefrom at high velocity and deposited on a target substrate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 28, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration