Abstract: A method of protecting a gas turbine component for operation in a high temperature environment that includes the gas turbine component including a substrate having a silicon-containing layer, wherein the gas turbine component has a curved surface; forming a flexible mask configured to cover the curved surface of the gas turbine component, the flexible mask including a plurality of slots disposed in a pattern; disposing the flexible mask in direct contact with the curved surface of the gas turbine component; applying a bondcoat onto the flexible mask and the gas turbine component, such that bondcoat fills the plurality of slots and contacts the curved surface; and removing the flexible mask by heat or chemical reaction, such that, after removing the flexible mask, the curved surface of the gas turbine component comprises a patterned bondcoat layer in the pattern defined by the flexible mask.

Abstract: A method of forming an article includes forming a plurality of channels and ridges in a silicon-containing layer on a surface of a substrate of the article using a mask placed on the surface of the substrate or the silicon-containing layer.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a nozzle insert which may be used with a thermal spray gun apparatus. A nozzle insert according to the disclosure may include a body having an outer surface, the outer surface of the body being configured to circumferentially contact and transfer heat to an inner face of a thermal spray gun nozzle of a thermal spray gun. The body of the nozzle insert may be removed from the thermal spray gun nozzle without disassembling the thermal spray gun, and includes an axial passage configured to communicate a plasma discharge from the nozzle insert. A thermal spray gun apparatus and a thermal spray gun system including the nozzle insert are also disclosed.

Abstract: Universal plasma spray extension gun systems and devices for thermal spraying of machine components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plasma gun extension system includes: a plasma extension arm; an arm connector disposed on the plasma extension arm and configured to connect to an adjustable plasma spray gun apparatus; an arm coupler disposed on the plasma extension arm and configured to connect the plasma extension arm to a robotic arm; and a set of feed conduits disposed on the plasma extension arm between the arm coupler and the arm connector, the set of feed conduits configured to supply a flow to the adjustable plasma spray gun apparatus.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an adjustable gas distribution assembly for an adjustable plasma spray device. In one embodiment, the assembly includes: a first gas distribution ring including a plurality of openings allowing a gas to pass to an inner diameter thereof, the first gas distribution ring including a mating surface upstream of the plurality of openings; and a positioning ring axially aligned with the gas distribution ring between the first gas distribution ring and an electrically charged outlet of the plasma spray device, wherein the positioning ring includes a mating surface that mates with the mating surface of the first gas distribution ring to form the gas distribution assembly, wherein the mating surface of the positioning ring is sized to mate with a plurality of distinct gas distribution rings including the first gas distribution ring.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a nozzle insert which may be used with a thermal spray gun apparatus. A nozzle insert according to the disclosure may include a body having an outer surface, the outer surface of the body being configured to circumferentially contact and transfer heat to an inner face of a thermal spray gun nozzle of a thermal spray gun. The body of the nozzle insert may be removed from the thermal spray gun nozzle without disassembling the thermal spray gun, and includes an axial passage configured to communicate a plasma discharge from the nozzle insert. A thermal spray gun apparatus and a thermal spray gun system including the nozzle insert are also disclosed.

Abstract: Universal plasma spray extension gun systems and devices for thermal spraying of machine components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plasma gun extension system includes: a plasma extension arm; an arm connector disposed on the plasma extension arm and configured to connect to an adjustable plasma spray gun apparatus; an arm coupler disposed on the plasma extension arm and configured to connect the plasma extension arm to a robotic arm; and a set of feed conduits disposed on the plasma extension arm between the arm coupler and the arm connector, the set of feed conduits configured to supply a flow to the adjustable plasma spray gun apparatus.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an adjustable gas distribution assembly for an adjustable plasma spray device. In one embodiment, the assembly includes: a first gas distribution ring including a plurality of openings allowing a gas to pass to an inner diameter thereof, the first gas distribution ring including a mating surface upstream of the plurality of openings; and a positioning ring axially aligned with the gas distribution ring between the first gas distribution ring and an electrically charged outlet of the plasma spray device, wherein the positioning ring includes a mating surface that mates with the mating surface of the first gas distribution ring to form the gas distribution assembly, wherein the mating surface of the positioning ring is sized to mate with a plurality of distinct gas distribution rings including the first gas distribution ring.

Abstract: A method of machining a profile pattern in a ceramic coating of a turbine shroud is provided and includes applying the ceramic coating substantially uniformly onto the turbine shroud, positioning a machining tool proximate the ceramic coating, and removing material from the ceramic coating by activating the machining tool to machine the ceramic coating and by moving the machining tool across the ceramic coating in a movement pattern that generally corresponds to the profile pattern.

Abstract: A gas distribution ring assembly for a plasma spray system includes a gas distribution ring including a plurality of openings allowing a gas to pass to an inner diameter thereof. The assembly also includes a separate positioning ring axially aligned with the gas distribution ring between the gas distribution ring and an electrically charged outlet of the plasma spray system.

Abstract: An adjustable plasma spray gun apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, an adjustable plasma spray gun apparatus includes: a plasma spray gun body having a fore portion and an aft portion; and a first coupler configured to removably attach to the plasma spray gun body at the aft portion, the coupler including: a first portion having a first axial opening configured to removably attach to the plasma spray gun body at the aft portion; and a second portion having a second axial opening configured to removably attach to one of an electrode body or a second coupler.

Abstract: A gas distribution ring assembly for a plasma spray system includes a gas distribution ring including a plurality of openings allowing a gas to pass to an inner diameter thereof. The assembly also includes a separate positioning ring axially aligned with the gas distribution ring between the gas distribution ring and an electrically charged outlet of the plasma spray system.

Abstract: Method of producing a profiled abradable coating on a substrate in which an abradable ceramic coating composition is applied to a substrate using direct-write technology, or plasma sprayed onto the substrate through a mask or by use of a narrow foot-print plasma gun. These methods of producing abradable coatings are performed in the absence of a grid.

Abstract: Method of producing a profiled abradable coating on a substrate in which an abradable ceramic coating composition is applied to a substrate using direct-write technology, or plasma sprayed onto the substrate through a mask or by use of a narrow foot-print plasma gun. These methods of producing abradable coatings are performed in the absence of a grid.