Abstract: Thermal spray gun (1) and/or nozzle (120) includes a nozzle body and a liner material (123) arranged within the nozzle body. A material of the nozzle body has a lower melting temperature than that of the liner material (123). A wall thickness (C) of the liner material (123) has a value determined in relation to or that corresponds to a wall thickness (D) of the nozzle body. Alternatively or additionally, a ratio of a total wall thickness of a portion of a nozzle (120) to that of a wall thickness (C) of the liner material (123) has a value determined in relation to or that corresponds to the wall thickness (C) of liner material (123).

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: Nozzle for thermal spray gun, thermal spray gun and method for forming nozzle. Nozzle includes a nozzle body having a central bore and an exterior surface structured for insertion into a thermal spray gun and a water coolable surface coating applied onto at least a portion of the exterior surface. The water coolable surface coating is structured to protect the exterior surface from a chemical interaction with cooling water guided through the thermal spray gun.

Abstract: A cathode for a plasma gun includes a main body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a protrusion. A method of using the cathode includes mounting the cathode inside a plasma gun and generating an arc discharge via the protrusion.

Abstract: A thermo spray gun (10) includes at least one of; at least one removable nozzle tip (20) for spraying a coating material, at least one replaceable nozzle tip (20) for spraying a coating material, and at least one interchangeable nozzle tip (20) for spraying a coating material. A thermo spray gun system (1000) includes a thermal spray gun (10) and at least one mechanism (30/40) at least one of; storing at least one nozzle tip installable on the thermal spray gun and being structured and arranged to install at least one nozzle tip on the thermal spray gun. A method of coating a substrate (S) using a thermo spray gun (10) includes mounting at least one nozzle tip (20) on the thermo spray gun (10) and spraying a coating material with the at least one nozzle tip (20).

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: 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: 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 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: Nozzle for thermal spray gun, thermal spray gun and method of optimizing nozzle of thermal spray gun. The nozzle includes a central bore comprising a conical bore and a cylindrical bore. The conical bore is delimited by a conical wall surface in a conical bore section, the cylindrical bore is delimited by a cylindrical wall surface in a cylindrical bore section, and the conical bore section and the cylindrical bore section are structured so that heat is removed more rapidly from the conical wall than from the cylindrical wall.

Abstract: Powder injection apparatus, plasma gun, and method of use. Powder injection apparatus includes a shroud attachable to an outlet nozzle of a thermal spray apparatus and a substantially smooth and continuous inner wall defining a bowl through which a plume of the thermal spray apparatus travels. At least one port in the inner wall is structured and arranged to receive a powder injection nozzle that injects powder into the plume.

Abstract: Water cooling system (1) for a plasma gun (2), method for cooling a plasma gun (2) and method for increasing a service life of a plasma gun (2). The system (1) includes a water cooler structured and arranged to remove heat from cooling water to be supplied to the plasma gun (2), a controller (7) structured and arranged to monitor a gun voltage of the plasma gun (2), and at least one flow valve (8) coupled to and under control of the controller (7) to adjust a flow of the cooling water. When the gun voltage drops below a predetermined value, the controller (7) controls the at least one flow valve (8) to increase the plasma gun temperature and the gun voltage.

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: Nozzle for thermal spray gun, thermal spray gun and method for forming nozzle. Nozzle includes a nozzle body having a central bore and an exterior surface structured for insertion into a thermal spray gun and a water coolable surface coating applied onto at least a portion of the exterior surface. The water coolable surface coating is structured to protect the exterior surface from a chemical interaction with cooling water guided through the thermal spray gun.

Abstract: Thermal spray gun (1) and/or nozzle (120) includes a nozzle body and a liner material (123) arranged within the nozzle body. A material of the nozzle body has a lower melting temperature than that of the liner material (123). A wall thickness (C) of the liner material (123) has a value determined in relation to or that corresponds to a wall thickness (D) of the nozzle body. Alternatively or additionally, a ratio of a total wall thickness of a portion of a nozzle (120) to that of a wall thickness (C) of the liner material (123) has a value determined in relation to or that corresponds to the wall thickness (C) of liner material (123).

Abstract: Nozzle for thermal spray gun, thermal spray gun and method of optimizing nozzle of thermal spray gun. The nozzle includes a central bore comprising a conical bore and a cylindrical bore. The conical bore is delimited by a conical wall surface in a conical bore section, the cylindrical bore is delimited by a cylindrical wall surface in a cylindrical bore section, and the conical bore section and the cylindrical bore section are structured so that heat is removed more rapidly from the conical wall than from the cylindrical wall.