Method and apparatus for spraying molten materials

Abstract

A metal spray apparatus is provided with a supersonic nozzle. Molten metal is injected into a gas stream flowing through the nozzle under pressure. By varying the pressure of the injected metal, the droplet can be made in various selected sizes with each selected size having a high degree of size uniformity. A unique one piece graphite heater provides easily controlled uniformity of temperature in the nozzle and an attached tundish which holds the pressurized molten metal. A unique U-shaped gas heater provides extremely hot inlet gas temperatures to the nozzle. A particularly useful application of the spray apparatus is coating of threads of a fastener with a shape memory alloy. This permits a fastener to be easily inserted and removed but provides for a secure locking of the fastener in high temperature environments.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present invention is related to two co-pending U.S. patent applications. A first related application (Ser. No. 08/192,697, filing date Feb. 7, 1994) entitled "Heater for Metal Spraying Apparatus", has a common assignee with the present patent application. The first application was filed concurrently with the present application and has as its inventors, R. J. GLOVAN, J. TIERNEY, L. JOHNSON, L. MCLEAN, & D. VERBAEL. A second related application (Ser. No. 08/192,696, filing date Feb. 7, 1994) entitled "Self Locking Threaded Fastener" has a common assignee with the present patent application. The second application is being filed concurrently with the present patent application and has as its inventors, R. J. GLOVAN, J. TIERNEY, L. MCLEAN & L. JOHNSON.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to spraying of molten materials to form a coating on a substrate, to form objects of near-net shape or to form a powder with a desired particle size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many instances in which it is desirable to form a metallic coating on a base object or substrate. Various techniques have been employed to form such coatings. These include such techniques as electroplating, welding and high voltage sputtering. While all of these techniques are useful in some applications, they cannot be used interchangeably because they each have certain limitations. For example, if a thick coating of metal is required, i.e., a coating greater than 0.25 mm, then electroplating and sputtering are not useful. A metallic coating which is electroplated to a thickness of 0.25 mm or more is porous and therefore weak. A sputtered coating of such a thickness is impractical because it is virtually impossible to maintain the required high voltage levels for a long enough time to deposit such a thick film of metal. A spray welding process is capable of producing a dense and thick film of metal. However, prior art welding processes deposit metal with a non-uniform thickness. Thus, when a prior art spray welding process is used to coat a substrate, it is necessary to apply a coating that is thicker than a required final coating depth and remove excess metal in a machining operation. Removal of welded metal in a machining operation is time consuming and costly. Additionally, welding produces substantial heat in the substrate. Therefore, welding can only be used on substrates which can tolerate the elevated temperatures which are encountered in the welding process.

When thin metallic coatings are needed and electroplating techniques are used, there is a problem associated with disposal of spent plating solutions which contain various toxic substances. These disposal problems are particularly acute when the metallic coatings must be formed of metals such a chromium or nickel.

Given this set of conditions, it has long been considered desirable to be able to produce high density and uniform metallic coatings in a wide range of precisely controlled thicknesses. The attainment of this goal has heretofore remained elusive. It appears that the most promising technique for applying metallic coatings are those which involve spraying of molten metal onto a substrate. However, prior art metal spraying techniques, while promising, still fall short of the mark. We, the inventors, believe that one of the principal factors that has precluded the achievement of this goal is that prior art metal spraying techniques have used spraying conditions that do not optimize liquid droplet size and velocity. Our analysis and insights have led us to believe that if a highly uniform and predictable spray plume of metal can be formed with good repeatability, then a workable coating process would be attainable. We have found that a droplet of sprayed molten metal must be sufficiently large so that its does not lose its internal heat and solidify prior to reaching a substrate. Additionally the droplets must be sufficiently small so that a collection of the droplets will form a non-porous coating on the substrate. We have found that by controlling the velocity of transit of the molten droplets, we are able to achieve a desired balance of droplet size so that a non-porous coating can be produced with a variety of different metals.

In addition to our findings relating to metallic coatings, we have determined that it is possible to generate objects of near-net shape by spraying metal into a mold.

Various prior art devices have been employed to produce liquid sprays. Many of these well known devices employ aspiration methods to produce a spray plume. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,853 (Alvarez et al.) issued Apr. 24, 1990 there is an apparatus and method described which employs a uniquely shaped supersonic nozzle to aspirate a liquid into droplets. This system is described as having applicability to spraying of molten metals. However, the system described in the above mentioned patent is not practical for a metal coating operation in which a wide range of coating thicknesses, metal types and substrate types are used. The Alvarez et al. patent teaches a technique for mathematically defining a particular nozzle shape which will produce a desired spray plume at a single flow rate. A single flow rate is, at best, useful for spraying only one type of material under a very limited range of conditions. If a different flow rate is needed to spray a different material or to spray in different conditions, then it is necessary to create another unique nozzle to produce the desired flow rate. Any one construction of the Alvarez et al. device is not sufficiently flexible in its application to be useful over any but the narrowest range of metal types and coating conditions.

The Alvarez et al. apparatus relies on the principle of aspiration for its operation. Aspiration in a nozzle occurs only within a very narrow range of gas flow conditions. In the context of a manufacturing operation, it is impractical to replace a nozzle in a spraying apparatus whenever it becomes necessary to change the type or density of a metallic coating being applied to a substrate or object.

It is desirable therefore to provide a system that will produce a metallic spray that is comprised of uniformly sized droplets. It is additionally desirable that such a system be capable of producing such uniformly sized droplets in a wide range of sizes and flow rates so that the system can be used in a wide range of applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system of producing a well defined metallic coating on objects by spraying the objects with a spray plume that is produced by gas flowing through a nozzle that accelerates the gas to a supersonic velocity. Liquid metal is injected in a throat region of the nozzle. The pressure of liquid metal injection is controlled to determine the size of droplets which emerge from the nozzle in a spray plume. The system produces spray plumes with a wide range of droplet sizes. The wide range of droplet sizes is obtainable because a wide range of flow rates for gas entering the nozzle can be used.

Viewed from one aspect, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for continuous spraying of metal. The apparatus comprises a sealable chamber adapted to maintain a gaseous atmosphere with a predetermined first pressure and a nozzle located within the chamber. The nozzle has a converging portion at an input end thereof, a diverging portion at an exit end thereof and a substantially straight throat portion between the converging and diverging portions. A tundish holds molten metal. Means are provided for connecting the tundish with the throat portion of the nozzle, the means for connecting being adapted to permit a flow of molten metal into the nozzle. Means are provided for delivering molten metal to the tundish to continuously replace molten metal which flows into the nozzle. Means are provided for introducing heated gas into the input end of the nozzle at flow rate and pressure which produces a predetermined second pressure in the throat of the nozzle, the second pressure being substantially greater than the first pressure of the gaseous atmosphere in the chamber. Means are provided for applying a third predetermined pressure on the molten metal in the tundish, which third pressure is greater than the second pressure in the throat of the nozzle. Means are provided for controlling the first, second and third pressures relative to each other to control a configuration and density of a spray plume of droplets of metal which emerge from the output end of the nozzle.

Viewed from another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for continuous spraying of metal. The method comprises the step of maintaining a gaseous atmosphere with a predetermined first pressure in a sealable chamber, the chamber having a nozzle therein. The nozzle has a converging portion at an input end thereof, a diverging portion at an exit end thereof and a substantially straight throat portion between the converging and diverging portions. The throat portion is connected to a tundish which is adapted to permit a flow of molten metal into the nozzle. The method comprises the further steps of delivering molten metal to the tundish to continuously replace molten metal which flows into the nozzle, introducing heated gas into the input end of the nozzle at flow rate and pressure which produces a predetermined second pressure in the throat of the nozzle, the second pressure being substantially greater than the first pressure of the gaseous atmosphere in the chamber. The method comprises the further steps of applying a third predetermined pressure on the molten metal in the tundish, which third pressure is greater than the second pressure in the throat of the nozzle, and controlling the first, second and third pressures relative to each other to control a configuration and density of a spray plume of droplets of metal which emerge from the output end of the nozzle.

Viewed from still another aspect of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for producing near-net shape objects. The apparatus comprises a sealable chamber adapted to maintain a inert gaseous atmosphere with a predetermined first pressure and a nozzle located within the chamber. The nozzle has a converging portion at an input end thereof, a diverging portion at an exit end thereof and a substantially straight throat portion between the converging and diverging portions. The apparatus also comprises a tundish for holding molten metal and means for connecting the tundish with the throat portion of the nozzle, the means for connecting being adapted to permit a flow of molten metal into the nozzle. Means are provided for delivering molten metal to the tundish to continuously replace molten metal which flows into the nozzle. Means are provided for introducing heated gas into the input end of the nozzle at flow rate and pressure which produces a predetermined second pressure in the throat of the nozzle, the second pressure being substantially greater than the first pressure of the gaseous atmosphere in the chamber. Means are provided for applying a third predetermined pressure on the molten metal in the tundish, which third pressure is greater than the second pressure in the throat of the nozzle. Means are provided for controlling the first, second and third pressures relative to each other to control a configuration and density of a spray plume of droplets of metal which emerge from the output end of the nozzle. Means are provided for supporting a mold at a desired distance from the exit end of the nozzle. Means are provided for translating the mold relative to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle to enable molten particles in the spray plume to impinge on a desired portion of the mold whereby the mold is filled with metal in a desired near-net shape.

The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in consideration with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows, symbolically, a metal spray apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a comparative graphical relationship between inlet pressure and throat pressure in prior art apparatus and the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a nozzle that is used in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is detailed view of a portion of the nozzle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 shows an elevational, partially sectioned view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a heater that is part of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a gas heater portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a end view of a heating element of the gas heater of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is elevational view of the heating element of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a symbolic representation of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing one operational aspect thereof;

FIG. 10 is a symbolic representation of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing another operational aspect thereof; and

FIG. 11 is a symbolic representation of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing an operational aspect thereof.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown symbolically a metal spraying apparatus 10 structured in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 10 comprises a chamber 12, a nozzle 14 (shown partially sectioned for purposes of clarity), a tundish assembly 16 (shown partially sectioned for purposes of clarity), a heater 18 (shown partially removed for purposes of clarity), a metal source unit 20, a gas heater 22, a tundish pressure control unit 24, a heater control unit 26, a gas delivery unit 28, an exhaust unit 30 and a substrate support 32. The substrate support 32 holds an object to be sprayed or a substrate 34 within a spray plume 36.

The tundish assembly 16 and the metal source unit 20 are coupled to the nozzle 14. The heater 18 surrounds the nozzle 14 and the tundish assembly 16. The nozzle 14, the tundish assembly 16, the heater 18, and the substrate support 32 are enclosed within the chamber 12. The gas heater 22 is coupled to the nozzle 14 through a wall of the chamber 12. The metal source unit 20 is coupled to the tundish assembly 16 through a wall of the chamber 12. The chamber 12 is adapted to maintain a desired ambient pressure therein. The exhaust unit 30 is coupled to the chamber 12 and is adapted to withdraw and filter exhaust gases from the chamber 12. The tundish pressure control unit 24 is coupled to the metal source unit 20 The heater control unit 26 has a first output coupled to the heater 18 and a second output coupled to the gas heater 22. The gas delivery unit 28 is coupled to an input end of the gas heater 22.

In operation, the metal spraying apparatus 10 produces a spray plume 36 of uniformly sized droplets of liquid metal which are propelled against a surface of the substrate 34 to produce a coating of metal on the substrate 34. The plume 36 is produced as gas flows from the gas delivery unit 28 through the gas heater 22 and through the nozzle 14. Metal is introduced into the gas through a port 38 which interconnects an interior of the nozzle 14 with an interior of the tundish assembly 16. Within the interior of the tundish assembly 16, there is a pool 39 of liquid metal which is generated by the metal source unit 20. The heater 18 maintains the temperature of the nozzle 14 and the tundish assembly at a high enough level so that liquid metal produced by the metal source unit 20 remains in a molten state. The nozzle 14 has a converging-diverging configuration and is capable of accelerating gas from a sub-sonic to a supersonic velocity. The port 38 which interconnects the interior of the tundish assembly 16 with the interior of the nozzle 14 is positioned at a point in the nozzle 14 where the shape of the nozzle 14 changes from a converging to a diverging cross-section. This arrangement results in the production of liquid metal droplets which have a very uniform size. These highly uniform droplets exit the nozzle in the form of the plume 36 which deposits a uniform coating of the metal on the substrate 34.

The tundish pressure control unit 24 produces a static pressure on the pool 39 of the liquid metal that is held in the tundish assembly 16. As the static pressure is increased, the droplets of metal within the plume 36 are increased in size. Conversely, when the static pressure from the tundish pressure control unit 24 is decreased, the droplet size within the plume 36 is reduced. Even though the droplet size can be changed from large to small, the droplet size uniformity does not change. For example, if at a given static pressure of 1800 mm Hg the droplet size in the plume 36 is nominally 10 microns, the variation in size of any one droplet relative to all the other droplets is no greater than about 10 percent. Similarly, if at a static pressure of 2000 mm Hg, the droplet size in the plume 36 is 15 microns, the variation in size from one droplet to all other droplets in the plume 36 is no greater than about 10 percent.

The achievement of this type of control provides a marked departure over prior art systems. In prior art systems such as conventional twin wire arc systems, a spray plume is generated with droplets which vary in size relative to one another 500 percent or more. In other prior art spraying systems such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,853 (Alvarez et al.) issued Apr. 24, 1990 the spray droplets are uniform in size, but the Alvarez et al. spraying system cannot be readily adapted to produce a relatively large droplet spray for one application and a smaller droplet spray for some other application in which a smaller droplet spray is more suited. The present invention is uniquely capable of producing spray plumes with uniformly sized droplets with a large range of selected diameters with a wide range of droplet velocities. This flexibility is achieved because the apparatus 10 can be operated with a wide range of gas flow rates.

Because of this flexibility, it is possible to employ the apparatus 10 to produce metal powders of uniform size. This can be done by spraying metal into the chamber 12 and allowing the metal droplets to freeze before they strike an object or substrate.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a graph 40 that displays differences in operating parameters between the present invention and the prior art as embodied in the Alvarez et al. patent. A graph line 42 depicts a relationship between inlet pressure at an inlet end of a converging-diverging nozzle and throat pressure at a selected point in a throat of the nozzle. A horizontal line 44 represents a typical ambient pressure within a chamber in which the nozzle is located. It can be seen that when the inlet pressure is equal to the ambient pressure, the throat pressure is also equal to ambient pressure as shown at a point 46. As the inlet pressure increases, the throat pressure decreases to a minimum at point 48. Increasing inlet pressure eventually produces a condition in which the throat pressure is once again at ambient pressure. This is shown at a point 50. The nozzle of the Alvarez et al. patent must operate within a range of inlet pressures shown between the points 46 and 50. These points represent the range of inlet pressures which will produce throat pressures below ambient pressure. In other words, points 46 and 50 show the range of operation of a nozzle which is dependent upon aspiration for its operation.

The nozzle 14 of the present invention is operable throughout the entire range of pressures shown between the point 46 and a point 52. It has been found that an ideal range of operating conditions for the nozzle 14 of the present invention is shown between a point 54 and the point 52. The nozzle 14 is not dependent on the principle of aspiration for its operation. Because a negative throat pressure is not required, the inlet pressure can be increased substantially above ambient pressure. Additionally, the pressure can be varied widely. This variability of inlet pressure produces great flexibility in the flow rate of gas through the nozzle 14. This flexibility in choice of flow rate provides an opportunity to choose a flow rate which produces an optimum particle size and particle velocity for every coating application.

Because the molten metal is independently pressurized, the metal can be injected at higher pressures. This enhances atomization and mixing by assuring that the droplets penetrate further into the gas flow through the nozzle 14. By extending the range of nozzle inlet pressures, substantially higher gas and droplet velocities can be achieved at the exit of the nozzle 14. Since adhesion strength and density generally improve as droplet velocity increases, this feature enhances the quality of a sprayed coating produced by the apparatus 10.

In order to assure repeatability and uniformity of operating characteristics of the apparatus 10, the chamber 12 is maintained at a controlled ambient pressure. The controlled ambient pressure in the chamber 12 allows the apparatus 10 to function independently of local atmospheric conditions.

Because of inherent flexibility of the apparatus 10, we have found that a single configuration of the nozzle 14 of FIG. 1 is suitable for a wide range of applications.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 3A there is shown a cross-sectional view of the nozzle 14. The nozzle comprises a conical converging section 60, a conical diverging section 62 and a cylindrical throat section 64. The port 38 enters the throat section 64. It has been found that suitable material for the nozzle 14 is boron nitride. FIG. 3 shows a series of dimensional relations indicated with the letters A through F. The nozzle 14 has been found to perform effectively within the following ranges of the dimensions A through F:

A between about 2 degrees and 7 degrees; B between about 3 degrees and 7 degrees: C between about 4 inches and 7 inches; D between about 0.5 inches and 0.75 inches; E between about 0.04 inches and 0.05 inches; F between about 0.08 inches and 0.12;

We have found that the diameter of port 38 can be between about 0.008 and 0.012 inches. We have also found that the centerline of the port 38 should be located at a midpoint of the throat section 62 or toward the exit end thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown a detailed, partially sectioned elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention. A portion of the metal source unit 20 of FIG. 1 is in contact with the tundish assembly 16. The tundish assembly 16, the nozzle 14 and the heater 18 are encased in an insulator 66. The insulator 66 is formed from a material known as rigidized carbon felt. This material is available as a commercial product from companies such as Polycarbon Inc. of Valencia, Calif. The gas heater 22 of FIG. 1 extends through a wall of the chamber 12.

The heater 18 is formed of a single piece of graphite in a serpentine configuration that effectively surrounds the nozzle 14 and a lower portion of the tundish assembly 16. A more detailed description of the heater 18 is provided hereinbelow in connection with a discussion of FIG. 5.

The tundish assembly 16 is comprised of a tundish 80, an inner metal source adapter 82, an outer metal source adapter 84, a set of O-rings 86, a water-cooled ring 87 and a threaded fastener 88. It can be seen that an upper portion of the outer metal source adapter 84 projects out of the insulator 66. During operation, this upper portion remains in contact with a lower end 89 of the metal source unit 20. In the case of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the metal source unit 20 is a conventional twin wire arc unit such as a Model 9000 manufactured and sold by Hobart/Tafa of Concord, N.H. In this type of twin wire arc unit, the lower end 89 of the unit 20 is water cooled. This water cooled feature of the unit 20 is used advantageously in the present invention. When the water cooled lower end 89 is placed into contact with the outer metal source adapter 84, the adapter 84 transfers its stored heat to the unit 20. The water-cooled ring 87 provides additional cooling. Thus the portion of the adapter 84 which projects out of the insulator 100 remains relatively cool. Because this projecting portion of the adapter 84 remains cool, the adapter can be fitted with conventional O-rings 86 and the O-rings 86 do not melt. Thus an effective pressure seal between the unit 20 and the tundish assembly 16 can be maintained. This is of critical importance in the present invention because it is necessary to maintain a desired static pressure on the molten metal which is held in the tundish 80. As was discussed in connection with FIG. 1, the desired static pressure is generated in the metal source unit 20 by the tundish pressure control unit 24 of FIG. 1. Thus a positive pressure seal between the tundish 80 and the metal source unit 20 is a requisite to maintaining a desired static pressure on the molten metal in the tundish 80.

Referring back now to FIG. 1, the utility of the O-rings 86 can be even better understood when one considers how the metal spray apparatus 10 is initially set up and brought to operating conditions. In order to avoid any oxidation of the metal droplets in the plume 36, the spraying operation is preferably carried out in an inert gas atmosphere within the chamber 12. This inert gas atmosphere is produced by first drawing a vacuum in the chamber 12 and then backfilling the chamber 12 with an inert gas such as argon. During the drawing of the vacuum, it is necessary that the lower end 89 (FIG. 2) of the metal source unit 20 be removed from the chamber 12. If the lower end 89 were to be allowed to remain in the chamber 12 during this set-up stage, a vacuum could not be successfully produced because the unit 20 is not sufficiently leak resistant. Thus the chamber 12 is provided with a conventional gate valve (not shown) though which the lower end 89 of the metal source unit 20 is inserted after the chamber 12 is charged with argon at the desired ambient pressure. In order to assure that the apparatus 10 is an efficient manufacturing unit, it is necessary that the lower end 89 can be coupled easily and quickly with the tundish assembly 16. The O-ring 86 (FIG. 4) seal on the outer metal source adapter 84 (FIG. 4) allows for the desired expedient coupling. The lower end 89 simply slides into the outer metal source adapter 84.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is shown a detailed perspective view of the heater 18 employed in the present invention. The heater 18 is formed from a continuous piece of solid graphite. The heater 18 is shaped so that it comprises a nozzle heating portion 90, a tundish heating portion 92 and first and second power connectors 94 and 96, respectively. The heater 18 is formed in a serpentine configuration with grooves and cylindrical holes formed therein to produce a substantially uniform cross-sectional area of the graphite along a current path that extends from the first power connector 94 to the second power connector 96. The nozzle heating portion 90 and the tundish heating portion 92 are shaped basically like two hollow cylinders with intersecting axes. For purposes of clarity, the heater is designated to have an entrance end 93, a top side 95, a bottom side 97 and an exit end 99.

A cylindrical hole 98, large enough to accommodate the nozzle 14 (FIG. 1) is formed on an axis parallel to the nozzle heating portion 90. A cylindrical hole 101 large enough to accommodate the tundish assembly 16 (FIG. 1) is formed in the tundish heating portion 92 on a axis parallel with the tundish heating portion 92. A slot 105 extends through a wall of the tundish heating portion 92 on the exit end 99 of the heater 18. A slot 107 extends through the wall of the nozzle heating portion 90 along the entire bottom side 97 of the nozzle heating portion 90. First, second third and fourth transverse slots designated 109, 110, 112 and 114, respectively extend through the walls of the heater 18. The first transverse slot 109 extends through a portion of the wall of the tundish heating portion 92 which faces the entrance end 93 of the heater 18. The first transverse slot 109 also extends from a point approximately midway along the axis of the tundish heating portion 92 to a point that is approximately aligned with a central axis of the nozzle heating portion 90. The second transverse slot 110 extends from the bottom side 97 of the nozzle heating portion 90 to a point that is substantially aligned with the central axis of the nozzle heating portion 90. The third transverse slot 112 extends from the top side 95 of the nozzle heating portion 90 to a point that is substantially aligned with the central axis of the nozzle heating portion 90. The fourth transverse slot 114 extends through the wall of the tundish heating portion 92 on the side of that portion which faces the entrance end 93 of the heater 18. The fourth transverse slot 114 intersects with the first transverse slot 109.

This arrangement of slots and holes produces a path for electric current in the graphite of the heater 18 which has a substantially uniform cross-sectional area. The current path extends from the first power connector 94 down to the bottom side 97 between the entrance end 93 and the transverse slot 112. Then the current path goes to the top side 65 between the transverse slots 112 and 110. The current path then goes to the bottom side 97 between the transverse slots 110 and 109. The current path then goes into the tundish heating portion 92 between the slot 105 and the transverse slot 109. The current path proceeds around a top of the tundish heating portion 92 and down the far side of the slot 105. The current path follows a similar course on the far side of the heater 18 until the path terminates at the second power connector 96.

The sizes of the holes and slots are selected so that the resultant heater is comprised of graphite that has a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along the entire length of the current path. When electric current is introduced to the heater 18 through the power connectors 94 and 96, there is a substantially uniform voltage drop along the entire current path. This results in a substantially uniform temperature distribution around the entire volume of the heater 18.

This arrangement is particularly desirable in the operation of the metal spray apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) because a uniformity of temperature of the nozzle 14 (FIG. 1) and the tundish 80 (FIG. 2) is essential to achieving a uniformity of size in the droplets of liquid metal which the apparatus 10 produces.

If the tundish 80 and the nozzle 14 were heated with separate heaters, then there would be a need to use complex control systems to assure that the temperatures of both of the separate heaters remained the same. The unique design of the heater 18 permits the use of one simple current controller to control temperature of both the nozzle 14 and the tundish 80.

Referring now to FIG. 6 there is shown a cross-sectional view of the gas heater 22 of FIG. 1. The gas heater 22 comprises a resistance heating element 120, a cylinder of rigidized carbon felt insulation 122, two water-cooled electrodes 124 and 126, a gas inlet 128, a gas outlet 130, a water-cooled cover plate 132, an end plate 134, a water-cooled heater vessel 136 and a heater extension 138. The heating element 120 is supported by the end plate 134 within a cylindrical opening in the insulation 122. The element 120 and the insulation 122 are aligned with each other so that a substantially uniform annular space is developed along the length of the element 120. The annular space forms a passageway through which gas flows. The electrodes 124 and 126 are each coupled to one side of the element 120. Water cooling in the vessel 136, the electrodes 124 and 126, and the cover plate 132 prevents these items from melting during operation of the heater 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown a detailed side view and end view of the heater element 120 of FIG. 5. The element 120 is comprised a top leg 140 and a bottom leg 142. The legs 140 and 142 traverse almost the entire length of the element 120. Each of the legs 140 and 142 are provided with electrode attachment points 144 and 146, respectively. The legs 140 and 142 are interconnected at an end 148. It can be seen that the element 120 is essentially a solid cylinder with a horizontal slot formed along almost its entire length. The slot does not pass through the end 148. Thus the resulting structure of the element is a long U-shaped cylinder with a substantially uniform cross-sectional area. An outer surface of the element 120 is covered with threads 150 as shown in a detail bubble portion of FIG. 8. Materials such as graphite or a refractory metal such as molybdenum are suitable for construction of the element 120.

Referring back now to FIG. 6, it can be seen that in operation the gas heater 22 achieves a high temperature when low frequency, AC current is passed through the electrodes 124 and 126. A current path passes into the electrode 124, continues into and along the top leg 140 of the element 120. The current path continues around the end 148 of the element 120, then along the other leg 142 and finally into the electrode 126. Gas passes over the threaded surface of the element 120 in the annular opening between the element 120 and the insulation 122 of FIG. 6. The threads 150 produce turbulence in the gas, thus providing for an optimization of heat transfer from the element to the gas. The annular space between the element 120 and the insulation 122 is about 0.065 inches. The threads 150 are about 0.035 inch or greater in depth. This combination produces a virtually complete turbulence in the gas flow in the annular space.

As the gas passes along the length of the element 120, the gas becomes progressively hotter. In fact, when the gas reaches the end 148, the temperature of the gas can be as high as 2000 degrees centigrade.

The unique utility of the shape of the element can be best understood when considering the high exit temperature of the heater 22. Both of the electrodes 124 and 126 are attached to the element 120 at an input end of the heater 22 where the gas temperature is relatively low. Thus the electrodes 124 and 126 are able to operate in temperature conditions in which they do not melt. If either of the electrodes were to be located near the output end of the heater 22, then the heater could not be operated at such a high temperature because such an electrode would melt if it were not water cooled. Or it would reduce the exit gas temperature if it were water cooled. Therefore, it can be seen that the unique U-shaping of the element 120 provides for a gas heater that can be operated at heretofore unattainable output temperatures.

When the unique gas heater 22 of FIG. 6 is combined with the unique nozzle and tundish heater of FIG. 5, there is an extraordinary capability imparted to the spraying apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. Gas injected into the nozzle 14 can be heated to temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees centigrade. This extremely hot gas can undergo substantial heat losses during expansion in the nozzle 14 and still emerge from the nozzle 14 at a high enough temperature to provide a very hot carrier for metal droplets. Thus the droplets do not freeze during transit to the substrate. In this regard, the apparatus 10, is uniquely capable of operating with high pressures in the throat of the nozzle 14. High pressure in the throat of the nozzle 14, of course, permits the nozzle 14 to spray metal without aspiration. Consequently, the apparatus 10 is operable in a much wider range of gas flow and pressure conditions than those to which prior art metal spray equipment is limited.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 there is shown, symbolically, an operational sequence of the metal spray apparatus 10. The nozzle 14 is shown projecting through the wall of the chamber 12. Attached to the chamber 12 there is a sub-chamber 152. The sub-chamber 152 is provided with an isolating door 154. A robotic unit 156 is mounted within the chamber 12. The robotic unit 156 is adapted to reach into the sub-chamber 152 through the door 154 and pick up a substrate or workpiece 158. After one of the workpieces 158 is engaged with the robotic unit 156, the unit moves the engaged workpiece 158 into position in front of the nozzle 14 as shown in FIG. 10. After the engaged workpiece 158 is in position in front of the nozzle 14, the spraying operation is started and the workpiece 158 is coated with a desired metal.

After the workpiece 158 is coated, the robotic unit 156 returns the coated workpiece 158 to the sub-chamber 152 as shown in FIG. 9. The robotic unit 94 then engages with one of the uncoated workpieces 158 and the above described process is repeated. In this way a plurality of the workpieces 158 can be coated without a need to open and recharge the chamber 12 with inert gas. Use of the sub-chamber 152 with its isolating door 154 permits each of the workpieces 158 to be independently coated without risk of cross-contamination. In other words, each of the workpieces 158 is coated separately and the workpieces 158 in the sub-chamber 152 are not subject to being undesirably contacted with overspray particles.

The apparatus 10 can also produce objects of near-net shape. A mold (not shown) with an impression of a desired shape can be used as the workpiece 158. The spray plume 36 is directed into the mold and the mold becomes coated with metal to fill the impression. When the solidified metal is removed from the mold, an object of the desired shape is obtained.

Referring now to FIG. 11 there is shown a particularly useful application of the metal spraying apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 11 show a threaded fastener 160 positioned in front of the nozzle 14. A portion of the fastener 160 is in the spray plume 36. The tundish assembly 16 is charged with a specialized molten metal known as a shape memory alloy (SMA).

In operation, the robotic unit of FIGS. 9 and 10 moves the fastener 160 vertically and rotationally within the spray plume 36 so that all of the threads of the fastener 160 are uniformly exposed to the spray plume 36. This results in the threads being coated with shape memory alloy.

Shape memory alloys (SMA), such as those obtainable from TiNi Alloy Company, San Leandro, Calif., have unique characteristics. When an SMA is cold or below its transformation temperature, it has a very low yield strength and can be deformed quite easily into any new shape. However, when the material is heated above its transformation temperature, it undergoes a change in crystal structure which causes it to become hard and to return to its original shape.

These characteristics are used advantageously on the threaded fasteners 160. The fasteners 160 are coated with SMA to a coating thickness that results in an interference fit between the male threads of the fastener 160 and the female threads of the object into which the fastener is to be placed. This results in a distortion of the SMA coating when the fastener 160 is installed. This distortion is particularly useful when the fastener 160 is used to secure components that operate in a high temperature environment. As the component is placed into service where its temperature rises, e.g., engines, turbines, etc., the SMA undergoes a transition to a different crystal structure that has a much higher yield strength and attempts to restore itself to its original dimensions. This stress locks the fastener 160 in place. When the component cools, transition to the low temperature crystal occurs and the fastener can be readily removed.

Thus the fastener 160 operates at high temperatures with all the security of a rivet or weld, but at low temperatures, the fastener 160 operates with all the convenience of a bolt.

Referring back now to FIG. 1, there are many combinations of gas flow velocity, gas temperature, metal temperature and metal pressure which can effect the properties of coatings which are produced by the metal spray apparatus 10. Many of these combinations of parameters are discussed in a publication entitled "Controlled Aspiration--A New Thermal Spray Process", R. J. Glovan and J. C. Tierney, ASM Proceedings 1993, NTSC '93, Jun. 7-11, 1993, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif. which publication is incorporated by reference herein.

As an example of a set of workable conditions, we have found that a dense and tenacious coating of nickel alloy known as Versalloy 50 can be applied to a substrate of steel using the following parameters:

1. Inlet Pressure--48 psig 2. Ambient Pressure--16 psia 3. Molten Metal Temperature--1300 degrees C. 4. Gas Flow Rate--5.0 SCFM 5. Gas Temp. at Outlet of Gas Heater--1300 degrees C. 6. Molten Metal Pressure--35 psia 7. Substrate Distance from Nozzle Exit--4 inches

It has been found that under these conditions, supersonic gas flow is achieved. But, unlike prior art systems, a shock wave does not form inside the nozzle 14. Instead a shock wave forms outside of the output end of the nozzle 14. Thus, there is very little risk of molten material freezing inside the nozzle 14.

It is to be appreciated and understood that the specific embodiments of the invention are merely illustrative of the general principles of the invention. Various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art which are consistent with the principles set forth. For example, the inventive spray apparatus may be employed to spray nonmetallic materials such as molten ceramics.

Claims

1. Apparatus for continuous spraying of molten material having a melting temperature in excess of about 1200 degrees C. onto a substrate, the apparatus comprising:

a sealable chamber adapted to maintain a gaseous atmosphere with a first pressure;

a nozzle, located within the chamber, the nozzle having a converging portion at an input end thereof, a diverging portion at an exit end thereof and a substantially straight throat portion between the converging and diverging portions;

a tundish for holding the molten material;

means for connecting the tundish with the throat portion of the nozzle, the means for connecting being adapted to permit a flow of the molten material into the nozzle;

means for delivering the molten material to the tundish to continuously replace molten material which flows into the nozzle;

gas heating means for heating a continuously flowing stream of gas to a temperature at least equal to the melting temperature of the material;

means for introducing the heated gas into the input end of the nozzle at a flow rate and pressure which produces a second pressure in the throat of the nozzle, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure of the gaseous atmosphere in the chamber and the second pressure being great enough to preclude aspiration of the molten material into the throat and said second pressure being great enough to preclude formation of a shock wave within the nozzle; and

means for applying a third pressure on the molten metal in the tundish, which third pressure is greater than the second pressure in the throat of the nozzle and which third pressure is sufficient to produce a continuous delivery of the molten material into the throat; and

means for controlling the first, second and third pressures relative to each other to control a configuration and density of a spray plume of droplets of material which emerge from the output end of the nozzle to produce uniformly sized droplets, and the droplets are protected toward the substrate at a velocity great enough to deliver the droplets to the substrate while the droplets have a majority of their respective mass in a molten state.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the nozzle is formed substantially concentrically about a first axis and the port is formed substantially concentrically about a second axis which is substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the converging portion of the nozzle is substantially conical and converges at an angle of between about 2 degrees and about 7 degrees;

the diverging portion of the nozzle is substantially conical and diverges at an angle of between about 3 degrees and about 7 degrees;

the throat portion has a length of between about 0.5 inch and about 0.75 inch; and

the tundish is connected to the nozzle at a point which is no further than a midpoint of the throat as measured from an exit end of the throat.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the material is deposited on a plurality of substrates which apparatus further comprises:

means for supporting a first substrate in a desired orientation relative to the output end of the nozzle;

means for maintaining the output end of the nozzle and the substrate in an inert gas environment until a desired amount of metal has been deposited on the first substrate;

means for stopping the flow of metal through the nozzle;

means for moving the first substrate to a position remote from the output end of the nozzle after a desired amount of metal has been deposited thereon;

means for moving a second substrate to a desired orientation relative to the output end of the nozzle while maintaining the inert gas environment; and

means for re-starting the flow of gas through the nozzle to deposit a desired amount of the metal on the second substrate while maintaining the inert gas environment.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gas heating means comprises:

a substantially cylindrical electric resistance element coupled to a source of electric current with metal electrodes at a gas input end thereof, which electrodes have a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the molten material and the temperature of gas emerging from an output end of the gas heating means;

a hollow cylindrical member surrounding the resistance element to form an annular gas passageway having an input end and an output end; and

the annular passageway being coaxial with an axis of the nozzle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a heater for the nozzle and tundish which heater comprises;

a single piece of rigid electrically conductive material;

the material being configured to substantially surround all the outer surfaces of the nozzle and the tundish; and

the material having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along its length.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 which further comprises a heater for the nozzle and tundish, the heater comprising:

a single piece of rigid electrically conductive material selected from graphite or a refactory metal;

a first heating portion being shaped substantially like a hollow cylinder;

a second heating portion being shaped substantially like a hollow cylinder;

the first heating portion being orthogonal to the second heating portion;

the first and second heating portions having slots formed through the walls thereof to produce a single current path with a substantially uniform cross-sectional and;

the conductive material being in contact with a majority of an exterior surface of the nozzle and tundish.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein:

the first heating portion has an axially oriented slot formed in a first wall and an opposed wall thereof; and

the second heating portion has an axially oriented slot formed in only one segment of the wall thereof whereby a diametrically opposed segment of the wall of the second heating portion functions as part of the current path.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein at least one of the heating portions has at least one transverse slot formed through a wall thereof whereby the wall is reduced in area to achieve a desired uniformity of cross-sectional area of the current path.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of the heating portions is provided with at least one of the transverse slots.

11. A method for continuous spraying of a material having a melting point in excess of 1200 degrees C. onto a substrate comprising the steps of:

maintaining a gaseous atmosphere with a first pressure in a sealable chamber, the chamber having a nozzle therein, which nozzle has a converging portion at an input end thereof, a diverging portion at an exit end thereof and a substantially straight throat portion between the converging and diverging portions, the throat portion being connected to a tundish which is adapted to permit a flow of molten material into the nozzle;

delivering molten material to the tundish to continuously replace molten material which flows into the nozzle;

heating a continuously flowing stream of gas to a temperature at least equal to the melting temperature of the material;

introducing heated gas into the input end of the nozzle at flow rate and pressure which produces a second pressure in the throat of the nozzle, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure of the gaseous atmosphere in the chamber, the second pressure being great enough to preclude aspiration of the molten material into the throat and said second pressure being great enough to preclude formation of a shock wave within the nozzle;

applying a third pressure on the molten material in the tundish, which third pressure is greater than the second pressure in the throat of the nozzle; and

controlling the first, second and third pressures relative to each other to control a configuration and density of a spray plume of droplets of material which emerge from the output end of the nozzle to produce uniformly sized droplets can be produced with the nozzle and the droplets are projected toward the substrate at a velocity great enough to deliver the droplets to the substrate while the droplets have a substantial portion of their respective mass in a molten state.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein material is deposited on a plurality of substrates which method further comprises the steps of:

supporting a first substrate in a desired orientation relative to the output end of the nozzle;

maintaining the output end of the nozzle and the substrate in an inert gas environment until a desired amount of metal has been deposited on the first substrate;

stopping the flow of metal through the nozzle;

moving the first substrate to a position remote from the output end of the nozzle after a desired amount of metal has been deposited thereon;

moving a second substrate to a desired orientation relative to the output end of the nozzle while maintaining the inert gas environment; and

re-starting the flow of molten material through the nozzle to deposit a desired amount of the material on the second substrate while maintaining the inert gas environment.

13. Apparatus for producing objects of a desired shape from material having a melting point in excess of 1200 degrees C., the apparatus comprising:

a sealable chamber adapted to maintain a gaseous atmosphere with a first pressure;

a nozzle, located within the chamber, the nozzle having a converging portion at an input end thereof, a diverging portion at an exit end thereof and a substantially straight throat portion between the converging and diverging portions;

a tundish for holding molten material;

means for connecting the tundish with the throat portion of the nozzle, the means for connecting being adapted to permit a flow of molten material into the nozzle;

means for delivering molten material to the tundish to continuously replace molten material which flows into the nozzle;

means for heating a continuously flowing stream of gas to a temperature at least equal to the melting temperature of the material;

means for introducing heated gas into the input end of the nozzle at flow rate and pressure which produces a second pressure in the throat of the nozzle, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure of the gaseous atmosphere in the chamber, the second pressure being great enough to preclude aspiration of the molten material into the throat and said second pressure being great enough to preclude formation of a shock wave within the nozzle;

means for applying a third pressure on the molten material in the tundish, which third pressure is greater than the second pressure in the throat of the nozzle;

means for supporting a mold at a desired distance from the exit end of the nozzle; and

means for translating the mold relative to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle to enable the spray plume to impinge on a desired portion of the mold whereby the mold is filled with material in a desired; and

means for controlling the first, second and third pressures relative to each other to control a configuration and density of a spray plume of droplets of material which emerge from the output end of the nozzle, to produce uniformly sized droplets, and the droplets are projected toward the mold at a velocity great enough to deliver the droplets to the mold while the droplets have a substantial portion of their respective mass in a molten state.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the nozzle is formed substantially concentrically about a first axis and the port is formed substantially concentrically about a second axis which is substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

the converging portion of the nozzle is substantially conical and converges at an angle of between about 2 degrees and about 7 degrees;

the diverging portion of the nozzle is substantially conical and diverges at an angle of between about 3 degrees and about 7 degrees;

the throat portion has a length of between about 0.5 inch and about 0.75 inch; and

the tundish is connected to the nozzle at a point which is no closer than a midpoint of the throat as measured from an input end of the throat.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein material is deposited in a plurality of molds which apparatus further comprises:

means for supporting a first mold in a desired orientation relative to the output end of the nozzle;

means for maintaining the output end of the nozzle and the substrate in an inert gas environment until a desired amount of metal has been deposited into the first mold;

means for stopping the flow of gas through the nozzle;

means for moving the first mold to a position remote from the output end of the nozzle after a desired amount of metal has been deposited therein;

means for moving a second mold to a desired orientation relative to the output end of the nozzle while maintaining the inert gas environment; and

means for re-starting the flow of gas through the nozzle to deposit a desired amount of the material into the second mold while maintaining the inert gas environment.

17. A method for producing objects of a desired shape from a material having a melting point in excess of 1200 degrees C. comprising the steps of:

maintaining a gaseous atmosphere with a first pressure in a sealable chamber, the chamber having a nozzle therein, which nozzle has a converging portion at an input end thereof, a diverging portion at an exit end thereof and a substantially straight throat portion between the converging and diverging portions, the throat portion being connected to a tundish which is adapted to permit a flow of molten material into the nozzle;

delivering molten material to the tundish to continuously replace molten material which flows into the nozzle;

introducing heated gas into the input end of the nozzle at flow rate and pressure which produces a second pressure in the throat of the nozzle, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure of the gaseous atmosphere in the chamber;

applying a third pressure on the molten metal in the tundish, which third pressure is greater than the second pressure in the throat of the nozzle, the second pressure being great enough to preclude aspiration of the molten material into the throat and said second pressure being great enough to preclude formation of a shock wave within the nozzle;

supporting a mold at a desired distance from the exit end of the nozzle; and

translating the mold relative to the a longitudinal axis of the nozzle to enable the droplets of molten material forming a spray plume to impinge on a desired portion of the mold whereby the mold is filled with material in a desired; and

controlling the first, second and third pressures relative to each other to control a configuration and density of a spray plume of droplets of material which emerge from the output end of the nozzle whereby a wide range of uniformly sized droplets can be produced with the nozzle and the droplets are projected toward the mold at a velocity great enough to deliver the droplets to the mold while the droplets have a substantial portion of their respective mass in a molten state.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein material is deposited in a plurality of molds which method further comprises the steps of:

supporting a first mold in a desired orientation relative to the output end of the nozzle;

maintaining the output end of the nozzle and the mold in an inert gas environment until a desired amount of material has been deposited in the first mold;

stopping the flow of gas through the nozzle;

moving the first mold to a position remote from the output end of the nozzle after a desired amount of material has been deposited therein;

moving a second mold to a desired orientation relative to the output end of the nozzle while maintaining the inert gas environment; and

re-starting the flow of gas through the nozzle to deposit a desired amount of the material in the second mold while maintaining the inert gas environment.