Non-line of sight coating technique

• US 20080057195A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Schlichting, Kevin W.
• Application Number:
  US11/513,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20080057195A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/248.1
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/22 characterised by the process of coating
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/228 Gas flow assisted PVD deposition

Abstract

An apparatus for non-line of sight coating of a part includes a housing, a vapor source, at least one nozzle, and a vacuum pumping system. The vapor source produces a vapor cloud into the housing and toward the part. The nozzle provides a gas flow to interact with the vapor cloud. The vacuum pumping system maintains a pressure within the housing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for non-line of sight coating of a part, the apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a vapor source for producing a vapor cloud into the housing toward the part;

at least one nozzle positioned for providing a gas flow to interact with the vapor cloud; and

a vacuum pumping system for maintaining a pressure within the housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a shaft for positioning the part within the housing between the vapor source and the nozzle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shaft is a rotatable shaft.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a shield positioned within the housing opposite the vapor source.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the shield is semi-hemispherical.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a plurality of nozzles.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle provides a gas flow selected from the group consisting of:

an inert gas and oxygen.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is positioned to provide a gas flow to interact with the vapor cloud to create a randomized cloud.

9. A system for coating non-line of sight regions of a device, the system comprising:

a housing;

a vapor source positioned to produce a vapor cloud within the housing;

a nozzle positioned opposite the non-line of sight regions of the device for providing a gas flow toward the vapor cloud; and

a pumping system for maintaining the housing within a pressure range.

10. The system of claim 9, and further comprising shaft for positioning the device within the housing.

11. The system of claim 9, and further comprising a shield positioned in the housing opposite the vapor source and proximate the nozzle.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the nozzle is positioned to provide a gas flow to interact with the vapor cloud to create a randomized cloud.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein gas flow from the nozzle is selected from the group consisting of:

an inert gas and oxygen.

14. The system of claim 9, and further comprising a plurality of nozzles.

15. A method of coating non-line of sight regions of a part, the method comprising:

positioning the part within an enclosed housing;

producing a vapor cloud into the housing toward the part;

providing a gas flow into the housing toward the non-line of sight regions of the part, wherein the gas flow interacts with the vapor cloud; and

maintaining the enclosed housing within a predetermined pressure range.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein positioning the part within an enclosed housing comprising using a shaft.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein producing a vapor cloud into the housing comprises using a vapor source.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein providing a gas flow into the housing comprises using at least one nozzle.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the gas flow interacts with the vapor cloud to create a randomized cloud.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined pressure range is less than atmospheric pressure.