GAS DISTRIBUTION RING ASSEMBLY FOR PLASMA SPRAY SYSTEM

• US 20110042358A1
• Filed: 08/24/2009
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology, LLC (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Albanese, Joseph Garfield, Lau, Yuk-chiu, Lochner, Christopher Joseph, Baldwin, Donald Joseph, Rusch, William Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 8,350,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/121.5
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/222 using an arc
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 4/134 Plasma spraying
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/3468 Vortex generators
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/42 with provisions for introducing materials into the plasma, e.g. powder, liquid arc stabilising or constricting arrangements H05H1/3405; coaxial protecting fluids H05H1/341; electrostatic spraying, spraying apparatus with means for charging the spray electrically B05B5/00 ; cf. B23K9/324, B05B7/22

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.

Claims

1. A gas distribution ring assembly for a plasma spray system, the ring assembly comprising:

a gas distribution ring including a plurality of openings allowing a gas to pass to an inner diameter thereof; and

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.

2. The ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the positioning ring includes an end face that is positioned in contact with an end face of the gas distribution ring.

3. The ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the positioning ring and the gas distribution ring each include a ceramic.

4. The ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the positioning ring includes a ceramic, and the gas distribution ring includes a metal.

5. The ring assembly of claim 4, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of:

a copper alloy, an iron alloy and a nickel alloy.

6. The ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the positioning ring includes at least a pair of arcuate portions that mate to form the positioning ring.

7. The ring assembly of claim 6, wherein the positioning ring includes a pair of semi-circular mating portions.

8. The ring assembly of claim 6, wherein each arcuate mating portion includes a seat at an end thereof that complementarily mates to a seat of an adjacent arcuate mating portion.

9. The ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the positioning ring includes a discontinuity therein.

10. A plasma spray system comprising:

an outlet that includes a cathode and an anode;

an insulator member for electrically insulating the cathode from the anode;

a gas distribution ring assembly comprising;

a gas distribution ring for delivering a gas, the gas distribution ring including a plurality of openings allowing a gas to pass to an inner diameter thereof; and

a separate positioning ring axially aligned with the gas distribution ring between the gas distribution ring and the outlet; and

a gas inlet for delivering the gas to the gas distribution ring.

11. The plasma spray system of claim 10, wherein the positioning ring includes an end face that is positioned in contact with an end face of the gas distribution ring.

12. The plasma spray system of claim 10, wherein the positioning ring and the gas distribution ring each include a ceramic.

13. The plasma spray system of claim 10, wherein the positioning ring includes a ceramic, and the gas distribution ring includes a metal.

14. The plasma spray system of claim 13, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of:

a copper alloy, an iron alloy and a nickel alloy.

15. The plasma spray system of claim 10, wherein the positioning ring includes at least a pair of arcuate, mating portions.

16. The plasma spray system of claim 15, wherein the positioning ring includes a pair of semi-circular mating portions.

17. The plasma spray system of claim 15, wherein each arcuate mating portion includes a seat at an end thereof that complementarily mates to a seat of an adjacent arcuate mating portion.

18. The plasma spray system of claim 10, wherein the positioning ring includes a discontinuity therein.

19. A plasma spray system comprising:

a nozzle assembly including a cathode and an anode;

a voltage generator including a first electrical input to the cathode and a second electrical input to the anode;

an insulator member electrically insulating the cathode from the anode;

a gas distribution ring assembly comprising;

a gas distribution ring for delivering a gas to the nozzle assembly, the gas distribution ring including a plurality of openings allowing a gas to pass to an inner diameter thereof; and

a separate positioning ring axially aligned with the gas distribution ring between the gas distribution ring and the nozzle assembly, the positioning ring including an end face that is positioned in contact with an end face of the gas distribution ring; and

a source of gas coupled to a gas inlet for delivery of the gas to the gas distribution ring.

20. The plasma spray system of claim 19, wherein the positioning ring includes a discontinuity therein.