Oerlikon Metco (US) Inc.

Oerlikon Metco Inc.

Jose Colmenares

Ronald J Molz

Dave Hawley

Samrawit Hermosillo

Elliot M Cotler

Cristian Ibanez

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.

Plasma gun diagnostics using real time voltage monitoring

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.

Corrosion protection for plasma gun nozzles and method of protecting gun nozzles

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.

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Malverne, NY, United States of America

Jose Colmenares