The Boeing Company

Michael B Nicholas

Bruno Zamorano Senderos

Ali Yousefiani

Rogie I Rodriguez

Quynhgiao Nguyen Le

Kenneth Walter Young

Michael H E Ware

Michael H Ware

Implementations provide gas atomized metal matrix composite ('GAMMC')-based feedstock for cold spray additive manufacturing (“CSAM”) enabling complex structural repairs. The feedstock is prepared by arranging a metal matrix composite (MMC) material in a gas atomization system, wherein the MMC material includes metal particles and ceramic particles. The feedstock is further prepared by performing gas atomization of the MMC material using the gas atomization system to atomize the MMC material, and producing a feedstock powder comprised of metal particles that are embedded with the ceramic particles from the atomized MMC material. The GAMMC-based feedstock comprises metallic (for binding to the substrate of the damaged part) and ceramic (for reinforcement) particles bonded together such that the ceramic particles bond directly to and within the metallic particles. GAMMC-based feedstock strengthens the repaired part and prevents degradation of the mechanical properties of the repaired part below stock specifications.

Systems, methods, and products for creating gas atomized metal matrix composite-based feedstock for cold spray background

Implementations provide cold spray additive manufacturing ('CSAM') with gas recovery in situ in an open environment without requiring part disassembly and removal to a repair facility. Recapturing and reusing gas in an open environment reduces costs, rendering CSAM more commercially viable and efficient, and avoids risk of new damage to parts from contemporary pre-existing CSAM processes. A gas recovery nozzle attaches to a supersonic nozzle and sends used gas to a gas recovery sub-system by capturing gas that is deflected on impact with the part during CSAM. Captured gas is stored for reuse. A flexible coupling controls distance from the gas recovery nozzle to a part substrate to prevent (1) nozzle clogging; (2) stationary shock wave interference with gas flow; and (3) gas flow misdirection. The gas recovery nozzle also suppresses disruptive supersonic sounds. Implementations enable capture for later reuse of supersonically-propelled gas during in-situ CSAM in open environments.

Systems and methods for cold spray additive manufacturing and repair with gas recovery

Implementations provide gas atomized metal matrix composite ('GAMMC')-based feedstock for cold spray additive manufacturing ('CSAM') enabling complex structural repairs. The feedstock is prepared by arranging a metal matrix composite (MMC) material in a gas atomization system, wherein the MMC material includes metal particles and ceramic particles. The feedstock is further prepared by performing gas atomization of the MMC material using the gas atomization system to atomize the MMC material, and producing a feedstock powder comprised of metal particles that are embedded with the ceramic particles from the atomized MMC material. The GAMMC-based feedstock comprises metallic (for binding to the substrate of the damaged part) and ceramic (for reinforcement) particles bonded together such that the ceramic particles bond directly to and within the metallic particles. GAMMC-based feedstock strengthens the repaired part and prevents degradation of the mechanical properties of the repaired part below stock specifications.

Systems, methods, and products for creating gas atomized metal matrix composite-based feedstock for cold spray

A method and apparatus for lighting protection. In one advantageous embodiment a method forms a lighting protection system on a composite surface of an aircraft. A dielectric coating is formed on the composite surface in which the dielectric coating covers a metal feature exposed on the composite surface. A metal adhesion promoter is applied in a pattern on the dielectric coating and over additional areas of the composite surface, including a grounding feature to form a metal adhesion promoter layer. A metal coating is formed on the metal adhesion promoter layer to create a path from an area including the metal feature to the grounding feature.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Michael B Nicholas