The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 22, 1994
Filed:
Jun. 29, 1992
James R Treglio, San Diego, CA (US);
ISM Technologies, Inc., San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for modifying the inner surface of a tube by ion surface modification techniques, such as ion implantation, ion mixing and ion beam assisted coating. The apparatus includes a plasma source, preferably a vacuum arc, a first magnet for guiding the plasma into a drift tube. A second magnet is spaced from the first magnet and has a current running opposite to the first magnet. A radial extractor surrounds the area between the magnets, which form a cusp therebetween. The plasma follows the field lines, exiting the drift tube to the extractor, where the ions are removed and accelerated outwardly in a radial direction. With the entire apparatus placed in a tube, the ions will impact the inner wall of the tube. The resulting ion implantation advantageously modifies the surface, typically increasing wear and erosion resistance, improving corrosion resistance, increasing fatigue life, etc. The apparatus may be used to coat the tube interior with the cathode material by operating the extractor at a lower voltage or omitting the extractor. The apparatus may be inserted in tubes and moved along the tube to treat the walls of very long tubes.