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:
May. 21, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 28, 1995
Jonathan G Storer, Mendota Heights, MN (US);
Martin H Benson, Shoreview, MN (US);
Robert R Kieschke, Woodbury, MN (US);
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A cathodic arc coating apparatus for applying a coating to an object is provided. The apparatus includes: an enclosure; means for evacuating the enclosure; an anode within the enclosure, wherein the anode comprises an open array of a metal defining a central axis and a deposition space for positioning the object; a cathode assembly positioned within the deposition space, wherein the cathode assembly comprises a first consumable cathode having a central axis and an evaporation surface; means for generating a plasma stream comprising charged particles, wherein the plasma stream is projected from the evaporation surface of the first consumable cathode toward the anode array; and a magnetic system for diverting the charged particles of the plasma stream away from the anode array and toward the object being coated; wherein the diverted charged particles are deposited on the object to form a coating thereon.