A system according to various embodiments can include: a coating system configured to apply a thermal coating material to a component, the component having a plurality of cooling holes; an airflow system coupled with the coating system, the airflow system configured to force air through the component; and a control system coupled with the airflow system and the coating system, the control system configured to: detect coating instructions for the coating system, the coating instructions instructing the coating system to apply the thermal coating material to a subset of the plurality of cooling holes; and instruct the airflow system to force air through the subset of the plurality of cooling holes during application of the thermal coating material to the component in response to detecting the coating instructions.

A system according to various embodiments can include: a coating system configured to apply a thermal coating material to a component, the component having a plurality of cooling holes; an airflow system coupled with the coating system, the airflow system configured to force air through the component; and a control system coupled with the airflow system and the coating system, the control system configured to: detect coating instructions for the coating system, the coating instructions instructing the coating system to apply the thermal coating material to a subset of the plurality of cooling holes; and instruct the airflow system to force air through the subset of the plurality of cooling holes during application of the thermal coating material to the component in response to detecting the coating instructions.

This invention relates to thermal spray coatings and processes onto non-smooth surfaces. The coating and processes can coat non-smooth surfaces without substantial degradation of the underlying surface texture or profile of the non-smooth surfaces so as to sufficiently preserve the underlying surface texture or profile. The ability for coating fractional coverage to maintain the surface profile while maintaining wear resistance is unprecedented by conventional thermal spray processes.

This invention relates to thermal spray coatings and processes onto non-smooth surfaces. The coating and processes can coat non-smooth surfaces without substantial degradation of the underlying surface texture or profile of the non-smooth surfaces so as to sufficiently preserve the underlying surface texture or profile. The ability for coating fractional coverage to maintain the surface profile while maintaining wear resistance is unprecedented by conventional thermal spray processes.

A container includes at least two interconnected parts which are connected to one another at least in some regions by a thermally sprayed layer. At least one part is formed of a refractory metal or a refractory metal alloy. The container makes it possible to provide great variety, both with regard to form and dimensions of the container, which is impermeable to ceramic melts even under high operating temperatures. A method for producing a container is also provided.

A container includes at least two interconnected parts which are connected to one another at least in some regions by a thermally sprayed layer. At least one part is formed of a refractory metal or a refractory metal alloy. The container makes it possible to provide great variety, both with regard to form and dimensions of the container, which is impermeable to ceramic melts even under high operating temperatures. A method for producing a container is also provided.

A component for exposure to a combustion chamber of a diesel engine and/or exhaust gas, such as a cylinder liner or valve face, is provided. The component includes a thermal barrier coating applied to a body portion formed of steel. A layer of a metal bond material can be applied first, followed by a mixture of the metal bond material and a ceramic material, optionally followed by a layer of the ceramic material. The ceramic material preferably includes at least one of ceria, ceria stabilized zirconia, yttria stabilized zirconia, calcia stabilized zirconia, magnesia stabilized zirconia, and zirconia stabilized by another oxide. The thermal barrier coating is applied by thermal spray or HVOF. The thermal barrier coating has a porosity of 2% by vol. to 25% vol., a thickness of less than 1 mm, and a thermal conductivity of less than 1.00 W/m.Math.K.

A component for exposure to a combustion chamber of a diesel engine and/or exhaust gas, such as a cylinder liner or valve face, is provided. The component includes a thermal barrier coating applied to a body portion formed of steel. A layer of a metal bond material can be applied first, followed by a mixture of the metal bond material and a ceramic material, optionally followed by a layer of the ceramic material. The ceramic material preferably includes at least one of ceria, ceria stabilized zirconia, yttria stabilized zirconia, calcia stabilized zirconia, magnesia stabilized zirconia, and zirconia stabilized by another oxide. The thermal barrier coating is applied by thermal spray or HVOF. The thermal barrier coating has a porosity of 2% by vol. to 25% vol., a thickness of less than 1 mm, and a thermal conductivity of less than 1.00 W/m.Math.K.

The present disclosure provides a heating system for performing thermal spray coating. The heating system includes (a) a thermal spray element configured to be coupled to a robotic arm, (b) a heating unit configured to be coupled to the robotic arm, (c) at least one processor, and (d) data storage comprising program instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the heating system to perform functions including (i) receiving a first indication of a spray coating material positioned in the thermal spray element, (ii) receiving a second indication of a material of a substrate onto which the spray coating material is to be sprayed, (iii) heating the substrate for a time period until the substrate reaches a desired temperature that is determined based on both the spray coating material and the material of the substrate, and (iv) spraying the spray coating material onto the substrate.

A deposition method includes: (1) providing a nozzle structure including: (a) at least one corona generator having an elongated charge emitting surface; and (b) at least one aerosol channel adapted to guide an aerosol along a flow path past the at least one corona generator; (2) generating an aerosol of a precursor solution; (3) applying to the at least one corona generator a positive or negative voltage of 1 kV-100 kV with respect to the substrate to generate a corona; and (4) flowing the aerosol through the at least one aerosol channel, along the flow path near the at least one corona generator and toward the surface of the substrate so as to charge the aerosol with ions emitted from the at least one corona generator to form charged droplets which are attracted to and deposited on the substrate, wherein the elongated charge emitting surface is a wire or blade edge, which is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate and substantially perpendicular to the flow path, provided that the at least one corona generator does not consist of two blades. Inventive nozzle structures are also described.