A nozzle is provided for providing anode material into an electrochemical cell and method of using the same. The nozzle comprises a hollow tubular body extending between an open upper end and an open lower end; a lower deflector spaced apart from the open lower end of the hollow tubular body and forming an annular opening between a deflection surface of the lower deflector and the open lower end of the hollow tubular body; and a support rod connecting the lower deflector with the hollow tubular body, wherein the support rod is suspended within an interior of the hollow tubular body by one or more support trusses.

A thermal spray apparatus to apply coatings to external and internal surfaces in restricted areas is provided. The apparatus includes: a fuel input line; an oxidizing gas input line; coolant input and outlet; a combustion chamber that facilitates primary combustion; a diverging section that splits the primary combustion flow into two or more streams; an elbow section that redirects the combustion streams; a convergent/divergent nozzle; a convergence section that recombines the combustion streams into a single combustion stream within an injection zone of the convergent/divergent nozzle; and a feedstock injector for the injection of feedstock material for forming said coatings into said injection zone of the convergent/divergent nozzle; wherein the convergent/divergent nozzle has a nozzle throat downstream of the injection zone whereby in operation the injection pressure of the feedstock material upstream of the nozzle throat approximates the pressure of the combustion stream within the injection zone. The apparatus may also include the use of an accelerating gas.

A thermal spray apparatus to apply coatings to external and internal surfaces in restricted areas is provided. The apparatus includes: a fuel input line; an oxidizing gas input line; coolant input and outlet; a combustion chamber that facilitates primary combustion; a diverging section that splits the primary combustion flow into two or more streams; an elbow section that redirects the combustion streams; a convergent/divergent nozzle; a convergence section that recombines the combustion streams into a single combustion stream within an injection zone of the convergent/divergent nozzle; and a feedstock injector for the injection of feedstock material for forming said coatings into said injection zone of the convergent/divergent nozzle; wherein the convergent/divergent nozzle has a nozzle throat downstream of the injection zone whereby in operation the injection pressure of the feedstock material upstream of the nozzle throat approximates the pressure of the combustion stream within the injection zone. The apparatus may also include the use of an accelerating gas.

A powder spraying head for spraying a powder on a can body to be coated comprises a work chamber inside the powder spraying head, a powder tube for providing the powder, a charging electrode for charging the powder with an electrostatic charge and a guiding electrode for deflecting the powder present inside the work chamber substantially in the direction of the work opening. The charging electrode is arranged in the area of the powder outlet and is formed with a tip in the direction of the powder streaming into the work chamber. Additionally or alternatively, the guiding electrode is plate-shaped and a flat side of the guiding electrode is oriented towards the work chamber.

A powder spraying head for spraying a powder on a can body to be coated comprises a work chamber inside the powder spraying head, a powder tube for providing the powder, a charging electrode for charging the powder with an electrostatic charge and a guiding electrode for deflecting the powder present inside the work chamber substantially in the direction of the work opening. The charging electrode is arranged in the area of the powder outlet and is formed with a tip in the direction of the powder streaming into the work chamber. Additionally or alternatively, the guiding electrode is plate-shaped and a flat side of the guiding electrode is oriented towards the work chamber.

A system of treating installed railroad ties, comprising a conveyance vehicle configured to move along a railroad track, one or more drill carriages slidably attached to the conveyance vehicle to drill one or more holes at predetermined locations in the railroad ties, an air dispenser configured to deliver a blast of air proximate the one or more holes sufficient to remove debris from and around the one or more holes, a preservative dispenser configured to deliver a predetermined amount of preservative material into the one or more holes, and a plug dispenser configured to deliver a plugging material to the one or more holes to seal the preservative material in the one or more holes.

A method of controlling deposition of material from at least one plasma transferred wire arc (PTWA) torch within at least one bore includes: directing a fluid through a duct; and directing the fluid through a number of cannons N disposed adjacent and downstream from the duct. The fluid is directed through the duct and N cannons and past the PTWA torch while the PTWA torch is spraying downstream from N1 cannons.

A method of controlling deposition of material from at least one plasma transferred wire arc (PTWA) torch within at least one bore includes: directing a fluid through a duct; and directing the fluid through a number of cannons N disposed adjacent and downstream from the duct. The fluid is directed through the duct and N cannons and past the PTWA torch while the PTWA torch is spraying downstream from N1 cannons.

A method of controlling deposition of material from at least one plasma transferred wire arc (PTWA) torch within at least one bore includes: directing a fluid through a duct; and directing the fluid through a number of cannons N disposed adjacent and downstream from the duct. The fluid is directed through the duct and N cannons and past the PTWA torch while the PTWA torch is spraying downstream from N1 cannons.

A method of controlling deposition of material from at least one plasma transferred wire arc (PTWA) torch within at least one bore includes: directing a fluid through a duct; and directing the fluid through a number of cannons N disposed adjacent and downstream from the duct. The fluid is directed through the duct and N cannons and past the PTWA torch while the PTWA torch is spraying downstream from N1 cannons.