Gordon L Nelson

US Patent:

55298095, Jun 25, 1996

Filed:

Feb 7, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/192691

Inventors:

Ronald J. Glovan - Butte MT
John C. Tierney - Butte MT
Leroy L. McLean - Butte MT
Lawrence L. Johnson - Butte MT
Gordon L. Nelson - Butte MT
Ying-Ming Lee - Butte MT

Assignee:

MSE, Inc. - Butte MT

International Classification:

B05D 102
B05C 504

US Classification:

427422

Abstract:

A metal spray apparatus is provided with a supersonic nozzle. Molten metal is injected into a gas stream flowing through the nozzle under pressure. By varying the pressure of the injected metal, the droplet can be made in various selected sizes with each selected size having a high degree of size uniformity. A unique one piece graphite heater provides easily controlled uniformity of temperature in the nozzle and an attached tundish which holds the pressurized molten metal. A unique U-shaped gas heater provides extremely hot inlet gas temperatures to the nozzle. A particularly useful application of the spray apparatus is coating of threads of a fastener with a shape memory alloy. This permits a fastener to be easily inserted and removed but provides for a secure locking of the fastener in high temperature environments.