PLASMA GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

The plasma generating apparatus and method of this invention is particularly, although not exclusively, suitable for plasma spraying. The plasma spray apparatus and method of this invention generates a free-standing electromagnetically coalesced stable plasma through which feedstock may be fed, eliminating problems with conventional radial feed plasma guns. The plasma spray apparatus of this invention includes a plurality of pilot plasma guns preferably angularly displaced symmetrically about a common axis and a main transfer electrode located downstream of the pilot plasma guns having a nozzle bore coaxially aligned with the common axis. The plasmas generated by the pilot plasma guns are directed into the throat of the main transfer electrode bore and a second plasma gas is supplied to the throat of the main transfer electrode bore which is ionized and coalesced with the plasmas generated by the pilot plasma guns, generating a free-standing electromagnetically coalesced plasma. The second plasma gas may be a conventional inert or unreactive plasma gas or more preferably a reactive plasma gas increasing the energy of the free-standing plasma and providing additional advantages. The feestock may then be fed through the bore of the transfer electrode and the free-standing electromagnetically coalesced plasma, uniformly heating the feedstock and permitting the use of a wide range of feedstock material forms and types, including particular feedstock having dissimilar particle sizes and densities, slurries, sol-gel fluids and solutions.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1DANIEL R. MARANTZ

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