Cold Spray Nozzle Assembly for Non-Line-of-Sight Deposition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cold spray deposition techniques are limited by their line-of-sight nature, making it difficult to achieve uniform coating thickness on complex geometries such as interior surfaces of pipes, where direct access is not possible.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle assembly with a contoured or bent tubular section and a downstream converging and diverging section, allowing for non-line-of-sight deposition and greater location-specific control, enabling targeted material delivery to hard-to-reach areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a straight nozzle is used for cold spray deposition, then the feedstock material can be accelerated towards the target substrate for maximum adhesion and cohesion, but line-of-sight deposition is insufficient for complex geometries such as interior surfaces of pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed with a contoured or bent configuration instead of a straight geometry, allowing it to navigate complex geometries and deposit material on interior surfaces of pipes and other hard-to-reach areas while maintaining effective material delivery
2Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle is contoured or bent to access hard-to-reach areas, then non-line-of-sight deposition is enabled, but the structural complexity of the nozzle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured nozzle is divided into multiple straight sections that are coupled together at angles to form the desired bent configuration. This segmentation allows the complex geometry to be constructed from simpler components, facilitating manufacturing and assembly while achieving the required adaptability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The nozzle assembly facilitates effective coating of complex geometries by allowing non-line-of-sight deposition, improving adhesion and cohesion strengths, and accommodating various bend angles, sizes, and lengths, enhancing the flexibility and control of the cold spray process.
Implementation Method 1
a converging and diverging section that is downstream in the direction of the gas flow from the tubular section
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle assembly is provided that includes two sections, the first section may be contoured and the second section may be a converging and diverging section that is downstream from the second section in the direction of gas flow. The contoured section, with a range of bend angles, allows for non-line-of-sight cold spray deposition, thereby providing location-specific control of the cold spray deposition process.