Coating Methods and Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus deposits a coating on a part. The apparatus comprises a chamber and a sting assembly for carrying the part. The sting assembly is shiftable between: an inserted condition where the sting assembly holds the part within the chamber for coating; and a retracted condition where the sting assembly holds the part outside of the chamber. The apparatus comprises a source of the coating material positioned to communicate the coating material to the part in the inserted condition. The apparatus comprises a thermal hood comprising a first member and a second member. The second member is between the first member and the part when the part is in the inserted condition. The second member is carried by the sting assembly so as to retract with the sting assembly as the sting assembly is retracted from the inserted condition to the retracted condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermal hood liner for a deposition apparatus comprising:
 a metallic body having a plurality of apertures; and   means for mounting the body to a sting shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein:
 the metallic body comprises a nickel-based superalloy sheet. 
 
     
     
         3 . The liner of  claim 2  wherein:
 the apertures comprise drilled holes. 
 
     
     
         4 . The liner of  claim 3  wherein:
 the means comprise a plurality of radial struts at only one end of the metallic body. 
 
     
     
         5 . The liner of  claim 4  further comprising:
 at least one gas conduit attached to the body and having a plurality of outlets. 
 
     
     
         6 . The liner of  claim 5  wherein the at least one gas conduit comprises:
 a first conduit adjacent a first edge of the liner; and 
 a second conduit adjacent a second edge of the liner. 
 
     
     
         7 . The liner of  claim 2  further comprising:
 at least one gas conduit attached to the body and having a plurality of outlets. 
 
     
     
         8 . The liner of  claim 7  wherein the at least one gas conduit comprises:
 a first conduit adjacent a first edge of the liner; and 
 a second conduit adjacent a second edge of the liner. 
 
     
     
         9 . The liner of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one gas conduit attached to the body and having a plurality of outlets. 
 
     
     
         10 . The liner of  claim 9  wherein the at least one gas conduit comprises:
 a first conduit adjacent a first edge of the liner; and 
 a second conduit adjacent a second edge of the liner. 
 
     
     
         11 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein:
 the apertures comprise drilled holes. 
 
     
     
         12 . The liner of  claim 11  further comprising:
 at least one gas conduit attached to the body and having a plurality of outlets. 
 
     
     
         13 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein:
 the means comprise a plurality of radial struts at only one end of the metallic body. 
 
     
     
         14 . The liner of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one gas conduit attached to the body and having a plurality of outlets.