Processes and tooling associated with coating application

Abstract

A drench system includes a rotating mount to rotate a workpiece, a showerhead to dispense a fluid onto the workpiece; and a tray to collect the fluid and recirculate the fluid to the shower. A method of repairing or remanufacturing a coating includes abrading a surface to at least partially remove a portion of a coating to leave an abraded surface; applying a sol-gel over the abraded surface; applying a corrosion resistant primer onto the sol-gel; and applying an erosion coating onto the corrosion resistant primer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drench system, comprising:
 a rotating mount to receive a workpiece;   a showerhead to dispense a fluid onto the workpiece; and   a drainage tray to collect the fluid; and   a pump to recirculate the fluid to the showerhead.   
     
     
         2 . The drench system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure to contain the workpiece. 
     
     
         3 . The drench system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the enclosure is transparent. 
     
     
         4 . The drench system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the rotating mount rotates between 10-15 rpm. 
     
     
         5 . The drench system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the showerhead dispenses the fluid at about 2 gallons/minute. 
     
     
         6 . The drench system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the rotating mount is rotated by an electric motor about an axis. 
     
     
         7 . The drench system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece is mounted along the axis. 
     
     
         8 . The drench system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is sol-gel. 
     
     
         9 . The drench system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece is a fan blade. 
     
     
         10 . The drench system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tray is sized to permit the workpiece to be drenched for at least two minutes as the showerhead dispenses the fluid at about 2 gallons/minute. 
     
     
         11 . A method of applying a fluid to a workpiece, comprising:
 rotating a workpiece about an axis;   dispensing a fluid from a showerhead onto the workpiece;   collecting the fluid while dispensing; and   recirculating the fluid to the showerhead.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the workpiece is a fan blade. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein dispensing the fluid includes dispensing a sol-gel. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the showerhead dispenses the fluid at about 2 gallons/minute. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein rotating the workpiece includes rotating the workpiece at between 10-15 rpm. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein dispensing the fluid includes streaming the fluid off the workpiece.