Engineering topics

Poorman, Richard M.

Publications and source records attributed to Poorman, Richard M..

7 records

NASA NTRS1995

Vacuum vapor deposition

A method and apparatus is described for vapor deposition of a thin metallic film utilizing an ionized gas arc directed onto a source material spaced from a substrate to be coated in a substantial vacuum while providing a pressure differential between the source and the substrate so that, as a portion of the source is vaporized, the vapors are carried to the substrate. The apparatus includes a modified tungsten arc welding torch having a hollow electrode through which a gas, preferably inert, flows and an arc is struck between the electrode and the source. The torch, source, and substrate are confined within a chamber within which a vacuum is drawn. When the arc is struck, a portion of the source is vaporized and the vapors flow rapidly toward the substrate. A reflecting shield is positioned about the torch above the electrode and the source to ensure that the arc is struck between the electrode and the source at startup. The electrode and the source may be confined within a vapor guide housing having a duct opening toward the substrate for directing the vapors onto the substrate.

Poorman, Richard M.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Arc/gas electrode

A gas/arc electrode is disclosed for use under vacuum conditions where a first housing encloses a second housing, with an end of the second housing extending through an opening in the first housing and having an outlet orifice. Provisions are made for circulating a coolant through the first housing to surround and cool the second housing. An electrical current and a gas, such as argon, as passed through the second housing, with the current flowing through a narrow stream of the ionized gas flowing through the outlet orifice to a workpiece to be treated. The second housing forms a chamber which has a cross sectional area, in a plane perpendicular to the direction of gas flow, of at least ten times the cross sectional area of the outlet orifice such that a gas pressure can be maintained in the chamber to reduce erosion of the chamber walls.

Poorman, Richard M.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Vapor Deposition Of Metal From Gas/Tungsten Arc

Vacuum gas/tungsten-arc vapor-deposition process yields highly reflective, smooth films reproducing contours of surfaces on which deposited. Rate of deposition controlled precisely, and surface texture varied. Capable of deposition at rates double those of standard sputtering. Useful in making thin metallic coats to serve as electrical conductors, radio reflectors or antenna elements, or optical mirrors of partial or ultrahigh reflectivity, and in making semiconductor devices.

Weeks, Jack L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Long-Lived Electrode For Arc Welding In Vacuum

Improved electrode for gas/tungsten arc welding in vacuum essentially hollow cylinder along which inert gas flows. Interior of cylinder provides large surface area for emission of electrons to form welding arc. Flow of pressurized inert gas inhibits vaporization of hot electrode material. Both features combine to reduce erosion of electrode. Electrode lasts considerably longer in vacuum than conventional electrode.

Weeks, Jack L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

High-temperature containerless aircraft furnace experimentation in the microgravity environment aboard a KC-135 aircraft

This paper describes a materials processing research furnace, the High-Temperature Containerless Aircraft Furnace (HITCAF), which uses an electric arc to melt and resolidify materials in the microgravity environment aboard a KC-135 aircraft. The HITCAF is designed to process almost every electrically conductive material, including such high-melting-point materials as tungsten, within a 15 to 20 sec microgravity period. It operates on tungsten/inert gas welding principles, using an adapted commercially available tube welder. The HITCAF is fully operational and available for use by researchers representing the Government agencies, as well as industry and academia.

Poorman, Richard M.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Fast Melting and Freezing for Microgravity Experiments

Commercial tube welders adapted to metallurgical research. Proposed furnace melts and resolidifies small metal samples during brief periods. In furnace, sample surrounded by large heat sinks and rapidly heated near midlength by intense source of heat. Furnace intended for use in experiments in microgravity: entire melting-and-freezing process requires less than 20 s of near weightlessness experienced in parabolic climb and dive of KC-135 airplane.

Poorman, Richard M.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Rapid melt/quench furnace using commercially available hardware

This report describes an off-the-shelf Orbital Tube Welder that can be easily used to melt and resolidify almost any electrically conductive material. This can be done on a KC-135 Aircraft within the microgravity period of one parabola. Melt sizes 3 mm diameter by 10 mm length and larger are feasible with most if not all materials. A highly reproducible, controlled, programmable heat and cool cycle can be provided. Sample measurements would have to be developed and could be as sophisticated or as simple as desired. These could include: optical and thermocouple temperature measurements, Peltier pulser for marking the solidification fronts, dimensional changes and whatever. Sample heat flows could be fixed over a very wide range being limited mostly by the cooling period, the desired sample size, and the 20 sec microgravity period of the KC-135 Aircraft parabola.

Poorman, Richard M.↗