Method for applying an optical coating to a surface of an article

Abstract

An optical coating is applied to an article surface of an article by providing a deposition substrate other than the article surface, wherein the deposition substrate is made of a removable material. The optical coating is thereafter deposited onto the deposition substrate. The optical coating is thereafter transferred to the article surface using a transfer support, which may be the deposition substrate or may be a different piece. The method includes thereafter affixing the optical coating to the article surface, and thereafter removing the transfer support.

1 . A method for applying an optical coating to an article surface of an article, comprising the steps of: 
 furnishing the article having the article surface;    providing a deposition substrate other than the article surface, wherein the deposition substrate is made of a removable material; thereafter    depositing the optical coating onto the deposition substrate, wherein the optical coating has a first face contacting the deposition substrate, and a second face remote from the first face; thereafter    transferring the optical coating to the article surface using a transfer support; thereafter    affixing the optical coating to the article surface using a bonding element; and thereafter    removing the transfer support.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of furnishing the article includes the step of 
 furnishing the article that is a component of a gas turbine engine.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the deposition substrate includes the step of 
 providing a polyvinyl alcohol deposition substrate.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of depositing the optical coating includes the step of 
 depositing the optical coating as a multilayer coating.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of transferring includes the step of 
 using the deposition substrate as the transfer support, and    wherein the step of removing the transfer support includes the step of    removing the deposition substrate.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of removing the deposition substrate includes the step of 
 removing the deposition substrate by volatilizing, subliming, or dissolving the deposition substrate.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of transferring includes the steps of 
 supplying the transfer support different from the deposition substrate,    affixing the transfer support to the second face of the optical coating, and    removing the deposition substrate.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of transferring includes the step of providing a compliant transfer support.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of transferring includes the steps of 
 applying a release system to the second face of the optical coating, wherein the release system has a first face contacting the second face of the optical coating, and a second face remote from the first face, and    wherein the step of affixing the transfer support includes the step of    affixing the transfer support to the second face of the optical coating with the release system between the transfer support and the second face of the optical coating.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of transferring includes the step of 
 providing the transfer support having a release system integrated with the transfer support.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of transferring includes the step of 
 providing the transfer support as a polymeric releasable adhesive tape.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of removing the deposition substrate includes the step of 
 removing the deposition substrate by vaporizing or dissolving the deposition substrate.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing includes the step of 
 positioning the bonding element between the optical coating and the article surface, and    pressing the bonding element and the article surface together at an elevated temperature.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing includes the step of 
 bonding the bonding element to the article surface, and thereafter    bonding the optical coating to the bonding element.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing includes the step of 
 bonding the optical coating to the bonding element, and thereafter    bonding the bonding element to the article surface.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing includes the step of heating and pressing using an autoclave.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing includes the step of heating and pressing using a vacuum bag and a general heat source.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing includes the step of heating and pressing using a vacuum bag and a local heat source.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing includes the step of 
 ironing the optical coating onto the article surface.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method includes the step of 
 preparing the transfer support and optical coating as a plurality of tiles that are each affixed to the article surface in the step of affixing.