Integrated Multicoat Automatic Pause Resume Circuit

Abstract

The present disclosure sets forth an automated apparatus and method for applying gas plasma coatings to aircraft engine parts. The process and apparatus employ a plurality of sensors which continually monitor various process parameters associated with the coating process. If any of the measured parameters fall out of tolerance, the coating process is interrupted to allow a user to fix the source of the problem, where upon the process is reengaged. Moreover, the process and apparatus employ a pause resume circuit which uses predetermined durations for pausing and resuming the coating process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for plasma coating aircraft engine parts, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an apparatus comprising:   i. a spray unit;   ii. a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors sensing a plurality of coating process parameters; and   iii. a controller, the controller including a pause/resume circuit and being communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors;   pausing the coating once one of the plurality of process parameters falls out of tolerance; and   resuming the coating process once the plurality of process parameters are back within tolerance.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating process is paused for a predetermined duration and the spray unit arm is moved off the part being coated during the predetermined duration. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined duration of the pause circuit is about 10 seconds. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating is resumed after a predetermined duration and the spray unit arm is removed back to the part being coated after the predetermined duration. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined duration of the resume is about 4 seconds. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the controller generates a fault signal when one of the plurality of process parameters falls out of tolerance, and the pause/resume circuit initiates an on-delay timer to pause the coating process, and an off-delay timer to resume the coating.