US4604181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for producing oxidation protection coatings for polymers
Assignee: United States, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION THE, Administrator of
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Filing: 1985-07-31
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Granted: 1986-08-05
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Expires: 2005-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A polymeric substrate 10 is coated with a metal oxide film 22 to provide oxidation protection in low earth orbital environments. The film contains about 4 volume percent polymer to provide flexibility. A coil of polymer material 30, 42 moves through an ion beam 14 as it is fed between reels. The ion beam first cleans the polymer material surface and then sputters the film material from a target 24 onto this surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Mirtich
- 👤 James S. Sovey
- 👤 Bruce A. Banks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:38
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/02; C23C14/021; C23C14/022; C23C14/06; C23C14/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for coating a polymeric material with an oxidation protecting film comprising an ion beam source for furnishing an ion beam for cleaning a surface of said polymeric material, and a sputter target mounted such that a beam of ions from an ion source can bombard said target for ion sputter coating said ion beam cleaned surface with a mixture of metal oxide and polymer to form said oxidation protecting film, said sputter target comprising a first portion of a metal oxide material, and a second portion of a polymer material having a low oxidation rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for coating a polymeric material with an oxidation protecting film comprising an ion beam source for furnishing an ion beam for cleaning a surface of said polymeric material, and a sputter target mounted such that a beam of ions from an ion source can bombard said target for ion sputter coating said ion beam cleaned surface with a mixture of metal oxide and polymer to form said oxidation protecting film, said sputter target comprising a first portion of a metal oxide material, and a second portion of a polymer material having a low oxidation rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus for coating a polymeric material as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first portion of the sputter target is a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus for coating a polymeric material as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second portion of said sputter target is a polymer material selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluorethylene and silicone rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus for coating a polymer material as claimed in claim 1 wherein a single ion beam cleans said surface of said polymeric material and bombards said target.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus for coating a polymeric material as claimed in claim 1 including an ion beam for ion beam cleaning said surface of said polymeric material; and another ion beam for bombarding said sputter target.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
Coating apparatus for protecting a polymeric material from oxidation comprising a vacuum chamber, means for mounting said material in said chamber, means for producing a beam of ions in said vacuum chamber for cleaning absorbed gases and contaminants from a surface of said material, and a sputter target having a metal oxide portion and a polymer portion positioned within said chamber for simultaneous co-sputtering by ions from said ion producing means thereby sputter coating said cleaned surface in said vacuum chamber immediately after cleaning with a continuous thin film comprising a metal oxide and a polymer in a predetermined ratio to form an oxidation barrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
Coating apparatus for protecting a polymeric material from oxidation comprising a vacuum chamber, means for mounting said material in said chamber, means for producing a beam of ions in said vacuum chamber for cleaning absorbed gases and contaminants from a surface of said material, and a sputter target having a metal oxide portion and a polymer portion positioned within said chamber for simultaneous co-sputtering by ions from said ion producing means thereby sputter coating said cleaned surface in said vacuum chamber immediately after cleaning with a continuous thin film comprising a metal oxide and a polymer in a predetermined ratio to form an oxidation barrier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Coating apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the polymer portion of the target comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene and silicon rubber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus for coating a polymeric material as claimed in claim 6 wherein the metal oxide portion of said sputter target is a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-04 | 1990-02-03 | 1990-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-04 | 1994-02-03 | 1994-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-04 | 1998-02-03 | 1998-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |