# US 12,215,429 B2 · Method of sealing a surface and device therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,429 B2 - Document ID: US12215429B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/254,781 - Filed: 2019-06-21 - Published: 2021-09-02 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-25 - Assignees: Rawwater Applied Technology Limited - Applicants: Rawwater Applied Technology Limited - Inventors: Robert Eden - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215429B2 ## CPC - C23C 4/123: Spraying molten metal - C23C 4/08: containing only metal elements (C23C4/073 takes precedence) - C23C: COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL (making metal-coated products by extrusion B21C23/22; covering with metal by connecting pre-existing layers to articles, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D39/00, B23K; metallising of glass C03C; metallising mortars, concrete, artificial stone, ceramics or natural stone C04B41/00; enamelling of, or applying a vitreous layer to, metals C23D; treating metal surfaces or coating of metals by electrolysis or electrophoresis C25D; single-crystal film growth C30B; by metallising textiles D06M11/83; decorating textiles by locally metallising D06Q1/04) ## Abstract A method of sealing a surface is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing a metallic composition; providing a propellant; heating the metallic composition to above the melting point of the metallic composition to provide at least partially liquid metallic composition; accelerating the at least partially liquid metallic composition towards the surface by means of the propellant; and applying the at least partially liquid metallic composition to the surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of sealing a surface to be sealed comprising: providing a metallic composition, the metallic composition consisting of a metal or a metal alloy; providing a propellant; heating the metallic composition to above the melting point of the metallic composition to provide at least partially liquid metallic composition; accelerating the at least partially liquid metallic composition towards the surface to be sealed by means of the propellant; applying the at least partially liquid metallic composition to the surface to be sealed, wherein the surface at least partially defines a volume defining a container, wherein the container comprises an at least partially liquid substance, and wherein the surface to be sealed comprises at least one surface defect to be sealed, the at least one surface defect is the source of an active leak from which matter comprising the at least partially liquid substance is escaping and the propellant provides sufficient propulsion to force the at least partially liquid metallic composition into the at least one surface defect and seal the surface defect when applying the at least partially liquid metallic composition to the surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the surface to be sealed is at least partially submerged in an aqueous fluid, optionally wherein the surface is submerged under water. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of heating the propellant. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3 wherein the metallic composition is heated by contacting the metallic composition with the heated propellant. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the metallic composition is heated otherwise than by contact with a heated propellant. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein both the metallic composition and the propellant are heated. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (i) accelerating the propellant towards the surface to be sealed; and (ii) contacting the propellant with the surface to be sealed; prior to accelerating the at least partially liquid metallic composition towards the surface to be sealed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (i) providing a separate stream of heated propellant; and (ii) directing the separate stream of heated propellant towards the surface during application of the at least partially liquid metallic composition to the surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least partially liquid metallic composition cools on contact with the surface to form a solid metallic composition seal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 wherein the at least partially liquid metallic composition is applied to the surface as a constant stream. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10 wherein the at least partially liquid metallic composition at least partially melts previously applied solid metallic composition, coalesces with the previously applied solid metallic composition, and cools to form solid metallic composition. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least partially liquid metallic composition is at a temperature no greater than 200° C. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A method according to claim 12, wherein the at least partially liquid metallic composition is at a temperature no greater than 100° C. when it is accelerated towards the surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least partially liquid metallic composition is accelerated towards the surface at a velocity no greater than around 100 m/s. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method according to claim 14, wherein the at least partially liquid metallic composition is accelerated towards the surface at a velocity no greater than around 50 m/s. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, wherein the at least partially liquid metallic composition is accelerated towards the surface at a velocity no greater than around 25 m/s. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one surface defect comprises one or more of cracks, fissures, punctures, and holes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the propellant cleans and/or heats the surface to be sealed before the at least partially liquid metallic composition is applied. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the propellant is selected from the group consisting of steam or air. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the propellant is steam. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the metallic composition consists of a metal alloy. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A method according to claim 21, wherein the metal alloy is selected from the group consisting of bismuth alloys, antimony alloys, indium alloys, tin alloys, lead alloys and gallium alloys. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A method according to claim 22, wherein the metal alloy consists of a bismuth alloy.