Method for infiltrating preformed components and component assemblies
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsRedd H. Smith, Sidney L. Findley, Trent N. Butcher
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Abstract
A method of infiltrating preformed, bonded-particulate components, such as rotary bits, for subterranean drilling manufactured by techniques such as layered-manufacturing or those employed in rapid prototyping technology. A support structure is provided for the preformed component to physically support the preformed component during various manufacturing processes such as sintering and infiltration.
Claims40
A method of infiltrating a preformed, three-dimensional component structure, comprising:
- substantially conformably supporting at least one surface of at least one three-dimensional, preformed component comprised of bonded particulates including providing a barrier of material substantially non-wettable to a selected hardenable liquid infiltrant proximate said at least one surface;
- and
- infiltrating said at least one preformed component with said selected hardenable liquid infiltrant.
The method of claim 19, wherein said bonding comprises bonding by melting a polymer.
The method of claim 22, wherein said removing a material constituent is at least partially effected by flowing a fluid through said at least one preformed component.
The method of claim 23, wherein said fluid is selected from the group comprising a scavenger gas, a reducing gas, an oxidizing gas and a solvent.
The method of claim 35, wherein the substantially non-wettable coating is selected from the group comprising boron nitride, aluminum nitride, Nicrobraze Green Stop-off, and Zircwash.
The method of claim 37, wherein said selected hardenable liquid infiltrant is incorporated into said at least one preformed component in solid form.
The method of claim 39, further comprising preplacing a quantity of said selected hardenable liquid infiltrant within said at least one preformed component.
The method of claim 40, wherein said preplaced quantity of selected hardenable liquid infiltrant is preplaced in solid form.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.