Plasma detection tracers for process monitoring
AssigneeSikorsky Aircraft Corporation
InventorJonathan K. Garhart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for bonding a member to a substrate is disclosed. A surface of the member is prepared by applying an element to the surface. The element includes a dye agent that changes color when exposed to a level of plasma radiation consistent with preparing the surface for bonding. The surface is exposed to the plasma radiation and is inspected to see whether or not a change in a color of the dye agent occurs. After the dye agent changes color; the surface is bonded to the substrate.
Claims12
A method of bonding a member to a substrate, comprising:
- applying a dye agent to a tracer fiber, wherein the dye agent changes color when exposed to a selected level of plasma radiation;
- weaving the tracer fiber into a surface of the member;
- exposing the surface to the plasma radiation;
- inspecting the tracer fiber for a change in a color of the dye agent;
- and
- bonding the surface to the substrate after the dye agent changes color.
An apparatus for determining a condition of a surface for bonding, comprising:
- tracer fiber woven into the surface;
- and
- a dye agent in the tracer fiber that changes color when exposed to a level of plasma radiation consistent with preparing the surface for bonding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.