Visotek proposes to obviate the need for valve stem maintenance while simultaneously reducing associated manhours, and increasing readiness by refining and adapting a nano-structured protective and low friction polymer coating that is chemically bonded to the valve substrate by a high powered diode laser beam. This bonded polymer layer seals the surface of a substrate from corrosive media by the inhibiting action of nano-sized materials included in polymer matrix. The proposed coating deposition will be a flexible, fast, and reliable process that does not require any changes in current valve design such as substrate material or tolerances between components. The deposited layer has the ancillary benefit of greatly reducing friction in assemblies. In previous field testing the Visotek coating showed exceptional adhesion and corrosion resistance improvement by successfully protecting gas refinery waste water pump plungers. The working medium for these plungers is a very aggressive mix of acids, hydrogen sulphide, particulate slurry and water. The Visotek coating achieved a five times longer seal operating life and fifty times longer plunger operating life.
Benefit: This proposed effort is an adaptation of a nano-structured protective and low friction polymer coating that has shown significant performance improvement over current technology in related industrial applications. Initial transfer of technology to this new field is likely to be enhanced because it does not require any changes in current valve design such as substrate material or tolerances between components. Further, the technology will have minimal impact on baseline valve performance, thus minimizing retesting and recertification requirements. Although such coatings will find first use in U.S. Naval applications, the market for such technology is significantly larger than just the U.S. Navy, and far larger than just new valves. Due to extremely long product life cycles and high installation costs (the cost of inserting or removing a valve on a vessel not the cost of the valve itself), potential customers are technically conservative, even reluctant. Visotek will partner with the Navy and valve manufacturers to shape the development of this innovative coating technology. We plan to begin process/product development with a job shop environment in partnership with a valve manufacturer. When significant experience, process refinement, and hard-earned performance data are better established we will address demand for on-site capability and portability with equipment sales. Visotek expects strong customer demand for valve coating products provided to three customer classes: valve OEMs for new production, Naval Shipyards for overhaul and repair, and field repair in the oil and gas industries. Visotek Inc. develops and manufactures fiber coupled diode laser systems and peripheral components that simplify the use of lasers in any environment. Our lasers are used across the world in advanced manufacturing plants, military maintenance depots, surgical suites, and research labs. We completely understand the need for reliable, simple and intuitive solutions because we use lasers in our own job shop for high volume production and special boutique runs.
Keywords: polymer nano-coatings, polymer nano-coatings, Low maintenance valves, Low friction, anti corrosion, Diode laser
