ELECTRIC-ARC EVAPORATOR Russian patent published in 1994 - IPC

FIELD: coating metallic material. SUBSTANCE: electric-arc evaporator has consumable ring-shaped cathode 1, anode 2 (a case of a chamber), shield 3, igniting electrode 4, and AC multi- phase power source. Leads 6-8, the number of which correspond to the number of phases of voltage supplied, are arranged over periphery of the cathode uniformly. Rectifiers 9-11 are connected between each linear output of the source and corresponding lead. The cathodes of the rectifiers are connected to the source and the anode of the evaporator is connected to zero point of the source. Article 13 to be metallized are opposite to an evaporating surface of the cathode. On evacuating, the arc discharge is excited between cathode 1 and anode 2. In so doing cathode spots move over periphery of the cathode following maximum potential which changes by a low given by AC power source 5. EFFECT: enhanced reliability. 2 dwg