Appeal No. 1998-2643
Application 08/549,349
of a plasma jet spray (col. 1, ll. 11-12; col. 2, ll. 13-14).
The refractory particles are heated to a high temperature such
that they are molten and driven at a high velocity such that
the particles are embedded in the thermoelectric material
(col. 2, ll. 20-25; 37-37-41). Although a single plasma jet
spray coating is “desirable,” second and subsequent coatings
are taught by Duncan (col. 2, ll. 33-35; 50-56). Duncan
specifically encapsulates thermoelements but generically
describes this coating method as applicable to semiconductors
(col. 1, ll. 13-20).
From the findings set forth above, Duncan discloses
selecting particles such that they become molten at a
temperature T1 and produce an impact force not exceeding a
specific level when striking the surface at velocity V1,
heating the particles to temperature T1, and accelerating the
particles to velocity V1. Furthermore, Duncan teaches the
application of at least a second coating thus suggesting
successive passes of the plasma jet spray (col. 2, ll. 50-56).
The actual size of the refractory particles is not
disclosed by Duncan. However, it would have been well within
the ordinary skill in the art to have selected particles which
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