US Patent 7875119 Apparatus and method for coating an article

A coating apparatus includes a mounting member for mounting a turbine airfoil in a coating chamber. The mounting member defines a chamber therein and includes a mounting port that is adapted to receive the turbine airfoil. The mounting port provides a fluid connection between the chamber and an internal passage of the airfoil. A support member is mounted between the chamber wall and mounting member and bears the weight of the mounting member. The mounting member is unfixed relative to a chamber wall of the coating chamber. Thus, the chamber wall does not restrict the mounting member during thermal expansion and contraction of the mounting member and avoids warping of the mounting member.