Abstract: Seal assemblies for reducing leakage between components of turbomachinery include a metallic shim, at least a pair of non-metallic end blocks, and ceramic fiber positioned between the shim and the end blocks. The shim may be mechanically coupled with the end blocks such that the metallic shim, end blocks and ceramic fiber are coupled. The end blocks account for misalignment of turbine components by ensuring sealing engagement of the seal to the components. The end blocks may be a ceramic or glass material, and the ceramic fiber may be a high temperature woven ceramic fiber. The ceramic fiber and/or the end blocks protect the metallic shim from reaching harmful temperatures during use of the seal, such as use in high temperature turbines including CMC components.

Abstract: Seal assemblies for reducing leakage between components of turbomachinery are provided. The seals may include a metallic shim, at least a pair of non-metallic end blocks, and ceramic fiber positioned between the shim and the end blocks. The shim may be mechanically coupled with the end blocks such that the metallic shim, non-metallic end blocks and ceramic fiber are coupled. The end blocks may be configured to account for misalignment of turbine components by ensuring sealing engagement of the seal to the components. The end blocks may be made from a ceramic or glass material, and the ceramic fiber may be a high temperature woven ceramic fiber. The ceramic fiber and/or the end blocks may protect the metallic shim from reaching potentially harmful temperatures during use of the seal, such as use in high temperature turbines including CMC components.

Abstract: The present application provides composite seals for reducing leakages between adjacent components of turbomachinery. The composite seals may include a metallic shim, a metallic support structure and a ceramic, glass or enamel coating. The shim and the support structure may be bonded or fused together. The support structure may include internal voids or gaps, and the coating may be applied to the shim and the support structure such that the coating is provided within the voids or gaps of the support structure, between portions of the support structure and the shim, and substantially over the outer surface of the support structure. The support structure may thereby provide a mechanical attachment between the shim and the coating. In use, the coating provides thermal and/or chemical insulation to the metallic shim and the support structure of the seal.

Abstract: Multi-Mechanism Energy Harvesters (MMEHs) combining magnetostrictive and inductive mechanisms with a shape and size similar to an AA battery. Included are MMEHs with (a) an inductive mode: a cylindrical tube, a rod lengthwise within the tube, permanent magnets with opposing polarities at opposing ends of the tube, an annular oscillatory magnet in the tube and between the magnets and around the rod; and a primary coil around the tube and oscillatory magnet, such that relative movement between the magnet and coil induces electrical current in the coil; and (b) a magnetostrictive mode comprising: piezoelectric cymbal transducers on opposing ends of the tube and comprising a magnetostrictive material surrounded by a secondary coil, such that movement of the magnetostrictive material induces voltage in the secondary coil. During use, electrical energy can be harvested from the relative motion between the magnet and coil and from the magnetostrictive material.

Abstract: A garment containing a breathable laminate that is optionally bonded to an outer layer fabric and an optional inner layer fabric. The breathable laminate is constructed from a microporous membrane situated in a face to face relationship with a nanoweb and optionally bonded thereto.

Abstract: A nonwoven web of fibers that have a number average diameter of less than 1 micron. The web can have a Poisson Ratio of less than about 0.8, a solidity of at least about 20%, a basis weight of at least about 1 gsm, and a thickness of at least 1 micrometer.

Abstract: A composite wind barrier fabric having the ability to maintain a high MVTR while controlling air permeability. The fabric has a nanofiber layer optionally welded to, and in a face-to-face relationship with, a fabric layer. Optionally a second fabric layer is welded adjacent to and in a face-to-face relationship with the nanofiber layer and on the opposite side of the nanofiber layer to the first fabric layer. The fabric has a Frazier air permeability of between about 1.2 m3/m2/min and about 7.6 m3/m2/min, and an MVTR per ASTM E-96B method of greater than about 500 g/m2/day. The nanofiber layer is dyed over at least a portion or all of its surface or both.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid filtration medium comprising at least one nonwoven sheet wherein the nonwoven sheet has a water flow rate of at least 10 ml/min/cm2/KPa and a tortuosity filter factor of at least 3.0. The liquid filtration medium can be used in a filter system with an optional pre-filter layer or microfiltration membrane.

Abstract: A garment includes a breathable composite fabric between outer and inner fabric layers. The breathable composite fabric comprises two nanofiber web layers and a porous fluid drainage layer disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A fluidized mixture is issued from a nozzle comprising a fan jet at the outlet, causing the mixture to spread as it is issued. The issued material is collected on a moving collection surface located a distance of between 0.25 and 13 cm from the outlet of the nozzle, prior to the onset of large scale turbulence in the fluid jet. The resulting product has good basis weight uniformity.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved plexifilamentary sheet material useful in protective apparel and filtration media, which material is comprised of substantially continuous polyethylene plexifilamentary fiber strands and has a Frazier Permeability, normalized to 1.0 oz/yd2 basis weight, of at least 2 cfm/ft2.

Abstract: A thin, uniform membrane comprising polymeric fibrils or a combination of fibrils and particles, wherein the fibrils have randomly convoluted cross-sections, and a process for making the membrane are disclosed. The membrane may be on the surface of a substrate as part of a composite sheet, or as a stand-alone structure.

Abstract: A thin, uniform membrane comprising polymeric fibrils or a combination of fibrils and particles, wherein the fibrils have randomly convoluted cross-sections, and a process for making the membrane are disclosed. The membrane may be on the surface of a substrate as part of a composite sheet, or as a stand-alone structure.

Abstract: An article of apparel having the ability to maintain a high MVTR while protecting the wearer from wind. The garment has a nanofiber layer bonded to, and in a face-to-face relationship with a fabric outer layer. Optionally a second fabric layer is bonded adjacent to and in a face-to-face relationship with the nanofiber layer and on the opposite side of the nanofiber layer from the first fabric layer. The fabric has a Frazier air permeability of no greater than about 7.6 m3/m2/min, and an MVTR of greater than about 500 g/m2/day.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a garment comprising a composite fabric comprising a porous fluid drainage layer and a fibrous fluid barrier layer of a flash spun polyolefin plexifilamentary film-fibril sheet wherein the fibrous fluid barrier layer faces the interior of the garment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an industrial bag comprising a composite fabric comprising a porous fluid drainage layer and a fibrous fluid barrier layer of a flash spun polyolefin plexifilamentary film-fibril sheet wherein the fibrous fluid barrier layer faces the interior of the industrial bag.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved plexifilamentary sheet material useful in protective apparel and filtration media, which material is comprised of substantially continuous polyethylene plexifilamentary fiber strands and has a Frazier Permeability, normalized to 1.0 oz/yd2 basis weight, of at least 2 cfm/ft2.

Abstract: A process is provided for issuing material from a nozzle in a rotor rotating at a given rotational speed wherein the material is issued by way of a fluid jet. The material can be collected on a collector concentric to the rotor. The collector can be a flexible belt moving in the axial direction of the rotor. The collected material can take the form of discrete particles, fibers, plexifilamentary web, discrete fibrils or a membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved plexifilamentary sheet material useful in protective apparel and filtration media, which material is comprised of substantially continuous polyethylene plexifilamentary fiber strands and has a Frazier Permeability, normalized to 1.0 oz/yd2 basis weight, of at least 2 cfm/ft2.

Abstract: A process is provided for issuing material from a nozzle in a rotor rotating at a given rotational speed wherein the material is issued by way of a fluid jet. The material can be collected on a collector concentric to the rotor. The collector can be a flexible belt moving in the axial direction of the rotor. The collected material can take the form of discrete particles, fibers, plexifilamentary web, discrete fibrils or a membrane.