Abstract: A combustion engine system in one embodiment includes a combustion engine, at least one controllable component operably connected to the combustion engine, at least one sensor configured to sense a parameter associated with the combustion engine, and an electronic control unit (ECU) operably connected to the at least one controllable component and the at least one sensor, wherein the ECU is configured to determine a temperature of an unburned mixture based upon the sensed parameter, and control the at least one controllable component based upon the determined temperature.

Abstract: A method of thermally depositing metal onto a target surface using a plasma transferred wire arc thermal spray apparatus, wherein the method includes the steps of offsetting the central axis of a consumable wire with respect to an axial centerline of a constricting orifice; and establishing and operating a plasma transferred wire arc between a cathode and a free end of the consumable wire; and melting and atomizing a continually fed free end of the consumable wire into molten metal particles and projecting the particles onto said target surface.

Abstract: A method of thermally depositing metal onto a target surface using a plasma transferred wire arc thermal spray apparatus, wherein the method includes the steps of offsetting the central axis of a consumable wire with respect to an axial centerline of a constricting orifice; and establishing and operating a plasma transferred wire arc between a cathode and a free end of the consumable wire; and melting and atomizing a continually fed free end of the consumable wire into molten metal particles and projecting the particles onto said target surface.

Abstract: An improved electrode for use in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes an electrode body, a bore defined by and disposed in the electrode body, and an insert disposed in the bore. The insert and/or the bore of the electrode are configured to improve retention of the insert in the electrode, thereby extending electrode life. The invention also includes a method for forming the electrode. The method includes a step of positioning an insert into a bore of an electrode such that an exterior gap is established that is greater than a second gap.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch that includes a torch body having a nozzle mounted relative to a composite electrode in the body to define a plasma chamber. The torch body includes a plasma flow path for directing a plasma gas to the plasma chamber in which a plasma arc is formed. The nozzle includes a hollow, body portion and a substantially solid, head portion defining an exit orifice. The composite electrode can be made of a metallic material (e.g., silver) with high thermal conductivity in the forward portion electrode body adjacent the emitting surface, and the aft portion of the electrode body is made of a second low cost, metallic material with good thermal and electrical conductivity. This composite electrode configuration produces an electrode with reduced electrode wear or pitting comparable to a silver electrode, for a price comparable to that of a copper electrode.

Abstract: A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps.

Abstract: An electrode for a plasma arc cutting torch which minimizes the deposition of high emissivity material on the nozzle, reduces electrode wear, and improves cut quality. The electrode has a body having a first end, a second end in a spaced relationship relative to the first end, and an outer surface extending from the first end to the second end. The body has an end face disposed at the second end. The electrode also includes at least one passage extending from a first opening in the body to a second opening in the end face.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch that includes a torch body having a nozzle mounted relative to a composite electrode in the body to define a plasma chamber. The torch body includes a plasma flow path for directing a plasma gas to the plasma chamber in which a plasma arc is formed. The nozzle includes a hollow, body portion and a substantially solid, head portion defining an exit orifice. The composite electrode can be made of a metallic material (e.g., silver) with high thermal conductivity in the forward portion electrode body adjacent the emitting surface, and the aft portion of the electrode body is made of a second low cost, metallic material with good thermal and electrical conductivity. This composite electrode configuration produces an electrode with reduced electrode wear or pitting comparable to a silver electrode, for a price comparable to that of a copper electrode.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch that includes a torch body having a nozzle mounted relative to a composite electrode in the body to define a plasma chamber. The torch body includes a plasma flow path for directing a plasma gas to the plasma chamber in which a plasma arc is formed. The nozzle includes a hollow, body portion and a substantially solid, head portion defining an exit orifice. The composite electrode can be made of a metallic material (e.g., silver) with high thermal conductivity in the forward portion electrode body adjacent the emitting surface, and the aft portion of the electrode body is made of a second low cost, metallic material with good thermal and electrical conductivity. This composite electrode configuration produces an electrode with reduced electrode wear or pitting comparable to a silver electrode, for a price comparable to that of a copper electrode.

Abstract: An electrode having a ribbed configuration providing a large surface area for cooling the electrode. The electrode includes an elongated electrode body having a first end and a second end. The electrode also includes a shoulder having an enlarged diameter body integral with the electrode body. The shoulder has an imperforate face toward the first end and at least one rib extending aft of the face towards the second end of the electrode body.

Abstract: A plasma transferred wire arc thermal spray apparatus and method producing an extended-arc and supersonic plasma jet stream for applying a dense metallic coating on a substrate, such as a concave internal surface of a bore. The apparatus includes a plasma generating torch assembling having a cathode and an anode nozzle surrounding the cathode and a wire feeder which continuously feeds the tip of a wire feedstock opposite a constricted nozzle orifice and wherein the wire feedstock is maintained at the same positive electrical potential as the nozzle. Plasma gas is directed into the nozzle, preferably generating a vortex flow around the cathode and exiting the restricted nozzle orifice. The improved apparatus includes a pilot power supply and a high voltage or high frequency power supply which initiates the electric arc and the constricted plasma arc and a separate main power supply which extends the constricted plasma arc to the wire tip.

Abstract: A method of bonding a thermally sprayed coating to a non-roughened light metal (i.e. cast aluminum-based) surface. The method comprises the steps of (a) depositing a flux material (i.e. potassium aluminum's fluoride containing up to 50 molar % other fluoride salts) onto such cast surface which has been cleansed to be substantially free of grease and oils, such deposition providing a dry flux coated surface, the flux being capable of removing oxide on the cast surface and having a melting temperature below that of the cast surface; (b) thermally activating the flux in the flux coated surface to melt and dissolve any oxide residing on the cast surface; and (c) concurrently therewith or subsequent to step (b) thermally spraying metallic droplets or particles onto the flux coated surface to form a metallic coating that is metallurgically bonded to the cast surface.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary resuscitating pump, comprising, a housing having a top wall (20), a bottom wall (21) and a side wall (22) in the form of a bellows which is capable of contracting and expanding under the application and release of an externally applied pressure to contract and expand the volume of a gas chamber (23) within the housing and having a gas inlet (48) through the bottom wall for drawing gas into the gas chamber and a gas outlet (43) through the bottom wall for discharging gas from the gas chamber to an associated oropharyngeal airway, whereby, in use a patient can be subjected to ventilation and external cardiac massage by appropriate operation of the pump whilst situated on the patient's chest.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a building material comprising from 20 to 70% of a reactive amorphorous silicate material which has been reacted with an aqueous solution of an iron salt, from 20 to 60% by weight of a filler containing reactives polyvalent cations, from 10 to 50% by weight of lime and from 0 to 10% by weight of reinforcing fillers, and to a method of producing same.