Abstract: An improved seal and method of making is disclosed for sealing a filter element to a filter mounting. The improved seal comprises a bonding pad formed from a sintered matrix of randomly oriented metallic fiber. The bonding pad is disposed between the filter element and the filter mounting. A mechanical fastener coacts between the filter element and the filter mounting for compressing the bonding pad to provide a seal between the filter element and the filter mounting. The bonding pad may be heated to create a frangible seal.

Abstract: An improved fluid separating device for filtering a second fluid from a first fluid. The improved fluid separating device comprises a first layer of filter media comprising a sintered matrix of first fibers. A second layer of filter membrane comprises a matrix of second fibers. A third layer of filter media comprises a sintered matrix of third fibers. The first, second and third layers are formed into a lamination with the second layer being interposed between the first and third layers. The second layer has a pore size substantially less than the pore size of the first and third layers for enabling the second fluid to pass through the second layer and for inhibiting the first fluid from passing through the second layer for separating the second fluid from the first fluid. The improved fluid separating device is suitable for separating a gas from a liquid as well as separating a gas from a dissimilar gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making a capacitor having a first capacitor plate element covered with a spacing material selected for forming a capacitor dielectric. The first capacitor plate element and the spacing material is encased with a second capacitor element. The second capacitor plate element is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof. A multiplicity of the capacitor elements are inserted within a second capacitor plate connector. The second capacitor plate connector is drawn for reducing the outer diameter of the metallic tube and for electrically interconnecting the multiplicity of the second capacitor plate elements with the second capacitor plate connector to form a second capacitor plate. The multiplicity of the first capacitor elements are interconnected with a first capacitor plate connector to form a first capacitor plate. The spacing material is replaced with a dielectric material to form the capacitor thereby.

Abstract: The process of bonding a first workpiece to a second workpiece is disclosed comprising the steps of fabricating a sintered bonding pad formed from a matrix of randomly oriented metallic fibers. The bonding pad is interposed between the first and the second workpiece and the first and second workpieces are biased into engagement with the bonding pad. Heat is applied to the first workpiece to the second workpiece for transforming substantially all of the metallic fibers into a liquid for bonding the first workpiece to the second workpiece.

Abstract: Laser apparatus and methods are provided for synthesizing areas of ceramic substrates or thin films, such ceramics as Silicon Carbide and Aluminum Nitride, to produce electronic devices and circuits such as sensors as integral electro circuit components thereof. Circuit components such as conductive tabs, interconnects, wiring patterns, resistors, capacitors, insulating layers and semiconductors synthesized on the surfaces and within the body of such ceramics. Selected groupings and arrangements of these electronic circuit components within the substrates or thin films provide a wide range of circuits for applications such as digital logic elements and circuits, transistors, sensors for measurements and monitoring effects of chemical and/or physical reactions and interactions of materials, gases, devices or circuits that may utilize sensors.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making an alloy comprising the steps of cladding with a tube a plurality of metal members including a first and a second metal to form a metal composite. The metal composite is drawn for reducing the diameter thereof. The tube is removed to provide a remainder. The remainder is heated to convert the remainder to alloy. A multiplicity of composites may be processed simultaneously for producing fine alloy fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for making a capacitor having the steps of covering a first capacitor plate element with a dielectric material. The process includes encasing the first capacitor plate element and the dielectric material with a second capacitor element. The second capacitor plate element is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof and for forming a capacitor element. A multiplicity of the capacitor elements are encased within a second capacitor plate connector. The second capacitor plate connector is drawn for reducing the outer diameter of the metallic tube and for electrically interconnecting the multiplicity of the second capacitor plate elements with the second capacitor plate connector to form a second capacitor plate. The multiplicity of the first capacitor elements are interconnected with a first capacitor plate connector to form a first capacitor plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is disclosed for sintering a matrix of elements such as fibers or particles by infrared heating. A multiplicity of the elements are arranged into a matrix of substantially randomly oriented elements to form a web. The web is irradiated with infrared energy for a period of time sufficient to sinter bond each of the elements to adjacent elements of the matrix randomly oriented elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for sealing a filter element to a support member. An array of bonding fibers is interposed between the filter element and the support member. Infrared energy is applied for a period of time sufficient to at least partially melt the array of bonding fibers to sinter bond the filter element to the support member.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making fine metallic fibers comprising forming a continuous tube about a plurality of coated metallic wires for providing a first cladding. The first cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter and for diffusion welding the coating within the cladding. The tube is mechanically removed to provide a first remainder. The first remainder is drawn for reducing the diameter thereof to transform the plurality of metallic wires into a plurality of fine metallic fibers. In one example, the diffusion welded coating is removed for providing the plurality of fine metallic fibers. In another example, a plurality of the first remainders are assembled and a continuous tube is formed about a the first remainders for providing a second cladding. The second cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter. The tube is mechanically removed to provide a second remainder.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly and method of making is disclosed for filtering a fluid. The fluid filter assembly comprises a first filter component including a filter media comprising a matrix of metallic fibers. A second filter component includes a filter support. A sinter bond bonds the matrix of metallic fibers of the filter media to the second filter component.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making a capacitor comprising the steps of covering a first capacitor plate element with a dielectric material. The process includes encasing the first capacitor plate element and the dielectric material with a second capacitor element. The second capacitor plate element is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof and for forming a capacitor element. A multiplicity of the capacitor elements are encased within a second capacitor plate connector. The second capacitor plate connector is drawn for reducing the outer diameter of the metallic tube and for electrically interconnecting the multiplicity of the second capacitor plate elements with the second capacitor plate connector to form a second capacitor plate. The multiplicity of the first capacitor elements are interconnected with a first capacitor plate connector to form a first capacitor plate.

Abstract: Laser apparatus and methods are provided for synthesizing areas of ceramic substrates or thin films, such ceramics as Silicon Carbide and Aluminum Nitride, to produce electronic devices and circuits as integral electron circuit components thereof. Circuit components such as conductive tabs, interconnects, wiring patterns, resistors, capacitors, insulating layers and semiconductors are synthesized on the surfaces and within the body of such ceramics. Selected groupings and arrangements of these electronic circuit components within the substrates or thin films provide a wide range of circuits for applications such as digital logic elements and circuits, transistors, sensors for measurements and monitoring effects of chemical and/or physical reactions and interactions of materials, gases, devices or circuits that may utilize sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making a capacitor comprising a first capacitor plate element covered with a spacing material selected for forming a capacitor dielectric. The first capacitor plate element and the spacing material is encased with a second capacitor element. The second capacitor plate element is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof. A multiplicity of the capacitor elements are inserted within a second capacitor plate connector. The second capacitor plate connector is drawn for reducing the outer diameter of the metallic tube and for electrically interconnecting the multiplicity of the second capacitor plate elements with the second capacitor plate connector to form a second capacitor plate. The multiplicity of the first capacitor elements are interconnected with a first capacitor plate connector to form a first capacitor plate. The spacing material is replaced with a dielectric material to form the capacitor thereby.

Abstract: Laser apparatus and methods are provided for synthesizing areas of ceramic substrates or thin films, such ceramics as Silicon Carbide and Aluminum Nitride, to produce electronic devices and circuits as integral electron circuit components thereof. Circuit components such as conductive tabs, interconnects, wiring patterns, resistors, capacitors, insulating layers and semiconductors are synthesized on the surfaces and within the body of such ceramics. Selected groupings and arrangements of these electronic circuit components within the substrates or thin films provide a wide range of circuits for applications such as digital logic elements and circuits, transistors, sensors for measurements and monitoring effects of chemical and/or physical reactions and interactions of materials, gases, devices or circuits that may utilize sensors.

Abstract: Laser apparatus and methods are provided for synthesizing areas of ceramic substrates or thin films, such ceramics as Silicon Carbide and Aluminum Nitrid, to produce electronic devices and circuits as integral electron circuit components thereof. Circuit components such as conductive tabs, interconnects, wiring patterns, resistors, capacitors, insulating layers and semiconductors are synthesized on the surfaces and within the body of such ceramics. Selected groupings and arrangements of these electronic circuit components within the substrates or thin films provide a wide range of circuits for applications such as digital logic elements and circuits, transistors, sensors for measurements and monitoring effects of chemical and/or physical reactions and interactions of materials, gases, devices or circuits that may utilize sensors.

Abstract: A preferred embedment of the system and a method are provided utilizing Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FITR) for examination and analysis of materials on a real-time basis in a chamber at elevated temperatures with corrosive-erosive gaseous environments that cause accelerated material deterioration. The apparatus is capable on a real-time basis of examining and analyzing a wide variety of materials subjected to accelerated deterioration events missed by prior art systems and methods. Empirical data of accelerated corrosion-erosion events are also acquired and stored for subsequent computer analysis of recorded absorbed and reflected vibrational frequencies detected. The system utilizes preselected adjustable grazing angles of an incident beam of the infrared beam impinging upon a material sample during the observation and analysis processes to enhance the data to be collected. The system provides feed back laser signals for alignment adjustment for the selectable grazing angles.

Abstract: Enhanced thermal and electrical properties of ceramic for high-power integrating substrates are provided by focused thermal energy sources such as by laser processing. A thin ceramic layer, such as alumina, is plasma spray deposited on a relative thick metal substrate, such as copper or alloy thereof, as a heat sink for improved dielectric and thermal properties which are produced by laser-reflow and recrystallization so as to convert and provide a different ceramic of higher dielectric and denser structure. Laser-reflow and recrystallization causes a purification or purging and conversion process that vaporizes deleterious impurities and changes the crystalline structure while densifying the resulting structure of the ceramic layer. After conversion of the ceramic layer a metal coating may be plasma spray deposited thereon and electrical circuit elements and wiring patterns may be formed thereon by laser etching for high power applications, such as heat-sinks, electronic control modules, or heating panels.

Abstract: Metal and ceramic particles of various morphologies are clad with a coating from the transistion metal group consisting of silver, gold, copper, nickel, iron, cobalt, aluminum etc., or combinations thereof, to provide improved coated particles for microelectronics or metal matrix composites or other uses. Refractory metal precursor core particles, such as tungsten, molybdenum, niobium and zirconium, as examples, are provided from a composite of tungsten and copper, for example, made by pressurizing and infiltrating or liquid phase sintering of molten copper into a porous tungsten skeleton. Precursor chip particles derived from a tungsten impregnated billet are used as starter particles which may be further enhanced by cogrinding in an attritor ball mill with smaller copper particles to thereby produce an enhanced copper clad-coating of tungsten particles with predetermined percent by weight of copper and tungsten content.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment room temperature electrically conductive or semiconductive ceramic paths or areas are produced on carbide and nitride ceramic substrates by a process of controlled oxidation using localized thermal heating (e.g., laser heating) by tracing desired paths onto the substrates, where air is the source of oxygen. In another embodiment, nitride and carbide ceramic substrates are converted to electroconductive or semiconductive ceramics where the substrate is characterized as whiskers, fibers, flakes or platelets whose dimensions are in the micron range, by controlled oxidation as prescribed by laser beam processing.