Abstract: Powder fluidizing apparatus includes a unitary pressure vessel having a powder compartment and a transfer compartment, a lid on a first open end of the powder compartment and a base on a second end of the unitary pressure vessel, the second end sealing an open end of the transfer compartment. A plate separates the powder compartment from the transfer compartment, the plate being located between the lid and the base. A coupling collar secures a sieve disk packet in an opening in the plate. A tube extends from the transfer compartment to the powder compartment, the tube extending to a location near the lid of the unitary pressure vessel. When the transfer compartment is pressurized with a carrier gas, pressure in the transfer compartment and pressure in the powder compartment are equalized by the tube.

Abstract: Powder fluidizing apparatus includes a unitary pressure vessel having a powder compartment and a transfer compartment, a lid on a first open end of the powder compartment and a base on a second end of the unitary pressure vessel, the second end sealing an open end of the transfer compartment. A plate separates the powder compartment from the transfer compartment, the plate being located between the lid and the base. A coupling collar secures a sieve disk packet in an opening in the plate. A tube extends from the transfer compartment to the powder compartment, the tube extending to a location near the lid of the unitary pressure vessel. When the transfer compartment is pressurized with a carrier gas, pressure in the transfer compartment and pressure in the powder compartment are equalized by the tube.

Abstract: Impact consolidated powders form deposits that are densified by substantially simultaneous shot peening of the impact consolidated powder.

Abstract: Impact consolidated powders form deposits that are densified by substantially simultaneous shot peening of the impact consolidated powder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and process for solid-state deposition and consolidation of powder particles entrained in a subsonic or sonic gas jet onto the surface of an object. Under high velocity impact and thermal plastic deformation, the powder particles adhesively bond to the substrate and cohesively bond together to form consolidated materials with metallurgical bonds. The powder particles and optionally the surface of the object are heated to a temperature that reduces yield strength and permits plastic deformation at low flow stress levels during high velocity impact, but which is not so high as to melt the powder particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and process for solid-state deposition and consolidation of powder particles entrained in a subsonic or sonic gas jet onto the surface of an object. Under high velocity impact and thermal plastic deformation, the powder particles adhesively bond to the substrate and cohesively bond together to form consolidated materials with metallurgical bonds. The powder particles and optionally the surface of the object are heated to a temperature that reduces yield strength and permits plastic deformation at low flow stress levels during high velocity impact, but which is not so high as to melt the powder particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder-fluidizing and feeding device for use with coating and spray forming nozzles and guns. The device includes novel provisions for controlling and feeding powder from a hopper to a vibrating bowl, for heating and vibrating powders in the hopper to dissipate agglomeration and clumping of the powder, and for metering powders from a vibrating bowl to the spray nozzles and guns using a feedback control derived from powder mass loss rate measurements. The device is particularly useful for feeding ultra-fine and nanoscale particles, which are difficult to feed uniformly with the prior art of conventional powder feeders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder-fluidizing and feeding device for use with coating and spray forming nozzles and guns. The device includes novel provisions for controlling and feeding powder from a hopper to a vibrating bowl, for heating and vibrating powders in the hopper to dissipate agglomeration and clumping of the powder, and for metering powders from a vibrating bowl to the spray nozzles and guns using a feedback control derived from powder mass loss rate measurements. The device is particularly useful for feeding ultra-fine and nanoscale particles, which are difficult to feed uniformly with the prior art of conventional powder feeders.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and process for solid-state deposition and consolidation of powder particles entrained in a subsonic or sonic gas jet onto the surface of an object. Under high velocity impact and thermal plastic deformation, the powder particles adhesively bond to the substrate and cohesively bond together to form consolidated materials with metallurgical bonds. The powder particles and optionally the surface of the object are heated to a temperature that reduces yield strength and permits plastic deformation at low flow stress levels during high velocity impact, but which is not so high as to melt the powder particles.

Abstract: An environmentally compliant triboelectric applicator and process for coating or ablating a substrate and for retrieving excess or ejected material from the substrate. The applicator comprises an inner supersonic nozzle for accelerating triboelectrically charged projectile particles entrained in a supersonic gas to speeds sufficiently high to coat or ablate a substrate. The applicator further comprises an outer evacuator nozzle coaxially surrounding the inner supersonic nozzle for retrieving excess projectile particles, ablated substrate powders, or other environmentally hazardous materials. A fluid dynamic coupling uses the efficacy of the Mach turning angle associated with a supersonic boundary layer of carrier gas to aspirate the central core of the supersonic two-phase jet.

Abstract: An environmentally compliant triboelectric applicator and process for coating or ablating a substrate and for retrieving excess or ejected material from the substrate. The applicator comprises an inner supersonic nozzle for accelerating triboelectrically charged projectile particles entrained in a supersonic gas to speeds sufficiently high to coat or ablate a substrate and an outer evacuator nozzle coaxially surrounding the inner supersonic nozzle for retrieving excess projectile particles, ablated substrate powders, or other environmentally hazardous materials. A fluid dynamic coupling uses the efficacy of the Mach turning angle associated with a supersonic boundary layer of carrier gas to aspirate the central core of the supersonic two-phase jet.

Abstract: A disk grading terrace plow comprising a plurality of disk units mounted below an angled beam frame which is towed at an angle of 40 to 45 degrees to the direction of tow via a tractor connected to an elevated hitch beam mounted to the said angle beam frame in a lateral position which balances draft torques. Alignment of the said disk units, each comprising a disk blade, shank and attachment structure, along the angled beam frame is such that dirt is excavated from a furrow and discharged both vertically and laterally in front of the next sequential rearward disk. The excavated dirt then continues to shift from disk-to-disk in a compound grading manner until all the dirt is shifted around the rearmost disk blade. The depth of cut for the disk grading terrace plow is controlled by adjusting hydraulic cylinders connected to a front and rear gauge wheel, respectively.

Abstract: In the illustrative embodiments of the invention disclosed, the lithology and salinity of an earth formation traversed by a well bore are investigated by irradiating the formation with a neutron source and generating an energy spectrum of the activation gamma rays resulting therefrom. From the spectrum thus obtained, the level of the activation gamma radiation emitted by .sup.24 Na and that emitted by .sup.38 Cl are determined. The two intensity measurements are then combined, e.g., by forming a cross-plot or ratio thereof, to provide an indication of the lithology and salinity of the earth formation.

Abstract: In the specific embodiments of the invention disclosed, a semiconductor radiation detector located in a logging tool sized for passage through a borehole is maintained at cryogenic temperatures by a cryostat housed in the tool. The cryostat includes a cryogen chamber containing a melting-solid type cryogen. Thermal insulation in the form of radiation heat shields and a vacuum chamber surround the cryogen chamber. The integrity of the vacuum insulation is maintained by an active vacuum pump. The pump may be mounted either externally of the cryostat, such that its operation is independent of temperature conditions within the cryostat, or internally thereof, so as to be cooled by the cryogen. Alternatively, a second cryostat may be provided to cool the pump.

Abstract: In the illustrative embodiments of the invention disclosed, the lithology of an earth formation traversed by a well bore is investigated by irradiating the formation with a neutron source and generating an energy spectrum of the activation gamma rays resulting therefrom. From the spectrum thus obtained, the levels of the activation gamma radiation emitted by .sup.27 Mg and that emitted by .sup.49 Ca are determined. The two intensity measurements are then combined, e.g. by forming a cross-plot or ratio thereof, to provide an indication of the lithology of the earth formation and, in particular, of the extent of dolomitization of the formation.

Abstract: A method of determining the flood front profile created during the production flooding of an oil-bearing formation utilizes cased observation boreholes located between the injection wells and the producing wells. The time and depth of arrival of the flood front at an observation borehole are detected by gamma ray spectroscopy examination of the formation. Tracer elements having characteristic gamma ray emission energies are employed to facilitate detection of the flood front and its direction of travel. The tracer elements may be naturally radioactive substances or they may be normally stable elements which are rendered radioactive by neutronbombardment. Elements having interfering spectral lines may be separated on the basis of half-life measurements, selective detection periods or the response of the elements to different energy neutrons. By repeating the detection process at different depths and times, the profile of the flood front as it approaches the producing wells may be developed.