Abstract: A structural insert with a cellular core as a holder for filler materials, in combination with other dense or porous material types arranged in the structural insert, to achieve a desired shear strength and stiffness in desired locations. The insert having metal within any areas of open porosity and the insert capable of being used as a component in a composite system such as a light weight armor.

Abstract: A lightweight armor system according to the present invention includes one or more material layers having a fraction of void volume and at least one of those material layers having holes of various sizes and designs integrated therein. The material layers are infiltrated with liquid metal which solidifies within the materials open porosity to bind the layers together to create a coherent integral structure. The holes may be in the form of tubes which are impervious to metal infiltration and reduce the weight of the armor system while contributing to projectile deflection. A process for producing a lightweight armor system is disclosed which comprises the steps of 1.) forming holes in a preform containment layer 2.) positioning sealed tubes in the formed holes so that the tubes run through the thickness of the preform 3.) positioning at least one preform w/ sealed tubes within a mold chamber of a closed mold and 4.) infiltrating the mold with a liquid metal.

Abstract: An improved flapper valve is disclosed comprising a housing, a flapper pivotally engaged to the housing, and an actuator slidingly engaged in the housing and adapted to make initial contact with the flapper at a seat end. The seat end is an area surrounding a point on a flapper bottom surface that is furthest from the location of pivotal engagement of the flapper and the housing but not in contact with the housing. The flapper closes at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The actuator is hollow and the interior of the actuator forms a through bore. In the closed position the flapper prevents fluid from the passing through the bore.

Abstract: An improved flapper valve is disclosed comprising a housing, a flapper pivotally engaged to the housing, and an actuator slidingly engaged in the housing and adapted to make initial contact with the flapper at a seat end. The seat end is an area surrounding a point on a flapper bottom surface that is furthest from the location of pivotal engagement of the flapper and the housing but not in contact with the housing. The flapper closes at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The actuator is hollow and the interior of the actuator forms a through bore. In the closed position the flapper prevents fluid from the passing through the bore.

Abstract: Compound preforms are provided having a first region, including a porous ceramic and a second region including a porous or solid ceramic in which the two regions differ in composition. The compound preform is infiltrated with a liquid metal which is then solidified to form a metal matrix composite.

Abstract: A gripping tool 10 may be positioned in a well on a running string RS to at least temporarily secure the gripping tool to a borehole wall. The gripping tool includes a drag member 72, a plurality of slips 40, 48, and a cone member 30, 46. A slip setting mechanism 88 is provided for securing the slips in the radially inward position when the slip setting mechanism is run-in the well. At least one ramp moves the slip setting mechanism to a released position upon rotation of the running string in a first direction. A ratchet member rotationally releases the running string from the slip setting mechanism when the running string is rotated in an opposing direction. The tool may be set, released by pickup and returned to the run-in position, then reset without returning the tool to the surface.

Abstract: A gripping tool 10 may be positioned in a well on a running string RS to at least temporarily secure the gripping tool to a borehole wall. The gripping tool includes a drag member 72, a plurality of slips 40, 48, and a cone member 30, 46. A slip setting mechanism 88 is provided for securing the slips in the radially inward position when the slip setting mechanism is run-in the well. At least one ramp 120 moves the slip setting mechanism to a released position upon rotation of the running string in a first direction. A ratchet member 110 rotationally releases the running string from the slip setting mechanism when the running string is rotated in an opposing direction. The tool may be set, released by pickup and returned to the run-in position, then reset without returning the tool to the surface.

Abstract: A ceramic material suitable for packaging of large scale integrated circuit is produced by the process of forming a mixture of a powdered glass ceramic material which is a glassy precursor to cordierite ceramic material, formed by the steps which are as follows:a. Mix tetragonal phase material selected from the group consisting of zirconia or hafnia powder containing a stabilizing oxide compound selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO and Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and a glass frit powder or frit of a glassy precursor of cordierite glass ceramic to yield a suspension of solids. Preferably, a binder is included.b. Disperse the suspended solids to yield a dispersion of the zirconia or hafnia with the stabilizing oxide compound and the glassy precursor.c. Densify the dispersion of zirconia or hafnia with the stabilizing oxide compound and the glassy precursor by a sintering heat treatment at a temperature of about 840.degree. C.

Abstract: A ceramic material suitable for packaging of large scale integrated circuits is produced by the process of forming a mixture of a powdered glass ceramic material which is a glassy precursor to cordierite ceramic material, formed by the steps which are as follows:a. Mix tetragonal phase material selected from the group consisting of zirconia of hafnia powder containing a stabilizing oxide compound selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO and Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and a glass frit powder or frit of a glassy precursor of cordierite glass ceramic to yield a suspension of solids. Preferably, a binder is included.b. Disperse the suspended solids to yield a dispersion of the zirconia or hafnia with the stabilizing oxide compound and the glassy precursor.c. Densify the dispersion of zirconia or hafnia with the stabilizing oxide compound and the glassy precursor by a sintering heat treatment at a temperature of about 840.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and positioning a lens such that the optical and/or cylinder axis of the lens is precisely aligned with a fixture for the purpose of assembly or further mechanical operations such as machining and polishing. According to another aspect of the invention, the lens apex is precisely positioned a constant distance from a reference point. In order to implement the above, a method and apparatus is disclosed for optically aligning and positioning lenses using digitzed video imaging, an X-Y-Z micron stage and a microprocessor (or computer) capable of performing image analysis.

Abstract: A process for forming articles from inorganic sinterable particulates includes providing a well-dispersed, low pressure injectable slurry, freeze-forming the slurry into a desired geometry, and drying the piece so formed by a predominantly sublimative process, to produce a green article that can be conventionally sintered. The vehicle has a volume change on freezing of not more than .+-.10% by volume; to further control the volume change on freezing, an emulsion derived from different vehicles can be tailored. The slurries preferably have a solids content of at least about 35 v/o, a viscosity of preferably not more than about 1000 cP at 100 s.sup.-1, and are preferably injectable at not more than about 1000 psi, usually at less than 100 psi.

Abstract: A ceramic material suitable for packaging of large scale integrated circuits is produced by the process of forming a mixture of a powdered glass ceramic material which is a glassy precursor to cordierite ceramic material, formed by the steps which are as follows:a. Mix tetragonal phase material selected from the group consisitng of zirconia or hafnia powder containing a stabilizing oxide compound selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO and Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and a glass frit powder or frit of a glassy precursor of cordierite glass ceramic to yield a suspension of solids. Preferably, a binder is included.b. Disperse the suspended solids to yield a dispersion of the zirconia or hafnia with the stabilizing oxide compound and the glassy precursor.c. Densify the dispersion of zirconia or hafnia with the stabilizing oxide compound and the glassy precursor by a sintering heat treatment at a temperature of about 840.degree. C.

Abstract: A refractory article and a process for making the same are provided. The article is derived from dissociated zircon and zirconia (99:1 to 80:20, weight basis). These components are formed into a slip, which can be conventionally processed to provide a sintered article. The resulting article can be subsequently heat treated to react any resulting glass phase with the zirconia present; further, the heat treated article can be subsequently redensified. These refractories are well-suited for such applications as tundish nozzle inserts and sliding gate valves.

Abstract: A stage valve for stage cementing of casings in a well bore including a tubular collar and a telescopic tubular sleeve where the sleeve has a piston portion disposed in a collar chamber and the piston portion separates a sleeve port from a collar port in a lower position. In the lower position, the sleeve mechanically engages the collar and is movable to an upper position by a differential hydraulic pressure across the piston portion to an upper position placing the sleeve port and the collar port in fluid communication with one another. In moving to the upper position, the sleeve removes a barrier from a ratchet ring in the collar so that when the sleeve is moved downwardly from an upper position, a ratchet portion on the sleeve engages the ratchet ring in a lower position of the sleeve to lock the sleeve in a closed position.

Abstract: A selectively releasable valve in a wiper plug releasably attached to a hydraulic setting tool for a liner hanger in a well bore where the valve has an annular valve seat member having collapsible finger members for sealingly receiving a ball member. The valve seat member is movable under predetermined hydraulic pressure to shift and expand the finger members to release the ball member. The valve seat member is retained in the wiper plug.

Abstract: In a hydraulically operated setting tool for liner hangers used in a well bore, a norally countracted ball seat formed in the setting tool mandrel by contracted and elongated finger members. Upon seating a ball member in the ball seat, applied pressure is used to set the hydraulic setting tool. After setting the hydraulic setting tool, the ball seat is longitudinally movable so that the finger members can expand to a full opening condition in a recess and release the ball member and so that the finger members are also retrievable with the setting tool.

Abstract: An auxiliary convex rear-view mirror for stick-on attachment to a larger flat rear-view mirror on the outside of a vehicle. The auxiliary mirror has a wedge-shaped base and a wedge-shaped adjusting ring carrying a convex mirror piece and rotatably adjustable on the base about an axis extending oblique to the larger flat mirror. The convex mirror piece is spherical about an axis which extends at an acute angle to the rotational axis of the adjusting ring.