Abstract: A coated cylinder liner 20 comprises a wear resistant layer 22, such as a DLC coating, and a metallic adhesive layer 24, such as chromium or titanium, deposited on an inner surface 26 thereof. The layers 22, 24 each have a thickness tw, ta varying by not more than 5% along at least 70% of the length of the inner surface 26. The metallic adhesive layer 24 is deposited by sputtering a consumable metallic electrode 28 onto the inner surface 26. The sputtering can be magnetron sputtering. The consumable metallic electrode 28 can include a hollow opening 40 with orifices 50 for providing a carrier gas into the deposition chamber 52. In addition, the inner surface 26 of the cylinder liner 20 can provide the deposition chamber 52 by sealing a first opening 36 and second opening 38 of the cylinder liner 20.

Abstract: A method of coating all surfaces of a plurality of piston rings in a single run by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process is provided. The method can include providing a coil formed of an iron-based material; heating the coil; and depositing a coating on all surfaces of the coil during a single continuous period of time, without having to move the coil during the CVD process. The coil is maintained in a fixed position during the depositing step. The method next includes splitting the coil into a plurality of separate coated piston rings. Alternatively, the method can include providing a plurality of stacked keystone piston ring bodies; and disposing a cylinder around the stack to maintain the keystone piston ring bodies in position while depositing the CVD coating on all surfaces of the keystone piston ring bodies during the single coating run.

Abstract: A coated cylinder liner 20 comprises a wear resistant layer 22, such as a DLC coating, and a metallic adhesive layer 24, such as chromium or titanium, deposited on an inner surface 26 thereof. The layers 22, 24 each have a thickness tw, tn varying by not more than 5% along at least 70% of the length of the inner surface 26. The metallic adhesive layer 24 is deposited by sputtering a consumable metallic electrode 28 onto the inner surface 26. The sputtering can be magnetron sputtering. The consumable metallic electrode 28 can include a hollow opening 40 with orifices 50 for providing a carrier gas into the deposition chamber 52. In addition, the inner surface 26 of the cylinder liner 20 can provide the deposition chamber 52 by sealing a first opening 36 and second opening 38 of the cylinder liner 20.

Abstract: A coated cylinder liner 20 comprises a wear resistant layer 22, such as a DLC coating, and a metallic adhesive layer 24, such as chromium or titanium, deposited on an inner surface 26 thereof. The layers 22, 24 each have a thickness tw, ta varying by not more than 5% along at least 70% of the length of the inner surface 26. The metallic adhesive layer 24 is deposited by sputtering a consumable metallic electrode 28 onto the inner surface 26. The sputtering can be magnetron sputtering. The consumable metallic electrode 28 can include a hollow opening 40 with orifices 50 for providing a carrier gas into the deposition chamber 52. In addition, the inner surface 26 of the cylinder liner 20 can provide the deposition chamber 52 by sealing a first opening 36 and second opening 38 of the cylinder liner 20.

Abstract: A coated cylinder liner 20 comprises a wear resistant layer 22, such as a DLC coating, and a metallic adhesive layer 24, such as chromium or titanium, deposited on an inner surface 26 thereof. The layers 22, 24 each have a thickness tw, ta varying by not more than 5% along at least 70% of the length of the inner surface 26. The metallic adhesive layer 24 is deposited by sputtering a consumable metallic electrode 28 onto the inner surface 26. The sputtering can be magnetron sputtering. The consumable metallic electrode 28 can include a hollow opening 40 with orifices 50 for providing a carrier gas into the deposition chamber 52. In addition, the inner surface 26 of the cylinder liner 20 can provide the deposition chamber 52 by sealing a first opening 36 and second opening 38 of the cylinder liner 20.

Abstract: A method of coating all surfaces of a plurality of piston rings in a single run by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process is provided. The method can include providing a coil formed of an iron-based material; heating the coil; and depositing a coating on all surfaces of the coil during a single continuous period of time, without having to move the coil during the CVD process. The coil is maintained in a fixed position during the depositing step. The method next includes splitting the coil into a plurality of separate coated piston rings. Alternatively, the method can include providing a plurality of stacked keystone piston ring bodies; and disposing a cylinder around the stack to maintain the keystone piston ring bodies in position while depositing the CVD coating on all surfaces of the keystone piston ring bodies during the single coating run.

Abstract: A solar water heater including an angularly inclined housing structure. The housing structure includes an inlet for receiving water and an outlet for discharging heated water. Encased within the housing, lies a plurality of heating pipes for absorbing solar energy. The plurality of heating pipes is operatively connected to the fluid inlet. The plurality of heating pipes encompasses a plurality of water storing pipes disposed therein. The plurality of water storing pipes is in fluid communication with the plurality of heating pipes and the fluid outlet. In this manner, the plurality of heating pipes act as a solar receiver, and the enclosed plurality of water storing pipes act as a storage tank. A solar water heating and storage device wherein a solar receiver and water storage tank are integrated into a single unit.

Abstract: Coatings for use in artificial joints and other implanted medical devices. The coatings comprise a dual layer structure vapor deposited atop a medical grade substrate, such as cobalt chromium. The dual layer structure comprises a first ceramic layer vapor deposited atop at least a portion of the substrate and a second ceramic layer deposited atop the first ceramic layer. The first ceramic layer is formed of a material which has particularly good adhesion to the substrate, and the second ceramic layer from a material exhibiting particularly high hardness and good wear characteristics. The vapor deposition process is controlled so as to form a graded interface between the two ceramic layers to form a dual layer coating which resists delamination, adheres well to the substrate, and exhibits good wear characteristics in situ.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for implants with composite coatings to promote tissue in-growth and/or on-growth. An implant includes: a substrate; a structured surface formed on at least a portion of the substrate; and a biocompatible coating deposited on at least a fraction of the structured surface. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the implant has good biocompatibility while the biocompatible coating has good strength.

Abstract: Coatings for use in artificial joints and other implanted medical devices. The coatings comprise a dual layer structure vapor deposited atop a medical grade substrate, such as cobalt chromium. The dual layer structure comprises a first ceramic layer vapor deposited atop at least a portion of the substrate and a second ceramic layer deposited atop the first ceramic layer. The first ceramic layer is formed of a material which has particularly good adhesion to the substrate, and the second ceramic layer from a material exhibiting particularly high hardness and good wear characteristics. The vapor deposition process is controlled so as to form a graded interface between the two ceramic layers to form a dual layer coating which resists delamination, adheres well to the substrate, and exhibits good wear characteristics in situ.

Abstract: A piston assembly for an internal combustion engine has at least a portion of a contact surface of the piston pin and/or connecting rod coated with a high hardness, lubricious coating. Some disclosed coatings include carbides, nitrides, oxynitrides, carbonitrides and sulfides of transition metals. Chromium nitride is one specifically disclosed coating material. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the coatings.