Abstract: An optical fiber wear detector that includes one or more FBG sensors positioned within the fiber that are operable to reflect a defined wavelength of an optical input beam. The wear detector includes a light source for generating the optical input beam that propagates down the optical fiber and interacts with the FBG sensor. The wavelength of the optical beam that is reflected by the FBG sensor is detected, where loss of the reflected signal indicates that the fiber before the FBG sensor or the FBG sensor itself is damaged, which would most likely be an indication of wear on the component. The depth of wear can be determined by providing multiple FBG sensors in a single optical fiber and/or providing multiple optical fibers with one or more FBG sensors.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus is provided for detecting and monitoring a crack propagating through a structure. The sensor apparatus comprises: light source apparatus; detector structure; and a plurality of optical fibers having proximal and distal ends. The fibers may be spaced apart from one another and associated with the structure such that as a crack propagates through the structure, one or more of the optical fibers is broken by the crack. The optical fibers may receive light at the fiber proximal ends and the optical fibers may have a coating on the fiber distal ends capable of causing light to be returned toward the fiber proximal ends.

Abstract: Disclosed are oil-extended olefin block copolymer compositions with low, or no, tack. A unique comonomer content in the soft segment of the OBC in conjunction with the presence of a polyolefin provides the present oil-extended OBC composition with softness, low (or no) tack, and low (or no) oil-bleed.

Abstract: One or more optical fibers (20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D), each with a second end (21) with a phosphor (26) disposed in a substrate (32) at a given depth (Dn) below a wear surface (34). A first photonic energy (52) is injected into a first end (19) of the optical fibers. The phosphor (26) emits a second photonic energy (54) into the fiber in response to the first photonic energy (52) incident on the phosphor from the fiber. When wear removes the phosphor (26) from one or more fibers, a detector (48, 49) detects a proportional reduction of the second photonic energy, indicating that wear has reached the given depth. A band-pass optical filter (46) may block wavelengths of the first photonic energy (52) from reflecting into the detector. The substrate temperature may be determined using a temperature-dependent emission of the phosphor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide block composites and their use in thermoplastic vulcanizate compounds.

Abstract: At least partially vulcanized elastomers are described, these elastomers obtained by at least partially crosslinking (1) an elastomeric polymer containing reactive substituents with (2) a crosslinking agent (a) containing two or more reactive substituents differing from those contained in the elastomeric polymer, and (b) having a number average molecular weight less than about 2000, each of the reactive substituents selected (i) such that those of the elastomer will react with those of the crosslinking agent to at least partially crosslink the elastomer, and (ii) from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, carboxylic anhydride, carboxylic acid salt, carbonyl halide, hydroxy, epoxy, and isocyanate.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to heteromorphic polymer compositions characterized as comprising: (a) a homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene/&agr;-olefin interpolymer backbone; and (b) a branch appending from the backbone, which branch comprises an ethylene homopolymer or ethylene/&agr;-olefin interpolymer having a density which is at least 0.004 g/cm3 greater than that of the backbone. At least one of the backbone polymer or the branch polymer may be optionally functionalized to promote adhesion to polar surfaces. The heteromorphic polymer compositions of the invention exhibit enhanced upper service temperature. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the heteromorphic polymer compositions of the invention.

Abstract: A novel process is disclosed for stabilizing polyethylene resins having pendant vinyl and/or vinylidene groups against changes in viscosity under melt process conditions. The process comprises adding a viscosity-stabilizing amount of transition metal or transition metal salt to the polyethylene resin prior to or during melt processing operations. The resulting polymer composition are melt-stabilized, crosslink-resistant, substantially gel-free polymer compositions having many uses. The novel compositions are prepared free of metal deactivators.

Abstract: A film prepared from a compatibilized resin blend comprising an olefin polymer, a polymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer and a compatibilizing amount of a graft copolymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer and an EPDM rubber exhibits improved properties making it highly desirable in such end uses as grocery and trash bags.

Abstract: A seal for a shaft of a disperser crusher, that pulverizes hot coal particles, maintains a higher than atmospheric pressure within a casing for the crusher, and is able to withstand elevated temperatures that are produced within the casing. The pressure and temperature result from hot gases that convey coal particles to the crusher. The seal includes self lubricating graphite packings that are urged in abutting relation with a smooth, ceramic sleeve on the shaft and are able to withstand the temperature on the shaft surface. A first, interior packing is on the inside of a wall of the casing while a second, exterior packing is outside of the wall. Superheated steam, a gas inert with the coal particles, is supplied to the interior packing with sufficient pressure to substantially prevent the migration of coal particles through the interior packing.