Abstract: A printed circuit assembly, along with a server and method incorporating such printed circuit assembly, are disclosed for determining a storage configuration for use in a computer system via a simple hardware change. The printed circuit assembly may comprise a paddle board slot for connection to a paddle board for determining a storage configuration; a bus coupled to the paddle board; and a southbridge coupled to the bus, the southbridge comprising signal lines coupled to the paddle board slot through the bus. The storage configuration of the printed circuit assembly may be determined via the paddle board when the paddle board is connected to the paddle board slot.

Abstract: A printed circuit assembly, along with a server and method incorporating such printed circuit assembly, are disclosed for determining a storage configuration for use in a computer system via a simple hardware change. The printed circuit assembly may comprise a paddle board slot for connection to a paddle board for determining a storage configuration; a bus coupled to the paddle board; and a southbridge coupled to the bus, the southbridge comprising signal lines coupled to the paddle board slot through the bus. The storage configuration of the printed circuit assembly may be determined via the paddle board when the paddle board is connected to the paddle board slot.

Abstract: A method for preparing ultra-fine, submicron grain titanium or titanium-alloy articles (78) used for joining or assembling of detail components. Coarse-grained titanium or titanium-alloy materials (52) are severely mechanically deformed using cryogenic milling into an ultra-fine, submicron grain powder, degassed and consolidated under controlled pressure and temperature. The resulting fasteners, articles, or components manufactured from such material have improved material performance characteristics associated with this ultra-fine, submicron grain material structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for applying to a substrate, in the form of a seal, a polysiloxane-containing coating, preferably a polysiloxane(amide-ureide) coating capable of inhibiting corrosion as well as the accumulation of ice. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a polysiloxane(amide-ureide) that forms a durable, long lasting, anti-corrosive and anti-ice coating when applied to a substrate as a seal.

Abstract: A method for forming a friction stir welded assembly is provided, as is an associated component assembly formed according to such a method. The method includes coating surface portions of one or more untreated articles with a coating material. Thereafter, the articles are friction stir welded to form an assembly. A thermal treatment is performed before or after the welding operation, e.g., to simultaneously heat treat the articles and cure the coating.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for cooling vertically stacked printed circuit boards (PCBs). In one embodiment, a first PCB is disposed within a substantially enclosed lower chamber inside a PCB containment housing. A second PCB is disposed above the first PCB within the housing to define a substantially enclosed upper chamber above the lower chamber. The second PCB includes one or more airflow apertures defined therethrough and providing vertical air flow coupling between the upper and lower chambers. An airflow actuating device is utilized to generate a primary forced airflow within the upper chamber which is substantially parallel to the surface plane of the second PCB. The primary forced airflow further induces a negative air pressure in the upper chamber such that a mixed convection airflow is established between the upper and lower chambers via the second PCB apertures.

Abstract: A heatpipe for cooling an integrated circuit. The heatpipe includes a pipe and radial fins that are formed by extruding a single piece of material, such as heat conducting metal. Each of the radial fins extends away from the pipe and runs (preferably) the length of the pipe. Each radial fin has normally oriented subfins that provide additional heat convection surface areas to the radial fins. Within the pipe are interior fins, also formed during the material extrusion process. The interior fins provide additional conduction cooling to a heat transferring fluid circulating within the pipe.

Abstract: The invention is a high-strength, pre-coated, aluminum or aluminum-alloy component comprising an aluminum or aluminum-alloy article having ultra-fine, submicron grain microstructure and an organic coating of phenolic resin applied to the surface of the article. The article is prepared from a coarse grain aluminum or aluminum-alloy material that is cryomilled into an ultra-fine, submicron grain material, degassed, and densified. The densified material is formed into an article, and coated with an organic coating containing phenolic resin prior to installation or assembly.

Abstract: An aluminum or aluminum-alloy material sheet comprised of an aluminum material having an ultra-fine, submicron grain structure. The strength and physical properties of the aluminum or aluminum-alloy material sheet are improved over previous aluminum and aluminum-alloy material sheets because the aluminum is produced by cryomilling the aluminum or aluminum-alloy materials into a metal powder with ultra-fine, submicron grain structure. The powder is consolidated and rolled into the form of a sheet.

Abstract: A fastener component is formed from aluminum or aluminum-alloy material having a head portion and an elongate shank portion, the shank portion having an end and intermediate or transition region. At least the shank portion of the fastener is cold-worked or heat-treated to an intermediate hardness stage, typically to a T6 condition. The intermediate region of the shank portion is further cold-worked to harden or strengthen the intermediate region of the shank portion with respect to the end of the shank, typically to a T8 condition. The aluminum or aluminum-alloy material of the component advantageously has ultra-fine grain size of less than about 5 microns. The ultra-fine grain size is advantageously obtained by friction stir processing (FSP) or equal angle extrusion (EAE).

Abstract: A high-strength, corrosion- and heat-resistant aircraft structural component such as a fastener is prepared by providing a corrosion-resistant stainless steel or heat-resistant superalloy metallic component precursor that is not in its final heat-treated state, and coating with an aluminum-containing, curable polyaromatic phenolic coating material having a non-volatile portion that is predominantly organic and is curable at about the high-strength metallic alloy component's stress equalizing tempering temperature. The coated, high-strength metallic-alloy component is then thermally treated to concurrently impart pre-determined metallurgical properties to the finished, metallic substrate, and cure the organic, aluminum-containing coating.

Abstract: The invention is a high-strength, pre-coated, titanium or titanium-alloy material component comprising a titanium or titanium-alloy material article having ultra-fine, submicron grain size microstructure and an organic coating of phenolic resin applied to the surface of the article. The article is prepared from a coarse grain titanium or titanium-alloy powder material that is cryomilled into an ultra-fine, submicron grain material, degassed, and densified. The densified material is formed or otherwise processed into a article, and pre-coated with an organic coating containing phenolic resin prior to installation or assembly.

Abstract: A fastener and method for fastening structural members wherein the fastener comprises a metallic stem defining a shank extending between first and second ends, the stem defining a deformable first head at the first end of the shank, and a resin-fiber composite sleeve defining the second end of the shank. The sleeve defines an aperture longitudinally extending through the sleeve, and a portion of the sleeve has a cross-sectional dimension greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the aperture through the structural members. Tensile strength of the composite sleeve is increased by incorporation of a support washer into the composite sleeve and/or by substantially orienting the fibers of the resin-fiber sleeve composite in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve.

Abstract: A hybrid fastening system comprising a female fastener component, i.e., swage collar, fabricated from a titanium or titanium-alloy material, preferably Ti-3A1-2.5V, and a mating titanium or titanium-alloy material male fastener component, i.e., threaded pin, each preferably pre-coated with an organic coating material comprising an organic, phenolic resin. The threaded pin component is installed through two or more structural components to be joined. The swage collar component is then deformed or swaged onto the threads of the pre-coated threaded pin component to achieve the same, if not improved, fastener/joint performance characteristics of existing lockbolt systems using aluminum-alloy material swage collar components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a pre-coating process, which utilizes metallic plating as a surface pre-treatment for a ferrous-alloy precursor prior to applying a corrosion-inhibiting coating to improve the overall corrosion protection of the pre-treated and pre-coated component. Preferably the ferrous-alloy precursor is a heat-treatable, precipitation-hardenable stainless-steel material and the pre-treatment is a cadmium or a zinc-nickel alloy plating without a subsequent chromate or phosphate seal finish.

Abstract: A composite fastener and method for fastening structural members are provided. The fastener is formed at least partially of a composite material. For example, at least one component of the fastener can be formed of a composite material and the remaining components of the fastener can be formed of a metallic material. The fasteners can be compatible with the materials of the structural members to be fastened or joined, such as where all or at least one of the structural members are formed of a composite material. In some cases, the fastener can be installed blindly from one side of the structural members with no or limited access to the opposite side.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for angularly extruding a workpiece through a die to form blanks and articles having refined grain structure. The die is also used to form the workpiece to a desired shape, such as a cylinder. The angular extrusion method can be used in place of some heat treatments, thereby lowering the cost and time for manufacturing articles. The method is compatible with materials with high strength-to-weight ratios such as aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof. The blanks can be used to form articles having favorable mechanical properties such as strength, toughness, formability, and resistance to fatigue, corrosion, and thermal stresses.

Abstract: A method of improving the material properties of a composite by electrodepositing particular polymers, organic compounds or inorganic compounds onto electrically conductive fibrous substrates, whether individual fibers or as a fabric, to form composites of improved structural properties and having particular physical properties such as being ice phobic, fire resistant, or electrically conductive.

Abstract: A test method for determining, quantifying, and qualifying the flow characteristics of a sealant material compound comprising the steps of applying a uniform layer of known initial mass of sealant material between two test surfaces and compressing the sealant material between the surfaces at a specific pressure for a specific length of time, and at a specific temperature, causing an amount of sealant to be extruded from between the test surfaces. The amount of the extruded sealant is measured and compared to the total mass of initial sealant material to determine the ratio of the extruded to initial sealant material. Based upon the mass ratio of extruded sealant material versus the initial sealant material, the flow characteristics of the sealant material may be expressed for any given combination of temperature, pressure, and duration and compared to other sealant materials.

Abstract: A test method for determining, quantifying, and qualifying the stress-relaxation characteristics of a sealant material compound comprising applying a sealant material layer between a first plate and a second plate, disposing a fastener assembly through the plates, and providing tension preload upon the fastener assembly so as to compress the plates together. The elongation of the fastener assembly is measured and the test assembly is heated and cooled under controlled parameters and the elongation of the fastener assembly is again measured. The stress-relaxation of the sealant material compound is correlated to the corresponding change in fastener assembly elongation for the purposes of measuring, quantifying, and qualifying the sealant material compound.