Abstract: Gas turbine engines employ a variety of abradable liners to decrease the clearance between the rotating components and the surrounding casing. There is normally a trade-off between porosity, (and concomitant permeability) and the abradability of the liner material, such that materials with good abradability are permeable to gas flow--resulting in performance losses. Permeability of porous liners is decreased by infiltrating the liner with a low-viscosity liquid containing a metal or metal oxide. After infiltration, the viscosity of the liquid is substantially increased to prevent its egress from the porous liner. Thereafter, the liner is heated at an elevated temperature to drive off the remaining liquid and provide an oxide which blocks the passages and decreases the permeability of the liner.

Abstract: A method for the production of brush seals, by first forming a linear array of contiguous, parallely aligned brush elements. The elements, each containing a multitude of bristles, are aligned in a resilient, linear support, in which the long axis of the bristles are parallel to each other. The resultant, resiliently supported array of brush elements is easily contoured to various arcuate shapes. For effecting a seal between the rotating elements of a turbine engine, the linear array is contoured in the form of a circular array, in which the free ends of the bristles in the array are joined to an annular backing ring.

Abstract: A long ribbon, composed of a multitude of fine wires, is placed at the requisite bristle angle onto a backing ring. A torch, welds the ribbon to the backing plate and simultaneously severs the ribbon--forming a first bundle of wires. The severed ribbon is repositioned, relative to the backing ring, adjacent to the first bundle, and the ribbon is again welded in-place and cut. The procedure of placement, welding and cutting is repeated until the backing plate (or the ribbon) has been repositioned over the desired length of the plate to achieve the requisite bristle array of the brush seal.

Abstract: A hydraulic fuse or cut-off device divides fluid flow into: (i) a primary fluid stream; and (ii) a secondary fluid stream having a substantially constant, but small ratio of flow to said primary stream. The secondary stream exerts pressure on a timing piston which thereby monitors the entire flow and causes the fuse to cut-off when a predetermined volume of fluid has passed through the device. The fuse includes a regulating piston for building inlet pressure to a value sufficient to develop the power necessary to drive the timing piston. Greater simplicity of the component parts and decreased sensitivity to contamination results from the use of a small fluid orifice to control the secondary stream. This is achieved by fitting the regulating piston with an inwardly directed flange, just touching the peripheral surface of a slightly tapered, central pin--whereby the taper of the pin causes the orifice to be created as the regulating piston is caused to slide as a result of the primary fluid flow.

Abstract: A tube-like, abradable seal, exhibiting superior abradability and gas flow blockage, is produced by laying metal fibers into an open-ended annular die such that the fibers are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular die. The fibers are thereafter compressed within the die and sintered to achieve a strong abradable seal.

Abstract: A special purpose calculator for determining the optimum degree of flexibility for a matched set of golf clubs, tailored to the driving capability of the individual golfer. The calculator first correlates the effective driving capability of the individual to an empirically determined optimum flexibility index, which index is based on a standard club length, hosel length, tip insertion depth, and swing weight of the golf club. The calculator next compensates for desired differences, in for example club length and swing weight, to determine a shaft with a compensated flexibility index which will provide the same "feel" as the standard club. The calculator can then also be used to determine the requisite head weights, both wood and iron, as a function of desired club length and swing weight so as to provide the proper flexibility for that individual. For optimum results, the flexibility index is determined by measuring the vibration frequency of the shaft.

Abstract: A feedstock, for the production of stainless steel injection molded parts, capable of producing high theoretical density using lower than conventional sintering temperatures. In the production of powder metal parts, densities approaching theoretical density are normally achieved by the use of high compaction pressures, high temperature sintering, or a combination of both. By employing a higher chromium content and a lower nickel content than conventional 316L stainless steel, a duplex structure of ferrite and austenite will be produced with superior sintering capability--resulting in higher densification and better mechanical properties at lower sintering temperatures.

Abstract: End capping a filter cartridge. The filter cartridge contains a hollow central core for passage of fluid, a membrane around the central core through which the fluid also passes, at least one support for the membrane in intimate contact with the membrane, a cage for holding the membrane and the support in contact with the central core, and an end cap for sealing the cartridge.