Abstract: Composite turbine blades and vanes have been proposed in the past formed from nickel or cobalt base superalloys and reinforcing fibres such as tungsten, molybdenum, silicon carbide, or graphite. One of the problems has been the spacing of the fibres and arrangement within the form. The present invention provides for such arrangement by means of aligning the fibres on an alloy powder tape or cloth comprising powdered superalloy and an organic binder. Pieces of the tape are then cut in the desired shape and arranged within a mold and subsequently bonded into a consolidated shape.

Abstract: A spout flap for a water kettle is disclosed which is provided in the spout opening to prevent the user from being scalded by hot steam when pouring hot water from the kettle. The flap is hingedly mounted in the top surface of the kettle adjacent the spout and is counterbalanced such that the flap remains closed when the kettle is in its normal carrying and/or pouring position. When the user desires to fill the kettle, the spout flap may be easily swung inwardly by a slight depressing force of a water faucet.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in electric kettles and in particular to the temperature controls for such kettles. The temperature control is adjustable to provide a variation in operating temperature of the heating element of the kettle and thus control the wattage input to the kettle. By this means it is possible to control the rate at which water is boiled or evaporated from the kettle. By setting the temperature control to its highest heat position, full wattage is supplied to the heater element to bring the water in the vessel to a boil and vapourize the contents thereof in the shortest possible time. If the temperature controller is left in the high heat position the kettle will evaporate at an approximate rate of two quarts of water in one hour. If the control is set to the low end of the range the contents will be brought up to a boil condition in the same time as if the thermostat were set on the high heat position, but the same amount of water will be evaporated in 12 to 15 hours.