Abstract: A non-toxic alloy for soldering electronic components comprising 80% Sn, 5-14.5% In, 4.5-14.5% Bi and 0.5% Ag. The disclosed alloy has a fine microstructure. Particles of intermetallic compounds are finely dispersed throughout the matrix, thereby inhibiting grain growth. Accordingly, the alloy does not significantly coarsen after thermal aging.

Abstract: Described is a method of manufacturing a silicious micro-valve comprising the steps of providing a first silicious substrate; removing a portion of the first substrate to reveal the 111 planes of the first substrate; drawing an epitaxial layer to conform to the 111 planes of the first substrate; and assembling the first substrate and the epitaxial layer as two separate identical pieces to form a micro-valve having 111 planes.

Abstract: A method is described for reducing the total emissions during cold starts from an engine burning a hydrocarbon fuel and having an afterburner arranged upstream of a catalytic converter. The method comprises the steps of:(i) adding an excess of fuel to the engine combustible charge and adding air to the engine exhaust gases immediately after the engine has first fired to assure the presence in the exhaust/air mixture of sufficient concentrations of hydrogen and oxygen to permit the resulting exhaust/air mixture to be ignitable and to burn with a steady flame in the afterburner while the latter is at a temperature close to the ambient temperature, and(ii) igniting the exhaust/air mixture in the afterburner immediately after the engine has first fired.

Abstract: A method of making a sand core assembly, comprising: providing two or more sand cores parts with accurately mating surfaces and an injection port in at least one of the sand core parts that intersects with a desired portion of the mating surfaces, the core parts cooperating to define at least one molding surface; mechanically dry mating the core parts together at the mating surfaces to eliminate any space therebetween except for microfissures at the mating surfaces; and injecting a limited quantity of quick-setting (i.e., organic polyamide) adhesive into the port with a controlled pressure and viscosity effective to migrate the adhesive throughout the port but no further than the microfissures spaced from the molding surface. After the adhesive has set, the mated core assembly parts may be assembled into the mold, iron inserts inductively heated to about 600.degree. F. and molten metal poured into cavity, with only the adhesive to hold the suspended core parts in place.

Abstract: Method of and system for monitoring the operation of a stamping press including a punch and a die for forming parts from a blank based on processed punch tonnages measurements at predetermined locations in the working stroke. The method includes selecting at least two punch locations at which a press variable measurement will be made and operating the stamping press so as to produce production parts to measure a production press operating variable at the locations for each production part produced. The method also includes processing the production press operating variables to obtain production operating parameters and comparing the production operating parameters to predetermined operating limits representing limits within which the variation in blank thickness and work hardening coefficient of the sheet metal are in control and acceptable stampings are being produced.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a composition for a valve of an advanced heat engine. The valve comprises grains of aluminum-doped silicon carbide. The grains are of two main types: (1) a matrix of equi-axed grains of alpha and beta SiC for optimum distribution of mechanical properties; and (2) elongated grains of alpha SiC which are distributed within the matrix for reinforcement. The invention also comprises a process for making such valves. The process begins with a powder of aluminum-doped beta-silicon carbide. A binder and a solvent are then added to the powder, and the mixture is agitated while being heated. The mixture is then transferred to an injection mold which is used to form a molded component. The molded component is then sintered and machined into desired dimensions. An annealing step is then performed so that the component exhibits the characteristics of improved strength and toughness.

Abstract: A control system that increases apparent linear motor stiffness and faster frequency for a digital electronic drive of one or more brushless DC linear motors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out scaleless inductive heating of ferrous parts comprising (i) using an integrated manifold-inductor quenchant device, and while gradually flowing a diluted combustible gas into the spacing between the inductor and part surface to be heated, inductively heating such surface as part of a heat treating cycle; and (ii) concurrently stopping such flow and injecting a fluid quenchant through the spacing to rapidly lower the temperature of the part surface to complete the heat treating cycle. Advantageously such method may further comprise flushing the spacing between the inductor and heated part surface, and then repeating the steps of the prior method to treat more parts with the same inductor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out scaleless inductive heating of ferrous parts comprising (i) using an integrated manifold-inductor quenchant device, and while gradually flowing a diluted combustible gas into the spacing between the inductor and part surface to be heated, inductively heating such surface as part of a heat treating cycle; and (ii) concurrently stopping such flow and injecting a fluid quenchant through the spacing to rapidly lower the temperature of the part surface to complete the heat treating cycle. Advantageously such method may further comprise flushing the spacing between the inductor and heated part surface, and then repeating the steps of the prior method to treat more parts with the same inductor.

Abstract: An engine block with one or more anti-friction coated cylinder bores, comprising an oil-attracting coating of grains fused to each other and to the bore wall, the grains comprising agglomerates of solid lubricant particles and hardened, fused particles, the solid lubricant particles being selected from the group consisting of graphite molybdenum disulfide, boron nitride, lithium fluoride, and calcium fluoride, the coating having been finish-honed to expose certain margins of the fused particles.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming helical or spur gears. The method comprises providing a die having a toothed region, positioning a first blank in the toothed region of the die, inserting second and third blanks adjacent the first blank, and applying a force to the third blank. The toothed region of the die includes die teeth projecting into an internal bore of the die, and the force is applied to the third blank to move the second blank through the die until a leading end of the third blank is generally coincidental with a minimum diameter portion of the toothed region. During the application of force to the third blank, the second blank is moved through the toothed region of the die to form external teeth in the blank, and the first blank is ejected from the toothed region.

Abstract: A piston assembly (10) for use in an engine. The piston assembly (10) includes a piston body (12) with a liner (24) covering the interior surface (22) thereof. The liner (24) imbues added strength and dimensional stability during casting, machining, engine assembly, and in service. At the same time, piston weight for a given volume is reduced without sacrificing strength. The invention also includes a method for manufacturing the piston assembly (10).

Abstract: A method of making and the resulting product for a disk brake rotor with a self-lubricating, thermally conductive coating thereon that enhances the friction wear life of a disk brake assembly within which it is used, comprising: (a) controllably toughening at least the outside braking surfaces of a lightweight metal disk brake rotor, said roughening being carried out to promote mechanical adhesion of coatings applied thereover; (b) thermally spraying one or more coatings onto the roughened outside braking surface, the exposed coating being electric arc sprayed using a codeposit of iron-based material and powdered graphite to form an iron matrix composite coating; and (c) surface heat treating essentially the exposed coating to dissolve and precipitate graphite and form a simulated cast iron and also to densify the coating and remove residual stresses resulting from deposition.

Abstract: An on-board monitoring system for an automotive emission catalyst [having] has (i) a test chamber remote from the automobile's engine exhaust gas stream; (ii) [means] apparatus for supplying the chamber with sampled exhaust gases sequestered from said stream; (iii) a single hydrocarbon sensor exposed to the exhaust gas in the chamber to render a signal responsive to the concentration of hydrocarbon in the chamber; and (iv) [means] apparatus for comparing the sensed signal with a reference signal, and, if a predetermined difference is exceeded, the catalyst is indicated as faulty. [Means (ii) may have] Apparatus (ii) has a supply channel interconnected between the chamber and the gas stream upstream of the catalytic converter, a supply channel independently interconnected between the chamber and the gas stream downstream of the catalytic converter, and valve [means] apparatus for permitting flow-through of no more than one channel to said chamber at any one moment, preferably cycled at a certain frequency.

Abstract: Failure detection in an operating cutting tool utilizing a frequency domain analysis of the vibration of the cutting tool. A signal is generated based on vibration of the tool during its operation to determine the energy of the signal in a plurality of signal component frequency bands. The energy of the signal in each of the plurality of frequency bands is compared to corresponding threshold values to generate a tool failure signal when the energy of the signal in a preselected number of frequency bands exceeds the corresponding threshold values for a predetermined period of time. In a second embodiment, time domain analysis of the signal generated based on vibration of the tool is utilized in addition to frequency domain analysis. The averaged signal is compared to a threshold signal to generate a tool failure signal when both the energy of the signal in a preselected number of frequency bands exceeds the corresponding threshold values and the averaged signal exceeds the threshold signal.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) for use in an engine (12), comprising a valve stem guide (14) and a valve seat insert (40) mounted within the engine (12), the valve stem guide (14) and the valve seat insert (40) being provided with a solid film lubricant (30) impregnated therewithin. A valve (20) is reciprocatingly received within the internal bore (16) of the tubular valve stem guide (14). The valve (20) includes an axially extending valve stem (22) which is received by the solid film lubricant (30) within the valve stem guide (14), thereby reducing friction therebetween. The valve stem (22) and the valve stem guide (14) are formed so as to cooperate with associated components within narrowly defined dimensional tolerances in a manner which has the characteristics of reduced friction and lessened passage of oil to the exhaust system of the engine (12). The valve guide assembly (10) thus has the characteristic of being operable in an oil-starved state.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold (10) for directing heated exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine (12), the manifold comprising a manifold body (32) having an outer wall (34), and an inner wall (42) defining an exhaust passageway (43) for directing the heated exhaust gas. The inner wall (34) has embedded therein a plurality of ceramic members (58) having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the manifold body (32) such that heat transfer through the ceramic members (58) to the outer wall (34) is reduced. The invention also includes a method of manufacturing same.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a spark ignition engine on an automotive vehicle including an exhaust filter disposed downstream of a spark ignition engine for condensing hydrocarbons in exhaust gases from the engine during a first time period after start of the engine, a bypass structure for bypassing at least a portion of exhaust gases around the exhaust-filter to heat the exhaust filter during a second time period after the first time period and evaporate the condensed hydrocarbons, and a catalytic converter disposed downstream of the exhaust filter to oxidize the evaporated hydrocarbons and reduce NO.sub.x in exhaust gases passing therethrough. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A piston and ring assembly operative within a cylindrical bore wall to retain fluid to one side of the assembly, comprising a piston having at least one annular stepped groove in the side wall of the piston, the groove being stepped into uppermost and lowermost spaces with the uppermost space having the greatest depth; at least two split compression rings in the groove, effective to each substantially annularly engage the bore wall, the rings having mating surfaces superimposed one upon another and having their split ends out of superimposed alignment, and a solid lubricant that coats essentially all of the groove and constitutes the non-mating surfaces of the superimposed rings. Pressure of the retained fluid forces the rings together to act in unison and seal jointly against both the step and a side of the groove opposite the retained fluid.

Abstract: A method for making expandable foam patterns for use in an evaporative casting process includes assembling a plurality of mold parts of a molding tool having mold walls defining a mold cavity, each mold part having a housing wall separated from the mold wall to form a heat exchange cavity adjacent the mold wall, inserting at least one heat pipe adjacent a mold wall portion, filling the mold cavity formed by the mold parts with expandable foam beads, heating the tool by introducing a fluid heat exchange medium to the heat exchange cavity to heat the cavity for a predetermined time, cooling the tool and separating the mold parts to release the expanded foam pattern.