Abstract: A three-way catalyst for automotive emission control having a mechanical carrier having a support comprised substantially of alumina, a catalytic compound supported on said carrier having a major constituent of palladium, and a discontinuous phase of titanium oxide on or adjacent substantially each exposed particle of the catalytic compound.A method of making a three-way catalyst for automotive emission control, comprising: impregnating with palladium a mechanical carrier having a support comprised substantially of alumina to produce a composite having 0.05-5.0% palladium; and impregnating the composite with an organo-titanium compound and decomposing such impregnated compound to form a discontinuous titanium oxide phase on or adjacent the exposed portions of said composite.

Abstract: Where a circumferential surface has to be ground on a workpiece and the workpiece is being rotated around an axis which is not concentric with the surface, both the grinding wheel axis and the workpiece rotation axis are displaced during the course of each workpiece revolution. The result is that the point of contact between the grinding wheel and workpiece surface always lies on a straight line.

Abstract: A composite intake or exhaust valve for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The composite engine valve comprises a valve head of lightweight, heat resistant metal alloy material and a valve stem of lightweight, heat resistant ceramic based material. The valve head has an integral valve head insert around which the valve stem is molded to integrate the valve head and valve stem into a composite valve. The valve head insert is provided with anti-rotation means to prevent rotation of the valve head relative to the valve stem during use. The valve head insert is also provided with anti-tension means to prevent separation of the valve head from the valve stem during use.

Abstract: Apparatus system to control unwanted automotive emissions by use of a closed loop feedback system between an engine and catalyst, the system providing a feedback response time of less than 60 milliseconds and a resolution control for maintaining A/F ratio within .+-.0.01-0.02% of stoichiometry irrespective of random combustion effects, variations in fuel injection, variations in intake air, variations in cylinder-to-cylinder conditions, and variations in exhaust turbulence.

Abstract: A hard magnetic alloy free of rare earths, consisting of 14-20% of a transition metal (Zr or Hf), 1-5% silicon, 0.3-5.6% boron, and the remainder essentially cobalt, the alloy having a microstructure substantially devoid of nonmagnetic phases and consisting of a high proportion of (Co-Si).sub.11 TM.sub.2 phase and a lesser proportion of (Co-Si).sub.23 TM.sub.6 phase, such phases being distributed throughout in a regular manner in a fine grain. Substitution agents of nickel or iron may be used for up to 10% of the cobalt, substitutional agents of vanadium or niobium may be used for up to 5% of the TM, and aluminum, copper, or gallium for up to 2% of the silicon. The alloy has high coercivity, high temperture stability, and excellent corrosion resistance. The alloy may be processed directly by extrusion with reduced requirements for boron and silicon.

Abstract: Sacrificial use of amino polymers to modify the crystal structure of platinum derived from chlorine compounds in a method to oxidize hydrocarbons, comprising: (a) preparing a polymer modifier by controllably reacting amine with epoxy resin to form a soluble adduct and adding to the adduct a solvent to form a homogeneous amino polymer solution; (b) coating a granular support material with platinum/chlorine compounds; and (c) mixing the coated support material with the polymer solution and heating the mixture to evaporate the solvent and to decompose and eliminate the polymer, leaving the coated granules with platinum in a morphologically changed condition devoid of amino polymer but having enhanced catalytic effectiveness for promoting oxidation of hydrocarbons. The amine is of a primary or secondary amine, preferably the hydroxyethyl group. The epoxy is a soluble resin comprising two or more epoxide groups per molecule, i.e., dihydric phenol or dihydric alcohol.

Abstract: A method of on-board detection of the degradation of an automotive catalyst which receives the emissions from an engine placed in a closed-loop feedback control with an A/F characteristic sensor immersed in the emissions. The method comprises: (a) artificially modulating the frequency and/or amplitude of the control for a predetermined burst period; (b) sensing an A/F characteristic by an independent sensor substantially immediately downstream of the catalyst at events prior to and during the burst period; and (c) determining if there is an absence of a substantial change between events in the independently sensed A/F characteristic, thus indicating a degraded catalyst. The artificial modulation changes the oxygen exposure of the catalyst during a short catalyst interrogation period in a manner to magnify the oxygen absorption characteristic of the noble metals within the catalyst.

Abstract: A high speed machining system (10) including a machine tool (16) mounted on a hollow shaft (14) rotatable at high speeds and the tool (16) being operable at high feed rates. Liquid cutting coolant (22) flows to the tool (16) through the hollow shaft (14) to flush away debris from the tool (16) and for cooling the system (10). Drive means (18) including windings rotate the shaft (14), which is supported by bearings. The windings and bearings have the characteristic of long life in an environment free of liquid cutting coolant (22). The high speed machining system (10) includes a seal assembly (30) to prevent the liquid (22) from entering the liquid-free environment of the bearings and the windings. The seal assembly (30) includes annular means for urging (52) a stationary sealing face (42) against and in annular contact with a rotating hardened sealing surface (38) to form an annular primary seal (54) for isolating the liquid (22 ) from the bearings and windings.

Abstract: An iron-based cutting tool, useful for machining aluminum-based workpieces at surface speeds at or in excess of 1000 sfm, is fabricated by (i) removing surface impurities from the surface of the cutting tool which will be exposed to crater wear during such machining, the removal being by sputtering or ion bombardment using the surface as a target thereby resulting in a cleansed activated surface; and (ii) depositing a single-phase crystal film of sputtered silicon carbide onto the cleansed activated surface.The activation of the surface in step (i) is carried out by causing ionized argon to be accelerated against the surface maintained at about zero bias and the depositing of step (ii) is carried out to cause silicon carbide to be condensed onto the activated surface as a result of being dislodged from a silicon carbide target maintained at about zero bias for at least 300 minutes.

Abstract: Method of making and tool bit construction; the bit has a diametrical blade implant of a two-phase material: a main phase of cemented carbine with diffusion bonded cubic boron nitride insert phases placed at high stress corners of such blade, limited strictly to the radial cutting zone of the bit without penetrating the centering zone.

Abstract: A modulated conveyor shuttling system for transfering a pallet therealong. It has a series of pedestals aligned along a predetermined path, a carrier supported on each of the pedestals with a plurality of bearings to movingly support the pallet, and locomotion apparatus incorporating air bladders to effect sequential lifting, tilting, and lowering of adjacent carriers on adjacent modules to steppingly move the pallet along such path.

Abstract: A precision cast connecting rod which has an elongate tubular shank member defining a hollow section for producing desired stiffness to weight characteristics. Piston and crankpin connecting members are attached to opposite ends of the shank member. The connecting members are provided with passages which extend axially therewithin from the hollow section. Defined within the elongate tubular shank member is a radially extending central aperture. A precision casting method for preparing the hollow connecting rod includes forming an elongate core with a locating member positioned at each end thereof and a disk-shaped protuberance extending radially therefrom. The core is secured in a die and defines a cavity therebetween for preparing a pattern of the connecting rod using a molding material which substantially encapsulates the core within the cavity. After removing the pattern from the die, coatings of refractory material are applied to form a shell mold which encrusts the pattern.

Abstract: An EGR valve assembly for use in an EGR valve body having a chamber with an inlet and outlet, comprising: (a) a stemmed reciprocable valve controlling flow into said chamber, the stem of said valve being constituted of an iron-based core material (i.e., 300 seeries stainless steel) impregnated at its outer surface with an ingredient (i.e., electroless nickel, ion implanted or chemically deposited nitrides, and electrolytic chromium) that is compatible in sliding contact with ceramic and provides said stem with a hardness at room temperature of at least 60 R.sub.c and a lubricating oxidized passivation layer at a temperatures in excess of 600.degree. C., and (b) a ceramic-based bushing (SiC, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ceramic/metal composite) for sealingly guiding the reciprocal movement of said stem.

Abstract: A precision cast connecting rod which has an elongate tubular shank member defining a hollow section for producing desired stiffness to weight characteristics. Piston and crankpin connecting members are attached to opposite ends of the shank member. The connecting members are provided with passages which extend axially therewithin from the hollow section. Defined within the elongate tubular shank member is a radially extending central aperture. A precision casting method for preparing the hollow connecting rod includes forming an elongate core with a locating member positioned at each end thereof and a disk-shaped protuberance extending radially therefrom. The core is secured in a die and defines a cavity therebetween for preparing a pattern of the connecting rod using a molding material which substantially encapsulates the core within the cavity. After removing the pattern from the die, coatings of refractory material are applied to form a shell mold which encrusts the pattern.

Abstract: A method of eliminating surface gouging in computer-aided control of cutter paths, comprising the steps of: (a) generating three-dimensional computer images of a surface to be emulated and of a revolving cutter head; (b) imposing an x-y coordinate grid work onto each image and assigning a z coordinate to the cutter depth and surface height for each grid; (c) while digitally moving the cutter head over the emulated surface, determining the highest sum of z coordinates for each grid within the superimposed area; and (d) using such highest sum as the lowest z coordinate for a cutter reference point at each such digital position of the cutter, the highest sum being adjusted for any difference between the reference point and cutter depth at such highest sum grid.

Abstract: A three-way catalyst for automotive emission control having a mechanical carrier having a support comprised substantially of alumina, a lanthanum oxide coating decorated onto the support, a catalytic compound discontinuously supported on the decorated support having a major constituent of palladium, and a discontinuous phase of titanium oxide on the alumina, lanthana, and catalytic compound composite.The method of making such three-way catalyst for automotive emission control, comprises coating an alumina support with lanthana, impregnating the coated support with a palladium compound to form a discontinuous phase on the lanthana, and impregnating the coated support and catalytic compound with an organo-titania compound to form a discontinuous phase on the lanthana and palladium compound.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus for positioning a tool or work hand that incorporates a compliant wrist effective to adjust to delicate but misaligned portions of the workpiece, comprising (a) structure for magnetically supporting a positioning member carrying a gripper tool; (b) pneumatic structure for selectively separating and floating the positioning member from said supporting structure to permit lateral adjustment of the positioning member in response to small forces received from the gripper tool as it carries out gripping; and (c) structure for locking the positioning member to the supporting structure upon completion of the desired lateral adjustment.

Abstract: A filtration system operative to remove oxidizable particulates from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine is disclosed. The system has a filter element to trap and collect particulates in the exhaust gas, ignition means supplied with energy for a period only sufficient to ignite a leading portion of the particulate collection, and means for conducting a flow of gas with excess oxygen through the filtration means immediately following ignition without addition of other energy, the flow of gas with excess oxygen being utilized to support the continued oxidation of the ignited particulate collection.

Abstract: A rocker arm of the cam follower type has a rocker arm body formed of a metal matrix composite material comprising a lightweight metal, preferably aluminum, having ceramic material mixed therein. The rocker arm may take the form of a "slider" arm which included a pad for slideably engaging a cam on a rotating cam shaft for pivotally moving the rocker arm to operate an associated valve. For a slider rocker arm, the cam engaging pad comprises a wear resistant ceramic material which may be integrally formed into the rocker arm or otherwise secured thereto after forming. Alternately, the rocker arm may take the form of a "roller" rocker arm wherein a roller formed of a first ceramic material is rotatably mounted on an axle formed of a second ceramic material and mounted between sidewalls of the rocker arm body. One or both ceramic materials may be porous and self-lubricating when impregnated with a solid or liquid lubricant. A variety of hardening techniques, coatings and inserts may be provided as required.

Abstract: A method of making a connecting rod for attachment to a bearing journal by separation of parts of the connecting rod, comprising: (a) forging a powder metal sintered preform to provide a one-piece connecting rod having an annular wall defining a crank opening with a center axis and with stress risers for establishing a cracking plane that extends across said crank opening; (b) providing access for a compression coupling across the cracking plane; (c) while at ambient conditions, applying tension substantially uniformly across the cracking plane to propogate fracture from the stress risers along said cracking plane and thereby separate the connecting rod into a cap and body with cracked surfaces; and (d) remating the cap and body by applying a compression coupling through the access to draw said cap and body together under guidance and with metal yielding pressure to effect substantially an exact rematch of said cracked surfaces.