Abstract: An apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine which emits hydrocarbons and particulates is disclosed. The apparatus is for use with an engine having a primary exhaust conduit, a flow divider defining parallel exhaust conduits connected to the primary exhaust conduit, and a pair of particulate traps, one each disposed in each of the parallel exhaust conduits and each of said traps having a frontal face exposed to the exhaust gas flow and one of the parallel exhaust conduits.

Abstract: A construction for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which improvies engine performance, reduces the cost of assembly and manufacture, and reduces engine weight.

Abstract: A construction for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which improves engine performance, reduces the cost of assembly and manufacture, and reduces engine weight.

Abstract: The invention is a method of making ultrapure silicon yttrium oxynitride by using the steps of (a) in an argon stream, heating hydrated yttrium nitrate to a substantially dehydrated point; (b) adding to such heated hydrated yttrium nitrate an amount of silicon diimide to form a suspension and continuing to heat the mixture to melting so as to react the water of hydration of said nitrate with said silicon diimide and thereby form stoichiometric amounts of silica and yttrium/nitrogen/oxygen complex; and (c) heating said silica and nitrate in an inert atmosphere to an elevated temperature and for a period of time to chemically form ultrapure silicon yttrium oxynitride. The temperature of heating the hydrated yttrium nitride can be to a range of 340.degree.-360.degree. C. which is 85-92% of the dehydration point of yttrium nitrate. The temperature to which the mass of step (c) is heated can be in the range of 1450.degree.-1600.degree. C. and the time period can be in the range of 5-6 hours.

Abstract: A method of making a metalloid precursor powder is disclosed, which powder avoids impurity localization and is effective to produce an improved fine grained ceramic body. A metalloid melt is formed and rapidly solidified into particles having a particle size distribution of 2-50 microns; the particles are cooled at a rate to distribute impurities or additive metal ingredients substantially uniformly throughout the solidifed particles with spacing between localizations being substantially in the range of 1-25 microns and the size of each localization being one micron or less. The cooling rate is preferably equal to or greater than 10.sup.5 .degree. C./second.

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 thorough 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 method is disclosed for making a dual microstructure titanium based engine valve, wherein a first zone of the valve contains essentially a mixture of fine, equiaxed alpha and transformed beta crystalline grains which exhibit high tensile strength and high fatigue resistance, and a second zone of the valve which contains essentially a colony type microstructure exhibiting resistance to high temperature creep. The method comprises: (a) preparing a valve stock of forgeable mixed phase alpha/beta titanium based material; (b) hot working said first zone at a temperature below the beta transus temperature, (c) forging said second zone and, either simultaneously with said forging or subsequent thereto, heat treating said second zone at a temperature above (e.g., 25.degree.-200.degree. F. above) the beta transus temperature for a period of time to achieve beta processing followed by cooling to 1400.degree. F. at a rate of 0.1-10.0.degree. F.

Abstract: A carbon ignition temperature depressing agent is disclosed along with a method of regenerating an automotive particulate trap using the ignition temperature depressing agent. The agent is effective to promote oxidation of on-board collected carbonaceous particles extracted from the automobile exhaust. The agent comprises (a) an organometallic compound that upon heating (the combustion process of the engine) forms a readily reducible metal oxide which when finely divided promotes a carbonaceous ignition temperature in the range of as low as 450.degree. F. and up to as low as 675.degree. F., and (b) an aerosol-promoting liquid carrier effective to form a fine mist with the organometallic compound when sprayed, the carrier having a boiling point in the range of 176.degree.-302.degree. F. (80.degree.-150.degree. C.). The organometallic compound is one or more metal octoates having the metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel and cerium.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a surface hardenable cast iron article by development of metastable retained austenite in the cell boundary of a ductile or semiductile cast iron. The method comprises (a) controlling the solidification of a cast iron melt to extend the eutectic arrest time to 4-12 minutes, the melt having by weight percent a carbon equivalent (carbon plus one-third silicon) equal to 4.3-5.0, manganese 0.55-1.2, nickel 0.5-3.0, and the remainder essentially iron, the melt having been treated to form cell boundaries in the solidified iron with a high proportion of the manganese being segregated in the cell boundaries; (b) subjecting the solidified cast iron to an austempering heat treatment to permit the segregated manganese in the cell boundaries to form metastable retained austenite; and (c) terminating the heat treatment prior to the conversion of the metastable austenite to a stable microstructure.

Abstract: A carbon ignition temperature depressing agent is disclosed along with a method of regenerating an automotive particulate trap using the ignition temperature depressing agent. The agent is effective to promote oxidation of on-board collected carbonaceous particles extracted from the automobile exhaust. The agent comprises (a) an organometallic compound that upon heating (the combustion process of the engine) forms a readily reducible metal oxide which when finely divided promotes a carbonaceous ignition temperature in the range of as low as 450.degree. F. and up to as low as 675.degree. F., and (b) an aerosol-promoting liquid carrier effective to form a fine mist with the organometallic compound when sprayed, the carrier having a boiling point in the range of 176.degree.-302.degree. F. (80.degree.-150.degree. C.). The organometallic compound is one or more metal octoates having the metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel and cerium.

Abstract: An integrally cast composite piston assembly is disclosed which is effective to carry a ceramic plate in an iron based cap. The assembly comprises a cylindrical piston body, preferably of aluminum, having a crown top, an annular crown side wall with an upper edge, and an annular undercut surface terminating the crown side wall. The undercut surface must make an angle with a plane extending perpendicular to the axis of the piston, the angle being substantially equal to the arc tangent of H/R where H is the median distance of the undercut surface from the plane and R is the median radius of the undercut surface from the axis of the piston.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, the system having a particulate trap for trapping particulate emissions. A catalyst is incorporated and exposed to the exhaust gas flow to promote burning off the trap particulate material. The catalyst is incorporated as a solid material insert which is fitted in the exhaust gas system upstream of the particulate trap so that the hot exhaust gases pass over the insert on their way to the trap. In passing over the insert, the hot exhaust gases cause catalytic material to be vaporized from the surface of the insert and to be carried along in a gas stream towards the trap where they assist in promoting burning of the particulates.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a high energy radiation beam to produce a melt zone with parallel sides in a workpiece having first and second opposed surfaces between which the zone extends. The method comprises (a) directing the beam at a slight angle to the normal through the first surface of the workpiece with the focus of the beam being at or adjacent the second surface; (b) oscillating the beam and workpiece relative to each other about a point located on the beam axis at or adjacent the first surface and in a plane perpendicular to the lateral line of advancement of the directed beam so that opposite sides of the melt zone in the plane will each be sequentially rotated to assume an orientation substantially perpendicular to the first surface; and (c) laterally advancing the directed beam along a on the first surface of the workpiece while carrying out the oscillations of step (b) at a selected frequency above a minimum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously regenerating a particulate filter trap comprises: movable means effective to shield a segment of the trap entrance face from the full flow of exhaust gas while permitting a portion of the exhaust gas flow to bleed therethrough; (b) electrical resistance heating means having a movable heating element carried by the shield and interposed between the trap face and the shield; and (c) means for substantially continuously moving the shield and element conjointly across the trap face to ignite one or more columns of the particulates in the trap aligned with the shield and element. The ignited particles and bleed flow cause oxidation to proceed throughout the extent of the columns of particulates without need for additional exterior heat.

Abstract: The pattern assembly is comprised of: (a) mating first and second clamshell-shaped foam members, the first and second foam members meeting along exteriorly exposed joint margins defined by mateable surfaces extending along opposite sides of each of the members; (b) at least one other foam member nestable totally within the mated assembly of the first and second members and nestable without joint margins exposed to the exterior of the mated assembly; (c) surfaces enclosed within the mated assembly for piloting the first, second and other member into mating relationship; and (d) adhesive material bonding the first and other members together and bonding the second member to the assembly of the first and other member.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of making yttrium silicon oxy compounds, comprising: (a) mixing powdered hydrated metal nitrate with silica in molar equivalent amounts to yield upon heating a desired duo metal oxy compound; (b) agitatingly heating said mixture to melt and decomposition temperatures for the nitrate (e.g., 340.degree.-370.degree. C.), the melt encapsulating the silica particles; and (c) heating the sludge to a temperature (1300.degree.-1550.degree. C.) for a period of time (2-5 hours) effective to stimulate chemical reaction between the decomposed nitrate and silica to form yttrium silicon oxide.

Abstract: First and second clamshell-shaped foam members are mated, the first and second foam members meeting along exteriorly exposed joint margins defined by mateable surfaces extending along opposite sides of each of the members. At least one other foam member is nested totally within the mated assembly of the first and second members and nested without joint margins exposed to the exterior of the mated assembly. The surfaces enclosed within the mated assembly pilot the first, second and other members into mating relationship. The first and other members are adhesively bonded together and the second member is adhesively bonded to the assembly of the first and other member.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making ductile iron castings having thin walls. Molten grey iron (preferably 3.5-4.2%C, 1.5-2.4% Si, and no greater than 0.65% carbide formers) is introduced to a mold assembly and nodularized/inoculated in such assembly prior to passing into the mold cavity of the assembly. The treated molten iron is fed into the mold cavity and into one extremity of a thin space thereof (0.2 inches thick or less and a length of at least 12 times the thickness). The treated molten metal is additionally mixed by vortical or turbulent flow immediately downstream of the treatment chamber as it is being conveyed to the mold cavity. While continuing to feed the treated molten iron to fill the mold cavity, a reservoir of the treated molten iron is created at a midstation of the thin space. The reservoir acts to conserve the heat of the molten metal and thus feed hotter molten metal to the remainder of the thin space and other connected cavity portions.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is disclosed for adding a fluid agent to the fuel supply of an automotive engine, the agent is effective in depressing the ignition temperature of soot collected in an exhaust trap. The apparatus comprises: (a) a reservoir for containing a supply of the fluid agent such as copper octoate and hexane; (b) an electrically operated pulse pump for positively displacing a measured amount of the agent from the reservoir into the fuel supply; (c) register means for registering the amount of fuel replenished to the engine fuel supply and for transmitting an electrical signal proportional to the amount of fuel so added; and (d) control means responsive to the electrical signal to permit electrical operation of the pulse pump for a number of predetermined pulses to dispense a required amount of the agent for maintaining a desired uniform concentration of the agent throughout the fuel supply.

Abstract: An alloy steel composition is disclosed which has characteristics of (a) enhanced resistance to hardness degradation under high temperatures and/or enhanced resistance to sliding wear and contact fatigue under conditions of poor lubrication, (b) ease of softening for formability and machinability, and (c) ease of heat treating for hardening with austenitizing (or carburizing) at a temperature of 950.degree.-960.degree. C. and tempering at a temperature at or below 600.degree. C. The composition comprises essentially, by weight, carbon--0.15-0.30%, Mo--2.0-3.5%, V--0-0.45%, Cr--0-0.75%, Mn--0.25-0.50%, Si--0.15-0.35%, and remainder Fe.