Abstract: A class AB amplifier includes: a voltage amplifier stage operating off a first source voltage, and amplifying a differential input voltage to produce a first amplified voltage; a level shift stage coupled to the voltage amplifier stage and adjusting a direct current level of the first amplified voltage to produce a first shift voltage; and a power amplifier stage coupled to the level shift stage, operating off a second source voltage, and converting the first shift voltage to produce a first output current. The second source voltage is larger than the first source voltage.

Abstract: A bond coat process for thermal barrier coatings. The method includes, after cleaning and masking the external surface of the substrate, first applying a layer of NiCrZr alloy to the external surface of the substrate using a sputter coat or other suitable process. Aluminum is then applied to the substrate, using either a vapor phase aluminization (VPA) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, wherein aluminum diffuses into the NiCrZr alloy layer wherein a diffusion layer is formed by the aluminum with the substrate material on the internal surface of the substrate. The coated substrate may then be subjected to a heat treatment in a protective atmosphere to further allow diffusion of the aluminide into the NiAlCrZr diffusion layer. The substantially Al outer layers of the NiAlCrZr diffusion layer, and the diffusion aluminide layer, will provide an aluminum source for the surface, which will oxidize to form a tightly adherent aluminum scale.

Abstract: A protected article includes a nickel-base superalloy substrate, an interlayer overlying the substrate, and a protective layer overlying the interlayer. The protective layer has a composition comprising at least one of rhodium, platinum, palladium, and ruthenium. In one composition, palladium is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 41 atomic percent; platinum is present in an amount of about (40+atomic percent palladium) atomic percent for palladium ranging from about 1 atomic percent to about 14 atomic percent and up to about 54 atomic percent for palladium ranging from about 15 atomic percent up to about 41 atomic percent; rhodium is present in an amount of at least about 24 atomic percent; zirconium, hafnium, titanium, and mixtures thereof are present in an amount of from zero up to about 5 atomic percent; and ruthenium is present in an amount of from zero up to about 5 atomic percent, balance impurities.

Abstract: An electric door lock includes a lock housing, an operating member, a gear wheel, an actuating member, a driving motor, and a coupling unit. The operating member is mounted rotatably on the lock housing. The gear wheel is sleeved rotatably on the operating member. The actuating member is secured on the operating member so as to be co-rotatable therewith. The driving motor drives rotation of the gear wheel. The coupling unit interconnects the gear wheel and the actuating member such that the actuating member and the operating member rotate with the gear wheel when the driving motor drives rotation of the gear wheel, and disconnects the actuating member from the gear wheel when a rotating force is applied directly to rotate the operating member such that rotation of the actuating member with the operating member does not result in corresponding rotation of the gear wheel.

Abstract: Non-spherical particles including a major dimension, for example flakes of material, are positioned with the major dimension oriented generally along an article surface in respect to which the particle is disposed. The particles, disposed in a fluid medium, the viscosity of which can be increased to secure the particles in position, are positioned using a force on the particles. The force includes torque force from a magnetic field, force from flow of the fluid medium, the force of gravity, and the force of surface tension alone or in combination with the force of gravity.

Abstract: A structure protected by a ceramic coating is prepared by providing a substrate having a surface, and depositing a layer of a sacrificial ceramic precursor material, preferably silica, onto the surface of the substrate. The method further includes furnishing a reactive gas, preferably an aluminum-containing gas, that is reactive with the sacrificial ceramic to produce a protective ceramic different from the sacrificial ceramic, and contacting the reactive gas to the layer of the precursor material to produce a protective ceramic layer.