Abstract: A flexible, porous battery separator comprising a coating applied to a porous, flexible substrate. The coating comprises:(a) a thermoplastic rubber-based resin which is insoluble and unreactive in the alkaline electrolyte,(b) a polar organic plasticizer which is reactive with the alkaline electrolyte to produce a reaction product which contains a hydroxyl group and/or a carboxylic acid group, and(c) a mixture of polar particulate filler materials which are unreactive with the electrolyte, the mixture comprising at least one first filler material having a surface area of greater than 25 meters.sup.2 /gram, at least one second filler material having a surface area of 10 to 25 meters.sup.2 /gram, wherein the volume of the mixture of filler materials is less than 45% of the total volume of the fillers and the binder, the filler surface area per gram of binder is about 20 to 60 meters.sup.2 /gram, and the amount of plasticizer is sufficient to coat each filler particle.A method of forming the battery separator.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with improving adhesion, friction and wear properties of sputtered refractory coatings on substrates of materials that form stable nitrides.Each substrate (10) is placed directly below a titanium carbide target (16) of a commercial radiofrequency diode apparatus (14) in a vacuum chamber (26). Nitrogen is bled into the system through a nozzle (3) resulting in a small partial pressure of about 0.5% to 2.5% during the first two minutes of deposition. The flow of nitrogen is then stopped, and the sputtering ambient is reduced to pure argon through a nozzle (28) without interrupting the sputtering process.When nitrogen is deliberately introduced during the crucial interface formation, some of the titanium at the interface reacts to form titanium nitride while the metal of the substrate also forms the nitride. These two nitrides atomically mixed together in the interfacial region (38) act to more strongly bond the growing titanium carbide coating (12) as it forms on the substrate (10).

Abstract: The object of the invention is to improve the film stiffness of a face seal without increasing the sealing and dam area.The improved sealing apparatus (16) has a primary seal ring (20) in the form of a nose piece. A spring (24) forces a sealing surface (28) on the seal ring into sealing contact with a seat (18) to form a face seal. A circumferential clearance seal is formed in series with this face seal by a lip (34) on the nose piece. The width of the surface (36) of the lip is substantially the same as the width of the sealing surface (28) on the face seal. Also the clearance between the surface (36) on the lip and the shaft (10) is substantially the same as the spacing between the face sealing surfaces (28 and 30) on the face seal when the shaft is rotating.The circumferential clearance seal restricts the flow of fluid from a main cavity (14) to an intermediate cavity (32) with a resulting pressure drop.

Abstract: A film-forming polyvinyl alcohol polymer is mixed with a polyaldehyde-polysaccharide cross-linking agent having at least two monosaccharide units and a plurality of aldehyde groups per molecule, preferably an average of at least one aldehyde group per monosaccharide units. The cross-linking agent, such as a polydialdehyde starch, is used in an amount of about 2.5 to 20% of the theoretical amount required to cross-link all of the available hydroxyl groups of the polyvinyl alcohol polymer. Reaction between the polymer and cross-linking agent is effected in aqueous acidic solution to produce the cross-linked polymer. The polymer product has low electrical resistivity and other properties rendering it suitable for making separators for alkaline batteries. In that event, the mixture of polymer and cross-linking agent is formed into a sheet or film or the like and the film is cut to size and otherwise fabricated into a configuration suitable for a particular end use.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electricity producing cell of the reduction-oxidation (REDOX) type divided into two compartments by a membrane, each compartment containing a solid inert electrode. A ferrous/ferric couple in a chloride solution serves as a cathode fluid which is circulated through one of the compartments to produce a positive electric potential disposed therein. A chromic/chromous couple in a chloride solution serves as an anode fluid which is circulated through the second compartment to produce a negative potential on an electrode disposed therein. The electrode is an electrically conductive, inert material plated with copper, silver or gold. A thin layer of lead plates onto the copper, silver or gold layer when the cell is being charged, the lead ions being available from lead chloride which has been added to the anode fluid.

Abstract: A method is provided for alleviating the stress damage in metallic matrix composites, such as laminated sheet or foil composites, wherein non-intersecting discrete discontinuities are positively introduced into the interface between the layers so as to reduce the thermal stress produced by unequal expansion of the materials making up the composite. The discontinuities are preferably produced by drilling holes in the metallic matrix layer. However, a plurality of discrete elements may be used between the layers to carry out this purpose.

Abstract: A circumferential shaft seal comprising two sealing rings held to a rotating shaft by means of a surrounding elastomeric band. The rings are segmented and are of a rigid sealing material such as carbon or a polyimide and graphite fiber composite.

Abstract: A self-stabilizing radial face seal comprising an axial member, a primary seal ring juxtapositioned to a seal seat, at least one of said primary seal ring and seal seat being affixed to said axial member so as to rotate therewith, said primary seal ring having a front face which opposes a face of said seal seat, said seal having both high-pressure and low-pressure regions of fluid, said seal seat being provided with a porous ring-like circumferential structure in the face of said seal seat opposite said front face of said primary seal ring.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a thermal barrier coating system for protecting metal surfaces at high temperature in normally corrosive environments.The thermal barrier coating system includes a metal alloy bond coating, the alloy containing nickel, cobalt, iron, or a combination of these metals. The system further includes a corrosion resistant thermal barrier oxide coating containing at least one alkaline earth silicate.The preferred oxides are calcium silicate, barium silicate, magnesium silicate, or combinations of these silicates.

Abstract: A method for cold welding metal joints. In order to remove the contamination layer on the surface of the metal, an ion beam generator is used in a vacuum environment. A gas, such as xenon or argon, is ionized and accelerated toward the metal surface. The beam of gas effectively sputters away the surface oxides and contamination layer so that clean underlying metal is exposed in the area to be welded. The use of this method allows cold welding with minimal deformation. Both similar and dissimilar metals can be cold welded with this method.

Abstract: A composition for making polyimide resin-reinforced fibers or fabric. The composition is of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,149 and includes a polyfunctional ester, a polyfunctional amine, and an end-capping agent. The composition is impregnated into fibers or fabric and heated to form prepreg material. The tack retention characteristics of this prepreg material are improved by incorporating into the composition a liquid olefinic material compatible with the other ingredients of the composition. The prepreg material is heated at a higher temperature to effect formation of the polyimide resin and the monomeric additive is incorporated in the polyimide polymer structure.

Abstract: Atomic hydrogen, for use as a fuel or as an explosive, is stored in the presence of a strong magnetic field in exfoliated layered compounds such as molybdenum disulfide or an elemental layer material such as graphite. The compound is maintained at liquid helium temperatures and the atomic hydrogen is collected on the surfaces of the layered compound which are exposed during delamination (exfoliation). The strong magnetic field and the low temperature combine to prevent the atoms of hydrogen from recombining to form molecules.

Abstract: A monolithie multijunction solar cell is modified by fabricating an integrated circuit inverter on the back of the cell to produce a device capable of generating an alternating current output. In another embodiment, integrated circuit power conditioning electronics is incorporated in a module containing a solar cell power supply.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a free-piston regenerative hydraulic engine including a displacer piston which is driven pneumatically by a high-pressure or low-pressure gas. Actuation of the displacer piston circulates the working fluid through a heater, a regenerator and a cooler. The present invention includes an inertial mass such as a piston or a hydraulic fluid column to effectively store and supply energy during portions of the cycle. Power is transmitted from the working fluid to a hydraulic fluid across a diaphragm or lightweight piston to achieve a hydraulic power output. The displacer piston of the present invention may be driven pneumatically, hydraulically or electromagnetically. In addition, the displacer piston and the inertial mass of the present invention may be positioned on the same side of the diaphragm member or may be separated by the diaphragm member.

Abstract: A composite material is described which will provide low friction surfaces for materials in rolling or sliding contact and is self-lubricating and oxidation resistant up to and in excess of about 930.degree. C. The composite is comprised of a metal component which lends strength and elasticity to the structure, a fluoride salt component which provides lubrication and, lastly, a glass component which not only provides oxidation protection to the metal but may also enhance the lubrication qualities of the composite.

Abstract: An iron alloy is provided which exhibits excellent strength and toughness characteristics at cryogenic temperatures. The alloy consists essentially of about 10 to 16 percent by weight nickel, about 0.1 to 1.0 percent by weight aluminum, and 0 to about 3 percent by weight copper, with the balance being essentially iron. The iron alloy is produced by a process which includes using cold rolling at room temperature and subsequent heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 400.degree. to 650.degree. C., and possesses a fracture toughness ranging from 200 to 230 ksi .sqroot.in. and yield strengths up to 230 ksi.

Abstract: A circumferential shaft seal comprising two sealing rings held to a rotating shaft by means of a surrounding elastomeric band. The rings are segmented and are of a rigid sealing material such as carbon or a polymide and graphite fiber composite.

Abstract: A method is provided for alleviating the stress damage in metallic matrix composites, such as laminated sheet or foil composites, wherein discontinuities are positively introduced into the interface between the layers so as to reduce the thermal stress produced by unequal expansion of the materials making up the composite. Although a plurality of discrete elements could be used to form one of the layers and thus carry out this purpose, the discontinuities are preferably produced by simply drilling holes in the metallic matrix layer or by forming grooves in a grid pattern in this layer.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of increased effectiveness is disclosed. A porous metal matrix is disposed in a metal chamber or between walls through which a heat-transfer fluid is directed. The porous metal matrix has internal bonds and is bonded to the chamber in order to remove all thermal contact resistance within the composite structure. Utilization of the invention in a rocket chamber is disclosed as a specific use. Also disclosed is a method of constructing the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An electron bombardment argon ion source is used to treat polyimide and fluorinated ethylene propylene polymers to form textured surfaces thereon. This improves the optical and electrical properties so that these polymers can be used in industrial and space applications.