Abstract: A tap assembly, method of installing it and a method of replacing it are provided in which the tap assembly comprises a tap body and a connector, the connector being connectable to a fluid supply pipe and being releasably connectable to the tap body, the tap body to the connector connection being effected by inserting at least a portion of one of the tap body or the connector into the other and subsequently twisting the tap body and/or the connector relative to one another. The assembly is easier to instal and replace offering increased versatility and reduced costs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low cost, easy to use cleaning apparatus to unclog or clean drain pipes or other conduits by directing high pressure water into contact with any solids in the pipe comprising a spray nozzle mounted in the end of a flexible water supply tube having, surrounding the nozzle, self centering fingers integrally formed by cutting slits or notches in the end of the supply tube and then inserting the nozzle which radially spreads the fingers.

Abstract: An electrochemical detector cell includes a first block having a planar first working surface, and a first working electrode embedded in the first block member. The first working electrode includes analyte contacting surface disposed co-planarly with the first working surface. A second block member has the second working surface placeable in an opposed, adjacent relation to the first working surface, and has an inlet port disposed an opposed, adjacent relation to the analyte contacting surface of the first working electrode. The second block also includes a coupling means for permitting an analyte delivery tube to be coupled to the second block member to position an end of the analyte delivery tube adjacent to the inlet port. A generally circular circumferential channel for collecting analyte is disposed radially outwardly of the first working electrode. An outlet is disposed at the channel for conducting analyte away from the channel.

Abstract: A plasticized vinyl film which is formulated for use as a stencil in stonecutting, sand blasting and other etching type procedures. The film includes, in addition to resin and plasticizer components, a quantity of ceramic fibers sufficient to impart a sufficient strength to the film so that it may be used for its intended purpose.

Abstract: An inert gas nitrogen mixture is used as a shielding gas to prevent weld hot cracking in superalloys containing zirconium and/or boron. The gas mixture preferably contains argon and about 2 to 8% by volume nitrogen. Test data show excellent results are obtained when gas tungsten arc welding HAYNES 214 alloy which normally contains boron and zirconium and a minimal content of titanium.

Abstract: A strand annealing furnace is provided with a tube assembly to shield or protect the strand being annealed from the hot furnace atmosphere. The tube assembly includes a long, outer, oxidation-resistant pipe and a shorter, inner easily removable, insert, protecting at least the entrance end of the tube, so that any residue from drawing lubricants will deposit within the insert rather than block and/or corrode the pipe.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel shielding gas mixture for use in gas shielded arc welding processes. The shielding gas of this invention may be used in a wide variety of processes when welding various superalloy compositions. In the broad range, the composition contains, in percent by volume, 5 to 12 helium, 0.1 to 0.9 carbon dioxide and the balance argon. The typical composition contains about 10 helium, about 0.25 to 0.55 carbon dioxide and the balance argon plus impurities.

Abstract: A single crystal nickel-base superalloy is disclosed having an improved incipient melting temperature and oxidation resistance. The single crystal nickel-base alloy of this invention is characterized by specific addition of chromium, tungsten, aluminum and tantalum to produce an alloy having moderate high temperature strength and improved oxidation resistance and incipient melting temperature. The nominal composition of our new single crystal alloy (in weight percent) is 10-15% Cr, 0-4% Co, 6-8.5% W, 6-7% Al, 0-1% Ti, 2-6% Ta, and the balance nickel.

Abstract: Ceramic turbine wheels are balanced to minimize rotational vibrations by bonding silica-based glass pads to the wheel. The pads are formed from a mixture of sodium silicate, water and a fine ceramic powder, preferably of a composition similar to the underlying ceramic turbine wheel. The weighted pads are machined, without damage to the underlying ceramic wheel, to achieve proper balance.

Abstract: A method for forming a improved silicon nitride material characterized by high mechanical strength at high temperatures comprising a combination of approximately 0.5-6.0% by weight of strontium oxide, 2.0-12.0% by weight of yttrium oxide and the balance silicon nitride. The improved material is densified by either an encapsulated hot isostatic pressing method or an unencapsulated sinter/HIP method and can be utilized to form near net shape articles.

Abstract: Nickel base superalloy single crystal articles, preferably aircraft gas turbine blades and vanes, and a process for preparation thereof, wherein phase stability after extended elevated temperature exposure is enhanced by controlling the content of heavy refractory elements and gamma prime phase forming elements. The nominal alloy composition range in weight percent is 4-6 percent chromium, 8-12 percent cobalt, 1-2.5 percent molybdenum, 3-6 percent tungsten, 1.8-3.2 percent rhenium, 0-2.5 percent ruthenium, 5-6 percent aluminum, 0.5-1.5 percent titanium, 7-10 percent tantalum, 0.08-0.12 percent hafnium, balance nickel. The sum of the heavy refractory elements molybdenum plus tungsten plus rhenium is 8.4-10.4 percent, and the sum of the gamma prime forming elements aluminum plus titanium plus tantalum is 13.8-15.7 percent.

Abstract: A pusher turboprop engine is provided with an interior exhaust duct structure which directs the hot turbine gases through and out of the engine nacelle and around the rear spinner which surrounds the propeller hub. The spinner supports blade-shaped shields which protect the roots of the propeller blades from the hot exhaust gasses.

Abstract: A high speed liquid vortex pump is fitted with an electrically controlled needle valve assembly which modulates the pressure of a small portion of the working fluid which in turn moves a spool valve to regulate the high volume, high pressure pump output flow.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for extending the thermal fatigue life and/or improving the performance of radial-flow turbine wheels in gas turbine engines by providing a thickened reinforcing pad on the wheel backface and cooling air passages in the surrounding case structure to direct high velocity cooling air onto the pad.

Abstract: A single crystal turbine blade has a portion of its attachment section layered with a fine grained, poly-crystalline alloy. The blade is prepared by casting a single crystal body with an undersized attachment section, and then layering the attachment section with the poly-crystalline superalloy to form a composite structure. Layering is preferably accomplished by plasma spraying the body with the superalloy, and hot isostatically compacting the sprayed superalloy to minimize porosity. The composite structure is then heat treated to develop an optimized microstructure in the dual alloy attachment section. The polycrystalline material in the attachment section may be machined to a firtree shape for mounting in a turbine wheel. The resulting turbine blade has improved life resulting from reduced low cycle, low temperature fatigue susceptibility of, and crack growth in, the composite attachment section.

Abstract: A ceramic thermal barrier coating system for superalloy components subjected to high operating temperatures, such as gas turbine engine airfoils, is disclosed which includes a titania doped interfacial layer between the metallic substrate and the ceramic overcoat in order to better resist failure by spalling.

Abstract: An abradable ceramic coated turbine shroud structure includes a grid of slant-steps isolated by grooves in a superalloy metal shroud substrate. A thin NiCrAlY bonding layer is formed on the machined slant-steps. A stabilized zirconia layer is plasma sprayed on the bonding layer at a sufficiently large spray angle to cause formation of deep shadow gaps in the zirconia layer. The shadow gaps provide a high degree of thermal strain tolerance, avoiding spalling. The exposed surface of the zirconia layer is machined nearly to the shadow gap ends. The turbine blade tips are treated to minimize blade tip wear during initial abrading of the zirconia layer. The procedure results in very close blade tip-to-shroud tolerances after the initial abrading.

Abstract: A dual alloy gas turbine rotor is heat treated by HIP bonding a cast superalloy blade ring to a consolidated, powdered-metal hub. After bonding, the assembly is solution treated and aged at certain specific temperatures so as to optimize the mechanical properties of the dual alloy assembly for use in a high performance gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A pusher turboprop engine is provided with an interior exhaust duct structure which directs the hot turbine gasses through and out of the engine nacelle to an annular duct mounted on the rear spinner which surrounds the propeller hub. The rotating annular duct includes blade-shaped shields which protect the roots of the propeller blades from the hot exhaust gasses and also pulls warmed cooling air through the engine nacelle thereby providing a rearwardly directed jet thrust to augment the propeller thrust.