Abstract: A down hole rock drill bit and method of manufacture of the same comprising a cast metal drill bit body having a plurality of hardened carbide studs partially cast in the drill bit body. The drill bit is cast by means of a foam pattern replicating the drill bit, typically made from polystyrene within which a plurality of carbide studs are partially inserted into the grinding surface of the foam drill bit model. The model is then subsequently supported within a vessel of sand and molten metal is poured over the foam, vaporizing it and taking the exact form of the foam pattern and permanently retaining the carbide studs within the metal drill bit.

Abstract: Magnetically enhanced glow discharge devices are disclosed for the purpose of PECVD, etching or treating a substrate in a vacuum chamber. Two cathode surfaces are separated by a gap. A mirror magnetic field emanates from the cathode surfaces and passes through the gap. An anode structure forms diverging electric fields from each cathode to the anode, where the electric fields pass through the magnetic field 360 degrees around the dipole magnetic field. A closed loop electron trap is formed by the diverging electric fields and the expanding magnetic field in the gap. With a chamber pressure in the range of 0.1 to 100 mTorr and an applied voltage between the cathode and anode surfaces, a plasma is formed in the electron trap and in the plane of the trap. By shaping the plasma poles and exposing the sides of the cathode surfaces to the substrate, the created Hall current of the plasma can be brought into direct contact with the substrate.

Abstract: Oxidizable contaminants in water are destroyed rapidly and efficiently by exposing the water to oxidizing conditions under pressure. Specifically, a single dose of hydrogen peroxide may be injected into the water, followed by the repeated injection and mixing of low doses of ozone. In each such high intensity mixing/reaction stage, ozone is injected at a pressure, velocity, and direction approximately matching that of the contaminated water flow. High intensity mixing under pressure facilitates rapid and complete oxidation of the contaminants with minimal stripping of volatile contaminants and waste of undissolved ozone. Residual ozone levels after high intensity mixing may be carefully monitored and minimized by adjusting the injection of hydrogen peroxide and ozone in order to suppress the formation of bromate. Additional contaminants may be removed by passing the treated water through activated carbon beds.

Abstract: Oxidizable contaminants in water are destroyed quickly and efficiently by exposing a contaminated water flow to oxidizing conditions under pressure. Specifically, ozone generated from oxygen and hydrogen peroxide are injected into the water flow in at least one, and preferably more than one, high intensity mixing/reaction stage. The ozone and hydrogen peroxide are injected at velocities and directions approximately matching those of the contaminated water flow. High intensity mixing under pressure facilitates rapid and complete oxidation of the contaminants with minimal stripping of volatile contaminants and waste of undissolved ozone. Residual ozone levels after high intensity mixing are carefully monitored and minimized by adjusting the injection of hydrogen peroxide and ozone in order to suppress the formation of bromate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plate-type track shoe. The method involves casting or obtaining a cast, plate-type track shoe which has been made from a suitably high quality ductile iron and heating the plate-type track shoe to a desired austentizing temperature within a range of about 1450.degree. F.-1750.degree. F. for up to about six hours to austentize the ductile iron. The plate-type track shoe is then rapidly cooled to a desired austempering temperature within a range of about 450.degree. F.-800.degree. F. and maintained at the desired austempering temperature for up to about 6 hours to isothermally produce a plate-type track shoe having an ausferrite microstructure. The plate-type track shoe is then cooled, washed, and optionally coated with a rust inhibitor and/or coated or painted. The process produces austempered plate-type track shoes which have high strength, excellent durability, and which are less costly to produce, per pound, than comparable parts manufactured from formed steel.

Abstract: Sand castings are removed from their molds before cooling and reheated in a heat treating booster furnace. The castings are transferred from the booster furnace to a rotary drum filled with agitation media. As the castings pass through the media drum, they are simultaneously cleaned of sand particles and down-quenched by the agitation media. The system is particularly suited for austempering cast iron parts.

Abstract: A method for producing a selectively surface hardened cast iron part includes the steps of (a) heating the part to a desired austempering temperature of between about 450.degree. F. and about 800.degree. F. until the entire cast iron part possesses the desired austempering temperature substantially uniformly throughout it; (b) heating only the surface of the cast iron part to an austenitizing temperature of between about 1500.degree. F. and about 1800.degree. F. by immersing the cast iron part in a molten lead or tin bath until a desired thickness of an austenite layer is formed on the surface of the cast iron part, without substantial heating of the interior of the cast iron part; (c) quenching the surface-heated cast iron part in a non-liquid quenching bath atmosphere, i.e.

Abstract: A method for preparing an austempered cast iron which includes an ausferritic matrix, the cast iron having a silicon content of from about 1.6 to about 2.4 weight percent, and a carbon content of from about 1.6 to about 2.2 weight percent, such that the carbon equivalent of the cast iron is from about 2.1 to about 3.0 weight percent. The method includes (a) melting the cast iron composition; (b) pouring the melt into a mold to form a casting having eutectic carbide particles; (c) altering the temperature of the casting to about 1650.degree.-1900.degree. F. and maintaining the temperature of the casting at about 1650.degree.-1900.degree. F. until substantially all of the eutectic carbide particles convert to temper graphite nodules to form a temper graphite-containing casting; (d) cooling the temper graphite-containing casting to about 1500.degree.-1750.degree. F. and maintaining the temperature of the tempered graphite-containing casting at about 1500.degree.-1750.degree. F.

Abstract: A method for producing a selectively surface hardened cast iron part includes uniformly heating the surface of the part by immersion into a molten metallic bath until a desired thickness of surface austenite is produced, and thereafter quenching the heated cast iron part in a liquid quenching bath which is maintained at a temperature of between about 450.degree. to about 800.degree. F. for about 10 minutes to about 4 hours. The resultant selectively surface hardened cast iron part is surface hardened with the bulk of the body of the part remaining untempered. An apparatus for performing this process includes a molten metal bath chamber for containing the molten metal and a molten salt bath quenching chamber for quenching the cast iron parts with a conveyor means extending between the molten metal bath and the molten salt bath chambers. A second conveyor means removes the parts from the molten salt bath chamber.

Abstract: An austemperable cast iron which includes an ausferritic matrix, the cast iron having a silicon content of from about 1.6 to about 2.4 weight percent, and a carbon content of from about 1.6 to about 2.2 weight percent, such that the carbon equivalent of the cast iron is from about 2.1 to about 3.0 weight percent. The austempered cast iron is prepared by melting the cast iron composition; to about 1650.degree.-1900.degree. F. and maintaining the temperature of the casting at that temperature until substantially all of the eutectic carbide particles convert to temper graphite nodules to form a temper graphite-containing casting, then cooling the temper graphite-containing casting to about 1500.degree.-1750.degree. F. and maintaining the temperature of the tempered graphite-coating at about 1500.degree.-1750.degree. F. until a fully austenitic matrix is achieved, and then quenching and cooling the ausferritic matrix casting to room temperature before bainite is formed.

Abstract: A method for detecting the end point of etching wafers and the like by reflective means. Typically, a detected reflectance signal will have a threshold level representing a lack of substantial etching, a dip in the threshold level representing the commencement of etching and an inflection level representing a maximum rate of light amplitude change. The present method involves subtracting the inflection level from the threshold level and taking a predetermined fraction of the resultant level to define a second threshold level further in the etch cycle which anticipates the end of the cycle. By observational experience, the predetermined fraction can be determined. As soon as the second threshold level is reached, brakes are applied to the etching process so that etching will cease shortly after the predetermined level has been identified.

Abstract: This invention relates to nitrogenous compositions suitable for use as both fertilizers and soil conditioners, and in particular relates to processes for preparing the same from coals of low rank. The process dissolves humus from the coal with an aqueous urea solution that is then oxidized and neutralized with alkali to form a composition providing slow release of nitrogen when used as a fertilizer.