Abstract: A method of cooling a nuclear reactor core is disclosed. The method includes contacting the nuclear reactor core with an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions. Nuclear reactors are also disclosed. The nuclear reactor has a neutron moderator that is an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions, or the nuclear reactor has an emergency core cooling system including a vessel containing a volume of an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions. The nuclear reactor can also have both an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions as a neutron moderator and an emergency core cooling system that includes an aqueous solution comprising at least one of polyhedral boron hydride anions or carborane anions.

Abstract: A silicon nitride material is disclosed which has properties beneficial for efficient operation of a corona discharge igniter system in an internal combustion gas engine.

Abstract: A helmet includes a helmet shell including an edge and an edge trim receiving the edge. The helmet also includes a retention system including at least two points where the retention system is secured to the helmet and a releasable mechanical fastening system, wherein the mechanical fastening system includes a first mating portion and a second mating portion, which releasably mates with the first mating portion. The first mating portion is affixed to the points and the second mating portion is affixed to one of the helmet shell or the first mating portion. In addition, an attachment hook is provided for each point of the retention system extending from the edge trim through which each of the points pass through.

Abstract: A silicon nitride material is disclosed which has properties beneficial for efficient operation of a corona discharge igniter system in an internal combustion gas engine.

Abstract: An armor blast shield for use on the bottom of a vehicle to protect occupants of the vehicle from improvised explosive devices. A preferred embodiment is configured in a V-shaped configuration formed by at least two planar blast resistant panels and an I-beam having channels with inclined walls which receive the panels at an obtuse angle. The panels are adhesively adhered to the I-beam channel walls and at least one bolt is secured through the I-beam and a panel to provide superior blast resistant performance as compared to welded panels.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of an open, plain Leno Aramid fiber weave wrapped around the armor base plate in such a fashion that the wrap on the strike face surface is bonded with a thermoset resin while the continuous fibers around the back are left resin-free and able to distort, allowing localized deformation while keeping the remainder of the “wrap” holding tight. This wrap technique keeps the composite backing tight to the strike surface while allowing all of the benefits of localized fiber movement and tensile failure on the backside of the target. Other high performance fibers, such as fiberglass, also woven in a Leno weave and applied in the same method will yield similar results. This invention also relates to the placement of a “slip layer” between the fiber surface and the polymer coating of an armor system.

Abstract: A silicon nitride material is disclosed which has properties necessary for efficient operation of a corona discharge igniter system in an internal combustion gas engine allowing an increase in fuel efficiency of over 10%. The material is disclosed in a range of compositions, all of which exhibit high dielectric strengths, high mechanical strength, thermal shock resistance and fracture toughness, low dielectric constant and loss tangent and electrical resistivity, all of which significantly increase the efficiency of the igniter system over current state of the art alumina insulators. Moreover, the materials retain their dielectric strength and structural integrity at elevated temperatures, up to 800° C.-1000° C. One embodiment comprises a sintered silicon nitride process comprising powder batching, binder removal and sintering. In the preferred embodiment the method of manufacture for silicon nitride is an SRBSN process comprising powder batching, powder pressing, binder removal, nitriding and sintering.

Abstract: Silicon nitride materials with high strength, fracture toughness values, and Weibull moduli simultaneously, due to unique large grain reinforcing microstructures and well engineered grain boundary compositions. The invention demonstrates that, surprisingly and contrary to prior art, a silicon nitride material can be made which simultaneously has high strength above about 850-900 MPa, a Weibull above about 15 and high fracture toughness (above about 8 and 9 MPa·m1/2), and has reinforcing grains longer than 5 ?m, typically longer than 10 ?m in the microstructure without compromising its properties and reliability. The product of this invention can be processed using a variety of densification methods, including gas-pressure sintering, hot pressing, hot isostatic pressing, but is not limited to these, and does not require multiple heat treatments for all of these features to be achieved.

Abstract: A method of increasing mean time between cleans of a plasma etch chamber and chamber parts lifetimes is provided. Semiconductor substrates are plasma etched in the chamber while using at least one sintered silicon nitride component exposed to ion bombardment and/or ionized halogen gas. The sintered silicon nitride component includes high purity silicon nitride and a sintering aid consisting of silicon dioxide. A plasma processing chamber is provided including the sintered silicon nitride component. A method of reducing metallic contamination on the surface of a silicon substrate during plasma processing is provided with a plasma processing apparatus including one or more sintered silicon nitride components. A method of manufacturing a component exposed to ion bombardment and/or plasma erosion in a plasma etch chamber, comprising shaping a powder composition consisting of high purity silicon nitride and silicon dioxide and densifying the shaped component.

Abstract: A method and device for trimming components may include mounting a component in a fixture and providing a cutting tool having a cutting portion, wherein the cutting tool is displaceable in at least three axes relative to the fixture. Gas may be supplied through a supply tube to the cutting portion of the cutting tool and the supply tube may be cooled to a first temperature. The component may be cut with the cutting tool while supplying gas to the component.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly comprising a bearing runner and a bearing carrier, the carrier defining thrust pad sites annularly around the carrier, with a thrust pad disposed at a site and with the carrier limiting movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis of the runner while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The pads can tilt under load to form a hydrodynamic wedge. A runner may have a wear resistant face. In one implementation, at each site, a deflection element (e.g., Belleville washer) is at least partially disposed within a cavity and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The wear resistant face contacts the pad. Another embodiment rigidly connects pads disposed on opposite sides of a stationary bearing carrier. Another embodiment attaches pads to a bearing carrier using pad holder assemblies.

Abstract: A system, machine and method of forming a composite structure. The composite may be placed between a first mold half and a second mold half and heated at a first temperature, T1, and held at a first pressure, P1, wherein the first pressure is applied to the structure through the first and second mold halves. In addition, the composite may be cooled at a second temperature, T2, and held at a second pressure, P2, wherein the second pressure is applied to the composite through the first and second mold halves, wherein T1>T2 and P1<P2. The composite may also be removed from the first and second mold halves, wherein the composite has a near-net shape.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for securing a helmet, such as a helmet holster. The device may include a pocket defined by a base and a pocket portion, wherein the pocket portion exhibits a width and a height. The width of the pocket portion may be equal to or greater than said height of the pocket portion. The device may also include an adjustable restraint, wherein the restraint includes a first portion affixed to the base, configured to at least partially retain at least a portion of the helmet in the pocket. The device may further include an adjustable strap affixed to the pocket.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly comprising a rotating bearing runner and a stationary bearing carrier, the carrier defining a plurality of thrust pad sites annularly around the carrier, with a thrust pad disposed at a site and with the carrier constraining movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis of the runner while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. An embodiment comprises a rotating bearing runner having a wear resistant face and a stationary bearing carrier defining cavities disposed annularly around the carrier. A deflection element (e.g., Belleville washer) is disposed in a cavity and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The pad is at least partially disposed within the cavity. The wear resistant face contacts the pad. Another embodiment rigidly connects pads disposed on opposite sides of a stationary bearing carrier.

Abstract: A dense silicon carbide (SiC) material with boron (B), nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) as the only additives and with excellent insulting performance (electrical volume resistivity greater than 1×108 ?·cm). The SiC ceramic material, made from a powder mix of, by weight, from 0.1 to 7% boron carbide, from 0.1 to 7% silicon nitride, from 0.1 to 6% silicon dioxide, and a balance of ?-SiC, consists essentially of (1) at least 90% by weight of ?-SiC, (2) about 0.3 to 4.0% by weight of boron, (3) about 0.1 to 6.0% by weight of nitrogen, (4) about 0.06 to 0.5% by weight of oxygen, and (5) no more than 0.07% by weight of metallic impurities; wherein the boron and nitrogen are present according to an B/N atomic ratio of 0.9 to 1.5. In particular, this material is suitable for applications in plasma etching chambers for semiconductor and integrated circuit manufacturing.

Abstract: High-volume, fully dense, multi-component monoliths with microstructurally indistinguishable joints that can be used as refractory, corrosion and wear resistant components in the non-ferrous metal industry. The Si3N4 monoliths according to the invention comprise at least 90% by weight ?-type Si3N4 and up to 10% by weight of a predominantly amorphous binder phase, said binder phase being formed from compositions of the rare earth metal —Al—Si—O—N, rare earth metal —Mg—Si—O—N or Mg—Si—O—N systems. Preferably the rare earth metal is yttrium (Y). The monoliths have a volume of greater than 250 cm3. A method of making the multi-component monoliths is achieved by simultaneously joining and uniaxially hot pressing an assembly of reaction bonded silicon nitride bodies (RBSN bodies). RBSN bodies are placed in contact with each other in the substantial absence of any interlayer or ceramic paste in between.

Abstract: The adjustable louvered armor window system invention comprises angled louvers made of the lightweight opaque armor. For the front window a viewing window of ballistic glass can be installed, the rear or sides could be solid armor. The louvers have overlaps to provide for gap protection. When no threat is present, the louvers are in the full open position. Once a threat is detected, then the louvers are closed. The movement of the louvers can be accomplished by a push/pull cable, hydraulic pressure, air pressure or other means. The system in the fully open position allows for a complete unobstructed viewing area. In the semi-deployed or partial down position, the system provides partial ballistic coverage for the occupant, and still allows for some occupant vision capability. In the fully deployed, or fully closed position, the system provides full ballistic coverage for the occupant, with a small viewing area or port, which is made of ballistic grade transparent armor.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly comprising a rotating bearing runner and a stationary bearing carrier, the carrier defining a plurality of thrust pad sites annularly around the carrier, with a thrust pad disposed at a site and with the carrier constraining movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis of the runner while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. An embodiment comprises a rotating bearing runner having a wear resistant face and a stationary bearing carrier defining cavities disposed annularly around the carrier. A deflection element (e.g., Belleville washer) is disposed in a cavity and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The pad is at least partially disposed within the cavity. The wear resistant face contacts the pad. Another embodiment rigidly connects pads disposed on opposite sides of a stationary bearing carrier.

Abstract: Method of fabricating RBSN parts in which the processing of compacts of silicon to produce reaction bonded silicon nitride products is accomplished in a continuous style furnace. The furnace of the preferred embodiment is arranged as a contiguous series of furnace sections or zones configured to have a part conveyor traveling slowly from one end to another to sequentially expose the parts to each zone. Each zone may for example be one foot long. The conveyor then travels at a rate of one foot per hour. Parts to be nitrided are settered onto kiln furniture plates while providing a minimum one-quarter inch clearance to all other parts. The parts on the plates are conveyed through the sequential temperature zones in a continuous fashion while under ambient pressure flowing nitrogen gas. The parts travel through the contiguous temperature zones at a constant rate of conveyance allowing the nitriding reaction to progress to completion.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly comprising a rotating bearing runner and a stationary bearing carrier, the carrier defining a plurality of thrust pad sites annularly around the carrier, with a thrust pad disposed at a site and with the carrier constraining movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis of the runner while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. An embodiment comprises a rotating bearing runner having a wear resistant face and a stationary bearing carrier defining cavities disposed annularly around the carrier. A deflection element (e.g., Belleville washer) is disposed in a cavity and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The pad is at least partially disposed within the cavity. The wear resistant face contacts the pad. Another embodiment rigidly connects pads disposed on opposite sides of a stationary bearing carrier.