Abstract: An impact panel for protecting mining equipment may include a plurality of ceramic tiles affixed to a base plate. The impact panel may further include at least one fixing hole disposed within the plurality of ceramic tiles and the base plate with a metal frame disposed around an outer peripheral edge of the plurality of ceramic tiles that is also affixed to the base plate. The impact panel may have at least one plug disposed inside the at least one fixing hole to seamlessly cover the at least one fixing hole. The panels may also be wired with sensors that will communicate with process control circuits allowing data collection on remote process and remote mining equipment.

Abstract: An impact panel for protecting mining equipment may include a plurality of ceramic tiles affixed to a base plate. The impact panel may further include at least one fixing hole disposed within the plurality of ceramic tiles and the base plate with a metal frame disposed around an outer peripheral edge of the plurality of ceramic tiles that is also affixed to the base plate. The impact panel may have at least one plug disposed inside the at least one fixing hole to seamlessly cover the at least one fixing hole.

Abstract: A radiation attenuation shield, method, and system are disclosed. The shield includes a polymer, a radiation attenuating material, and a magnetic material. The radiation attenuating material and the magnetic material may be dispersed within the polymer to form an attenuation layer. Further, a magnetic material layer may be positioned adjacent to the attenuation layer or encase the attenuation layer. The radiation attenuation shield may be made by combining the components to create a mixture and then inserting the mixture in a mold until a solidified shape is formed. Moreover, the radiation attenuation shield of the present invention may be mechanically secured to a structure to contain radiation. Further, the shield may be secured to a structure by using the magnetic properties of the shield.

Abstract: A radiation attenuation shield, method, and system are disclosed. The shield includes a polymer, a radiation attenuating material, and a magnetic material. The radiation attenuating material and the magnetic material may be dispersed within the polymer to form an attenuation layer. Further, a magnetic material layer may be positioned adjacent to the attenuation layer or encase the attenuation layer. The radiation attenuation shield may be made by combining the components to create a mixture and then inserting the mixture in a mold until a solidified shape is formed. Moreover, the radiation attenuation shield of the present invention may be mechanically secured to a structure to contain radiation. Further, the shield may be secured to a structure by using the magnetic properties of the shield.

Abstract: A screening and sorting assembly for coal particles includes a bin for receiving crushed coal. The bin is provided with a weir over which the coal particles are passed onto a pivoted screen assembly having a plurality of openings therethrough for sorting the coal particles. A cam arrangement is provided for varying the angle of the screening assembly relative to the horizontal to vary the speed of flow of the coal particles downwardly over the screening assembly.

Abstract: A coating system is applied to a ceramic evaporator boat to extend the life of the boat. The coating system includes a ceramic layer is applied over the surface of an evaporator boat reservoir. Optionally, a refractory metal layer is applied as an intermediate layer between the surface of the evaporator boat reservoir and the ceramic layer. The ceramic layer is form of a ceramic material selected from metal borides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, metal oxides, and combinations thereof, and wherein the metal component of the ceramic material is selected from zirconium, aluminum, titanium, silicon, tantalum, vanadium, and combinations thereof. The resulting coating system reduces corrosion and/or erosion that occur primarily in the reservoir region of the evaporator boat. One method of applying or depositing the ceramic layer or the optional refractory metal layer includes sputtering.

Abstract: A screening and sorting assembly for coal particles includes a bin for receiving crushed coal. The bin is provided with a weir over which the coal particles are passed onto a pivoted screen assembly having a plurality of openings therethrough for sorting the coal particles. A cam arrangement is provided for varying the angle of the screening assembly relative to the horizontal to vary the speed of flow of the coal particles downwardly over the screening assembly.

Abstract: A pump adaptor outlet pipe is provided with a smaller diameter section to be secured to the outlet of a pump and a larger diameter section connected to the smaller diameter section by means of an annular shoulder. The small diameter section and the larger diameter section, as well as the shoulder, are completely lined with ceramic tile material. An in-line flow diverter pipe section is provided with a pivoted value plate. The value plate and the pipe section are completely lined with ceramic material for diverting the flow of material passing through the pipe section proportionally between two smaller diameter outlet pipes.

Abstract: An electro-conductive ceramic comprising a non-electroconductive matrix ceramic, an electro-conductive ceramic in relatively large proportion to permit efficient electro-discharge machining (EDM) of the ceramic and ceramic whiskers of low aspect ratio and short length dispersed in the ceramic body to provide high fracture toughness, stength and hardness despite the relatively large proportion of electro-conductive ceramic. Complex geometries and features such as holes, chamfers, slots, angles, changing radii an complex curves can be electro-discharge machined into the ceramic body after hot processing or hot-isostatic pressing to achieve maximum density and mechanical properties. A particularly advantageous high temperature extrusion die, powder metal compacting die hardware and cutting tools formed of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, TiC and SiC whiskers have been produced and tested.