Abstract: A quick-connect sanitary fluid connector system provides for connection of a sanitary fluid system to an industry standard, flanged sanitary fitting. The standard fitting is placed in abutting relation to a sanitary gasket and to a first fitting of the quick connector, and at least two eccentric cams operated by cam levers press against the back surface of the standard connector flange, thereby applying pressure to the juncture and forming an abutted sanitary seal which avoids fluid entrapment within the connector. The joining pressure can adjustable by threaded rotation of the first fitting within a connector body. The cam levers can include locking holes and pins for locking the levers in their locking positions. Insertion of the standard fitting can automatically open the cams, and springs can automatically return the cam levers to their locking positions. Spring retracted telescoping cam levers can be automatically latched in their locking positions.

Abstract: A hinged clamp provides quick connection and disconnection of sections of fluid tubing. Some embodiments include a spring-loaded catch mechanism that enables the clamp to be loosely latched, and a winding mechanism that can retract the catch to a securely latched condition. Other embodiments provide a hinged shaft that pivots about an end of the upper clamp ring. A middle section of the shaft can be inserted into a slotted opening in the lower clamp ring, and the winding mechanism can move an engagement surface against the lower clamp ring to securely latch the clamp. An adjustment mechanism is included in these embodiments which can adjust the amount of winding required to engage the clamp. In various embodiments, less than one turn or less than one-half turn is required to engage/disengage the clamp. The clamp can be openable only just enough for insertion of flanged ends of the tubing sections.

Abstract: A hinged clamp provides quick connection and disconnection of sections of fluid tubing. Some embodiments include a spring-loaded catch mechanism that enables the clamp to be loosely latched, and a winding mechanism that can retract the catch to a securely latched condition. Other embodiments provide a hinged shaft that pivots about an end of the upper clamp ring. A middle section of the shaft can be inserted into a slotted opening in the lower clamp ring, and the winding mechanism can move an engagement surface against the lower clamp ring to securely latch the clamp. An adjustment mechanism is included in these embodiments which can adjust the amount of winding required to engage the clamp. In various embodiments, less than one turn or less than one-half turn is required to engage/disengage the clamp. The clamp can be openable only just enough for insertion of flanged ends of the tubing sections.

Abstract: A quick-connect sanitary fluid connector system provides for connection of a sanitary fluid system to an industry standard, flanged sanitary fitting. The standard fitting is placed in abutting relation to a sanitary gasket and to a first fitting of the quick connector, and at least two eccentric cams operated by cam levers press against the back surface of the standard connector flange, thereby applying pressure to the juncture and forming an abutted sanitary seal which avoids fluid entrapment within the connector. The joining pressure can adjustable by threaded rotation of the first fitting within a connector body. The cam levers can include locking holes and pins for locking the levers in their locking positions. Insertion of the standard fitting can automatically open the cams, and springs can automatically return the cam levers to their locking positions. Spring retracted telescoping cam levers can be automatically latched in their locking positions.

Abstract: A refractory composite article includes a plurality of continuous, polycrystalline stoichiometric silicon carbide reinforcing fibers in an inhibited carbon matrix; the carbon matrix is an organic resin containing an inhibitor compound that has been subjected to carbonization and thereafter to densification by chemical vapor infiltration of at least carbon to form a silicon carbide fiber reinforced carbon composite; and the silicon carbide fiber reinforced carbon composite is coated with a SiC pack cementation coating to form the refractory composite. The pack cementation coating is prepared by providing a pack mixture composition; coating the composite with a release agent; surrounding the release agent-coated composite with the pack mixture composition; and firing the composite to form a protective SiC pack cementation coating on the composite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially pure and finely divided granular pyrolytic carbon material. The substantially pure pyrolytic carbon can be used in a variety of applications including filtration and battery electrode applications. The present invention further describes a process for producing a substantially pure pyrolytic carbon material that includes heating a mixture of refractory inorganic particles with hydrocarbon gas for an amount of time sufficient to deposit a substantially uniform layer of pyrolytic carbon on the surfaces of the particles.

Abstract: A crucible susceptor for a crystal growing process for pulling a crystal ingot from a crystal material melt in a crucible, comprises at least one high purity composite component containing a carbon fiber reinforced carbon matrix, said at least one high purity composite component having a total level of metal impurity less than about 10 parts per million; and at least one high purity graphite component, said at least one high purity graphite component having a total level of metal impurity less than about 10 parts per million. A single crystal growing process for pulling a single crystal ingot from a crystal material melt includes providing a crystal material melt in a crucible and intimately supporting the crucible with the crucible susceptor of the present invention. The crucible susceptor disclosed may be used in a Czochralski crystal growing process for pulling a semiconductor ingot from a semiconductor material melt.

Abstract: A filter media structure, which is capable of operating in the micro- and nanofiltration regime, offers: low cost, durability, high temperature and chemical resistance, high permeability, high flow rate, low pressure drop across the filter media, high mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and biocompatibility. The filter media structure is comprised of mixture of carbon or ceramic fibers and inorganic fiber whiskers generally having a diameter of from about 0.03 to about 5 microns. The present invention further provides a method of preparing a filter media structure comprising mixing together a) inorganic fibers; b) inorganic fiber whiskers; c) a water soluble binder, and optionally depositing a thin layer of pyrolytic carbon on the surface of the inorganic fibers and inorganic fiber whiskers comprising the filter media structure. The filter media structure is selected from the group consisting of a paper, felt and fabric.

Abstract: A filter media system, which is capable of operating in the microfiltration regime, offers: low cost, durability, high temperature and chemical resistance, no particulation, mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and biocompatibility. The present invention provides a filter media system comprising a fibrous substrate of at least one of carbon and ceramic fibers, wherein an array of carbon or ceramic fiber whiskers have been grown onto the fibrous substrate, without prior densification of the fibrous substrate. A process for manufacturing a filter media system wherein a carbon fiber is treated with a solution of metal catalyst salt, heated in hydrogen at elevated temperatures to reduce the metal salt to metal, and whisker growth is initiated on the surfaces of the metal deposited carbon fibers by decomposition of low molecular weight hydrocarbon gas at elevated temperature is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially pure and finely divided granular pyrolytic carbon material. The substantially pure pyrolytic carbon can be used in a variety of applications including filtration and battery electrode applications. The present invention further describes a process for producing a substantially pure pyrolytic carbon material that includes heating a mixture of refractory inorganic particles with a hydrocarbon gas for an amount of time sufficient to deposit a substantially uniform layer of pyrolytic carbon on the surfaces of the particles.

Abstract: A filter media structure, which is capable of operating in the micro- and nanofiltration regime, offers: low cost, durability, high temperature and chemical resistance, high permeability, high flow rate, low pressure drop across the filter media, high mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and biocompatibility. The filter media structure is comprised of blend of carbon or ceramic fibers and inorganic fiber whiskers generally having a diameter of from about 0.03 to about 5 microns. In one embodiment, filter media structure is comprised of blend of activated carbon-containing inorganic fibers and inorganic fiber whiskers generally having a diameter of from about 0.03 to about 5 microns.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a brake rotor which includes a disc-shaped carrier and friction rings arranged on or on top of the carrier, so that the friction rings and carrier form a single piece construction. The carrier and friction ring(s) are separately molded into pre-forms, subsequently joined and finished formed in a press tool. The carrier and friction rings are made from carbon/carbon materials and ceramic materials respectively. The carrier has a hat-shaped cross-sectional shape with a flanged outer edge and the friction rings are attached to each side of the flanged edge of the carrier. The brake rotor may be directly mounted onto the wheel flange via the carrier using bolts.

Abstract: A filter media system, which is capable of operating in the microfiltration regime, offers: low cost, durability, high temperature and chemical resistance, no particulation, mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and biocompatibility. A filter media system is comprised of a carbon or ceramic composite substrate which contains a carbon or ceramic matrix reinforced with carbon or ceramic fibers. The composite has an array of carbon or ceramic fiber whiskers grown onto its surface or in its bulk. A process is provided for manufacturing the filter media system wherein a carbon fiber is disposed in a matrix deposited by a CVI or LPI process, at temperatures of about 900 to about 1200° C. to achieve a weight gain of about 10 to 200% (the ceramic matrix is deposited by a CVI process from an aqueous slurry or by use of a preceramic polymer). This composite is treated with an aqueous solution of metal catalyst salt and is then heated in hydrogen at elevated temperatures to reduce the metal salt to metal.

Abstract: A carbon/carbon composite in which a carbon matrix containing a controlled amount of boron or a boron compound is reinforced with carbon fiber exhibits a low coefficient of friction, i.e., on the order of 0.04 to 0.1 at temperatures up to 600° C., which is one of the lowest frictional coefficients for any type of carbonaceous material, including graphite, glassy carbon, diamond, diamond-like carbon and other forms of carbon material.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a carbon yarn product includes the steps of pyrolizing raw carbonaceous yarn comprising a plurality of carbon fibers, at a temperature above about 650° F.; flexing the pyrolized yarn to substantially break fiber-to-fiber bonding between the fibers; and, exposing the yarn to a temperature sufficient to carbonize the pre-carbonized yarn to a final and higher carbon assay. A flexible yarn element (10) includes a plurality of carbon filaments (11) wherein each filament (11) is in contact with at least one other filament 11. A sizing material at least partially coats the plurality of filaments (11), wherein the sizing material of each filament (11) is substantially separated from the sizing material of the at least one other filament (11) in contact therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carbon-carbon (C/C) composite valve structure useful for high temperature internal combustion engines comprising (a) a carbon-carbon (C/C) composite valve stem having a flared end and a non-flared end opposite the flared end; and (b) a carbon-carbon (C/C) composite valve head applied onto the flared end of the valve stem, wherein at least one of the carbon-carbon (C/C) composite valve stem and head is coated with a high temperature resistant coating.

Abstract: A filter media structure, which is capable of operating in the micro- and nanofiltration regime, offers: low cost, durability, high temperature and chemical resistance, high permeability, high flow rate, low pressure drop across the filter media, high mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and biocompatibility. The filter media structure is comprised of mixture of carbon or ceramic fibers and inorganic fiber whiskers generally having a diameter of from about 0.03 to about 5 microns. The present invention further provides a method of preparing a filter media structure comprising mixing together a) inorganic fibers; b) inorganic fiber whiskers; c) a water soluble binder, and optionally depositing a thin layer of pyrolytic carbon on the surface of the inorganic fibers and inorganic fiber whiskers comprising the filter media structure. The filter media structure is selected from the group consisting of a paper, felt and fabric.

Abstract: A brake rotor includes a disc-shaped carrier and friction rings arranged on or on top of the carrier, so that the friction rings and carrier form a single piece construction. The carrier and friction rings are made from carbon/carbon materials and ceramic materials respectively. The carrier has a hat-shaped cross-sectional shape with a flanged outer edge and the friction rings are attached to each side of the flanged edge of the carrier. The brake rotor may be directly mounted onto the wheel flange via the carrier using bolts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carbon--carbon (C/C) composite valve structure useful for high temperature internal combustion engines comprising (a) a carbon--carbon (C/C) composite valve stem having a flared end and a non-flared end opposite the flared end; and (b) a carbon--carbon (C/C) composite valve head applied onto the flared end of the valve stem, wherein at least one of the carbon--carbon (C/C) composite valve stem and head is coated with a high temperature resistant coating.

Abstract: A Czochralski process furnace component comprises a high purity, semiconductor standard composite including a carbon fiber reinforced carbon matrix having a level of metal impurity below the detection limit of inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy. A process for producing the components includes heat treatment of the carbon fiber and the components.