Abstract: Blocky chlorinated polyolefins are disclosed as compatibilizers of PVC and/or CPVC resins with polyolefin elastomers. The blocky chlorinated polyolefins facilitate the dispersion of the elastomers as a dispersed phase with the proper size for impact modification of the PVC and/or CPVC. The blocky chlorinated polyolefin provides better adhesion between the elastomer and the PVC and/or CPVC providing better physical properties such as impact strength as measured by Notched Izod and variable height impact testing (VHIT) than did the randomly chlorinated polyolefins, often used as processing aids and as impact modifiers in PVC or CPVC. The differences in properties achieved with blocky chlorinated polyolefins versus randomly chlorinated polyolefins are attributed to the individual blocks of the blocky polyolefin being compatible (and/or co-crystalizable) with either the polyolefin elastomer or the PVC/CPVC resulting in better adhesion between phases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photodefinable dielectric composition comprising a photoinitiator and a polycyclic addition polymer comprising polycyclic repeating units that contain pendant silyl functionalities containing hydrolyzable substituents. Upon exposure to a radiation source the photoinitiator catalyzes the hydrolysis of the hydrolyzable groups to effect the cure of the polymer and adhesion of the polymer to desired substrates.

Abstract: A sensor has an interferometer which measures a change in an applied environmental condition relative to a reference environmental condition. The interferometer is operated under the applied environmental condition to generate an interference spectrum. Intensities of the interference spectrum are measured at first and second wavelengths, respectively. The first and second wavelengths correspond to first and second reference intensities that lie on respective sides of an extremum in the interference spectrum when the interferometer is operated under the reference condition. Measurement of the change in the applied environmental condition is based on the measured intensities and the first and second reference intensities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making thick fibrous structures. More particularly, the invention relates to a simplified needle-felting process wherein loose fiber is accreted into a thick fibrous structure by repeatedly driving a multitude of felting needles into the loose fiber, the felting needles penetrating all the way through the fibrous material at the beginning of the process, and penetrating only part way through the fibrous material at the end of the process. The processes according to the invention eliminate one or more intermediate steps of forming coherent fibrous layers that were previously thought necessary in the prior art in order to form a thick fibrous structure.

Abstract: An electrically actuated aircraft brake and method characterized by the use actuator modules which can be easily and quickly replaced as a unit. Quick and easy replacement of the actuator modules can be effected without disassembly of the overall brake and wheel assembly. Accordingly, brake manufacturing, repair costs, overhaul, parts stocking and maintenance costs and requirements are minimized and/or greatly simplified compared to integrated brake designs used in the prior art. Also, a malfunctioning actuator module on an aircraft can be replaced and preferably quickly enough to allow the aircraft to remain in scheduled service and/or with a minimum of downtime.

Abstract: An implant device which includes a structure implantable within a living animal and a sensor included as part of the structure. The sensor is operatively configured to detect accretion of biological material on the sensor by producing an output which varies as a function of the accretion of biological material on the sensor. A communication element is further included as part of the structure and is operatively coupled to the output of the sensor. The communication element is configured to communicate information based on the output of the sensor wirelessly to a remote element located outside the living animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thickened aqueous bleach compositions containing either an alkali metal hypohalite or peroxygen bleach. Compositions containing hypohalite or peroxygen bleaches are particularly difficult to thicken with sufficient stability for commercial value. The addition of a rheology stabilizer minimizes the loss of stability over time and enables compositions of varying bleach and pH level to be obtained. These compositions comprise an alkali metal hypohalite or peroxygen bleach, a polymeric rheology modifying agent, an effective amount of a rheology stabilizing agent, sufficient alkalinity buffering agent, with the remainder being water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a susceptor lid for use in a CVI/CVD furnace. More specifically, the invention is directed to a lid configured to consecutively run CVI/CVD and heat treatment processes without opening the furnace. The susceptor lid according to the invention comprises a susceptor lid body having a gas exhaust hole; and, an exhaust lid disposed over said gas exhaust hole, said exhaust lid being configured to move within the CVI/CVD furnace from a first position wherein said exhaust lid covers said gas exhaust hole to a second position wherein said gas exhaust lid at least partially uncovers said gas exhaust hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of high temperature composites made by the chemical vapor infiltration and deposition of a binding matrix within a porous structure. More particularly, the invention relates to pressure gradient processes for forcing infiltration of a reactant gas into a porous structure, apparatus for carrying out those processes, and the resulting products. The invention is particularly suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities (hundreds) of aircraft brake disks.

Abstract: A compatibilized blend of a thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin. The compatibilizer is a thermoplastic polyurethane formed by the reaction of a substantially hydrocarbon intermediate such as a polybutadiene polyol, a diisocyanate such as MDI, and an amine or diol chain extender such as neopentyl glycol. The compatibilizer has high amounts of soft segments therein and imparts improved properties to blends of a thermoplastic elastomer and polyolefin such as good impact resistance, good tensile strength, good tear resistance, and good delamination resistance.

Abstract: A brake system and torque feedback controller is provided which utilizes low torque cutout rather than low speed cutout. The low torque cutout is further improved by gradually transitioning between torque feedback and open loop control over a range of torque. The controller allows torque compensation operation to zero wheel speed, and avoids discontinuities in braking regardless of time or torque level. The controller allows a brake to fill and engage the wheel before the full feedback signal is presented to the controller so as to eliminate the phenomena of grabby brakes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of forming fibrous structures by needling processes. A process is provided for achieving a desired Z-fiber distribution in a fibrous structure by controlling transport depth during formation of the fibrous structure in a series of needling passes. Each needling pass generates a portion of Z-fiber bundles that penetrate adjacent fibrous layers, the Z-fiber bundles penetrating only those adjacent fibrous layers that need more Z-fiber bundles to attain a predetermined number of Z-fiber bundles within each fibrous layer.

Abstract: Silyl substituted polymers of polycycloolefins are provided as well as catalyst systems for their preparation. The polymers of the invention include polycyclic repeat units that contain pendant silyl functional groups represented by the following formulae: ##STR1## wherein A is a divalent radical selected from the following structures: ##STR2## R.sup.9 independently represents hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; R.sup.10, R.sup.11, and R.sup.12 independently represent halogen, linear or branched (C.sub.1 to C.sub.20) alkyl, linear or branched (C.sub.1 to C.sub.20) alkoxy, linear or branched (C.sub.1 to C.sub.20) alkyl carbonyloxy, (C.sub.1 to C.sub.20) alkyl peroxy, and substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.6 to C.sub.20) aryloxy; R.sup.10, R.sup.11, and R.sup.12 together with the silicon atom to which they are attached form the group: ##STR3## n is a number from 0 to 5; and n' is 0 or 1; and n" is a number from 0 to 10.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a frame, a wheel support member, a leaf spring secured to the wheel support member, a first connector for first pivotally connecting one end of the leaf spring to the frame, a torsion spring having a central shaft, an outer housing and an elastomer disposed between the central shaft and the housing, and a lever for pivotally interconnecting the central shaft with the other end of the leaf spring. The torsion spring is located between the leaf spring and the frame so that compression of the leaf spring causes the lever to be displaced rotationally toward the vehicle frame.

Abstract: An emulsion polymer comprising as one of its components a graft copolymer of a residual aromatic monomer-free support resin polymer and a vinyl chloride (co)polymer is disclosed. The emulsion polymer is prepared using a two-stage process. In the first stage, a chasing monomer is reacted in the presence of a support resin polymer having at least one aromatic monomer to form an polymer which is free of residual monomer and has monomeric units derived from the aromatic monomer(s). In a second stage, the vinyl chloride emulsion (co)polymer is made in situ in a reaction mixture comprising the polymer which is free of residual monomer. An extensive grafting at the second stage yields a novel water dispersible graft copolymer containing both styrene and vinyl chloride.

Abstract: A waterborne dispersion of a polyurethane polymer is disclosed, which is useful as a film having improved mechanical properties. More particularly, the film has properties comparable to rubber; including, a percentage elongation greater than 700%; a tensile strength greater than 3500 psi; a 100% modulus below 450 psi; a 300% modulus below 700 psi; and, a 500% modulus below 1500 psi. The film can be prepared in the absence of a solvent, thus making it attractive for a variety of protection products for medical and industrial applications such as gloves, condoms, catheters, and the like. The polymer is useful as a coating for textiles, such as backcoatings, fabric or fiber saturants, finishes, or transfer coatings, or other textile and non-textile applications where good elastomeric properties would be useful.

Abstract: An electrically actuated aircraft brake system and method which provides for brake wear measurement and running clearance adjustment. Brake wear and running clearance measurement are obtained by analyzing the output of position sensing circuitry. In a preferred embodiment, present brake disk stack height is measured using actuator position sensors, and the output of the sensors is compared by a controller to a reference brake disk stack height to provide an indication of the amount of brake wear. The reference brake disk stack height is obtained by lightly loading the brake disk stack and using the actuator position sensor or sensors to measure the displacement of the actuator ram or rams to the brake disk stack.

Abstract: Multilayer fluid conduits are formed by adhering to a tubular outer surface of a metal pipe, a thermoplastic outer layer. The outer layer permits ends of the multilayer conduit to be joined together in leak-proof fluid conduit systems simply by adhering the conduit ends with compatible thermoplastic fittings. For fire protection systems, the preferred metal is steel, the preferred thermoplastic is CPVC and the preferred adhesive is heat activated. The adhesive coated metal pipe is preheated and the CPVC is extruded onto the outer surface of the heated metal pipe. Through the use of fire resistive CPVC, the multilayer conduit systems of the present invention can be installed in more severe fire threat areas than can existing, all plastic piping, including all CPVC piping systems. The conduit is assembled into systems on site simply by cutting and direct bonding with ordinary, all plastic fittings using appropriate bonding agents such as solvent based adhesives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thickened aqueous bleach compositions containing either an alkali metal hypohalite or peroxygen bleach. Compositions containing hypohalite or peroxygen bleaches are particularly difficult to thicken with sufficient stability for commercial value. The addition of a rheology stabilizer minimizes the loss of stability over time and enables compositions of varying bleach and pH level to be obtained. These compositions comprise an alkali metal hypohalite or peroxygen bleach, a polymeric rheology modifying agent, an effective amount of a rheology stabilizing agent, sufficient alkalinity buffering agent, with the remainder being water.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of aircraft shock struts, of the type having a piston cylinder and a piston head, for slowing movement of an aircraft structure toward the ground, particularly during landing or take-off. The invention provides a more constant change in pressure across the piston head, that is generally independent of piston head speed, relative to the prior art. The piston head has a damped valve poppet received within the piston head moveable from a first position wherein the damped valve poppet covers a pressure relief orifice to a second position that uncovers a pressure relief orifice, thereby providing a more constant change in pressure across the piston head.