Abstract: A thermal barrier coating (TBC 26) and method for forming the TBC (26) on a component (10) characterized by a stabilized microstructure that resists grain growth, sintering and pore coarsening or coalescence during high temperature excursions. The TBC (26) contains elemental carbon and/or a carbon-containing gas that increase the amount of porosity (32) initially within the TBC (26) and form additional fine closed porosity (32) within the TBC (26) during subsequent exposures to high temperatures. A first method involves incorporating elemental carbon precipitates by evaporation into the TBC microstructure. A second method is to directly incorporate an insoluble gas, such as a carbon-containing gas, into an as-deposited TBC (26) and then partially sinter the TBC (26) to entrap the gas and produce fine stable porosity within the TBC (26).

Abstract: A latch communications method and system are disclosed herein, which generally includes a communications receiver and transmitter unit associated with a latch. Additionally, an interface component is provided for interfacing with the communications receiver and transmitter unit, wherein the interface component is co-located with the communications receiver and transmitter unit in association with the latch. Also, an interpreter is associated with the interface component and the communications and transmitter unit, wherein the interpreter processes information received from the communications receiver and transmitter unit in order to provide latch diagnostics and functionalities.

Abstract: In general, a spring or spring mechanism can be associated with a latch mechanism wherein the spring is wound to a particular position thereof to store energy for dissipation and actuation of the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is responsive to the spring, and can be actuated based on energy stored and dissipated from the spring. When required, spring energy can therefore be dissipated to actuated the latch or latch mechanism. Thus, a motor with low current consumption and suitable gearing can be utilized to apply a high force to the spring.

Abstract: Methods and systems for magnetically actuating latch components are disclosed herein. A door latch assembly comprising at least one latching mechanism can be provided for maintaining a door in a locked condition or an unlocked condition. One or more electromagnets can be integrated with the door latch assembly, such that the electromagnet generates one or more pulses in the form of electrical energy that can actuate the latching mechanism from a locked condition to an unlocked condition and vice versa. A pulsed electromagnet is therefore utilized such each pulse of energy applied actuates the latching mechanism a known amount. Such a configuration permits the latching mechanism to be accurately indexed from a known position to another.

Abstract: A latch assembly control method and, wherein a latch assembly is integrated with a motor having at least one gear thereof for actuating a plurality of components of the latch assembly. A geartooth sensor can be associated with the latch assembly, wherein the geartooth sensor senses a position of one or more gears, wherein the gear completes less than one revolution to thereby provide a known reference point registration and calibration of the latch assembly via data collected from the geartooth sensor.

Abstract: An injection molding method and system for an electrical circuit utilized in vehicle door latch mechanisms is disclosed herein. A mold is generally provided in which a mold cavity is formed therein from walls of the mold. An electrical circuit associated with vehicle door latch and/or integrated with the vehicle door latch can be located within the mold cavity. A plastics material can then be injection molded into the mold cavity of the mold, wherein the plastics material covers and seals the electrical circuit to provide insulation and environmental protection to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: Latching systems and methods are disclosed herein. A latch mechanism includes one or more sealed areas and one or more unsealed areas thereof. Also, a magnetic coupling mechanism is provided for coupling motion between the sealed area and the unsealed area and vice versa. The magnetic coupling mechanism can be configured to include a permanent magnet which generates a magnetic field for coupling the motion from the unsealed area to the sealed area and vice versa. The magnetic coupling mechanism can also be configured to include an electromagnet for generating a magnetic field for coupling thereof.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating (TBC) for a component intended for use in a hostile thermal environment. The TBC has an interior region and an outer surface region on and contacting the interior region. Both regions are formed of a ceramic material, with the interior region having a lower thermal conductivity than zirconia partially stabilized by about seven weight percent yttria. The interior region constitutes more than half of the thickness of the TBC, and the outer surface region constitutes less than half of the thickness of the TBC. The TBC has a columnar microstructure whereby the interior region and the outer surface region comprise columns of their ceramic materials. The outer surface region is more erosion and impact resistant than the interior region at least in part as a result of the columns thereof being more closely spaced than the columns of the interior region.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprises a stress inducer for inducing a planar compressive stress, typically at least one stress inducer, in some embodiments, to at least one of an anode layer, a cathode layer and an electrolyte layer interposed therebetween, constructed from brittle layers having a higher fracture strength in compression than in tension. More particularly, the present technique provides a stress inducer for inducing the planar compressive stress to at least one of those brittle layers.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes at least one fuel cell unit and a number of interconnects defining at least two openings and including at least one flow field for flowing a reagent. Each opening defines a respective fuel manifold, including at least one each of intake and exhaust fuel manifolds. The fuel cell unit includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte disposed therebetween. The anode is adjacent to and in both electrical connection and fluid communication with one of the interconnects, which has a flow field that guides a fuel flow between the intake and exhaust fuel manifolds. The cathode is adjacent to and in both electrical connection and fluid communication with another interconnect with a flow field that guides an oxidant flow. The fuel cell stack includes a perimeter isolation seal and at least two interior isolation seals for sealing the electrolyte to the respective interconnects.

Abstract: An optical fiber multiplexer having a fixed plate and a rotating plate. A plurality of fiber-optic channels are coupled to the fixed plate in a circumferential arrangement. One fiber-optic channel is coupled to the rotating plate. Each fiber-optic channel may include one or more separate optical fibers. A servo motor rotates the rotating plate. Switching between channels occurs by rotating the rotating plate and aligning the optical fibers on the fixed plate and the rotating plate. Lens-to-lens coupling is used to transmit optical signals between the rotating and fixed plates. An adjustment device, such as a gimbal mount, may be used to adjust the horizontal and vertical axial alignment of the optical fibers coupled to the fixed plate so that optimum light signal transmission can occur. A control unit controls the operation of the servo motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides high-throughput systems and methods for the fabrication and evaluation of electrode and electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells. The present invention includes systems and methods for synthesizing and optimizing the performance of electrodes and electrode-electrolyte combinations and utilizes small-scale techniques to perform such optimization based on chemical composition and variable processing. Advantageously, rapid device performance systems and methods coupled with structural and surface systems and methods allow for an increased discovery rate of new materials for solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping ceramic coatings from the surfaces of articles. The apparatus includes a dedicated pressure vessel, such as an autoclave, which is maintained at an elevated temperature. Caustic solution is preheated to a first elevated temperature before injecting it into the autoclave, and the caustic solution is filtered and cooled after use in the autoclave. The articles are stripped of coating by maintaining the articles at an elevated temperature and pressure for a predetermined time. Various options include the use of analytical equipment to maintain the chemistry of the caustic solution and use of a volatile organic solution to prepressurize the autoclave and shorten cycle time. The autoclave is maintained in a nitrogen chamber to minimize the risks associated with volatile components.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping ceramic coatings from the surfaces of articles. The apparatus includes a dedicated pressure vessel, such as an autoclave, which is maintained at an elevated temperature. Caustic solution is preheated to a first elevated temperature before injecting it into the autoclave, and the caustic solution is filtered and cooled after use in the autoclave. The articles are stripped of coating by maintaining the articles at an elevated temperature and pressure for a predetermined time. Various options include the use of analytical equipment to maintain the chemistry of the caustic solution and use of a volatile organic solution to prepressurize the autoclave and shorten cycle time. The autoclave is maintained in a nitrogen chamber to minimize the risks associated with volatile components.

Abstract: An article having a substrate is protected by a thermal barrier coating system. An interfacial layer contacts the upper surface of the substrate. The interfacial layer may comprise a bond coat only, or a bond coat and an overlay coat. The interfacial layer has on its upper surface a preselected, controllable pattern of three-dimensional features, such as grooves in a parallel array or in two angularly offset arrays. The features are formed by an ablation process using an ultraviolet laser such as an excimer laser. A ceramic thermal barrier coating is deposited over the pattern of features on the upper surface of the interfacial layer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic ceramic molding composition comprised of about 40 to 70 volume percent of a binder, consisting essentially of an organic acid containing from 12 to 26 carbon atoms per molecule and a polyisobutylene polymer having a molecular weight between about 8,700 and 135,000, and about 30 to 60 volume percent of a ceramic powder is disclosed. The molding composition can be thermoplastically extruded into elongate ceramic bodies that can be uniformly elongated many times the original length of the ceramic body to form, for example, very fine diameter fibers or filaments suitable for sintering into a polycrystalline ceramic fiber or filament having a very fine diameter.

Abstract: A thermoplastically moldable ceramic composition comprised of from about 40% to about 60% by volume of a ceramic powder and a binder comprised of an organic acid and a copolymer of ethylene and from greater than about 12 weight % to about 33 weight % vinyl acetate, said organic acid having a melting point ranging from about 44.degree. C. to about 88.degree. C. and ranging from greater than about 18% by weight up to about 45% by weight of the binder. The ceramic composition is thermoplastically molded into a body which is baked to remove the binder and then densified to produce a polycrystalline body having a porosity of less than about 20% by volume.

Abstract: Spherical particles of polycrystalline silicon carbide having a density greater than 80% of the theoretical density for silicon carbide and having an average diameter ranging from about 10 microns to about 5000 microns are produced by forming spherical agglomerates of a sinterable silicon carbide powder and sintering the agglomerates at a temperature ranging from about 1900.degree. C. to about 2300.degree. C.

Abstract: A thermoplastically moldable ceramic composition comprised of from about 40% to about 60% by volume of a sinterable silicon carbide powder and a binder comprised of an organic acid and a copolymer of ethylene and from greater than about 12 weight % to about 33 weight % vinyl acetate, said organic acid having a melting point ranging from about 44.degree. C. to about 88.degree. C. and ranging from greater than about 18% by weight up to about 45% by weight of the binder. The ceramic composition is thermoplastically molded into a body which is baked to remove the binder and then sintered.

Abstract: A sintered SiC body is produced by forming a thermoplastically moldable ceramic composition comprised of sinterable silicon carbide powder and binder, thermoplastically molding the ceramic composition into a body, embedding the body in nominally spherical particles having a density greater than 80% of the particle's theoretical density and being selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline silicon carbide, free carbon-coated polycrystalline silicon carbide, free carbon and mixtures thereof, baking the embedded body to remove the binder therefrom, recovering and sintering said baked body.