Abstract: A wear-protected substrate includes a substrate and a continuous wear protection layer brazed to the substrate. The continuous wear protection layer includes components having interlocking features that are configured to interlock the components side-by-side to form the continuous wear protection layer.

Abstract: A tool and a method of making the tool is disclosed. The tool comprises a sleeve and a compact. The sleeve may have a proximal end, a distal end, a central axis, and a bore extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the bore having an inner wall. The compact may have a base end and an impact surface spaced opposite to the base end. The compact may be substantially disposed within the bore of the sleeve. The proximal end may be disposed proximate the base end of the compact.

Abstract: A braking system for a watercraft moving upon a body of water. A hull has a bow portion, a bottom portion and a port opening in the bow. A water inlet is formed in the bottom of the hull. A duct extends between the water inlet and the port opening. A generally U-shaped hub has an intake portion and an output portion. The hub is selectably movable between a stowed position with the intake portion within the hull and a deployed position with the intake portion extending into the body of water. The intake portion of the hub, when deployed, diverts water from the intake portion to the output portion of the hub. The moving watercraft is braked by drag induced upon the hull by the deployed hub extending into the body of water and by the diverted water urged through the duct and out of the port opening.

Abstract: A braking system for a watercraft moving upon a body of water. A hull has a bow portion, a bottom portion and a port opening in the bow. A water inlet is formed in the bottom of the hull. A duct extends between the water inlet and the port opening. A generally U-shaped hub has an intake portion and an output portion. The hub is selectably movable between a stowed position with the intake portion within the hull and a deployed position with the intake portion extending into the body of water. The intake portion of the hub, when deployed, diverts water from the intake portion to the output portion of the hub. The moving watercraft is braked by drag induced upon the hull by the deployed hub extending into the body of water and by the diverted water urged through the duct and out of the port opening.

Abstract: Unsaturated C3 and C4 perfluorocarbons are used to extinguish fires. These compounds have been found to extinguish fires as effectively as Halons with similar volatility, residue levels, materials compatibility and safety but with enhanced environmental acceptability.

Abstract: This invention provides a noble gas storage and delivery system for ion propulsion using an adsorption bed coupled with a primary storage vessel containing compressed gas or two-phase fluid to control the flow and pressure to a thruster component. The adsorption bed component is lighter weight than conventional flow and pressure control devices, and the system can provide in situ gas cleanup and stable flow from two-phase storage. The use of the adsorption bed allows for independent and isolated operation of multiple thruster components such as refill from the primary storage vessel, throttling, and multiple setpoint flow rates. The pressure and flow is controlled using a flow restrictor and low wattage heat. Flow rates of about 2-50 sccm can be controlled to within about 1.2% or less, and the flow can be throttled by varying the pressure. This noble gas storage and delivery system can be used for earth orbit satellites, and lunar or planetary space missions.

Abstract: A method and system for storing and delivering a noble gas for an ion propulsion system where an adsorbent bearing a noble gas is heated within a storage vessel to desorb the noble gas which is then flowed through a pressure reduction device to a thruster assembly. The pressure and flow is controlled using a flow restrictor and low wattage heater which heats an adsorbent bed containing the noble gas propellant at low pressures. Flow rates of 5-60 sccm can be controlled to within about 0.5% or less and the required input power is generally less than 50 W. This noble gas storage and delivery system and method can be used for earth orbit satellites, and lunar or planetary space missions.

Abstract: A method and system decomposes or immobilizes organic wastes using a metal alloy agent comprised of at least two metals selected from transition metals, alkaline metal and/or and rare earth metals. The method first uses hydrogen and oxygen, with and without mechanical agitation, to decrepitate and activate the metal alloy powders. The organic waste compounds are then introduced to the activated metal alloys. This method of decomposing organic materials effectively destroys organic compounds which contain halogens, sulfur, phosphorous, oxygen, and higher order bonds.

Abstract: A process and system recycles and reuses gray water generated by dishwashers, showers, carwashes, and clothes washers while maintaining the same cleaning performance as current systems. Hollow-fiber membrane ultrafiltration is used to reduce fresh water supply demands and gray water generation where voluminous quantities of the latter are generated. For a clothes washer, the gray water reuse or recycle system consists of a closed-loop water recycle which can be redirected to a storage tank for other applications, or directly used in situ with a clothes washer for subsequent rinse cycles. The process uses, at a minimum, 50% less water than conventional residential and commercial washers, and also decreases detergent requirements by 30% because a portion of the rinse water can be re-used for subsequent wash cycles.