Abstract: Sensor assemblies, units and methods are provided to determine crack development of components of interest associated with a monitored structure. According to preferred embodiments, a sample sensor bolt is provided having a shank with a threaded end, the sensor bolt being formed of a material serving as a surrogate of the material forming a component of interest associated with the monitored structure. A frame surrounds the shank of the sensor bolt and has fluid ports therein to allow fluid to contact an exposed portion of the sensor bolt shank in registry therewith. A load cell is operatively connected to the sensor bolt. A preload nut is threaded onto the threaded end of the sensor bolt shank and contacts an end of the frame so as to place the sensor bolt under an initial tensile stress.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting presence of a target particulate of predetermined size (e.g., engine wear debris) in a fluid (e.g., an engine lubricant) by providing at least one pair of serially fluid-connected upstream test and downstream reference filtration elements in the fluid. At least the upstream test filtration element has a filtration size rating that is sufficient to remove a predetermined amount of the target particulate from the fluid. The differential pressure of the fluid may then be measured (e.g., by suitable pressure transducers) across each of the test and reference filtration elements. By comparing the differential pressure across the test filtration element to the differential pressure across reference filtration element, the presence of the target particulate in the fluid can thereby be detected by an increase in differential pressure across the test filtration element in comparison to the differential pressure across the reference filtration element.

Abstract: A passive sensor that is located on or adjacent to a structure that can be used to monitor the affect of environment on a structure or coating that is used to protect the structure. The sensor includes a parasitic element that interacts with the environment and influences the intensity of the electromagnetic response between the inductive element of the sensor and the antenna of the interrogation reader device. The condition of the parasitic element is determined by the radio frequency interaction of the reader antenna and the inductive element of the sensor. The parasitic element condition correlates to the environmental severity, or corrosivity of the environment and damage to metallic structures or protective coatings. An integrated circuit within the sensor is capable of storing identification, time, material, and measurement information. The sensor and system of the present invention is useful for tracking and monitoring cumulate environmental damage to a structure.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies, units and methods are provided to determine crack development of components of interest associated with a monitored structure. According to preferred embodiments, a sample sensor bolt is provided having a shank with a threaded end, the sensor bolt being formed of a material serving as a surrogate of the material forming a component of interest associated with the monitored structure. A frame surrounds the shank of the sensor bolt and has fluid ports therein to allow fluid to contact an exposed portion of the sensor bolt shank in registry therewith. A load cell is operatively connected to the sensor bolt. A pre-load nut is threaded onto the threaded end of the sensor bolt shank and contacts an end of the frame so as to place the sensor bolt under an initial tensile stress.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting presence of a target particulate of predetermined size (e.g., engine wear debris) in a fluid (e.g., an engine lubricant) by providing at least one pair of serially fluid-connected upstream test and downstream reference filtration elements in the fluid. At least the upstream test filtration element has a filtration size rating that is sufficient to remove a predetermined amount of the target particulate from the fluid. The differential pressure of the fluid may then be measured (e.g., by suitable pressure transducers) across each of the test and reference filtration elements. By comparing the differential pressure across the test filtration element to the differential pressure across reference filtration element, the presence of the target particulate in the fluid can thereby be detected by an increase in differential pressure across the test filtration element in comparison to the differential pressure across the reference filtration element.

Abstract: High friction and radar attenuating coating formulations are provided and include a resin matrix, a particulate friction additive dispersed in the resin matrix in an amount sufficient to achieve a minimum coefficient of friction according to MIL-PRF-24667B(SH), and a particulate dielectric filler dispersed in the resin matrix in an amount sufficient to achieve a permitivitty (??) of less than about 10 and a loss tangent (tan ?) of less than about 0.05. A substrate surface may be coated with the coating formulation so as to provide a topcoat layer thereon. The topcoat layer may thus be applied directly onto the substrate surface. Alternatively, the coating formulation is present as a topcoat layer component of a coating system on the substrate which further comprises an intermediate layer interposed between the topcoat layer and a surface of the substrate and/or a primer layer coated directly onto the surface of a substrate between the topcoat layer and the substrate.

Abstract: Sensors, methods and systems detect physical effects (e.g., corrosion, erosion, scaling and/or oxidation) of a fluid in contact with a diaphragm associated with a sensor assembly. The diaphragm preferably exhibits a first mechanical response when initially placed into contact with a fluid and a second mechanical response different from the first mechanical response after exposure to the fluid for a predetermined period of time. A change in the diaphragm mechanical responses between at least the first and second mechanical responses is therefore indicative of physical effects on the diaphragm over time caused by the fluid in contact therewith. A mechanical response sensor is operatively associated with the diaphragm so as to measure the change in the diaphragm mechanical responses and thereby determine the physical effects over time of the fluid in contact with the diaphragm.

Abstract: A passive sensor that is located on or adjacent to a structure that can be used to monitor the affect of environment on a structure or coating that is used to protect the structure. The sensor includes a parasitic element that interacts with the environment and influences the intensity of the electromagnetic response between the inductive element of the sensor and the antenna of the interrogation reader device. The condition of the parasitic element is determined by the radio frequency interaction of the reader antenna and the inductive element of the sensor. The parasitic element condition correlates to the environmental severity, or corrosivity of the environment and damage to metallic structures or protective coatings. An integrated circuit within the sensor is capable of storing identification, time, material, and measurement information. The sensor and system of the present invention is useful for tracking and monitoring cumulate environmental damage to a structure.

Abstract: Sensors, methods and systems detect physical effects (e.g., corrosion, erosion, scaling and/or oxidation) of a fluid in contact with a diaphragm associated with a sensor assembly. The diaphragm preferably exhibits a first mechanical response when initially placed into contact with a fluid and a second mechanical response different from the first mechanical response after exposure to the fluid for a predetermined period of time. A change in the diaphragm mechanical responses between at least the first and second mechanical responses is therefore indicative of physical effects on the diaphragm over time caused by the fluid in contact therewith. A mechanical response sensor is operatively associated with the diaphragm so as to measure the change in the diaphragm mechanical responses and thereby determine the physical effects over time of the fluid in contact with the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of coating of steel products such as plate and sheet using an aluminum-zinc coating alloy includes modifying the coating bath with a particulate compound constituent in effective amounts to control the spangle facet size of the coated product, improve tension bend rust stain performance, and improve coated product paintability. Constituents include borides such as titanium boride and aluminum borides, carbides such as titanium carbide, and aluminides such as titanium aluminide. The method produces a coated steel product that does not require temper rolling for painting.

Abstract: A method of coating of steel products such as plate and sheet using an aluminum-zinc coating alloy includes modifying the coating bath with a particulate compound constituent in effective amounts to decrease the spangle facet size of the coated product, improve tension bend rust stain performance, and coated product paintability. Constituents include borides such as titanium boride and aluminum borides, carbides such as titanium carbide, and aluminides such as titanium aluminide. The method produces a coated steel product that does not require temper rolling for painting.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for applying an organic high solids finish coating to a preprimed metallic coated steel sheet. The resulting process is environmentally efficient, cost effective and yields a durable finish coated steel sheet article. The process also includes steps for applying a metallic coating and an organic primer in a single continuous process to form a preprimed steel sheet article. The primer may be a waterborne coating that is applied directly to the pristine metallic coated sheet.

Abstract: Continuous bath or curtain processes for the thermal deposition of a coating from a coating solution onto a moving metal web are used to apply a coating onto the web. The compositions that result from the processes are substantially free of defects relative to batch processes. The continuous process is particularly applicable for priming zinc and zinc-alloy coated steel webs.

Abstract: A method of coating of steel products such as plate and sheet using an aluminum-zinc coating alloy includes modifying the coating bath with a particulate compound constituent in effective amounts to decrease the spangle facet size of the coated product, improve tension bend rust stain performance, and coated product paintability. Constituents include borides such as titanium boride and aluminum borides, carbides such as titanium carbide, and aluminides such as titanium aluminide. The method produces a coated steel product that does not require temper rolling for painting.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for determining coating thickness on a substrate. The apparatus comprises a jig and fixture combination where the jig includes a moveable stop that fixes a position for placing a substrate specimen in the fixture, and where the fixture includes an inclined plane for receiving the substrate specimen at a predetermined angle .theta. that slopes in a downward direction to engage the moveable stop. A clamp that holds the substrate specimen at a fixed position against moveable stop and inclined plane when said fixture is separated from said jig to determine coating thickness on the substrate.