Abstract: Embodiments of putter-type golf club head comprising a striking surface capable of achieving consistent ball speeds across the striking surface to account for various ball impact locations are described herein. The striking surface has at least two materials that differ in concentration away from the geometric center of the striking surface to provide this consistency. Consistent (or uniform) ball speed is achieved throughout the striking surface as the portion of the golf ball that contacts the striking surface interacts with at least two materials having a differing material characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the performance of a ceramic metal halide (CMH) lamp includes an interior chamber (12) disposed within an outer envelope (10). In a preferred arrangement, two legs (14, 16) extend laterally in opposite directions from the chamber. Each leg encloses an electrode/leadwire assembly (22, 24). The electrode/leadwire assembly is constructed from a single continuous piece of wire, preferably tungsten, which forms a shaft or mandrel (50). One end of the mandrel supports an electrode tip (52) which is also preferably made from tungsten. The mandrel also supports an overwind component (54) at a predetermined position. In a desired arrangement, the overwind component is made from molybdenum. The single or one-piece mandrel negates the need for a welded shank assembly resulting in a stronger and more stable lamp that is less expensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A chemical process yielding laser amplification and oscillation in the visible and ultraviolet spectral ranges comprising the steps of chemically reacting metal polymers with halogen atoms to form a lasing medium comprised of electronically excited metal dimer molecule which produces laser amplification and, by providing a mirror configuration which makes use of the inverted population, through multiple reflection allows for laser oscillation by the repeated passage of light through the inverted gain medium.

Abstract: A process for increasing the efficiency of a chemical process yielding stimulated emission of visible radiation via fast near resonant intermolecular energy transfer comprising the steps of reacting a first metal vapor with a reactant to form a metastable state of a metal oxide or metal halide and transferring the energy from the metastable state to receptor metal atoms by means of near resonant energy transfer to form electronically excited receptor metal atoms in an inverted configuration by using highly volatile precursor compounds to provide the receptor metal atoms, by introducing a quenchant gas during the energy transfer step, or by introducing CO.sub.2 laser photons during the energy transfer step.

Abstract: A laser oscillator at 535 nm produced by a chemical process yielding stimulated emission of visible radiation via fast near resonant intermolecular energy transfer comprising the steps of reacting a reaction with a first metal vapor to form metastable states of metal oxides or metal halides, transferring the energy from the metastable states to receptor metal atoms by means of near resonant energy transfer to form electronically excited receptor metal atoms in an inverted configuration, and, through multiple reflection, allowing for the repeated passage of light through the inverted gain medium so as to produce oscillation.

Abstract: A method is provided for achieving predetermined thickness requirements throughout a superplastically formed structure having extreme contours. A laminate assembly of sheets of a metal capable of exhibiting superplasticity, such as titanium alloy, is formed by a combination of superplastic forming and diffusion bonding. The shapes and positioning of the sheets is selected to provide extra metal where the greatest degree of stretching is necessary, such as around the lobes of an exhaust mixer for a turbofan aircraft engine. The gauge can thus be controlled throughout the structure while avoiding weak points and undue weight.

Abstract: A chemical process yielding stimulated emission of visible radiation via fast rear resonant intermolecular energy transfer comprising the steps of reacting a first metal or semimetal vapor with a reactant to produce a metastable excited state reaction product and transferring energy stored in the metastable excited state of the reaction product to a second metal or semimetal vapor by means of near resonant energy transfer to form electronically excited receptor atoms in a population inversion relative to a lower level of excitation of the receptor atoms. In the preferred form of the process, the first metal or semimetal vapor is a group IIIA or IVA element. The second metal or semimetal vapor is of a group IIA or IVA element and the reactant is either ozone, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide or a halide.

Abstract: A chemical laser comprising means for producing metal trimers, means for dissociating halogen molecules, a reaction chamber, and means for delivering the metal trimer and halogen atoms into the reaction chamber to form electronically excited metal dimer molecules in sufficient concentration to create a population inversion and laser amplification.

Abstract: A method of producing a reinforced duct structure for use with turbo-fan aircraft engines and the like. The duct is first cut from a flat metal sheet in a predetermined pattern. The sheet is rolled to form a tubular or conic structure of the approximate desired configuration and welded along the open seam. The welded tubular structure is then expanded to the exact required shape. The expanded tubular structure is cut out in selected areas to form a tubular grid structure. A tubular liner conforming to the inner surface of the tubular grid structure is installed and bonded to the grid structure forming an integral tubular structure of the desired configuration and strength and; attachment of any required mating flanges and structure bosses to the integral tubular structure.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing structures from sheets of material having superplasticity as well as diffusion bonding capabilities wherein a combination of diffusion bonding and superplastic forming is performed concurrently with the use of low pressures and a simple heat furnace. The material to be formed and bonded is placed between and sealed in tooling constructed of materials having different degrees of thermal expansion. A low pressure from an external source is applied between the sheets of material to be formed during heating. Forming shims positioned within the tooling provide areas of diffusion bonding when the applied pressure and differential of tooling expansion force the sheets of material together at the shim locations.

Abstract: A liquid interface diffusion process is provided where a thin deposit (from 1/2 to 4 mils) of nickel (and/or cobalt) having 4-12 weight percent boron is plated on the nickel or cobalt based alloy faying surfaces. In the case of honeycomb sandwich, the plating is applied to the edge of the core or on the facing sheets and the assembly held together in intimate contact and exposed to a temperature sufficient to cause the Ni-B eutectic to melt. At the eutectic temperature a liquid is formed which makes a metallurgical joint. Upon further time at temperature the boron is diffused into the substrate so that isothermal solidification occurs and the boron is diluted to a small concentration. Sufficient time is allowed (on the order of one or more hours) so that the melting point at the joint area is essentially the same as the substrate and the joint is comparable to a diffusion bond.

Abstract: A liquid interface diffusion process for bonding titanium or titanium alloys wherein at least one of the titanium type materials to be fayed is sequentially plated with a total weight of from between 1 and 5 gms/ft.sup.2 of honeycomb core of layers of copper and nickel or an alloy made therefrom. The faying surfaces are then held together to maintain position on alignment, placed in a protective atmosphere, the temperature of the materials are then raised at a controlled rate causing sufficient solid state diffusion to occur and a liquid to form continuing to increase the temperature to a predetermined level and holding at this temperature until a solidification occurs and sufficient additional solid state diffusion occurs producing a desirable dilution of bridge material and titanium at the joint, and then reducing the temperature at a controlled rate to a lower temperature to complete the bonding cycle.