Abstract: This invention is in the field of Chemical vapor infiltration and Chemical vapor deposition (CVI/CVD). More specifically, this invention is directed to method and apparatus for weighing parts being subjected to the CVI/CVD process, during the process itself to indicate a weight change thereof. The process may be terminated or altered as desired based upon the weight gain information.

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, the susceptor lid body having a top surface and a bottom surface; and an exhaust lid disposed over the gas exhaust hole, with a clearance between the exhaust lid and the gas exhaust hole such that exhaust gas pressure within the clearance is approximately equal to, or less than the exhaust gas pressure within the gas exhaust hole, the exhaust lid being positioned to block the majority of the radiation from below the bottom surface of the susceptor lid body.

Abstract: A gas preheater for use in a CVI/CVD furnace that receives a reactant gas from a gas inlet, comprising a sealed baffle structure disposed within the furnace. The sealed baffle structure has a baffle structure inlet and baffle structure outlet. A sealed duct structure is disposed within the furnace, said sealed duct structure being sealed around the gas inlet and said baffle structure such that substantially all of the reaction gas received from the gas inlet is directed to and forced to flow through said sealed baffle structure to said baffle structure outlet.

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: 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: 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: The invention relates to apparatus for use in chemical vapor infiltration and deposition (CVI/CVD) processes. More specifically, the invention relates to a preheater for heating a reactant gas inside a CVI/CVD furnace, and a fixture for depositing a matrix within a stack of porous structures by a pressure gradient CVI/CVD process. The invention is particularly suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities (hundreds) of aircraft brake disks.