Abstract: An improved process for forming objects such as turbine nozzles (10) with internal geometries without requiring machining of the internal geometry to produce a smooth complex internal surface (16, 18 and 19) is disclosed. The process includes forming a mandrel (30) containing a negative image of the internal geometry; coating the mandrel with a material (32) which is not chemically reactive with the material from which the mandrel is formed, capturing the mandrel in a mold or form (34) which is to receive the material from which the object is to be formed, the material (36) from which the object is to be made not being chemically reactive with the coating; filling the mold or form with the material to capture the mandrel and coating in solidified material contained in the form; and removing the form and the mandrel. If the material is a cast metal, the melting point of the material for forming the object should be below the melting point of the coating on the mandrel.

Abstract: A seal assembly for such applications as a dynamic machine having a rotary component which is mounted for rotation in a housing having an interior wall. A seal member is provided with an inner sealing surface and an outer surface. A coating of metal is electroplated to the outer surface of the seal member. A meltable metal binder layer is bonded between the metal coating and the interior wall of the housing to create, effectively, a metal-to-metal bond between the seal member and the housing.

Abstract: An actuator system is disclosed which modulates a linear output shaft associated with a working control valve or the like in response to a control signal input. The system includes a feedback control link, a pneumatic positioner, a pneumatically controlled hydraulic valving system and a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly controlled by the hydraulic valving system. The hydraulic valving system includes a three-position, four-way valve actuated by pneumatic binary output signals from a signal conditioner which is in turn controlled by the positioner. Hydraulic flow to the three-position, four-way valve may also be controlled from the signal conditioner in response to positioner output for most effective actuation of the hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly. Failure modes are also disclosed with the present system. The resulting system exhibits extremely rapid response times and high accuracy with dynamic stability.

Abstract: An actuator system is disclosed which modulates a linear output shaft associated with a working control valve or the like in response to a control signal input. The system includes a feedback control link, a pneumatic positioner, a pneumatically controlled hydraulic valving system and a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly controlled by the hydraulic valving system. The hydraulic valving system includes a three-position, four-way valve actuated by pneumatic binary output signals from a signal conditioner which is in turn controlled by the positioner. Hydraulic flow to the three-position, four-way valve may also be controlled from the signal conditioner in response to positioner output for most effective actuation of the hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly. Failure modes are also disclosed with the present system. The resulting system exhibits extremely rapid response times and high accuracy with dynamic stability.