Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for protecting metal surfaces in oil & gas exploration and production, refinery and petrochemical process applications subject to solid particulate erosion at temperatures of up to 1000° C. The method includes the step of providing the metal surfaces in such applications with a hot erosion resistant cermet lining or insert, wherein the cermet lining or insert includes a) about 30 to about 95 vol % of a ceramic phase, and b) a metal binder phase, wherein the cermet lining or insert has a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0 and a K1C fracture toughness of at least 7.0 MPa-m1/2. The metal surfaces may also be provided with a hot erosion resistant cermet coating having a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for protecting a metal surface subject to erosion temperatures up to 850° C. The method comprises providing the metal surface with a cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ)(RS) comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ) and binder phase (RS) wherein, P is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Group IV, Group V, and Group VI elements, Q is boride, R is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, S comprises Ti and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Al, Si and Y.

Abstract: A helmet includes a helmet body defining a helmet interior. A fit system is provided to engage the helmet to the head of a wearer, at least a first and second portion of the fit system are moveable independent of the other. A fit adjuster varies a characteristic of the fit system, such as size, shape, orientation or pressure, allowing a wearer to customize fit of the helmet.

Abstract: A helmet includes a helmet body defining a helmet interior. A fit system is provided to engage the helmet to the head of a wearer, at least a first and second portion of the fit system are moveable independent of the other. A fit adjuster varies a characteristic of the fit system, such as size, shape, orientation or pressure, allowing a wearer to customize fit of the helmet.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ)(RS) comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ) and a binder phase (RS) wherein, P is a metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, Mg, Ca, Y, Fe, Mn, Group IV, Group V, Group VI elements, and mixtures thereof, Q is oxide, R is a base metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, S consists essentially of at least one element selected from Cr, Al and Si and at least one reactive wetting element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, Ta, Sc, Y, La, and Ce.

Abstract: Deferred premium annuities and accompanying methods are described herein. In some instances, a deferred premium annuity allows a purchaser (e.g., an individual) to pledge assets rather than pay cash up front to purchase an annuity. In these instances, an annuity provider then issues an annuity to the purchaser. In some instances, the provider then may then receive ownership of or an interest in the pledged assets upon death of the purchaser unless the purchaser pays for the annuity before the death of the purchaser.

Abstract: Cermets are provided in which the ceramic phase is selected from the group consisting of Cr23C6, Cr7C3, Cr3C2 and mixtures thereof. The binder phase is selected from certain specified Ni/Cr alloys and certain Fe/Ni/Cr alloys. These cermets are particularly useful in protecting surfaces from erosion at high temperatures.

Abstract: A cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ)(RS) comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ) and binder phase (RS) wherein, P is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Group IV, Group V, Group VI elements, Q is boride, R is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, S comprises at least one element selected from Cr, Al, Si and Y.

Abstract: Cermets, particularly composition gradient cermets can be prepared starting with suitable bulk metal alloys by a reactive heat treatment process involving a reactive environment selected from the group consisting of reactive carbon, reactive nitrogen, reactive boron, reactive oxygen and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Cermets are provided in which the ceramic phase is selected from the group consisting of Cr23C6, Cr7C3, Cr3C2 and mixtures thereof. The binder phase is selected from certain specified Ni/Cr alloys and certain Fe/Ni/Cr alloys. These cermets are particularly useful in protecting surfaces from erosion at high temperatures.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ)(RS) comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ) and a binder phase (RS) wherein, P is a metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, Mg, Ca, Y, Fe, Mn, Group IV, Group V, Group VI elements, and mixtures thereof, Q is oxide, R is a base metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, S consists essentially of at least one element selected from Cr, Al and Si and at least one reactive wetting element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, Ta, Sc, Y, La, and Ce.

Abstract: Cermets, particularly composition gradient cermets can be prepared starting with suitable bulk metal alloys by a reactive heat treatment process involving a reactive environment selected from the group consisting of reactive carbon, reactive nitrogen, reactive boron, reactive oxygen and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention includes a cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ)(RS) comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ) and a binder phase (RS) wherein, P is a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Mn and mixtures thereof, Q is carbonitride, R is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, S comprises at least one element selected from Cr, Al, Si and Y.

Abstract: A cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ)(RS) comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ) and binder phase (RS) wherein, P is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Group IV, Group V, Group VI elements, Q is boride, R is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, S comprises at least one element selected from Cr, Al, Si and Y.

Abstract: A cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ)(RS)X comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ), a binder phase (RS) and X wherein X is at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxide dispersoid E, an intermetallic compound F and a derivative compound G wherein said ceramic phase (PQ) is dispersed in the binder phase (RS) as particles of diameter in the range of about 0.5 to 3000 microns, and said X is dispersed in the binder phase (RS) as particles in the size range of about 1 nm to 400 nm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for protecting metal surfaces in oil & gas exploration and production, refinery and petrochemical process applications subject to solid particulate erosion at temperatures of up to 1000° C. The method includes the step of providing the metal surfaces in such applications with a hot erosion resistant cermet lining or insert, wherein the cermet lining or insert includes a) about 30 to about 95 vol % of a ceramic phase, and b) a metal binder phase, wherein the cermet lining or insert has a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0 and a K1C fracture toughness of at least 7.0 MPa-m 1/2. The metal surfaces may also be provided with a hot erosion resistant cermet coating having a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0.

Abstract: Cermets are provided in which a substantially stoichiometric metal carbide ceramic phase along with a reprecipitated metal carbide phase, represented by the formula MxCy, is dispersed in a metal binder phase. In MxCy M is Cr, Fe, Ni, Co, Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo or mixtures thereof, x and y are whole or fractional numerical values with x ranging from 1 to 30 and y from 1 to 6. These cermets are particularly useful in protecting surfaces from erosion and corrosion at high temperatures.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a network-enabled appliance. The appliance may aid the remote monitoring of various measured data. The device may monitor a variable or set of variables and output the data upon request. In addition, the appliance may issue alarms, alerts, warning and other notifications when a variable matches a setpoint or undergoes a specified change, deviation, and/or fluctuation. Further the appliance may be operable to communicate with other appliances. The communication may comprise periodic pinging of peer appliances. In this manner, a peer appliance may detect a failure in other network-enabled appliances when an anticipated ping is not received. Further, the communication may enable the establishment of a directory of capabilities of various appliances. In this manner, a group of appliances may perform more complex behaviors by grouping resources. Further, a group of appliances may act to reestablish the behavior of a failed device.

Abstract: The invention includes a cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ) (RS) comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ) and a binder phase (RS) wherein, P is a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Mn and mixtures thereof, Q is carbonitride, R is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, S comprises at least one element selected from Cr, Al, Si and Y.