Abstract: A system for inspecting thermal spray coated cylinder bores of aluminum alloy cylinder blocks, the system includes a failure detection apparatus, a heating apparatus, a cooling apparatus, and a control unit in electronic communication with each of the failure detection apparatus, the heating apparatus, and the cooling apparatus, and wherein the control unit includes a memory and a control logic sequence for operating the system.

Abstract: A pulley for a continuously variable transmission and a method of creating an engineered surface on an outer surface of a pulley of a continuously variable transmission, with the engineered surface engaging with a belt or chain of the continuously variable transmission. The method comprising the steps of: determining an actual engineered roughness (Rpk) on the outer surface needed to obtain a predetermined friction between the engineered surface and the belt or chain; and etching microgrooves in at least a portion of the outer surface to create the engineered surface by employing a laser to etch the microgrooves, the microgrooves being formed to a depth that produces the actual engineered roughness (Rpk).

Abstract: An iron-based alloy for use in a plasma transferred wire arc thermal spray apparatus includes a high sulfur steel alloy in a stainless and non-stainless forms including a high aluminum and high titanium content. The alloy has significant improvements in the elimination of spray coating cracking, reduction of machining cost, and improved lubrication performance.

Abstract: An engine cylinder bore with a plated bondcoat and a method of coating the surface of an engine cylinder bore. This method includes electroplating a bondcoat to the surface such that a substantial entirety of its inner circumference that corresponds to a piston travel path within the cylinder bore is covered. Cleaning or related pretreatment operations to properly activate the plated surface helps to ensure a durable coupling of a subsequently-applied thermal spray coating. In one preferred form, the cylinder bore is made from an aluminum-based alloy or a magnesium-based alloy that may be roughened prior to applying the bondcoat, while the bondcoat is plated using a titanium-based material such that a relatively thin TiO2 layer is formed on the cylinder bore. In another preferred form, the thermal spray coating is made of an iron-based material.

Abstract: A method of treating the surface of an aluminum-based engine block cylinder bore that has been mechanically roughened. In one form, this method includes using vibratory stress relief, elevated temperature stress relief or cryogenic stress relief so that residual stresses imparted to the surface by the roughening process are reduced. In this way, a protective coating that is also applied to the bore surface will exhibit better adhesion and lower incidence of stress-induced or fatigue-induced cracking.

Abstract: A method of re-manufacturing a shaft-hub assembly to be used in a transfer case, the method including the steps of: determining an initial diameter of a journal bearing of a main shaft that has been used in the transfer case; comparing the determined initial diameter to a predetermined minimum threshold, and discarding the main shaft if the determined initial diameter is below the predetermined minimum threshold; if the determined initial diameter is above the predetermined minimum threshold, preparing the bearing surface of the journal bearing for a thermal spray process; thermally spraying an aluminum bronze material onto the bearing surface; and machining the aluminum bronze material to achieve an outside diameter that provides a desired running clearance with a corresponding finished inside diameter of a central bore for a hub to which the main shaft will be assembled in the transfer case.

Abstract: A method is provided for repairing a cylinder head having corrosion and erosion of the gasket sealing surface around the coolant inlet. The engine is disassembled and the corroded material is machined to a selected depth and width creating a pocket having a bottom wall surface and an annular side wall surface surrounding the coolant inlet port. An annular insert is provided having an annular outer side wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a central opening. The insert has a thickness greater than the depth of the machined pocket. An adhesive is applied the insert is pressed into the pocket. After curing of the adhesive, the top wall of the insert is machined to a dimension flush with the sealing surface of the head thereby creating a proper sealing surface for the subsequent seating of a replacement gasket.

Abstract: A method of re-manufacturing a shaft-hub assembly to be used in a transfer case, the method including the steps of : determining an initial diameter of a journal bearing of a main shaft that has been used in the transfer case; comparing the determined initial diameter to a predetermined minimum threshold, and discarding the main shaft if the determined initial diameter is below the predetermined minimum threshold; if the determined initial diameter is above the predetermined minimum threshold, preparing the bearing surface of the journal bearing for a thermal spray process; thermally spraying an aluminum bronze material onto the bearing surface; and machining the aluminum bronze material to achieve an outside diameter that provides a desired running clearance with a corresponding finished inside diameter of a central bore for a hub to which the main shaft will be assembled in the transfer case.

Abstract: A pulley for a continuously variable transmission and a method of creating an engineered surface on an outer surface of a pulley of a continuously variable transmission, with the engineered surface engaging with a belt or chain of the continuously variable transmission. The method comprising the steps of: determining an actual engineered roughness (Rpk) on the outer surface needed to obtain a predetermined friction between the engineered surface and the belt or chain; and etching microgrooves in at least a portion of the outer surface to create the engineered surface by employing a laser to etch the microgrooves, the microgrooves being formed to a depth that produces the actual engineered roughness (Rpk).

Abstract: A method is provided for repairing a cylinder head having corrosion and erosion of the gasket sealing surface around the coolant inlet. The engine is disassembled and the corroded material is machined to a selected depth and width creating a pocket having a bottom wall surface and an annular side wall surface surrounding the coolant inlet port. An annular insert is provided having an annular outer side wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a central opening. The insert has a thickness greater than the depth of the machined pocket. An adhesive is applied the insert is pressed into the pocket. After curing of the adhesive, the top wall of the insert is machined to a dimension flush with the sealing surface of the head thereby creating a proper sealing surface for the subsequent seating of a replacement gasket.

Abstract: A high pressure fluid jet nozzle has a generally cylindrical body with inlet and outlet ends, a through passage with an entry portion extending to at least one laser cut orifice at the outlet end of the body. The body has a smooth outlet end through which the laser is configured entirely by laser cutting. The entry portion of the through passage preferably has a hemispherical end penetrated by the orifice. Manufacturing steps including laser cutting of the orifice or orifices and optional electrical discharge machining of the hemispherical end of the entry portion.

Abstract: The method of treating the surfaces of malleable light metal cylinder bores or other objects by blasting the surfaces with extremely high water jets for preparing such surfaces for subsequent coating with wear-resistant materials such as a thermal spray coating. The water not only cleans the surface but roughens it to produce a pitted surface with undercuts so that coating material fills the pits and undercuts to provide a smooth layer of coating material with a strong mechanical/adhesive bond.

Abstract: The method of treating the surfaces of malleable light metal cylinder bores or other objects by blasting the surfaces with extremely high water jets for preparing such surfaces for subsequent coating with wear-resistant materials such as a thermal spray coating. The water not only cleans the surface but roughens it to produce a pitted surface with undercuts so that coating material fills the pits and undercuts to provide a smooth layer of coating material with a strong mechanical/adhesive bond.

Abstract: A method for the application of a thermal spray coating to the cylinder wall portions of an aluminum engine block casting is disclosed in which the casting is inverted and water is caused to flow through the cooling passages of the engine block in a series flow from one end of a bank of cylinders to the other while the block is supported on a fixture that seals the cooling passage outlets in the head of the block. The fixture further permits the spray of a metallized coating onto the cylinder walls without adherence of the spray to the fixture or to other portions of the block.

Abstract: This specification describes the thermal spraying of an aluminum-bronze alloy coating onto aluminum alloy cylinder bores or piston skirts to provide a scuff- and wear-resistant surface.