Abstract: The rotatable joinder of two sheets is provided by a two-piece interfitting bearing assembly with each element separately attached to one of the sheets so that the sheets are joined but rotation is controlled by the interfitting bearing surfaces. The interfitting parts comprise an inner and outer race which are placed together in superposition with aligned apertures in the sheets. The rotatable attachment of the sheets is accomplished in a single pressing operation in which each race is simultaneously pressed into one of the sheets with a gap remaining between them.

Abstract: A turbine engine component is provided which has a substrate and a thermal barrier coating applied over the substrate. The thermal barrier coating comprises alternating layers of yttria-stabilized zirconia and a molten silicate resistant material. The molten silicate resistant outer layer may be formed from at least one oxide of a material selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, scandium, indium, zirconium, hafnium, and titanium or may be formed from a gadolinia-stabilized zirconia. If desired, a metallic bond coat may be present between the substrate and the thermal barrier coating system. A method for forming the thermal barrier coating system of the present invention is described.

Abstract: A turbine component has a substrate formed from a ceramic material selected from the group consisting of a monolithic ceramic material and a composite ceramic material and a thermal barrier coating bonded to the substrate. In one embodiment, the ceramic material forming the substrate is selected from the group of silicon nitride and self-reinforced silicon nitride. In another embodiment, the ceramic material forming the substrate is selected from the group consisting of a silicon carbide-silicon carbide material and a carbon-carbon material. At least one bond coat layer may be interposed between the substrate and the thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: A method for creating a guardband that incorporates statistical models for test environment, system environment, tester-to-system offset and reliability into a model and then processes a final guardband by factoring manufacturing process variation and quality against yield loss.

Abstract: A ceramic material has particular utility as a thermal insulating or thermal barrier coating on metallic substrates. The ceramic material includes gadolinia and hafnia, preferably forming gadolinia-hafnia. This material exhibits chemical stability, thermal stability and thermal insulating properties superior to those of currently used thermal barrier ceramics, and also provides resistance to sintering and erosion comparable to currently used ceramics. A preferred material has between about 3-70 mol. % hafnia, balance hafnia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming an article having a protective ceramic coating which reduces radiation heat transport through the ceramic coating. The protective ceramic coating includes one or more embedded reflective metallic layers for reducing the radiation heat transport. The method for forming the protective coating broadly comprises the steps of forming a ceramic coating on a substrate and embedding at least one reflective metallic layer within the ceramic coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming an article having a protective ceramic coating which reduces radiation heat transport through the ceramic coating. The protective ceramic coating includes one or more embedded reflective metallic layers for reducing the radiation heat transport. The method for forming the protective coating broadly comprises the steps of forming a ceramic coating on a substrate and embedding at least one reflective metallic layer within the ceramic coating.

Abstract: A turbine component has a substrate formed from a ceramic material selected from the group consisting of a monolithic ceramic material and a composite ceramic material and a thermal barrier coating bonded to the substrate. In one embodiment, the ceramic material forming the substrate is selected from the group of silicon nitride and self-reinforced silicon nitride. In another embodiment, the ceramic material forming the substrate is selected from the group consisting of a silicon carbide-silicon carbide material and a carbon-carbon material. At least one bond coat layer may be interposed between the substrate and the thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: A ceramic material having particular utility as a thermal insulating or thermal barrier coating on metallic substrates is provided. The ceramic material broadly comprises at least one oxide and the balance comprising a first oxide selected from the group consisting of zirconia, ceria, and hafnia. The at least one oxide has a formula A2O3 where A is selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Th, In, Sc, Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and mixtures thereof. The present invention also broadly relates to an article having a metal substrate and a thermal barrier coating as discussed above.

Abstract: A ceramic material having particular utility as a thermal insulating or thermal barrier coating on metallic substrates is provided. The ceramic material broadly comprises at least one oxide and the balance comprising a first oxide selected from the group consisting of zirconia, ceria, and hafnia. The at least one oxide has a formula A2O3 where A is selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, In, Sc, Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and mixtures thereof. The present invention also broadly relates to an article having a metal substrate and a thermal barrier coating as discussed above.

Abstract: A ceramic material having particular utility as a thermal insulating or thermal barrier coating on metallic substrates is provided. The ceramic material broadly comprises at least one lanthanide sesquioxide and the balance comprising a first oxide selected from the group consisting of zirconia, ceria, and hafnia. The lanthanide sesquioxide has a formula A2O3 where A is selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, In, Sc, Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and mixtures thereof. The present invention also broadly relates to an article having a metal substrate and a thermal barrier coating as discussed above.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed of dampening apparatus for a pressure gauge in which a short length of sleeve, ferrule, hub or thimble encircles a pointer shaft in a close but loose fit relation defining a clearances packed with a high viscosity dampening agent such that it serves to decelerate and cushion any sudden shock or pulsation force that would otherwise be transmitted from the pointer shaft to a pointer registering values of pressure of fluid pressure being monitored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming an article having a protective ceramic coating which reduces radiation heat transport through the ceramic coating. The protective ceramic coating includes one or more embedded reflective metallic layers for reducing the radiation heat transport. The method for forming the protective coating broadly comprises the steps of forming a ceramic coating on a substrate and embedding at least one reflective metallic layer within the ceramic coating.

Abstract: A superalloy article is disclosed having a thermal barrier coating. The article comprises a superalloy substrate, an adherent alumina layer on the substrate, and a ceramic, thermally insulating layer on the alumina layer. The ceramic layer has an overall thickness and comprises a relatively strain tolerant, columnar grain ceramic on the alumina layer and relatively more thermally insulating ceramic on the columnar grain ceramic. The alumina layer may be formed using an alumina forming layer such as an overlay or aluminide bond coat, or the superalloy may comprise a material that is capable of forming an alumina layer. The ceramic layers may be formed of a stabilized zirconia or other suitable material, and may have the same or different compositions.

Abstract: The general purpose of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method of preserving the vulnerable area of a railroad cross tie near the interface of the tie and the tie plate. To attain this purpose the invention provides a thin preservative-bearing gelatinous material that is placed between the cross tie and the tie plate either at the time of the original laying of rail or during any subsequent relaying. No extra equipment is needed and only a negligible amount of labor is required to simply place the gelatinous material on the adzed surface of the cross tie prior to the mounting or remounting of the rail. The presence of the gelatinous material poses absolutely no resistance to the subsequent driving of the spikes into the tie and is thin enough so as not to pose any rail alignment problems. The use of the gelatinous material relies on the moisture found under the tie plate to leach the active ingredients out of the material and help diffuse them throughout the adjacent section of wood.

Abstract: A ceramic material has particular utility as a thermal insulating or thermal barrier coating on metallic substrates. The ceramic material includes gadolinia and hafnia, preferably forming gadolinia-hafnia. This material exhibits chemical stability, thermal stability and thermal insulating properties superior to those of currently used thermal barrier ceramics, and also provides resistance to sintering and erosion comparable to currently used ceramics. A preferred material has between about 3-70 mol. % hafnia, balance hafnia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming an article having a protective ceramic coating which reduces radiation heat transport through the ceramic coating. The protective ceramic coating includes one or more embedded reflective metallic layers for reducing the radiation heat transport. The method for forming the protective coating broadly comprises the steps of forming a ceramic coating on a substrate and embedding at least one reflective metallic layer within the ceramic coating.

Abstract: The general purpose of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method of preserving the vulnerable area of a railroad cross tie near the interface of the tie and the tie plate. To attain this purpose the invention provides a thin preservative-bearing gelatinous material that is placed between the cross tie and the tie plate either at the time of the original laying of rail or during any subsequent relaying. No extra equipment is needed and only a negligible amount of labor is required to simply place the gelatinous material on the adzed surface of the cross tie prior to the mounting or remounting of the rail. The presence of the gelatinous material poses absolutely no resistance to the subsequent driving of the spikes into the tie and is thin enough so as not to pose any rail alignment problems. The use of the gelatinous material relies on the moisture found under the tie plate to leach the active ingredients out of the material and help diffuse them throughout the adjacent section of wood.

Abstract: Methods of producing layered ceramic coatings in which some layers contain porosity are described, as are the coatings produced. The different layers are applied at different temperature conditions by periodically inserting a heat blocking shield between the heat source and either the evaporation source and/or an external heater. As applied, some of the layers have a Zone I structure and some have a Zone II type structure. Heat treatment may be used to increase the porosity in the Zone I structure layers.

Abstract: A structure and associated methods are provided having enhanced slip-resistant surfaces formed on the projections, recesses or other surfaces of the structure to promote safe and stable movement of people and/or objects on the structure. These structures can include, for example, those materials commonly installed on vehicles such as emergency vehicles. The methods associated with the structure include roughening at least one smooth surface of the structure to provide an enhanced slip-resistant surface. In separate aspects of the method, for example, mechanical roughening processes are disclosed which employ a set of two rollers, a single roller or a punch die arrangement to roughen a smooth surface of a structure. The enhanced slip-resistant structure can then be installed on a vehicle or employed in a variety of other applications where safe and stable movement of people and/or objects is desirable.