Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer reflective coating for application to a lighting housing assembly, including a polymer substrate adjacent a polymer base coat layer applied to the lighting housing. Atop the polymer base coat layer is an aluminum adhesion layer, followed by a diffusive barrier layer, and a silver reflective layer. The aluminum adhesion layer promotes adhesion between the polymer base coat layer and the silver reflective layer. The diffusive barrier layer prevents aluminum and silver interaction, which could form a silver and aluminum alloy. A spectrum tunable layer is applied atop the silver reflective layer for spectrum tuning the silver reflective layer for maximum compatibility with a light emitting diode (LED) lighting source.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer reflective coating for application to a lighting housing assembly, including a polymer substrate adjacent a polymer base coat layer applied to the lighting housing. Atop the polymer base coat layer is an aluminum adhesion layer, followed by a diffusive barrier layer, and a silver reflective layer. The aluminum adhesion layer promotes adhesion between the polymer base coat layer and the silver reflective layer. The diffusive barrier layer prevents aluminum and silver interaction, which could form a silver and aluminum alloy. A spectrum tunable layer is applied atop the silver reflective layer for spectrum tuning the silver reflective layer for maximum compatibility with a light emitting diode (LED) lighting source.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for reducing electrostatic deposition of charged particles on wetted surfaces that are exposed, periodically or substantially continuously, to high velocity fluid flow within a coolant flow path in a nuclear reactor. The method may include depositing a first or base dielectric layer and a second or outer dielectric layer on a conductive surface that forms a portion of a high velocity flow path to attain the apparatus. The first dielectric layer material is selected to provide improved adhesion and insulation to the conductive surface and the second dielectric layer material is selected to provide suitable adhesion to the first dielectric layer and improved corrosion and/or mechanical resistance in the anticipated operating environment.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for reducing electrostatic deposition of charged particles on wetted surfaces that are exposed, periodically or substantially continuously, to high velocity fluid flow within a coolant flow path in a nuclear reactor. The method may include depositing a first or base dielectric layer and a second or outer dielectric layer on a conductive surface that forms a portion of a high velocity flow path to attain the apparatus. The first dielectric layer material is selected to provide improved adhesion and insulation to the conductive surface and the second dielectric layer material is selected to provide suitable adhesion to the first dielectric layer and improved corrosion and/or mechanical resistance in the anticipated operating environment.

Abstract: Optical interference multilayer coatings of alternating first layers and second layers are provided. The first layers comprise alumina and have a refractive index that is about 1.38 to about 1.55 at 550 nm, while the second layers having a higher refractive index than the first layers. The first layers may be formed via chemical vapor deposition from an alumina precursor. Lamps comprising a light source and a light-transmissive envelope having a surface and at least partially enclosing the light source are also provided. At least a portion of the surface of the light-transmissive envelope is provided with an optical interference multilayer coating. Methods of forming an optical interference multilayer coating are also provided via chemical vapor deposition from an alumina precursor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing electrostatic deposition of charged particles on wetted surfaces that are exposed, periodically or substantially continuously to high velocity fluid flow within a coolant flow path in a nuclear reactor. The method includes depositing a first or base dielectric layer and a second or outer dielectric layer on a conductive surface that forms a portion of a high velocity flow path. The first dielectric layer material is selected to provide improved adhesion and insulation to the conductive surface and the second dielectric layer material is selected to provide suitable adhesion to the first dielectric layer and improved corrosion and/or mechanical resistance in the anticipated operating environment.

Abstract: A lamp and method for the reduction of gas loss in a high temperature lamp includes providing a light source and a surrounding shroud, using a fill gas outside of the light source and inside the shroud having a thermal conductance greater than nitrogen, and modifying the shroud so that it contains at least 20% of the initial fill gas for at least the rated life of lamp operation. The shroud is preferably modified by one or more of selecting the shroud material, controlling the thickness of the shroud, providing a coating on the shroud, and the selection of the fill gas.

Abstract: An electric lamp assembly 10 for emitting near infrared radiation includes a reflector housing 20 and a lamp vessel 24 positioned within the reflector housing. A source of illumination 28 is enclosed within the lamp vessel. A continuous multi-layer interference film 40 on an exterior surface 42 of the lamp vessel transmits near infrared radiation within the range of 850-1100 nm and is substantially non-transmissive towards visible radiation.

Abstract: An electric lamp assembly 10 for emitting near infrared radiation includes a reflector housing 20 and a lamp vessel 24 positioned within the reflector housing. A source of illumination 28 is enclosed within the lamp vessel. A continuous multi-layer interference film 40 on an exterior surface 42 of the lamp vessel transmits near infrared radiation within the range of 850-1100 nm and is substantially non-transmissive towards visible radiation.

Abstract: An optical interference coating for reflecting infra-red radiation and transmitting visible light. The coating comprises alternating layers of high index of refraction material and low index of refraction material. As the total number of layers increases, the ratio of high index of refraction material to low index of refraction material must also increase.

Abstract: A piston for a direct fuel injection engine is described. The piston comprises a cylindrical skirt and a piston face. The cylindrical skirt has an axis. The piston face has a bowl. The bowl has a wall extending about an axis in inclined relation to the cylindrical skirt axis. An engine is also described. The engine comprises an engine block defining an engine cylinder and a piston moveable axially in the engine cylinder. The piston comprises a cylindrical skirt and a dome-shaped piston face, the piston face having therein a bowl. The bowl located with the cylinder axis passing therethrough. The bowl is defined by a cylindrical wall extending about an axis extending in inclined relation to the axis of the cylinder. The bowl includes a bottom wall extending perpendicularly to the bowl axis. The engine also comprises a fuel injector nozzle adapted to direct a spray of fuel toward the bowl for deflection toward a spark plug disposed on the opposite side of the cylinder axis from the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel primer pressure accumulator for an internal combustion engine fuel supply system capable of storing fuel under pressure when the internal combustion engine is stopped. The accumulator has a chamber formed by a casing and a pressure element. The accumulator is connected at a fuel inlet passage to the fuel supply line between the fuel pump and the carburetor. The accumulator is connected at a fuel outlet passage to a primer valve and through the primer valve to at least one fuel primer. A check valve is contained in the fuel inlet passage. The check valve permits the passage of fuel into the chamber when the internal combustion engine is running and restricts the passage of fuel out of the chamber when the internal combustion engine is stopped, thereby trapping fuel in the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine comprising a crankcase assembly including a crankcase member including a crankcase cover mounting surface, and a cylinder assembly mounting surface including therein an opening, and a cylinder block fabricately separately from the crankcase assembly and including a crankcase member surface fixed to the cylinder assembly mounting surface, and a cylinder extending from the crankcase member mounting surface and communicating with the opening in the cylinder assembly mounting surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion water pump including a casing defining a water passage including an inlet, an outlet, and an intermediate portion between the inlet and the outlet, a first impeller located in the intermediate portion of the casing, a second impeller located in the intermediate portion of the casing and rearwardly of the first impeller, a first shaft drivingly connected to the first impeller, extending forwardly therefrom, and having a hollow interior, a second shaft drivingly connected to the second impeller, extending in the hollow interior of the first shaft and forwardly therefrom, and gearing for counter-rotating the first and second shafts.

Abstract: A method for casting a housing and insert assembly including a housing and a cast-in-place insert. The casting method comprises the steps of providing a prefabricated insert, surrounding the insert with an evaporable foam pattern to form a pattern and insert assembly, and utilizing the pattern and insert assembly in a lost foam casting process wherein the pattern is replaced by a material to form the housing and insert assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a piston comprising the steps of providing a shell comprising graphite fibers formed to include the general shape of an open-ended cylinder having an outer periphery, and casting metal to form at least a portion of the piston so that the shell is included and at least a portion of the outer periphery of the shell is exposed. Also disclosed herein is a piston comprising a mesh of graphite fibers having a generally cylindrical shape and defining mesh voids, structural material filling at least some of the mesh voids so that an exterior cylindrical surface of the piston is defined to include at least portions of at least some of the fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine comprising first and second cylinders, first and second crankcases extending respectively from the first and second cylinders, a crankshaft extending through the first and second crankcases, first and second pistons connected to the crankshaft to afford opposite action of the pistons and respectively reciprocally movable in the first and second cylinders to define first and second combustion chambers respectively communicable, subject to piston movement, with the first and second crankcases, first and second air induction passages respectively including first and second reed valves for respectively supplying air to the first and second crankcases, a duct extending between the first and second crankcases, and a valve located in the duct and movable between open and closed positions to respectively permit and prevent fluid flow between the first and second crankcases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of cylinders respectively including a head end, an exhaust port, and a pressure port located between the head end and the exhaust port, a like plurality of pistons respectively movable in the cylinders through respective compression strokes, a like plurality of fuel injectors respectively connected to the cylinders and operative to supply, from a fuel source to each of the cylinders, a metered quantity of fuel conveyed by compressed gas in response to fuel injector operation during the compression stroke of the associated cylinder, a storage tank for accumulating and storing compressed gas, a duct system including a selector value for selectively connecting the pressure ports to the storage tank only during the compression strokes of the associated cylinders, and a conduit connecting the storage tank to the fuel injectors for supplying the fuel injectors with compressed gas in response to fuel injector operation.

Abstract: A carburetor comprises an air induction passage and a choke valve movable in the air induction passage. The carburetor also includes a fuel chamber and a fuel inlet valve which controls the introduction of fuel into the chamber. A control rod is operative for movement axially along and rotationally about its longitudinal axis. The control rod is operatively linked with both the choke valve and the fuel inlet valve such that movement of the control rod in one of its axial and rotational directions operates the choke valve and movement of the control rod in the other one of the axial and rotational directions operates the fuel inlet valve.

Abstract: Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) can be advantageously employed to uniformly coat or impregnate an array or preform of fibers with a ceramic material. As a result, more efficient methods for making composite materials of superior quality are provided.