Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: A process for making fine and ultra-fine metallic fibers is disclosed comprising arranging a multiplicity of metallic wires to form an assembly of the metallic wires. The assembly of the metallic wires is wrapped with a wrapping material to form a wrapped assembly. A plurality of the wrapped assemblies are inserted into a tube for providing a cladding. The cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof and for reducing the cross-section of each of the multiplicity of metallic wires within the cladding to transform the multiplicity of metallic wires into a multiplicity of fine or ultra-fine metallic fibers. The cladding is removed for providing the multiplicity of fine or ultra-fine metallic fibers. In one example, the metallic wires are coated with a coating material formed from the same material as the wrapping material and the cladding material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for making fine metallic fiber tow comprising the steps of cladding an array of metallic wires with an array cladding material to provide an array cladding. The array cladding is drawn for reducing the diameter thereof and for reducing the corresponding diameters of each of the metallic wires of the array within the array cladding for producing an array of fine metallic fibers. A series of bends is formed in the array cladding. The array cladding is placed onto a support with the series of bends creating spaces between adjacent portions of the array cladding to minimize the number of direct contacts between adjacent portions of the array cladding. The array cladding material is removed for producing metallic fiber tow. The apparatus of the present invention forms the bends in the array cladding.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making fine metallic fibers comprising forming a continuous tube about a plurality of coated metallic wires for providing a first cladding. The first cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter and for diffusion welding the coating within the cladding. The tube is mechanically removed to provide a first remainder. The first remainder is drawn for reducing the diameter thereof to transform the plurality of metallic wires into a plurality of fine metallic fibers. In one example, the diffusion welded coating is removed for providing the plurality of fine metallic fibers. In another example, a plurality of the first remainders are assembled and a continuous tube is formed about a the first remainders for providing a second cladding. The second cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter. The tube is mechanically removed to provide a second remainder.

Abstract: A process for making fine metallic fibers comprising coating a plurality of metallic wires with a coating material. The plurality of metallic wires are jacketed with a tube for providing a cladding. The cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof. The cladding is removed to provide a remainder comprising the coating material with the plurality of metallic wires contained therein. The remainder is drawn for reducing the diameter thereof and for reducing the corresponding diameter of the plurality of metallic wires contained therein. The coating material is removed for providing the plurality of fine metallic fibers.

Abstract: A continuous, self-cleaning, rotary filtering apparatus is provided having a plurality of filter elements within a rotatable filter housing adapted for rotation between an inlet plate having an inlet manifold and an outlet plate having an outlet manifold so that the liquid to be filtered is passed from the inlet manifold through the filter elements and into the outlet manifold. The apparatus is further provided with a backflushing capability whereby the filter housing can be rotated to position where one filter element in alignment with a backflush port independent of the inlet manifold so that a part of the liquid within the outlet manifold will be caused to flow backward through that filter element and backflush port to purge contaminants from the apparatus via the backflush port without interrupting liquid flow through the other filter elements. After backflushing, the filter housing is further rotated to return the backflushed filter element to service.

Abstract: A rotary diverter valve for use in diverting fluid wherein the fluid port intersections between the valve body and rotary element are all at a flat planar interface to provide a flat, zero clearance, metal to metal contact. Live bolting is provided to adjust the contact pressure through a spherical bearing arrangement as will tolerate axial misalignment due to nonparallel loading to eliminate any need for critical torquing and widen manufacturing tolerances and reduce costs. When utilizing a replaceable transition plate between the rotary element and the valve body, wear on costly components is eliminated, and the valve is easy to maintain and repair.

Abstract: An integrated power system is located adjacent a body of saline water. The power system includes a solar powered and a wind driven engine. Desalinization and electrolysis of the water is provided. The system produces carbon dioxide and hydrogen which are used to generate methanol. The methanol can be used as a fuel to drive a combustion engine.

Abstract: An integrated power system is located adjacent a body of saline water. The power system includes a solar powered and a wind driven engine. Desalinization and electrolysis of the water is provided. The system produces carbon dioxide and hydrogen which are used to generate methanol. The methanol can be used as a fuel to drive a combustion engine.