Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond cutting element for use in rock drilling or other operations that requires very high abrasion resistance with high transverse rupture strength at temperatures above 700 degrees centigrade. The cutting element includes a diamond layer that contains pre-sintered polycrystalline diamond agglomerate (PPDA) bonded to a supporting substrate. The PPDA can be made thermally stable and can be selected to produce a cutting element with any desired abrasion resistance characteristic without affecting internal stress.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond cutting element for use in rock drilling or other operations that requires very high abrasion resistance with high transverse rupture strength at temperatures above 700 degrees centigrade. The cutting element includes a diamond layer that contains pre-sintered polycrystalline diamond agglomerate (PPDA) bonded to a supporting substrate. The PPDA can be made thermally stable and can be selected to produce a cutting element with any desired abrasion resistance characteristic without affecting internal stress.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming a composite body including the steps of forming a diamond material layer having a first surface from diamond crystals having a nitrogen content of less than 100 ppm; providing a substrate; and bonding the first surface of the diamond material layer and the substrate under high pressure and high temperature. The composite body has a diamond material layer formed from diamond crystals having a nitrogen content of less than 100 ppm. The diamond material layer has a first surface and a substrate. The first surface of the diamond material layer and the substrate are bonded together under high pressure and high temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming a composite body. The invention includes the steps of heating diamond crystals to a temperature about 1900° C. and simultaneously subjecting the diamond crystals to a pressure above about 40 k-bar, forming a diamond material layer having a first surface from the diamond crystals, providing a substrate, and bonding the first surface of the diamond material layer and the substrate under high pressure and high temperature. The composite body has a diamond material layer formed from diamond crystals. The diamond material layer has a first surface and a substrate. The first surface of the diamond material layer and the substrate are bonded together under high pressure and high temperature.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond compact for use in cutting operations with a renewable sharp cutting edge, high abrasion resistance and high impact strength. The polycrystalline diamond is a composite composed of a matrix of coarse diamond interspersed with large agglomerated particles of ultra fine diamond. The agglomerated particles produce sharp cutting edges that are protected from impact forces by the overall uniform matrix of coarse diamond crystals. The self-sharpening cutter is highly resistant to spalling and catastrophic fracture.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond compact for use in cutting operations with a renewable sharp cutting edge, high abrasion resistance and high impact strength. The polycrystalline diamond is a composite composed of a matrix of coarse diamond interspersed with large agglomerated particles of ultra fine diamond. The agglomerated particles produce sharp cutting edges that are protected from impact forces by the overall uniform matrix of coarse diamond crystals. The self-sharpening cutter is highly resistant to spalling and catastrophic fracture.

Abstract: Single crystal CVD diamond is heated to temperatures of 1500° C. to 2900° C. under a pressure that prevents significant graphitization. The result is a CVD diamond with improved optical properties.

Abstract: CVD diamond is heated to temperatures of 1500° C. to 2900° C. under a pressure that prevents significant graphitization.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond compact for use in cutting operations that require improved impact strength and non-uniform edge wear. The compact includes a substrate, with multiple, laterally spaced, abrasive diamond particle areas segregated by different particle sizes bonded to the substrate. The polycrystalline diamond areas formed of finer size diamond particles provide higher abrasion resistance wear at a slower rate thus producing a non-linear cutting, edge to the work zone. The areas of different average size diamond particles, in one embodiment, are arranged in concentric rings with each ring of a different particle size. Alternating rings may be formed of uniform size diamond a particles. The areas also may be in the form of spaced grooves inlaid from the end surface of polycrystalline diamond layers. The polycrystalline diamond layer may also have a non-planar end with the discrete areas radially spaced across the layer.

Abstract: A sound generating apparatus for movable objects, particularly model trains, generates audible sounds from digital signal representations of actual train sounds prestored in a memory mounted on the object. In one embodiment, the stored digital sound representations are divided into sets, with each set assigned to a different speed range of movement of the object. Each set includes a plurality of subsets, each containing distinct sound representations which can vary in volume and/or pitch. A central processing unit selects the appropriate set from the memory in response to the actual speed of movement of the object and randomly selects the subsets within the selected set as long as the object remains in a given speed range. In another embodiment, a single set is formed of a plurality of subsets. Each subset contains an identical number of sound representations which vary from subset to subset and within each subset in volume and/or pitch.

Abstract: A compact blank for use in operations that require improved thermal stability, impact strength, and abrasion resistance is disclosed. The compact includes a substrate formed of tungsten carbide or other hard material with multiple abrasive diamond crystal layers bonded to the substrate. The abrasive diamond crystals are provided in successive layers of different size particles with the coarsest size particles being farthest away from the substrate. A catalyst is premixed with the diamond crystals in a weight percent which progressively decreases from the layer closest to the substrate through succeeding layers.

Abstract: A polycrystalline compact cutting element for use in operations that require high impact and abrasion resistance. The compact includes a substrate formed of tungsten carbide or other hard material with a diamond or cubic boron nitride layer bonded to a mounting surface on the substrate. The interface between the layers is defined by a three-dimensional topography formed with a plurality of surface irregularities in an arrangement whereby a straight line or a constant radii accurate line does not connect a series of adjacent surface irregularities.

Abstract: A high pressure/high temperature piston-cylinder-type apparatus has an electrically insulating diamond or cubic boron nitride coating disposed between one or both movable pistons and the surrounding core to electrically isolate the piston or pistons from the surrounding core. The electrically insulating coating is applied to the exterior surface of one or both of the pistons or, alternately, to the inner surface of the core. Electrically insulated, right circular cylindrical pistons are used at both ends of the apparatus resulting in the ability to uniformly compress reaction charges at high temperatures with a much higher length-to-diameter ratio. A ring of electrical insulating material is alternately mounted at the reaction charge end of each piston, with the remaining exterior surface of each piston coated with a thin, elastically insulating layer.

Abstract: A high pressure reaction vessel includes an inner bushing surrounding a reaction charge. The inner bushing is formed of at least one material having a low shear strength that undergoes a polymorphic phase change to a more dense phase within the operating pressure range of the reaction vessel. The bushing may be formed of at least two low shear strength materials with one of the materials undergoing polymorphic phase change to a more dense phase. The one of the two materials which undergoes a polymorphic phase change forms between 10% and 90% of the total volume of the inner bushing. In another embodiment, a pressure transmitting media and an electrical resistance heater tube are concentrically arranged within the inner bushing. The pressure transmitting media is formed of a low shear strength material that undergoes a polymorphic phase change to a more dense phase. In both embodiments, the low shear strength material undergoing polymorphic phase change is potassium bromide.

Abstract: An end cap apparatus for high pressure, high temperature reaction vessels having a reaction chamber containing a reaction charge includes a single member disposed in registry with the reaction charge in the reaction chamber which is formed of at least two or more materials, at least one of which is electrically conductive, and at least one of which is non-conductive to both heat and electricity. In a preferred embodiment, the member is formed of a mixture of graphite and an alkali halide salt. In certain applications, an outer, non-conductive ceramic member surrounds and supports the inner member.

Abstract: A composite component suitable for high temperature applications which includes a composite compact that is thermally stable at temperatures up to 1200.degree. C., the composite compact including a thin layer of metal bonded directly to a polycrystalline table in a HP/HT press, and a metallic substrate joined to the thin layer of metal by a high strength braze joint. The method of fabrication includes the steps of: placing a high temperature braze filler metal on the upper surface of the substrate and in contact with the thin layer of metal; applying heat through the table to melt the filler metal and accomplish the high strength joint between the substrate and the thin layer of metal; and cooling the substrate by conducting heat from all but the upper surface thereof.

Abstract: A compact blank for use in operations that require very high abrasion resistance and a thermally stable cutting edge is disclosed. The compact comprises a substrate formed of tungsten carbide or other hard material with a polycrystalline diamond layer bonded to the substrate. The diamond layer is fabricated by chemical vapor deposition and then subsequently bonded to the tungsten carbide substrate by the application of high pressure and high temperature at diamond stable conditions.

Abstract: A compact blank for use in operations that require very high impact strength and abrasion resistance is disclosed. The compact comprises a substrate formed of tungsten carbide or other hard material with a diamond or cubic boron nitride layer bonded to the substrate. The interface between the layers is defined by topography with irregularities having non-planar side walls such that the concentration of substrate material continuously and gradually decreases at deeper penetrations into the diamond layer.

Abstract: A composite compact adapted for high-temperature uses, such as a cutter on a rotary drill bit, which includes a relatively thick table of diamond or boron nitride particles with a strong, chemically inert binder matrix and a thin metal layer bonded directly to the table in a HP/HT press. The table is characterized by having high thermal stability at temperatures up to 1200.degree. C. The thickness of the thin metal layer, which does not exceed one-half that of the table, is selected such that at temperatures up to 1200.degree. C. the differential forces due to thermal expansion do not exceed the fracture strength of the table.

Abstract: Diamond or CBN polycrystalline abrasive grit useful in tools for grinding or cutting is made by size reducing and leaching non-diamond or non-CBN material from a compact to provide polycrystalline abrasive grit having a selected and having a network of inter-connected, empty pores dispersed throughout.