Abstract: Pump apparatus according to the present invention may comprise a pump body having a bore therein and a piston mounted within the bore so that the piston may be reciprocated within the bore between first and second positions. A sleeve seal assembly mounted to the pump body contacts the piston as the piston moves between the first and second positions. A piston seal assembly mounted to the piston contacts the bore in the pump body and is located on the piston so that the piston seal assembly does not contact the sleeve seal assembly as the piston is reciprocated between the first and second positions within the bore of the pump body.

Abstract: Lamellar pigment particles are provided in a form that is readily used for coating compositions by use of a dispersion. The dispersion contains the pigment particles in an amount of 20-55% by weight, and also includes a carrier that is compatible with the vehicle of the intended coating composition. The dispersions are stable and provide essentially complete separation of the lamellar pigment particles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for treating a surface of a work piece are described. In one implementation, a laser delivery subsystem is configured to direct a laser beam toward a treatment zone on a work surface. A cryogenic material delivery subsystem is operably coupled with the laser delivery subsystem and is configured to direct a stream comprising cryogenic material toward the treatment zone. Both the laser beam and stream cooperate to treat material of the work surface within the treatment zone. In one aspect, a nozzle assembly provides the laser beam and stream of cryogenic material along a common flow axis. In another aspect, the laser beam and stream are provided along different axes.

Abstract: Lamellar pigment particles are provided in a form that is readily used for coating compositions by use of a dispersion. The dispersion contains the pigment particles in an amount of 20-55% by weight, and also includes a carrier that is compatible with the vehicle of the intended coating composition. The dispersions are stable and provide essentially complete separation of the lamellar pigment particles.

Abstract: A laser ablation system comprising a laser head providing a laser output; a flexible fiber optic cable optically coupled to the laser output and transmitting laser light; an output optics assembly including a nozzle through which laser light passes; an exhaust tube in communication with the nozzle; and a blower generating a vacuum on the exhaust tube. A method of decontaminating a surface comprising the following steps: providing an acousto-optic, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser light ablation system having a fiber optically coupled output optics assembly; and operating the laser light ablation system to produce an irradiance greater than 1.times.10.sup.7 W/cm.sup.2, and a pulse width between 80 and 170 ns.

Abstract: Lamellar pigment particles are provided in a form that is readily used for coating compositions by use of a dispersion. The dispersion contains the pigment particles in an amount of 20-55% by weight, and also includes a carrier that is compatible with the vehicle of the intended coating composition. The dispersions are stable and provide essentially complete separation of the lamellar pigment particles.

Abstract: A colored metallic pigment composition includes metallic particles which have been treated with a mixture of pigment particles and wax. A polymeric shell is formed on the treated metal particles by means of an organometallic coupling agent. The coupling agent includes a readily-hydrolyzable group which is capable of binding to the metal particle surface, and a relatively non-hydrolyzable group which serves as a binding site for the polymeric shell.