Abstract: Axial tension is applied to an optical fiber that had been scored at the intended cleave location, wherein the axial tension is applied in a time-varying manner to maintain the stress intensity factor for crack on the fiber within an acceptable level to produce a stable crack growth at a reasonable rate to cleave the fiber without requiring polishing of the end surface. Careful control of the applied tension force with time acts to control the velocity of the propagating crack by maintaining substantially constant stress intensity factor. The applied axial tension force is reduced with time and/or crack growth (as crack propagates). As a result, the strain energy in the fiber material is released by formation of a single plane with an optical quality surface without requiring polishing. A substantially flat optical surface of enhanced optical quality is formed at the cleaved end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Axial tension is applied to an optical fiber that had been scored at the intended cleave location, wherein the axial tension is applied in a time-varying manner to maintain the stress intensity factor for crack on the fiber within an acceptable level to produce a stable crack growth at a reasonable rate to cleave the fiber without requiring polishing of the end surface. Careful control of the applied tension force with time acts to control the velocity of the propagating crack by maintaining substantially constant stress intensity factor. The applied axial tension force is reduced with time and/or crack growth (as crack propagates). As a result, the strain energy in the fiber material is released by formation of a single plane with an optical quality surface without requiring polishing. A substantially flat optical surface of enhanced optical quality is formed at the cleaved end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention described herein involves a novel approach to the production of oxidation/reduction catalytic systems. The present invention serves to stabilize the tin oxide reducible metal-oxide coating by co-incorporating at least another metal-oxide species, such as zirconium. In one embodiment, a third metal-oxide species is incorporated, selected from the group consisting of cerium, lanthanum, hafnium, and ruthenium. The incorporation of the additional metal oxide components serves to stabilize the active tin-oxide layer in the catalytic process during high-temperature operation in a reducing environment (e.g., automobile exhaust). Moreover, the additional metal oxides are active components due to their oxygen-retention capabilities. Together, these features provide a mechanism to extend the range of operation of the tin-oxide-based catalyst system for automotive applications, while maintaining the existing advantages.

Abstract: The invention described herein involves a novel approach to the production of oxidation/reduction catalytic systems. The present invention serves to stabilize the tin oxide reducible metal-oxide coating by co-incorporating at least another metal-oxide species, such as zirconium. In one embodiment, a third metal-oxide species is incorporated, selected from the group consisting of cerium, lanthanum, hafnium, and ruthenium. The incorporation of the additional metal oxide components serves to stabilize the active tin-oxide layer in the catalytic process during high-temperature operation in a reducing environment (e.g., automobile exhaust). Moreover, the additional metal oxides are active components due to their oxygen-retention capabilities. Together, these features provide a mechanism to extend the range of operation of the tin-oxide-based catalyst system for automotive applications, while maintaining the existing advantages.

Abstract: Thin-walled ceramic honeycomb products of improved resistance to isostatic pressure damage are provided wherein the skin layers disposed over the cellular matrix portions of the honeycombs are formed of ceramic materials differing from the materials of the matrix as to composition, density, or other physical parameters effective to increase the elastic modulus of the skin layer relative to the cellular matrix and thereby reduce pressure-induced tangential strain in regions of the matrix adjacent to the skin layers.

Abstract: A tin-oxide based three-way catalytic material employing precious metals that is stable at exhaust gas temperatures of internal combustion engines when the tin oxide lattice includes any of several rare earth oxide stabilizers in the lanthanide series. The rare-earth elements are the 15 lanthanide elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71 that are in Group IIIA of the Periodic Table: lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium. Such tin-oxide based catalytic materials may also beneficially include zirconium oxide and/or yttrium oxide. The invention is useful in providing three-way catalytic exhaust converters for internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A burner nozzle having a hot face, side surfaces, and a plurality of internal gas flow passages and comprising a plurality of slits oriented in at least two different directions, wherein a selected number of the slits are formed in the hot face and/or side surfaces. The optimized location and depth of the slits relieve stresses that arise from temperature differences within the burner nozzle, caused by operation in high temperature furnaces, thereby extending the life (time to failure by fracture) of the burner nozzle.

Abstract: Methods of bonding glass articles that are subsequently drawn into sheets, rods, fibers, etc. are disclosed. Bonding is achieved without use of adhesives or high temperature fusion. The invention is particularly useful for bonding optical fiber preforms prior to drawing of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A glass envelope for a cathode ray tube (10) and a method of production. The envelope comprises (12) a panel member having a thickness (t) that is defined by an equation which involves net tensile stress; wherein the panel having a net tensile stress not exceeding 1150 psi, having a surface compression induced during panel manufacture, and having an implosion protection band (30) shrink-fitted around a skirt (20) on the panel that augments surface compression in the panel (12), whereby the panel thickness is substantially less than that of a corresponding untreated tube envelope.

Abstract: A burner nozzle having a hot face, side surfaces, and a plurality of internal gas flow passages and comprising a plurality of slits oriented in at least two different directions, wherein a selected number of the slits are formed in the hot face and/or side surfaces. The optimized location and depth of the slits relieve stresses that arise from temperature differences within the burner nozzle, caused by operation in high temperature furnaces, thereby extending the life (time to failure by fracture) of the burner nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to glasses exhibiting annealing points between 682.degree.-702.degree. C., linear coefficients of thermal expansion (25.degree.-300.degree. C.) between 57-59.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C., and excellent resistance to attack by HCl and Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 consisting essentially, in weight percent, of______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 56-60 Na.sub.2 O 0-3 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 12-15 K.sub.2 O 0-3 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 5.5-7 Na.sub.2 O + K.sub.2 O 0.5-3. CaO 19-24.

Abstract: A device suitable for use as a catalytic converter for the purification of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine includes a ceramic monolith catalyst element resiliently mounted within a metallic housing. The metallic housing is in turn mounted within a hot gas chamber, such as an expansion chamber or muffler of a motorized vehicle. The ceramic monolith is wrapped with an insulating layer of inorganic ceramic fiber. At least one layer of intumescent material is disposed between the metallic housing and the inorganic fiber layer.

Abstract: In the method of making a preform for a high numerical aperture gradient index optical waveguide, the concentration of two dopant constituents is changed during fabrication. Concentration of the first dopant, GeO.sub.2, is changed radially as the preform is built up in order to produce the desired radial refractive index gradient. The concentration of the second dopant, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, is changed radially to compensate for the radial change in thermal expansion coefficient caused by the varying GeO.sub.2 concentration. B.sub.2 O.sub.3 is added to the cladding layer to make the thermal expansion coefficient of the cladding equal to or greater than the composite thermal expansion coefficient of the core. The magnitude of residual tension at the inner surface caused by thermal expansion gradients is reduced and premature cracking of the preform is eliminated.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb structure having cells which deform in a preinduced manner under stress is disclosed. Each of the cells is formed by interconnected convexly and concavely curved partitions, the cross-sectional profile of each of the curved partitions preferably being a half sine wave. Thermally induced stresses exerted in planes normal to the honeycomb axis will cause the concave partitions to bow inwardly and the convex partitions to bow outwardly, whereby the corner angles between partitions will remain generally equal to their original values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for edge-grinding stressed laminated glass-plastic lens blanks wherein the lens blanks are heated during the abrasive edging process to reduce thermal stress breakage. The edged lenses are optionally etched to remove glass flaws, thus providing laminated lenses exhibiting improved resistance to thermal stress breakage in use.

Abstract: A die assembly comprises a steel casing shrink-fitted onto and holding a ceramic die nib for extruding, drawing, ironing and the like of ferrous and nonferrous metal stock, especially in hot workable condition. The assembly includes an interlayer between the nib and casing to accommodate imperfect dimensional mating of adjacent shrink-fitted surfaces of the nib and casing. The interlayer is composed of all-crystalline ceramic material having a heating liquidus temperature within the range of 500.degree.-570.degree. C. Rigidity of solidified interlayer maintains uniform shrink-fitted compression on nib during usage of the assembly. Nib and preferred lead-zinc-borate devitrified glass interlayer are easily, jointly removable from casing and leave casing clean for reuse without affecting its case-hardening properties.

Abstract: A photochromic glass/plastic laminated lens of improved physical durability comprising a buried layer of photochromic glass, surface layers of optically clear plastic, and adhesive bonding layers of high strength but low elastic modulus between the buried glass and plastic surface layers, is described.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure is formed with a plurality of interconnected partitions which are unidirectionally discontinuous in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the structure and which form a plurality of diamond-shaped cellular open portions extending longitudinally through the structure, to thereby provide a honeycomb structure with a relatively low bulk modulus and substantially isotropic moduli in transverse planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the honeycomb structure, thus providing improved thermal shock resistance.