Abstract: Structural ceramic matrix composite material to be employed as automotive engine parts and the like is provided with erosion-resistant qualities in several ways. For one, an erosion-resistant material is applied to the surface as by plasma spraying. The erosion-resistant material can also be mixed with the fibers of the material, particularly near the surface.

Abstract: An integrated brake pad and back plate having a brake pad section formed from a first fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material and a back plate section formed from a second FRCMC material. The brake pad and back plate are integrated because the sections are molded together to form an integral, unitary structure. The first FRCMC material used in the brake pad section includes a pre-ceramic resin in its ceramic state, fibers and possibly a filler material. The types and amount of these constituents are generally chosen so as to impart characteristics desirable in brake pads, such as high temperature and erosion resistance, and a high coefficient of friction. The second FRCMC material used in the back plate section includes a pre-ceramic resin in its ceramic state and fibers.

Abstract: An integrated, layered armor structure having multiple layers which alternate in their exhibited characteristics between extremely hard and ductile. The extremely hard layers of the armor structure are designed to shatter an impacting projectile, or pieces thereof, and to fracture in such a way as to dissipate at least a portion of the kinetic energy associated with the projectile pieces and to disperse the projectile pieces and hard layer fragments over a wide area. The ductile layers of the armor structure are designed to yield under the force of impinging projectile pieces and hard layer fragments from an adjacent hard layer. This yielding dissipates at least a portion of the remaining kinetic energy of these pieces and fragments. Pieces and fragments not possessing sufficient kinetic energy to tear through the ductile layer are trapped therein and so stopped.

Abstract: A heat-resistant, thermally insulative, ductile port liner for a head of an internal combustion (IC) engine having a tube-shaped structure formed from at least one layer of fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material. The FRCMC material includes a polymer-derived ceramic resin in its ceramic form and fibers. In a first embodiment of the port liner, the tube-shaped structure has one FRCMC layer forming the sole, solid wall of the structure. Whereas, in a second embodiment, the tube-shaped structure has two FRCMC layers forming inner and outer walls of the structure, respectively, with an intervening space separating the inner and outer walls. The intervening space is sealed at both ends. It can be filled with a thermally insulating material, evacuated and held at substantially a vacuum pressure, or filled with a gas. Once the port liner has been formed, it is preferably cast-in-place when the metal head of the IC engine is formed.

Abstract: A method of forming a breakage resistant, erosion resistant ceramic liner for a part comprising the steps of, forming a liner of a ceramic material containing pores; filling the pores with a pre-ceramic polymer resin; and, firing the liner saturated with a pre-ceramic polymer resin at a temperature and for a time which converts the resin into a ceramic within the pores. The liner can be mechanically attached, adhesively bonded or, a metal part can be cast onto the liner by placing the liner within the metal casting mold for the part as a sidewall or integral element thereof. The invention also includes method for producing parts and liners of fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite by a resin transfer molding process or the like wherein fiber preforms are saturated with liquid pre-ceramic polymer resin. The preforms are then polymerized in a mold, the part removed from the mold, and then fired to transform the polymer to ceramic. The process can also be employed to form hollow parts such as manifolds.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant, thermally insulative riser elbow for a marine engine. The riser elbow has an exhaust gas conduit made of fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material formed from a polymer-derived ceramic resin in its ceramic state and fibers. Employing a FRCMC material results in a low-cost, light-weight, corrosion-resistant exhaust gas conduit not available with existing riser elbows. In addition, a FRCMC exhaust gas conduit is thermally insulative and so more of the heat of the exhaust is retained rather than being transferred to the conduit. This allows the cooling requirements for the riser elbow to be lowered, while still maintaining a touch temperature below prescribed levels. FRCMC can also be formed into practically any shape and size desired and can be very ductile thereby making the exhaust gas conduit fracture resistant and capable of withstanding thermally-induced strains typical of the environment of a marine engine's exhaust system.

Abstract: This invention discloses an exhaust manifold for an engine made of all fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material so as to be light weight and high temperature resistant.

Abstract: Methods of making fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) parts by compression and injection molding. The compression molding method generally includes the initial steps of placing a quantity of bulk molding compound into a female die of a mold, and pressing a male die of the mold onto the female die so as to displace the bulk molding compound throughout a cavity formed between the female and male dies, so as to form the part. The injection molding method general includes an initial step of injecting a quantity of bulk molding compound into a cavity of a mold. In both methods, the bulk molding compound is a mixture which includes pre-ceramic resin, fibers, and, if desired, filler materials. Once the part has been formed by either method, the mold is heated at a temperature and for a time associated with the pre-ceramic resin which polymerizes the resin to form a fiber-reinforced polymer composite structure.

Abstract: A pollutant-reducing catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine. The catalytic converter is of ceramic and operates at higher temperatures for increased efficiency. A ceramic foam is used as the substrate for the catalyst. The foam is an open-celled foam and the substrate is deposited on the walls of the cells. Thus, there is a maximum area of catalyst with a minimum amount of catalyst required. The catalytic converter can be placed in the engine compartment adjacent the engine for maximum efficiency without causing temperature problems within the engine compartment.

Abstract: A structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material adapted for clutch use. The entirety of the frictional components of a clutch mechanism or only particular components thereof can be made of the FRCMC material. One embodiment has integrally molded fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite clutch friction pads forming the friction surfaces of metal clutch parts. Clutch components exhibiting a higher temperature and wear-resistance than currently available clutch parts are described. These clutch components and pads exhibit improved performance at high temperatures and are highly wear-resistant in comparison to current clutch components.

Abstract: A structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material adapted for clutch use. The entirety of the frictional components of a clutch mechanism or only particular components thereof can be made of the FRCMC material. One embodiment has integrally molded fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite clutch friction pads forming the friction surfaces of metal clutch parts. Clutch components exhibiting a higher temperature and wear-resistance than currently available clutch parts are described. These clutch components and pads exhibit improved performance at high temperatures and are highly wear-resistant in comparison to current clutch components.

Abstract: A heat-resistant, thermally insulative, ductile port liner for a head of an internal combustion (IC) engine having a tube-shaped structure formed from at least one layer of fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material. The FRCMC material includes a polymer-derived ceramic resin in its ceramic form and fibers. In a first embodiment of the port liner, the tube-shaped structure has one FRCMC layer forming the sole, solid wall of the structure. Whereas, in a second embodiment, the tube-shaped structure has two FRCMC layers forming inner and outer walls of the structure, respectively, with an intervening space separating the inner and outer walls. The intervening space is sealed at both ends. It can be filled with a thermally insulating material, evacuated and held at substantially a vacuum pressure, or filled with a gas. Once the port liner has been formed, it is preferably cast-in-place when the metal head of the IC engine is formed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a "ceramic" piston and cylinder/sleeve pair for an internal combustion engine. The pair has low coefficients of thermal expansion for closer parts tolerances without danger of seizing and/or breakage/cracking from dissimilar part expansions. A piston is formed of a structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material and then a combined first erosion-resistant and self-lubricating material is applied to a surface of a skirt portion of the piston. A cylinder/sleeve is formed of a structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material and then a second combined erosion-resistant and self-lubricating material is applied to the surface of the cylinder/sleeve.

Abstract: A structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material adapted for high temperature brake use is disclosed as used for the entirety of components of a brake system and as brake pads which can be used in the normal manner for brake pads. Also disclosed is a method of integrally molding the brake pads to the surfaces of metal brake parts.

Abstract: A piston ring for use with ceramic matrix composite engine cylinders. In one embodiment, an extra-hard material is used for a conventional ring design. In another embodiment, a hardened edge employing Tungsten Carbide Cobalt is employed. The same edge treatment can also be employed for other seals such as that of a rotary engine.

Abstract: This invention discloses a "ceramic" piston and cylinder/sleeve pair for an internal combustion engine. The pair has low coefficients of thermal expansion for closer parts tolerances without danger of seizing and/or breakage/cracking from dissimilar part expansions. A piston is formed of a structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material and then a combined first erosion-resistant and self-lubricating material is applied to a surface of a skirt portion of the piston. A cylinder/sleeve is formed of a structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material and then a second combined erosion-resistant and self-lubricating material is applied to the surface of the cylinder/sleeve.

Abstract: Methods of making fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) parts by compression and injection molding. The compression molding method generally includes the initial steps of placing a quantity of bulk molding compound into a female die of a mold, and pressing a male die of the mold onto the female die so as to displace the bulk molding compound throughout a cavity formed between the female and male dies, so as to form the part. The injection molding method general includes an initial step of injecting a quantity of bulk molding compound into a cavity of a mold. In both methods, the bulk molding compound is a mixture which includes pre-ceramic resin, fibers, and, if desired, filler materials. Once the part has been formed by either method, the mold is heated at a temperature and for a time associated with the pre-ceramic resin which polymerizes the resin to form a fiber-reinforced polymer composite structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a breakage resistant, erosion resistant ceramic liner for a part comprising the steps of, forming a liner of a ceramic material containing pores; filling the pores with a pre-ceramic polymer resin; and, firing the liner saturated with a pre-ceramic polymer resin at a temperature and for a time which converts the resin into a ceramic within the pores. The liner can be mechanically attached, adhesively bonded or, a metal part can be cast onto the liner by placing the liner within the metal casting mold for the part as a sidewall or integral element thereof. The invention also includes method for producing parts and liners of fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite by a resin transfer molding process or the like wherein fiber preforms are saturated with liquid pre-ceramic polymer resin. The preforms are then polymerized in a mold, the part removed from the mold, and then fired to transform the polymer to ceramic. The process can also be employed to form hollow parts such as manifolds.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of either two-cycle or four-cycle construction including a block having at least one cylinder bore therein having sidewalls carrying a liner of a structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material disposed in sealed fiber reinforced sliding relationship within the cylinder bore, and a cylinder head sealing atop end of the cylinder bore to form a closed combustion chamber in combination with the piston. The cylinder head also has the structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material disposed on an inner surface thereof facing the combustion chamber. The preferred engine is a two-cycle engine having an externally scavenged intake system and an oil sump lubricating system thereby eliminating the need to separately mix or inject lubricating oil. Higher operating temperatures and closer tolerances allow higher fuel efficiency and less pollutant production.

Abstract: A pollutant reducing exhaust manifold for an internal combustion engine incorporating a catalytic converter therein. The manifold has a plurality of header pipes connected to and receiving exhaust gases from respective ones of a plurality of exhaust ports of an internal combustion engine. The header pipes are connected to a single chamber with an outlet therefrom connected to an exhaust pipe as well as a catalytic converter structure having a catalyst disposed on a supporting substrate disposed in the chamber between the inlet(s) and the outlet so that all exhaust gases from the engine must pass through the catalytic converter structure. The catalytic converter operates at higher temperatures for increased efficiency and comes to operating temperature virtually immediately.