Abstract: A method of applying a nanocrystalline metal coating to a titanium or titanium alloy blade of a gas turbine engine is described. The method includes selecting an intermediate bond coat from the group consisting of nickel, nickel alloy, P, B, Tl and combinations thereof, and applying the intermediate bond coat to at least a portion of the blade. A nanocrystalline metal coating having an average grain size of between 10 nm and 500 nm is then applied to the portion of the blade overtop of the intermediate bond coat.

Abstract: A fan blade of a gas turbine engine is disclosed which is composed of an airfoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a root with a platform and a blade fixing for engaging a fan hub. The fan blade is composed of a core substrate selected from the group consisting of composites and polymers, and an entirety of the airfoil and the root of the fan blade has a nanocrystalline metal outer layer thereon which forms an outer surface fully enveloping the fan blade. The nanocrystalline metal layer formed of a nanocrystalline metal coating has an average grain size of between 10 nm and 500 nm, and the nanocrystalline metal outer layer forms a structural element of the fan blade.

Abstract: A fan blade of a gas turbine engine, and a method of producing same, is disclosed which is composed of a core substrate and a nanocrystalline metal coating provided on at least a portion of the airfoil of the fan blade. The method includes the steps of providing a fan blade core having an airfoil and then applying a nanocrystalline metal coating over at least a portion of the fan blade core.

Abstract: A fan blade of a gas turbine engine is disclosed which is composed of an airfoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a root with a platform and a blade fixing for engaging a fan hub. The fan blade is composed of a core substrate selected from the group consisting of composites and polymers, and an entirety of the airfoil and the root of the fan blade has a nanocrystalline metal outer layer thereon which forms an outer surface fully enveloping the fan blade. The nanocrystalline metal layer formed of a nanocrystalline metal coating has an average grain size of between 10 nm and 500 nm, and the nanocrystalline metal outer layer forms a structural element of the fan blade.

Abstract: A method of applying a nanocrystalline metal coating to a titanium or titanium alloy blade of a gas turbine engine is described. The method includes selecting an intermediate bond coat from the group consisting of nickel, nickel alloy, P, B, Tl and combinations thereof, and applying the intermediate bond coat to at least a portion of the blade. A nanocrystalline metal coating having an average grain size of between 10 nm and 500 nm is then applied to the portion of the blade overtop of the intermediate bond coat.

Abstract: A method of applying a nanocrystalline coating to a gas turbine engine component is described. The method comprises the steps of applying an intermediate bond coat to at least a portion of the component, and then applying the nanocrystalline coating to at least the portion of the component overtop of the intermediate bond coat. The component may include, for example, a blade of which a dovetail portion of the blade root is protected by applying the intermediate bond coat and the nanocrystalline coating thereto.

Abstract: Methods for automatically controlling a vibratory separator, e.g., but not limited to a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid, the methods in certain aspects including: introducing material to a vibratory separator; sensing with sensor apparatus a state parameter indicative of operation of the vibratory separator; providing a signal indicative of a value of said state parameter to control apparatus; and, with the control apparatus, automatically controlling the vibratory separator based on the level of the state parameter. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: Methods for automatically controlling a vibratory separator, e.g., but not limited to a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid, the methods in certain aspects including: introducing material to a vibratory separator; sensing with sensor apparatus a state parameter indicative of operation of the vibratory separator; providing a signal indicative of a value of said state parameter to control apparatus; and, with the control apparatus, automatically controlling the vibratory separator based on the level of the state parameter. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Methods for automatically controlling a vibratory separator, e.g., but not limited to a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid, the methods in certain aspects including: introducing material to a vibratory separator; sensing with sensor apparatus a state parameter indicative of operation of the vibratory separator; providing a signal indicative of a value of said state parameter to control apparatus; and, with the control apparatus, automatically controlling the vibratory separator based on the level of the state parameter. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A method of applying a nanocrystalline coating to a gas turbine engine component is described. The method comprises the steps of applying an intermediate bond coat to at least a portion of the component, and then applying the nanocrystalline coating to at least the portion of the component overtop of the intermediate bond coat. The component may include, for example, a blade of which a dovetail portion of the blade root is protected by applying the intermediate bond coat and the nanocrystalline coating thereto.

Abstract: A fan blade of a gas turbine engine, and a method of producing same, is disclosed which is composed of a core substrate and a nanocrystalline metal coating provided on at least a portion of the airfoil of the fan blade. The method includes the steps of providing a fan blade core having an airfoil and then applying a nanocrystalline metal coating over at least a portion of the fan blade core.

Abstract: An airfoil for a gas turbine engine comprising a root, a tip, and leading and trailing edges extending between the root and the tip. The airfoil has a non-metallic core which is composed of a composite material, and a metallic coating disposed on at least a portion of the composite core, such as along the leading edge of the airfoil for example. The metallic coating is composed of a nanocrystalline metal, and forms an outer surface of the portion of the airfoil onto which the coating is applied.

Abstract: Methods for automatically controlling a vibratory separator, e.g., but not limited to a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid, the methods in certain aspects including: introducing material to a vibratory separator; sensing with sensor apparatus a state parameter indicative of operation of the vibratory separator; providing a signal indicative of a value of said state parameter to control apparatus; and, with the control apparatus, automatically controlling the vibratory separator based on the level of the state parameter. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A cassette for use in delivering a continuous length of filament. The cassette includes a housing having a first aperture and a spool rotatably mountable in the cassette housing. The spool contains a first female receptacle alignable with the first aperture, and a flexible boot is attached to the cassette housing and aligned with the first aperture. A removable plug is insertable through the first aperture and into the flexible boot for receipt within the first female receptacle of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool within the cassette housing.

Abstract: An extrusion head comprising at least one drive wheel and an assembly positionable between at least a first state and a second state. The assembly comprises a first extrusion line configured to engage the at least one drive wheel while the assembly is positioned in the first state, and a second extrusion line configured to engage the at least one drive wheel while the assembly is positioned in the second state.

Abstract: A cassette for use in delivering a continuous length of filament. The cassette includes a housing having a first aperture and a spool rotatably mountable in the cassette housing. The spool contains a first female receptacle alignable with the first aperture, and a flexible boot is attached to the cassette housing and aligned with the first aperture. A removable plug is insertable through the first aperture and into the flexible boot for receipt within the first female receptacle of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool within the cassette housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for trailer alignment including a clamping mechanism configured to rigidly and removably clamp to a neck of a trailer hitch ball. An arm arrangement is rotatably attached to the clamping mechanism. The arm arrangement configured to extend from the clamp arrangement to beyond an edge of a tow vehicle. A mirror may be attached to the arm arrangement and configured to provide a view of the trailer hitch ball from the inside of the tow vehicle. A sight rod may be attached to the clamping device and configured to bend in response to a trailer coupler approaching the trailer hitch ball at a predetermined distance from a selectable angle. The clamping mechanism may include a pair of opposed jaws configured to adjustably clamp between a range of about 0.8 and about 1.5 inches.