Abstract: A consolidated complex shaped article having a density of at least about 95 percent of theoretical density is prepared by placing a plurality of separate bodies in an arrangement, such that each separate body is in contact with at least one other separate body to form an aggregate body and wherein at least one of the separate bodies is essentially dense. The material of each separate body is comprised of a ceramic, a cermet or a metal. The aggregate body is then consolidated at a consolidating temperature, superatmospheric pressure and time at temperature and time at superatmospheric pressure sufficient to form a consolidated shaped article. In consolidating the aggregate body, the consolidating temperature is a temperature that fails to form a liquid within at least one separate body and the superatmospheric temperature is applied for at least a portion of the time at the consolidating temperature.

Abstract: A consolidated complex shaped article having a density of at least about 95 percent of theoretical density is prepared by placing a plurality of separate bodies in an arrangement, such that each separate body is in contact with at least one other separate body to form an aggregate body and wherein at least one of the separate bodies is essentially dense. The material of each separate body is comprised of a ceramic, a cermet or a metal. The aggregate body is then consolidated at a consolidating temperature, superatmospheric pressure and time at temperature and time at superatmospheric pressure sufficient to form a consolidated shaped article. In consolidating the aggregate body, the consolidating temperature is a temperature that fails to form a liquid within at least one separate body and the superatmospheric temperature is applied for at least a portion of the time at the consolidating temperature.

Abstract: A consolidated complex shaped article having a density of at least about 95 percent of theoretical density is prepared by placing a plurality of separate bodies in an arrangement, such that each separate body is in contact with at least one other separate body to form an aggregate body and wherein at least one of the separate bodies is essentially dense. The material of each separate body is comprised of a ceramic, a cermet or a metal. The aggregate body is then consolidated at a consolidating temperature, superatmospheric pressure and time at temperature and time at superatmospheric pressure sufficient to form a consolidated shaped article. In consolidating the aggregate body, the consolidating temperature is a temperature that fails to form a liquid within at least one separate body and the superatmospheric temperature is applied for at least a portion of the time at the consolidating temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing an operable divergent/convergent variable geometry exhaust nozzle for jet propelled aircraft. A multiplicity of hinged, overlapping, nozzle blades circumferentially surround the exhaust nozzle thereby providing a divergent cylindrical exhaust nozzle that may be convergingly reduced to a conical configuration by action of a remotely controlled solenoid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing an operable variable geometry exhaust nozzle for scale model jet aircraft. A multiplicity of hinged, overlapping, nozzle blades circumferentially surround the exhaust nozzle thereby providing a divergent cylindrical exhaust nozzle that may be convergingly reduced to a conical configuration by action of a remotely controlled solenoid.

Abstract: A hand-held welding device utilizes a multiple upset cold pressure welding technique to join abutting end surfaces of a pair of wire members. The welding device includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallel tie rods for supporting a stationary V-block in spaced apart relationship with a moveable V-block. A welding die assembly is positioned between and is actuated by the two V-blocks. An end plate is secured to one end of the tie rods adjacent the stationary V-block, while a fixed handle is adjustably secured to the opposite end. A moveable handle is pivotally mounted relative to the fixed handle and includes a working roller which engages the moveable V-block to force the V-blocks against the die assembly. As the V-blocks are forced against the die assembly, the die assembly is operated to force the ends of the wire members against one another to form a cold pressure weld.

Abstract: A quantity of powder material (14) which is less dense than a predetermined density is disposed in a sealed container (12) which is encapsulated in a pressure transmitting medium (16). The pressure transmitting medium (16) is placed within a pot die (26) of a press where it is restrained as ram (24) enters the pot die (26) and applies a force to the pressure transmitting medium (16) and the container (12). The pressure transmitting medium (16) comprises liquid and is capable of transmitting pressure omnidirectionally about the container (12). The container (12) has a porous structure. The container (12) collapses and permanently deforms as the powder (14) compacts. The container does not completely expand to its initial shape after being removed from the pressure transmitting medium (16) and therefore saves the compacted powder (14') from resilient forces of the container (12) tending to rebound the container (12) to its initial shape.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved servo brake drum adjustment mechanism which automatically adjusts the brake shoes for wear of the friction pads and drum surface. The mechanism comprises a screw thread adjustment link activated by movement of a pawl finger upon a star wheel. The pawl finger is activated by a wire like push rod. Upon a predetermined circumferential movement of the primary brake shoe the push rod effects rotation of the star wheel and adjustment of the brake shoe assemblies.

Abstract: A quantity of material (10), which is at less than a predetermined density, is disposed within a sealed container (12) which is, in turn, disposed in a first thermal jacket (32) to retain the heat within the material (10) to be consolidated. The first thermal jacket (32) is placed within a second thermal jacket (34) which is, in turn, disposed in a cavity defined by two elastomeric components (22, 24) retained between a ram (16) and pot die (14) of a press whereby upon closure of the press, the ram (16) enters the cavity (26) of the pot die (14) to apply external pressure to the entire exterior of the elastomeric components (22, 24). A seal (36) of material harder than the elastomeric material (22, 24) is disposed within the cavity (26) of the pot die (14) for preventing the elastomeric medium (22, 24) from leaking between the sliding surfaces of the ram (16) and the pot die (14).

Abstract: A quantity of material (10), which is at less than a predetermined density, is disposed within a sealed container (12) which is, in turn, disposed in a first thermal jacket (32) to retain the heat within the material (10) to be consolidated. The first thermal jacket (32) is placed within a second thermal jacket (34) which is, in turn, disposed in a cavity defined by two elastomeric components (22, 24) retained between a ram (16) and pot die (14) of a press whereby upon closure of the press, the ram (16) enters the cavity (26) of the pot die (14) to apply external pressure to the entire exterior of the elastomeric components (22, 24). A seal (36) of material harder than the elastomeric material (22, 24) is disposed within the cavity (26) of the pot die (14) for preventing the elastomeric medium (22, 24) from leaking between the sliding surfaces of the ram (16) and the pot die (14).

Abstract: An assembly for filling and sealing a cavity (14) in a container (10). The assembly includes a fill passage (18) in sealing engagement with the periphery of the receiving passage (12) in the container (10). A vacuum source (24) withdraws gas from the container (10) and the assembly. Powdered material under a vacuum is supplied to a vibrating platform (44) which dispenses the material while vibrating so that the material passes through a valve (48, 52), the fill passage (18) and into the container (10). A plug magazine (26, 125) stores and delivers one spherical ball (28) at a time to the fill passage (18) for being forced into the receiving passage (12) to seal the container (10). A vacuum valve (48, 52) seals the material supply from the fill passageway (18) to maintain the vacuum in the material supply when the container (10) is received.

Abstract: A quantity of material (10), which is at less than a predetermined density, is disposed within a sealed container (12) which is, in turn, encapsulated in a pressure-transmitting (18) medium which is, in turn, placed within a pot die (20) of a press where it is restrained as a ram (24) enters the pot die (20) and applies a force to the pressure-transmitting medium (18) to densify the material within the container into a compact (10') of predetermined density. The pressure-transmitting medium (18) is characterized by a rigid interconnected ceramic skeleton structure (26) which is collapsible in response to a predetermined force and fluidizing glass (28) capable of fluidity and supported by and retained within the skeleton structure (26). The glass (28) becomes fluidic and capable of plastic flow at temperatures utilized for compaction whereas the ceramic skeleton (26) retains its configuration and acts as a carrier for the fluidic glass (28).

Abstract: An assembly and method for hot consolidating powder metal by heat and pressure in a container. The container is a mass of material substantially fully dense and incompressible with at least a portion which is capable of plastic flow at pressing temperatures and forming a closed cavity of a predetermined shape and volume for receiving a quantity of powder metal with the interior walls being movable to reduce the volume of the cavity for compacting powder metal into an article. A shaping insert is disposed in the cavity for defining a void in the article as the powder metal is compacted against the shaping insert. A force-responsive means allows relative movement between the shaping insert and at least a portion of the interior walls of the cavity as powder metal is compacted in response to a force reducing the volume of the cavity.

Abstract: A sealed container (10) of metal material is filled with powdered metal through a fill passageway (14) and sealed with a steel ball (24) forced into the fill passageway (14) of the container (10) while the container (10) is under a vacuum environment. Thereafter, a second cylindrical sealing plug (32) is forced into the fill passageway (14) to engage the first spherical sealing plug (24) and has a gas passageway (34) therein for allowing the escape of gases between the two plugs as the second plug (34) is forced into the fill passageway (14). The second cylindrical sealing plug is then welded to the container (10) about the upper periphery thereof and the gas hole (34) is sealed by welding so that the cavity (12) remains under a vacuum during the hot consolidating process wherein the container (10) is heated and subjected to pressure which is hydrostatically transmitted by the container to the powder within the cavity (12).

Abstract: A sealed container (10) of metal material is filled with powdered metal through a fill passageway (14) and sealed with a steel ball (24) forced into the fill passageway (14) of the container (10) while the container (10) is under a vacuum environment. Thereafter, a second cylindrical sealing plug (32) is forced into the fill passageway (14) to engage the first spherical sealing plug (24) and has a gas passageway (34) therein for allowing the escape of gases between the two plugs as the second plug (34) is forced into the fill passageway (14). The second cylindrical sealing plug is then welded to the container (10) about the upper periphery thereof and the gas hole (34) is sealed by welding so that the cavity (12) remains under a vacuum during the hot consolidating process wherein the container (10) is heated and subjected to pressure which is hydrostatically transmitted by the container to the powder within the cavity (12).

Abstract: A method for hot-consolidating powder of metallic and nonmetallic composition and combinations thereof to form a densified compact at a predetermined temperature and pressure at which the powder is transformed into a compact comprises the steps of filling the cavity of a container with a powder, such as a superalloy, to be compacted and hermetically sealing the container. The method is characterized by the steps of heating the container within an autoclave having an inert gas therein, such as argon, to an intermediate temperature, then pressurizing the autoclave to an intermediate temperature and thereafter raising the temperature to thereby increase the pressure and, consequently, reach the temperature and pressure to effect compaction or densification of the compact or article.

Abstract: A quantity of material (10), which is at less than a predetermined density, is disposed within a sealed container (12) which is, in turn, encapsulated in a pressure-transmitting (18) medium which is, in turn, placed within a pot die (20) of a press where it is restrained as a ram (24) enters the pot die (20) and applies a force to the pressure-transmitting medium (18) to densify the material within the container into a compact (10') of predetermined density. The pressure-transmitting medium (18) is characterized by a rigid interconnected ceramic skeleton structure (26) which is collapsible in response to a predetermined force and fluidizing glass (28) capable of fluidity and supported by and retained within the skeleton structure (26). The glass (28) becomes fluidic and capable of plastic flow at temperatures utilized for compaction whereas the ceramic skeleton (26) retains its configuration and acts as a carrier for the fluidic glass (28).

Abstract: Gas-contaminated particulate material is passed through a vacuum chamber wherein it is subjected to an electric field to charge the gaseous contaminants to cause the gaseous contaminants to separate from the particulate material and enter a gas flow path through a vacuum-outlet conduit inflow communication with a vacuum source. A series of electrical potentials are established in the vacuum outlet conduit by a series of electrodes spaced from one another. Adjacent potentials or electrodes are of opposite polarity and the distance between adjacent potentials or electrodes decreases in the direction of the gas flow path out the vacuum outlet conduit whereby the vacuum and the electrodes move the gases from the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method of trapping lubricant in a vacuum system and an assembly for performing same wherein a vacuum chamber has an outlet duct to a vacuum source to establish a gas flow path from the vacuum chamber to the vacuum source. Lubricant vapors from the vacuum source such as a vacuum pump are prevented from entering the vacuum chamber in accordance with the instant invention by establishing an electric field and subjecting the lubricant entering the vacuum outlet duct from the vacuum source to the electric field to electrically charge the lubricant and electrically attract the lubricant back toward the vacuum source. A magnetic field is also established between the electrodes to further urge the charged lubricant back toward the vacuum source. In this manner the lubricant is prevented or substantially prevented from entering and contaminating the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A .[.container.]. .Iadd.method .Iaddend.for hot consolidating powder of metallic and non-metallic composition and combinations thereof by the application of heat and pressure .[.wherein the.]. .Iadd.to a thick-walled and regularly shaped .Iaddend.container .[.includes.]. .Iadd.having .Iaddend.a mass of container material which is substantially fully dense and incompressible and is capable of plastic flow at .[.pressing.]. .Iadd.conventinal compaction .Iaddend.temperatures, a cavity of .[.a predetermined.]. .Iadd.an irregular .Iaddend.shape formed within the mass for receiving a quantity of powder, the mass including walls around the cavity of sufficient thickness so that the exterior surface thereof does not closely follow the contour of the cavity whereby, upon the application of heat and pressure to the container, the mass acts like a fluid to apply hydrostatic pressure to the powder contained in the cavity.