Abstract: Apparatus that prevents the buildup of frost or ice on plumbing in a cryogenic delivery system (10) and on cryogenically cold surfaces (14a) exposed to ambient air. The plumbing is sealed within a casing that includes a microporous membrane (14). A purge gas stream is fed into the casing at an effective pressure, causing the purge gas to diffuse through the microporous membrane (14) and prevent frost or ice formation on an exterior surface (14a) of the apparatus or around a cryogenic discharge nozzle (420).

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid jet is used in an apparatus and a method for remote cooling of a cutting tool engaged in machining a workpiece under high-energy conditions, such as high-speed machining, hard-turning, cutting of difficult to machine materials, and combinations thereof. The apparatus and method use a stabilized, free-expanding cryogenic fluid jet having a pulse cycle time less than or equal to about 10 seconds. The apparatus and method increase the cleanliness of machined parts and chips and machining productivity of hard but brittle tools, including but not limited to tools which should not be cooled with conventional cooling fluids.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for cutting a workpiece which may have interruptions, with a cutting insert having a cutting edge, where the cutting insert is held in a tool holder and is optionally supported by a shim. Coolant, which may contain liquid nitrogen, is introduced through a passageway to a cooling passage located near the cutting edge. The cooling passage may be located either under, behind, or under and behind the cutting edge. Coolant impacts the wall surfaces of the cooling passage near the cutting edge where it is partly evaporated thereby cooling the cutting insert.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the surface finish and/or surface integrity of a workpiece formed or shaped with a tool increase the surface hardness of the workpiece during forming or shaping of the workpiece. A method and apparatus for forming or shaping a workpiece also increase the surface hardness of the workpiece during forming or shaping of the workpiece with a tool, as do a method and apparatus for manufacturing a finished part or product from a workpiece. In some embodiments, an expanding jet of cryogen may be jetted to a surface of a workpiece and a tool from a nozzle, wherein the cryogen is at least partially separated into a condensed phase portion and a vapor portion within a downstream portion of the nozzle.

Abstract: A gas injector including in which a gas is passed through high-voltage/low-current electrical discharges before being discharged into the chamber of a thermal treatment furnace. The electrical activation of the gas accelerates desirable reactions between the gas, gases in the furnace chamber, and the chamber workload. Preferably, a hot electrode is electrically charged and the other parts of the gas injector and the furnace are grounded.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for preventing the degradation of one or more mask materials during a thermal surface treatment process of a substrate having the steps of mounting at least one mask comprising one or more mask materials onto a substrate; thermally surface treating a surface of the substrate which increases the temperature of the substrate; and cooling the one or more mask materials with cryogenic fluid from at least one cooling means directed at the substrate.

Abstract: Method of forming a workpiece comprising (a) providing a tool and a workpiece, wherein the workpiece has an initial shape; (b) placing the workpiece and the tool in contact, applying force to the tool and/or the workpiece, and moving the tool and/or the workpiece to effect a change in the initial shape of the workpiece by forming; and (c) providing a jet of cryogenic fluid and impinging essentially all of the jet of cryogenic fluid on a surface of the tool.

Abstract: Method of processing a workpiece comprising (a) providing a tool and a workpiece, wherein the workpiece has an initial shape; (b) placing the workpiece and the tool in contact to form an interface, applying force to the tool and/or the workpiece, and moving the tool and/or the workpiece to effect a change in the initial shape of the workpiece; (c) applying a lubricant to any area on a surface of the tool and/or to any area on a surface of the workpiece while the workpiece and the tool are in contact; and (d) applying a cryogenic fluid to any area on the surface of the tool and/or to any area on the surface of the workpiece while the workpiece and the tool are in contact.

Abstract: A process for treating a workpiece, said process comprising the steps of: (c) altering the temperature of a workpiece surface wherein at least one condition selected from the group of: thermal treatment rate, relative motion between the surface and said thermal treatment rate, coolant flow rate onto said surface, heating flow rate onto said surface and the relative speed between the heating means or the cooling means and the surface is controllable; (d) simultaneously measuring temperatures at a plurality of locations over the surface of the workpiece; (c) determining an average temperature of the temperatures measured in step (b); (d) comparing the average temperature to a preselected minimum temperature and a preselected maximum temperature for the workpiece; and (e) automatically adjusting at least one of the controllable conditions if said average temperature is not between the preselected minimum temperature and the preselected maximum temperature for the workpiece.

Abstract: A nozzle and process are set forth for contacting a cryogenic liquid and a gas, and discharging the resulting fluid through the nozzle. In one embodiment, the ratio of the discharged fluid's liquid component to its gaseous component is controlled as a function of the gas pressure.

Abstract: An automatically actuated line connection and delivery system is disclosed for the delivery of a cryogenic fluid coolant to tools mounted on manufacturing machines such as vertical and horizontal machining centers, punching presses, thermal spray systems, welding systems, laser cutters, etc. The system includes a linearly-actuated, cryogenic fluid socket/plunger connection “(20)” with a differential, thermal contraction-controlled sealing mechanism, “(22,24)” as well as provisions for installing this connection on automated manufacturing machines “(60,84)” and integrating operation of the connection “(20)” with the manufacturing cycle controlled from a remote control panel “(70)”.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus or machining a workpiece include the use of a cryogenically cooled oxide containing ceramic cutting tool. The method involves cryogenic cooling of the cutting tool during a cutting operation, which cooling results in enhanced wear resistance and fracture resistance of the cutting tool. A preferred embodiment involves jetting a cryogenic fluid directly at the cutting tool.

Abstract: Method of processing a workpiece comprising (a) providing a tool and a workpiece, wherein the workpiece has an initial shape; (b) placing the workpiece and the tool in contact to form an interface, applying force to the tool and/or the workpiece, and moving the tool and/or the workpiece to effect a change in the initial shape of the workpiece; (c) applying a lubricant to any area on a surface of the tool and/or to any area on a surface of the workpiece while the workpiece and the tool are in contact; and (d) applying a cryogenic fluid to any area on the surface of the tool and/or to any area on the surface of the workpiece while the workpiece and the tool are in contact.

Abstract: Method of forming a workpiece comprising (a) providing a tool and a workpiece, wherein the workpiece has an initial shape; (b) placing the workpiece and the tool in contact, applying force to the tool and/or the workpiece, and moving the tool and/or the workpiece to effect a change in the initial shape of the workpiece by forming; and (c) providing a jet of cryogenic fluid and impinging essentially all of the jet of cryogenic fluid on a surface of the tool.

Abstract: A process for the thermal deposition coating of a workpiece, said process comprising the steps of: (c) thermally depositing a coating on a metallic surface of a workpiece from a deposition head wherein at least one condition selected from the group of: coating deposition rate onto said surface, relative motion between the surface and said deposition head, and cryogenic coolant application rate onto said workpiece is controllable; (d) substantially simultaneously measuring temperatures at a plurality of locations over the metallic surface of the workpiece; (c) determining an average temperature of the temperatures measured in step (b); (d) comparing the average temperature to a preselected minimum temperature and a preselected maximum temperature for the workpiece; and (e) adjusting at least one of the controllable conditions if said average temperature is not between the preselected minimum temperature and the preselected maximum temperature for the workpiece.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for cutting a workpiece which may have interruptions, with a cutting insert having a cutting edge, where the cutting insert is held in a tool holder and is optionally supported by a shim. Coolant, which may contain liquid nitrogen, is introduced through a passageway to a cooling passage located near the cutting edge. The cooling passage may be located either under, behind, or under and behind the cutting edge. Coolant impacts the wall surfaces of the cooling passage near the cutting edge where it is partly evaporated thereby cooling the cutting insert.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a tribological apparatus and method incorporating a ball, a support, and means for maintaining a substantially constant force between the ball and a test surface. The ball rolls against the rotating test surface producing a wear track. Analysis relating to wear and fatigue can be performed on the test surface subsequent to producing the wear track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the surface finish and/or surface integrity of a workpiece formed or shaped with a tool increase the surface hardness of the workpiece during forming or shaping of the workpiece. A method and apparatus for forming or shaping a workpiece also increase the surface hardness of the workpiece during forming or shaping of the workpiece with a tool, as do a method and apparatus for manufacturing a finished part or product from a workpiece. In some embodiments, an expanding jet of cryogen may be jetted to a surface of a workpiece and a tool from a nozzle, wherein the cryogen is at least partially separated into a condensed phase portion and a vapor portion within a downstream portion of the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for reducing a thickness of a thermomechanically-affected layer on an as-machined surface of a hard metal workpiece being machined by a hard cutting tool exerting a thermomechanical load on a surface of the workpiece. The method involves reducing the thermomechanical load on the surface of the workpiece, and the apparatus includes a means for reducing the thermomechanical load on the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid jet is used in an apparatus and a method for remote cooling of a cutting tool engaged in machining a workpiece under high-energy conditions, such as high-speed machining, hard-turning, cutting of difficult to machine materials, and combinations thereof. The apparatus and method use a stabilized, free-expanding cryogenic fluid jet having a pulse cycle time less than or equal to about 10 seconds. The apparatus and method increase the cleanliness of machined parts and chips and machining productivity of hard but brittle tools, including but not limited to tools which should not be cooled with conventional cooling fluids.