Abstract: Disclosed is an exhaust valve (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E), comprising a valve body (12), wherein the first end of the valve body is provided with a fluid inlet (15); the sidewall of the valve body is provided with at least one fluid outlet (17) in fluid communication with the fluid inlet (15) and a valve flap (20) for opening or closing the fluid outlet; and the axis direction of the fluid outlet (17) is inclined relative to that of the fluid inlet (15). Further disclosed is a compressor comprising the above-mentioned exhaust valve. The exhaust valve has a relatively low fluid resistance, and is able to significantly reduce the pressure drop in the compressor due to the exhaust valve, so that the operating efficiency of the compressor is increased.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermal energy storage system comprising a metal-containing first material with a thermal energy storage density of about 1300 kJ/kg to about 2200 kJ/kg based on hydrogenation; a metal-containing second material with a thermal energy storage density of about 200 kJ/kg to about 1000 kJ/kg based on hydrogenation; and a hydrogen conduit for reversibly transporting hydrogen between the first material and the second material. At a temperature of 20° C. and in 1 hour, at least 90% of the metal is converted to the hydride. At a temperature of 0° C. and in 1 hour, at least 90% of the metal hydride is converted to the metal and hydrogen. The disclosed metal hydride materials have a combination of thermodynamic energy storage densities and kinetic power capabilities that previously have not been demonstrated. This performance enables practical use of thermal energy storage systems for electric vehicle heating and cooling.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exhaust valve (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E), comprising a valve body (12), wherein the first end of the valve body is provided with a fluid inlet (15); the sidewall of the valve body is provided with at least one fluid outlet (17) in fluid communication with the fluid inlet (15) and a valve flap (20) for opening or closing the fluid outlet; and the axis direction of the fluid outlet (17) is inclined relative to that of the fluid inlet (15). Further disclosed is a compressor comprising the above-mentioned exhaust valve. The exhaust valve has a relatively low fluid resistance, and is able to significantly reduce the pressure drop in the compressor due to the exhaust valve, so that the operating efficiency of the compressor is increased.

Abstract: A cutting element for engaging earthern formations having a wear surface formed from a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) composition including a polycrystalline diamond or polycrystalline cubic boron nitride hard phase material and a ductile phase low CTE material formed from an alloy made of Co, Ni, Fe, C, and Mn. The hard phase material is bonded to one another by the ductile phase material to form the low CTE composition.

Abstract: Drill bits and cutting elements having a functionally-engineered surface comprise a cermet material selected from the group consisting of refractory metal carbides, nitrides, borides, carbonitrides and mixtures thereof A functionally-engineered material is disposed over a surface portion one of the cutting elements to form a wear resistant surface thereon having a hardness that is different than that of the underlying cutting element. The wear resistant surface is provided by forming a conformable material mixture by combining one or more powders selected from the group consisting of cermets, carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, refractory metals, diamond particles, cubic boron nitride particles, Co, Fe, Ni, and combinations thereof, with an applying agent. The applied material mixture is pressurized under conditions of elevated temperature to consolidate and sinter the material mixture, thereby forming the wear resistant surface having desired properties of hardness and/or fracture toughness.

Abstract: Low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) cermet compositions of this invention generally comprise a hard phase material and a ductile phase formed from a binder alloy, wherein the binder alloy is specially designed having a CTE that is closely matched to the hard phase material. Hard phase materials used to form low CTE compositions of this invention are selected from the group of carbides consisting of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Si, Hf, Ta, and Cr carbides. The binder alloy is formed from a mixture of metals selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, W, Mo, Ti, Ta, V, Nb, C, B, Cr, and Mn. In a preferred embodiment, low CTE compositions comprises WC as the hard phase material, and a ductile phase binder alloy formed from a mixture of Fe, Co, and Ni.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) carbide composites of this invention have a microstructure comprising a plurality of granules formed from PCD, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, or mixture thereof, that are distributed within a substantially continuous second matrix region that substantially surrounds the granules and that is formed from a cermet material. In an example embodiment, the granules are polycrystalline diamond and the cermet material is cemented tungsten carbide. PCD carbide composites of this invention display improved properties of fracture toughness and chipping resistance, without substantially compromising wear resistance, when compared to conventional pure PCD materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing functionally graded materials that contain a hard phase that is embedded in a metal matrix phase. The material have a continuous gradient of a matrix metal phase. An example of these types of materials include functionally graded cemented tungsten carbide (the hard phase) that has a continuous gradient of cobalt (the matrix metal) from one reference position, for example, one surface of a part, to another reference position, for example, the opposite surface of the part or within the part. The functionally graded materials are sintered via a liquid phase sintering (LPS) technique. In order to achieve the desired continuous gradient of the matrix metal, an initial gradient of one of the chemical elements of the hard phase is designed and built into the part prior to liquid phase sintering.

Abstract: In one embodiment, composite constructions of the invention are in the form of a plurality of coated fibers bundled together to produce a fibrous composite construction in the form of a rod. Each fiber has a core formed from a hard phase material, that is surrounded by a shell formed from a binder phase material. In another embodiment of the invention, monolithic sheets of the hard phase material and the binder phase material are stacked and arranged to produce a swirled composite in the form of a rod. In still another embodiment of the invention, sheets formed from coated fibers are arranged to produce a swirled composite. Inserts for use in such drilling applications as roller cone rock bits and percussion hammer bits, and shear cutters for use in such drilling applications as drag bits, that are manufactured using conventional methods from these composite constructions exhibit increased fracture toughness due to the continuous binder phase around the hard phase of the composites.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) carbide composites of this invention have a microstructure comprising a plurality of granules formed from PCD, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, or mixture thereof, that are distributed within a substantially continuous second matrix region that substantially surrounds the granules and that is formed from a cermet material. In an example embodiment, the granules are polycrystalline diamond and the cermet material is cemented tungsten carbide. PCD carbide composites of this invention display improved properties of fracture toughness and chipping resistance, without substantially compromising wear resistance, when compared to conventional pure PCD materials.

Abstract: A rotary cone bit, having a functionally-engineered surface of this invention, comprises a bit body having at least one leg extending therefrom, and a cone that is rotatably disposed on the leg. The cone typically comprises a plurality of cutting elements that project outwardly therefrom. The cutting elements comprises a cermet material selected from the group consisting of refractory metal carbides, nitrides, borides, carbonitrides and mixtures thereof. A functionally-engineered material is disposed over a surface portion of at least one of the cutting elements to form a wear resistant surface thereon. The wear resistant surface has a hardness that is different than that of the underlying cutting element. The wear resistant surface is provided by forming a conformable material mixture by combining one or more powders selected from the group consisting of cermets, carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, refractory metals, Co, Fe, Ni, and combinations thereof, with an applying agent.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) carbide composites of this invention have a microstructure comprising a plurality of granules formed from PCD, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, or mixture thereof, that are distributed within a substantially continuous second matrix region that substantially surrounds the granules and that is formed from a cermet material. In an example embodiment, the granules are polycrystalline diamond and the cermet material is cemented tungsten carbide. PCD carbide composites of this invention display improved properties of fracture toughness and chipping resistance, without substantially compromising wear resistance, when compared to conventional pure PCD materials.

Abstract: A method of forming a drill bit structure, the method including fixing spacers to the drill bit structure. The spacers are arranged at preselected locations on an outer surface of the drill bit structure. A hardfacing material is then applied to the drill bit structure, and the spacers are removed. Holes are machined in the drill bit structure at the preselected locations, and drilling inserts are positioned in each hole. A method of forming a drill bit structure, the method including applying a hardfacing material to selected surfaces of the drill bit structure. The hardfacing material includes a perforated carbide infiltrated material and a perforated powder infiltrated material. The perforations in the powder infiltrated material correspond to the perforations in the carbide infiltrated material. Holes are machined in the drill bit structure at the locations of the perforations, and drilling inserts are positioned in each hole.

Abstract: In one embodiment, composite constructions of the invention are in the form of a plurality of coated fibers bundled together to produce a fibrous composite construction in the form of a rod. Each fiber has a core formed from a hard phase material, that is surrounded by a shell formed from a binder phase material. In another embodiment of the invention, monolithic sheets of the hard phase material and the binder phase material are stacked and arranged to produce a swirled composite in the form of a rod. In still another embodiment of the invention, sheets formed from coated fibers are arranged to produce a swirled composite. Inserts for use in such drilling applications as roller cone rock bits and percussion hammer bits, and shear cutters for use in such drilling applications as drag bits, that are manufactured using conventional methods from these composite constructions exhibit increased fracture toughness due to the continuous binder phase around the hard phase of the composites.

Abstract: PCD materials of this invention comprise diamond crystals that are bonded together with a catalyst/binder material. The PCD material is prepared by combining diamond grains with a catalyst/binder material either as a premixture or by infiltration during sintering. The PCD material comprises 15 percent by volume or less diamond grains sized 20 micrometers or less. The diamond grains are pressurized under elevated temperature conditions to form the desired PCD material. PCD materials of this invention can constitute the exclusive material phase of a PCD construction, or can form one or more material phase in a multi-phase material microstructure, wherein the multiple material phase can be arranged in an ordered/oriented or random fashion. PCD materials of this invention display improved properties of impact and fatigue resistance, and functional toughness, when used in complex wear environments, when compared to conventional PCs materials comprising intentionally added fine-sized diamond grains.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing functionally graded materials that contain a hard phase that is embedded in a metal matrix phase. The material have a continuous gradient of a matrix metal phase. An example of these types of materials include functionally graded cemented tungsten carbide (the hard phase) that has a continuous gradient of cobalt (the matrix metal) from one reference position, for example, one surface of a part, to another reference position, for example, the opposite surface of the part or within the part. The functionally graded materials are sintered via a liquid phase sintering (LPS) technique. In order to achieve the desired continuous gradient of the matrix metal, an initial gradient of one of the chemical elements of the hard phase is designed and built into the part prior to liquid phase sintering.

Abstract: PCD materials of this invention comprise diamond crystals that are bonded together with a catalyst/binder material. The PCD material is prepared by combining diamond grains with a catalyst/binder material either as a premixture or by infiltration during sintering. The PCD material comprises 15 percent by volume or less diamond grains sized 20 micrometers or less. The diamond grains are pressurized under elevated temperature conditions to form the desired PCD material. PCD materials of this invention can constitute the exclusive material phase of a PCD construction, or can form one or more material phase in a multi-phase material microstructure, wherein the multiple material phase can be arranged in an ordered/oriented or random fashion. PCD materials of this invention display improved properties of impact and fatigue resistance, and functional toughness, when used in complex wear environments, when compared to conventional PCs materials comprising intentionally added fine-sized diamond grains.

Abstract: In one embodiment, composite constructions of the invention are in the form of a plurality of coated fibers bundled together to produce a fibrous composite construction in the form of a rod. Each fiber has a core formed from a hard phase material, that is surrounded by a shell formed from a binder phase material. In another embodiment of the invention, monolithic sheets of the hard phase material and the binder phase material are stacked and arranged to produce a swirled composite in the form of a rod. In still another embodiment of the invention, sheets formed from coated fibers are arranged to produce a swirled composite. Inserts for use in such drilling applications as roller cone rock bits and percussion hammer bits, and shear cutters for use in such drilling applications as drag bits, that are manufactured using conventional methods from these composite constructions exhibit increased fracture toughness due to the continuous binder phase around the hard phase of the composites.

Abstract: In one embodiment, composite constructions of the invention are in the form of a plurality of coated fibers bundled together to produce a fibrous composite construction in the form of a rod. Each fiber has a core formed from a hard phase material, that is surrounded by a shell formed from a binder phase material. In another embodiment of the invention, monolithic sheets of the hard phase material and the binder phase material are stacked and arranged to produce a swirled composite in the form of a rod. In still another embodiment of the invention, sheets formed from coated fibers are arranged to produce a swirled composite. Inserts for use in such drilling applications as roller cone rock bits and percussion hammer bits, and shear cutters for use in such drilling applications as drag bits, that are manufactured using conventional methods from these composite constructions exhibit increased fracture toughness due to the continuous binder phase around the hard phase of the composites.

Abstract: A method of forming a drill bit structure, the method including fixing spacers to the drill bit structure. The spacers are arranged at preselected locations on an outer surface of the drill bit structure. A hardfacing material is then applied to the drill bit structure, and the spacers are removed. Holes are machined in the drill bit structure at the preselected locations, and drilling inserts are positioned in each hole.