Abstract: A radial bearing and method for making the same are disclosed. Radial bearings are typically used control the direction of drilling in directional drilling operations. The cuttings flow across the surfaces of the bearings before being removed from the well. The cuttings will contain sand and other hard and/or corrosive substances that will erode the surfaces of the bearings and shorten their useful life. The bearing of this invention is provided with a wear resistant surface to inhibit such erosion. The bearing is made from a bearing blank to which is applied a first overlay of mild steel with dispersed cemented metal carbide pellets. The composition of the cemented metal carbide pellets is disclosed. The first overlay may be applied by any conventional technique. A second overlay of mild steel is applied to the first overlay utilizing a MIG welding process. As the second overlay is applied, a portion of the hard metal particles in the first overlay is dispersed in the weld puddle forming the second overlay.

Abstract: Processing apparatus and methods are provided which involve the selective ionization of a feed material; the separation of ionized and non-ionized species; a selective excitation of the still ionized species; introduction of a chemical material to cause selective transition to a non-ionized state of part of the feed; and a further separation of ionized and non-ionized species. Other improvements in selective excitation based processing are also disclosed. Separation of isotopes and/or elements from one another and changing chemical and physical form is provided in a single process from a variety of feeds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously cleaning and bonding a wire to a bonding surface is presented. In accordance with the invention, a gas is energized to form a plasma, which is then directed in a directional pressurized flow at the wire and bonding surface to form a dynamic plasma cleaning chamber bubble around the portion of the wire and bonding surface that are to be bonded together, and then the respective portions of the wire and bonding surface are bonded together within the plasma cleaning chamber bubble.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch that is capable of operating in a non-transferred arc mode and a transferred arc mode, and that is intended for use for use with a plasma arc treatment system. The plasma arc torch includes an electrode, a plasma gas ring and a nozzle. At least one power supply within the plasma arc treatment system is connected to the electrode, the nozzle and a workpiece. While the torch operates in a non-transferred arc mode, the non-transferred arc heats gas supplied by the plasma gas ring to create plasma gas that heats the workpiece to raise its conductivity. Once the workpiece is at an appropriately conductive level, the arc is automatically transferred since the ground point can now be found.

Abstract: A method for high-density plasma etching. A substrate is provided. A material layer is formed on the substrate. A patterned photo-resist layer is formed on the oxide layer. The material layer is patterned by the high-density plasma etching, simultaneously, a formation of a barrier layer over the substrate with the patterning process is suppressed and nitrogen gas generated in the patterned photo-resist layer is reduced.

Abstract: A machine tool or die that is fabricated from thermally spray-formed steel is repaired on the factory floor by first cleaning the area to be repaired to removed all dirt and impurities. Next the surface is prepared by means of preheating the surface with propane torches at a rate not exceeding 50° Centigrade per hour to boil off the moisture in the tool. The weldment is formed by the TIG welding process and then finished by conventional machining, grinding and polishing.

Abstract: Process and unit for the arc working, particularly plasma cutting, of a workpiece, in which a plasma torch is supplied with an electric current and with a gas mixture containing hydrogen and nitrogen and/or argon, and a plasma jet obtained by the ionization of the gas mixture by the electric current is delivered by means of the plasma torch. The hydrogen concentration in the gas mixture containing hydrogen and nitrogen and/or argon is less than 50%. The gas mixture is obtained by adding a defined amount of hydrogen to nitrogen and/or argon, immediately before the gas mixture is introduced into said torch. The defined amount of hydrogen is defined according to the thickness of the workpiece, to the grade of the constituent material of the workpiece, to the desired work rate and/or to the intensity of the electric current.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding together two silicon workpieces (20, 22) without the formation of cracks along the weld. In a first embodiment, current (34, 36) is passed through one or both of the workpieces to heat them to between 600 and 900° C. Then an electric or plasma welder (38, 40) passes along the seam (24) between the workpieces to weld them together. In a second embodiment, current (34) is passed through a silicon plate (60) which either supports the workpieces or is brought into contact with at least one of them, whereby the workpieces are preheated prior to the welding operation.

Abstract: A plasmagenic gas comprises a ternary mixture of helium, argon and hydrogen. The gas contains less than 30% helium, at least 55% argon, and from 5.5 to 15% hydrogen. The gas is energized to form a plasma. A powder of a refractory or metallic material is introduced into the plasma.

Abstract: An inductive plasma torch operating at atmospheric pressure is used for wafer or glass substrate processing. Said torch employs a linear type of plasma confinement. This linear torch is particularly suitable for photoresist etching and processes in which it has the advantages of high chemical isotropic etch rate and low plasma damage.

Abstract: A plasma arc welding for effectively letting gases of low boiling point substances for coating a steel sheet escape, ensuring the escape of a molten metal into gaps between the steel sheets and eventually accomplishing satisfactory plasma arc welding. A hole (31) is first bored in an upper sheet (21)(or both upper and lower sheets (21 and 22)) quickly by using a plasma arc (20) having greater power than an appropriate welding value, and a vapor of coating substances is allowed to escape through the hole (31). Subsequently, power of the plasma arc (20) is lowered to the appropriate welding value, and the upper sheet (21) and the lower sheet (22) are welded together while a filler (9) is being supplied to fill the hole (31) and the gap (23). While boring is made or immediately after boring is finished, the size of the gap (23) is measured on the basis of the plasma arc voltage, and the feed quantity of the filler (9) is controlled in accordance with the size of the gap (23).

Abstract: A method for locally heating objects, in particular thin sheet metal, by charging the objects by means of a plasma ignited between two electrodes. In order to keep the thermal stress of a subject as low as possible outside of the zone to be heated it is provided that the machining such as spot welding or burning through a breakthrough occurs with merely one plasma pulse which is produced by applying a voltage pulse exceeding the arc-over voltage of the gap between the electrodes (15′, 19′).

Abstract: This plasma torch (10) for the excitation of a gas for the purpose of analyzing it comprises a tubular injector (12), intended to be connected to a source for supplying a gas to be analyzed, and an external cylindrical sleeve (14) coaxial with the injector (12) and defining a cylindrical annular channel (32) for supplying a plasma gas, intended to be connected to a corresponding supply source for the purpose of generating a plasma (P). The diameter of the injector (12) can vary.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch system having automatic purge and fill capability includes a plasma arc torch which has a supply line coupled with a passage in the torch for supplying a process fluid through the torch to a nozzle of the torch. The system further includes a process fluid supply system including at least first and second supplies containing first and second process fluids, respectively, and a purge gas supply containing an inert purge gas. A valve system is coupled between the process fluid supply system and the supply line and between the purge gas supply and the supply line, the valve system including at least one valve operable to selectively couple the supply line to one of the first, second, and purge supplies. An actuator system is connected to the valve system, the actuator system being electrically activatable to cause the valve system to couple the supply line to one of the supplies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for plasma assisted laser surface alloying. Specifically, the present invention is directed toward a method for surface alloying using a laser beam having a rectangular cross sectional area and a plasma arc, in order to produce an alloyed substrate on the surface of the material.

Abstract: A method for the incineration of a fluid or fluidizable material by use of a pulsed plasma is disclosed. The plasma is produced by a confined discharge in a closed chamber having an exit port and containing an ablating material. The method comprises the following steps: a) introducing the material into the chamber; and b) generating a plasma by ignition within the chamber thereby producing a flow of the plasma which incinerates the fluid material. Further described are a process for the detoxification of waste materials and a method for cracking a first compound in order to form a second compound using the method of the invention. A plasma incinerator is also described.

Abstract: A table has a pervious support surface and a gantry is mounted for movement across the support surface in a longitudinal direction. A carriage is mounted to the gantry for movement across the support surface in a transverse direction. Water jet and plasma arc cutting heads are carried by and movable with the carriage. A controller is capable of operating the water jet cutting head while moving the gantry and the carriage to cut a sheet of insulation supported by a first section of the support surface. In addition, the controller is capable of operating the plasma arc cutting head while moving the gantry and the carriage to cut a piece of sheet metal supported by a second section of the support surface. A drainage system is mounted beneath the first section of the support surface for collecting water that falls through the first section of the support surface from the water jet cutting head.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for increasing the over cladding rate in perform production while maintaining the integrity of the glass quality of the cladding. The method and apparatus are designed to utilize the full capacity of the generator to thereby improve the overall deposition speed without sacrificing the glass quality. In particular, it is estimated that the process of the present invention will increase the deposition speed by approximately 50% and still obtain suitable glass quality. This object is achieved by utilizing two plasma torches, instead of just one, that are driven by the same power generator.

Abstract: A method of brazing, with the use of a plasma forming device (1) having a non-consumable electrode (2), comprises the following steps of operation. A first gas is supplied to said plasma forming device (1). A plasma flow is formed of said first gas by applying a voltage between said electrode (2) and an electrical terminal (7). The plasma flow is directed towards a work piece (7). Braze material (10) to be melted by said plasma flow is provided. Furthermore, a second gas may be supplied for shielding said plasma flow from the surrounding atmosphere. At least one of said first and second gas comprises a principal inert component including at least argon and in a minor amount an active component.

Abstract: An electrode for a plasma arc cutting torch, wherein the electrode comprises a holder having a tapered tip and emissive element concentrically disposed therein. The holder has an included angle of taper at the tip of between about 25° and about 40° and a diameter at the tip approximately equal to, or slightly larger than, the diameter of the end surface of the emissive element. The electrode is configured such that the holder comprises a relatively thin holder wall at the tip of the electrode which evaporates due to the heat from the adjacent arc generated through the emissive element such that the tapered tip erodes generally simultaneously with the emissive element. Generally simultaneous erosion of both the holder and the emissive element thus avoids the problems of overheating and/or double arcing and extends the service life of the electrode. A method of operation of a plasma arc torch is also provided.

Abstract: A pour throat nozzle for a plasma arc centrifugal treatment system includes a substantially cylindrical throat section, with a generally arch-shaped, downwardly-facing surface at smaller radius extending above the plane of the bottom of the throat section, and with this connecting to a generally cylindrical section extending below the aforesaid plane at an inside radius much larger than the radius of the throat section. Furthermore, a method of reforming an orifice of a pour throat in a PACT system centrifuge includes adding ceramic material to the melt, heating and mixing the ceramic material with the melt, then slowing rotation of the centrifuge so that the mix pours into the inlet orifice of the nozzle.

Abstract: An electrode for plasma arc torches has a tip body having a tip cavity with a cavity sidewall. An emissive insert having an insert sidewall resides in the tip cavity. A noble metal foil is interposed between the insert sidewall and the cavity sidewall. To fabricate the electrode, a tip body blank is provided, and a tip cavity having a cavity sidewall is formed therein. An emissive insert having an insert sidewall and being loosely insertable into the tip cavity is provided. The insert sidewall is provided with a textured surface with protuberances. A noble metal foil is selected, having an insert-contacting surface and a cavity-contacting surface. The emissive insert and the noble metal foil are placed into the tip cavity of the tip body blank, arranged such that the insert-contacting surface of the foil faces the insert sidewall of the emissive insert, while the cavity-contacting surface of the foil faces the cavity sidewall.