Abstract:
Disclosed is a MEMS device which comprises at least one shape memory material such as a shape memory alloy (SMA) layer and at least one stressed material layer. Examples of such MEMS devices include an actuator, a micropump, a microvalve, or a non-destructive fuse-type connection probe. The device exhibits a variety of improved properties, for example, large deformation ability and high energy density. Also provided is a method of easily fabricating the MEMS device in the form of a cantilever-type or diaphragm-type structure.
Abstract:
A metal gasket for a semiconductor fabrication chamber capable of preventing base plate metal contamination in the chamber, wherein the metal gasket includes a diffusion barrier layer interposed between a base plate and an anti-corrosive coating layer, and wherein the diffusion barrier layer prevents elements of the base plate from being diffused to the anti-corrosive coating layer. Accordingly, the diffusion barrier layer prevents attack on the anti-corrosive coating layer.
Abstract:
Chromium nitride coating of machine components such as reciprocating pump plungers for continuous sliding contact with non-metallic packing and gasket materials greatly increases the performance life of fluid seals. In an air driven reciprocating constant pressure pump, exterior surfaces of the pump plunger are coated with chromium nitride to a thickness of seven to ten microns. The coating resists failure from repeated sliding contact against non-metallic packing and gasket materials for at least four million pump cycles, with no evidence of cracking or release of metallic particles which would embed in the packing or gasket material and score the plunger. In lower pressure pumps, interior walls of a housing against which a sliding gasket bears, when coated with chromium nitride, greatly increase the seal life of the sliding gasket.
Abstract:
A liquid pumping, handling and spraying system for liquid compositions and especially those liquid coating compositions having a suspension of metal particulate therein which tends to settle out of suspension of metal particulate therein which tends to settle out of suspension quite rapidly and which includes metal particulate having an affinity for adherence to metal surfaces. A fluid supply system is provided which accomplishes continuous agitation of the liquid composition to sprayed to maintain the metal particulate thereof in properly entrained suspension and even distribution with the liquid carrier fluid and which permits the use of low cost, lightweight containers for the liquid supply. A packingless pump is provided for pressurized delivery of the liquid composition from the supply container to a packingless spray gun. The packingless pump achieves pumping of liquid by hydro mechanical deformation of polymer variable volume pump chambers which induce intermittent suction and pressurization of the liquid for pumping and which have externally mounted check valve heads for controlling the flowing of the pumped liquid from the supply container to the spray gun. The packingless spray gun employs a body of resilient polymer which functions as a columnar spring to control the opening and closing movement of a spray valve assembly. Valve seats of the check valve head and spray gun assembly may be of flexible nature to ensure efficient separation of metal particulate therefrom. Metal operational components of the check valve head and spray gun, such as valve stems and valves define outer surfaces composed of titanium to minimize metal particulate adherence thereto.
Abstract:
A method is provided for designing and producing fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) pistons. Pistons made with FRP have a lower mass than prior art metal pistons conferring advantageous engine efficiency and stability. FRP pistons also increase the thermal efficiency of engines by having a lower thermal conductivity, with tighter piston-to-bore clearance, and/increased air-fuel ratio than pistons of metal. The technical parameters of the piston are identified, and a piston body blank is produced. The blank is then machined, a bearing surface for the pin bore is created, the piston blank is optionally coated, is optionally subjected to Heavy Metal Ion Implantation (HMII) treatment and is subjected to sodium silicate impregnation to produce the final pistons.
Abstract:
A rotary internal combustion engine with a rotor body made at least in major part of a first material, including at least one land protruding axially from each of its end faces and defining a contact surface extending at a fixed position with respect to the end faces. The contact surface frictionally engages a portion of the inner surface of the internal cavity of the engine, and at least the outer surface of the land includes a second material. The second material has a greater wear resistance than that of the first material with respect to frictional engagement with the portion of the inner surface of the internal cavity contacting the land. A method of axially positioning a rotor of a rotary engine within an internal cavity of an outer body of the engine are also discussed.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for forming an engine comprising a thermoset composite engine block. One example method includes reinforcing the engine block with a plurality of metal strips, wherein a first portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially transverse direction of the engine block and a second portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially longitudinal direction of the engine block. The plurality of metal reinforcing strips may provide additional reinforcement to the engine block.
Abstract:
A bearing carrier has a bearing body including a first material. The bearing body has an exterior surface defining a bridge land with a finger cut and rotatably supports a first and second gear. The first and second gears intermesh with one another for pressurizing fluid traversing the gears between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet defined in a housing enveloping the bearing carrier. The bridge land is defined in a second material integral with the first material.
Abstract:
A rotary internal combustion engine with a rotor body made at least in major part of a first material, including at least one land protruding axially from each of its end faces and defining a contact surface extending at a fixed position with respect to the end faces. The contact surface frictionally engages a portion of the inner surface of the internal cavity of the engine, and at least the outer surface of the land includes a second material. The second material has a greater wear resistance than that of the first material with respect to frictional engagement with the portion of the inner surface of the internal cavity contacting the land. A method of axially positioning a rotor of a rotary engine within an internal cavity of an outer body of the engine are also discussed.
Abstract:
Linear actuators (also known as an inchworm actuator) including a magnetically actuatable shape memory alloy (SMA) are described. The linear actuators include a bar and an actuator assembly, configured to achieve a linear displacement of the actuator assembly relative to the bar. A hybrid magnetic trigger including an electromagnet and a permanent magnet is used to selectively attract the magnetically actuatable SMA toward the magnetic trigger. The motion of the magnetically actuatable SMA can be converted to a linear displacement. The magnetically actuatable SMA can be implemented using a SMA exhibiting both ferromagnetic and SMA properties, or by a ferromagnetic mass coupled with an SMA (i.e., a ferromagnetic SMA composite). Linear actuators including bars incorporating a ratchet mechanism, and featureless bars are described. A hydraulic system incorporating actuators including magnetically actuatable SMA membranes is also disclosed.