Abstract:
A coaxial thermoelement (10) having a thermocouple wire (12) coaxially disposed in a tubular metal sheath (16). A ceramic powder (14) electrically insulating is disposed in the tubular metal sheath (16) to insulate the thermocouple wire (12) from the tubular metal sheath (16). A thermocouple (24) is formed by fusing the thermocouple wire (12) to its metal sheath (16) in each of two coaxial thermoelements (10, 10') and joining the fused ends of the two coaxial thermoelements (10, 10') to form a thermocouple junction.
Abstract:
An oxidation-resistant alloy for use in a high-temperature or thermal cycling environment. The alloy comprises a nickel-based matrix having a solid solution of 19-23 % chromium and 3-6 % aluminum. A self-healing, thermodynamically stable oxide layer is formed upon a surface of the alloy which is exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere over a range of temperatures for extended periods of time. The oxide layer protects the alloy from the oxidizing atmosphere. Additions of calcium and yttrium are made to the matrix to substantially remove or stabilize oxygen and sulfur dissolved in the molten alloy. These additions result in retention of about 0.01-0.04 % of calcium and 0.01-0.04 % yttrium in the cast alloy. The matrix further includes about 2-8 % iron to inhibit nucleation and growth of a "gamma prime" nickel aluminium intermetallic compound which would otherwise adversely harden the alloy and cause local disturbance of a uniform distribution of aluminium.
Abstract:
A multi-wire self-diagnostic thermocouple (10) having three thermocouple elements (12, 14, 16) enclosed in a sheath (20) and insulated therefrom. The three thermocouple elements (12, 14, 16) are electrically connected to each other to form three thermocouple junctions. An electronic circuit response to the three EMF signals generated by the three thermocouple junctions generates an error signal when the ratio between the three EMF signals differs from predetermined ratios signifying that the calibration of at least one of the three thermocouple elements (12, 14, 16) has changed. In the preferred embodiment, the sheath (20) is a metal sheath and the three thermocouple elements (12, 14, 16) are fused to each other and the metal sheath.
Abstract:
A spark plug for use in an internal combustion engine includes an electrode material having a core (20) of a high thermal conductivity for reducing the temperature of the spark plug (10) by thermally conducting heat away from the spark plug to a cooler part of the engine. The core (20) extends continuously from an arcing surface at an end of a spark plug electrode to the cooler part of the engine. Surrounding the core (20) is a cladding layer (22) for resisting corrosion when exposed to high temperatures caused by arcing.
Abstract:
A tubular heating element (10) having a metal tube (12) filled with a ceramic material (14). The metal tube has a near zero or slightly positive temperature coefficient of resistance. In an alternative embodiment, a wire (16) is coaxially supported within the metal tube (12) by the ceramic material (14). This wire may be used to stiffen the tubular heating element (10) or may be used as an electrical conductor.
Abstract:
An oxidation-resistant alloy for use in a high-temperature or thermal cycling environment. The alloy comprises a nickel-based matrix having a solid solution of 15-17 % chromium and 3-8 % aluminum. A self-healing, thermodynamically stable oxide layer is formed upon a surface of the alloy which is exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere over a range of temperatures for extended periods of time. The oxide layer protects the alloy from the oxidizing atmosphere. Additions of calcium and yttrium are made to the matrix to substantially remove or stabilize oxygen and sulfur dissolved in the molten alloy. These additions result in retention of about 0.01-0.04 % of calcium and 0.01-0.04 % yttrium in the cast alloy. The matrix further includes about 22-24 % iron to inhibit nucleation and growth of a "gamma prime" nickel aluminum intermetallic compound which would otherwise adversely harden the alloy and cause local disturbance of a uniform distribution of aluminum.
Abstract:
A fill tube (10) for filling a seam-welded tube with a ceramic powder as the seam-welded tube is being made by a tube making mechanism (200). The fill tube (10) has a guide tube (12) for directing the ceramic powder from a location upstream of a seam welder (222) to a location downstream of the seam welder (222). A mounting bracket (14) is attached to the upper end of the guide tube and has a powder channel directing the ceramic powder received from an external powder source into the guide tube (12) and a wire channel (18) directing wires (24, 26) received from an external source into the guide tube (10). A wire guide (16) is disposed at the opposite end of the guide tube which locates the wires (24, 26) in the seam-welded tube as it is being filled with the ceramic powder.