Caterpillar Inc.

Carey A Towe

Kurtis C Kelley

Scott F Shafer

John M Bailey

Chuong Q Dam

Virgil R Hester

Michael Max Blanco

Everett Gene Brandt

Morris A Swanson

A method for forming a solid oxide fuel cell of yttria stabilized zirconia on a substrate, separating the resultant electrolytic layer from the substrate, and thereafter plasma spraying ceramic powder materials and forming an anode and a cathode on the electrolytic layer.

Method for forming a solid oxide fuel cell

A method for making piezoelectric solid state motor stack disks. The method includes the steps of preparing a piezoelectric ceramic powder; preparing a substantially cylindrical piezoelectric ceramic slug from the powder; and cutting the slug with an ID saw into disks of a predetermined thickness. The method further includes pressing the powder in a press at a pressure of between about 1500 psi and 6000 psi and firing the slug at a temperature of between about 1250.degree. C. and 1350.degree. C. for a period of between about 15 min. and 4 hours. The method also comprises the steps of cleaning the ceramic disks after slicing; and applying a conductive layer to a portion of facets of the disks prior to the assembly step.

Process for making piezoelectric stacks

A piezoelectric solid state motor includes first and second solderless connectors for connecting first and second chain electrodes, respectively, to a power supply connector. The first and second chain electrodes are interleaved with a plurality of piezoelectric disks, such that the motor expands in an axial direction when a driving potential is applied to the solderless connectors. Each solderless connector comprises a first planar member formed of an electrically conductive material, for placement in electrical communication with one of the first and second chain electrodes, and a second planar member formed integrally with the first planar member for placement in electrical communication with the power supply connector.

Solderless connector for a solid state motor stack

The service life of conventional glow plugs is extremely short when they are continuously energized at an elevated temperature during engine operation in order to assist ignition of non-autoignitable fuels. Such glow plugs typically fail due to thermal stresses and/or oxidation and corrosion. Herein is disclosed an improved heating element assembly adapted for incorporation in a glow plug. The heating element assembly includes a monolithic sheath having a relatively-thin and generally annular wall defining a blind bore. The heating element assembly further includes a heating device positioned in the blind bore and adapted to emit heat, and a heat transfer device adapted to transfer heat from the heating means to the sheath. The heating device includes a heating filament and a ceramic insulator. THe heating filament is protected against oxidation by being encapsulated in the insulator. The insulator is protected against corrosion by being encapsulated in the sheath. The sheath is formed of a preselected material which is chosen and configured so as to minimize failure of the heating element assembly caused by thermal stresses, oxidation and/or corrosion.

Encapsulated heating filament for glow plug

The service life of conventional glow plugs is extremely short when they are continuously energized at an elevated temperature during engine operation in order to assist ignition of non-autoignitable fuels. Such glow plugs typically fail due to thermal stresses and/or oxidation and corrosion. Herein is disclosed an improved heating element assembly adapted for incorporation in a glow plug. The heating element assembly includes a monolithic sheath having a relatively-thin and generally annular wall defining a blind bore. The heating element assembly further includes a heating device positioned in the blind bore and adapted to emit heat, and a heat transfer device adapted to transfer heat from the heating means to the sheath. The heating device is protected by the sheath formed of a preselected material which is chosen and configured so as to minimize failure of the heating element assembly caused by thermal stresses, oxidation and/or corrosion.

Heating element assembly for glow plug

An integral connector for a piezoelectric solid state motor stack having a plurality of ceramic disks interleaved with electrodes. Lead wires connect the electrodes to a source of electrical potential. A housing, for containing the motor stack, includes a connector body mounted to one end portion of the housing. A plurality of contact pins mounted to the connector body are adapted to be connected to the source of electrical potential. A structure defines a path for guiding the lead wires between the contact pins and the electrodes, wherein the lead wires exit the combination of the ceramic disks and electrodes along first and second parallel longitudinal axes separated by a first distance, and attach to the pins which are located along third and forth parallel longitudinal axes separated by a second distance, wherein the first distance is different from the second distance.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Carey A Towe