USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Robert DeNale

William E Lukens

Roger M Crane

George C Tunis

Timothy L Dapp

John Mittleman

Charles A Zanis

Michael E Wells

Lawrence M Brown

Ralph W Judy, Jr

Roy A Lindauer

Errol E Wallingford

Harry E Prince

Luther A Marsh

The present invention's composite-to-metal attachment methodology&#x2014;bolt-free and adhesive-free&#x2014;features the implementation of an intermediary structure containing metallic fibrous material. The intermediary structure couples a first adherend (which contains nonmetallic fibrous material) with a second adherend (which contains metallic nonfibrous material). The intermediary structure's fibrous attribute is availed of for effecting its co-cure attachment to the first adherend. The intermediary structure's metallic attribute is availed of for effecting its weld attachment to the second adherend. According to typical inventive practice, respective panels of the first adherend and the intermediary structure are arranged and connected so as to describe a stepped configuration at the interface between the first adherend and the intermediary structure. The first adherend and a first portion of the intermediary structure are co-impregnated with a uniform resinous system and are co-cured. A second portion of the intermediary structure is welded with respect to the second adherend.

Hybrid composite welded joint

A unitary test piece which dimensionally conforms with standardized dynamic tear testing guidelines comprises a middle section and two end sections welded thereto. The middle section is made of the test-subject metallic material. The two end sections are each made of a metallic material which is compatible with the test-subject metallic material, and primarily serve the purpose of combining with the middle section at its longitudinal ends in order to together form the dimensionally suitable test piece. The length of the middle section is at least the minimum such length that will totally encompass plastic deformation of such metallic material when subjected to dynamic tear testing, this depending on the nature of such metallic material. Ferrous end sections are compatible with a ferrous middle section; non-ferrous end sections of a particular designation are compatible with a non-ferrous middle section of the same designation. The invention advantageously permits economical utilization of test-subject metallic material under circumstances in which available samples thereof are expensive, limited, inappropriately or problematically sized, inappropriately or problematically configured, and/or intended to be tested for one or more properties in addition to dynamic tear.

Efficient use of metallic materials for dynamic tear testing

A two probe time-of-flight system has a transmit probe emitting a diverging beam into a test material at a certain beam-center angle, and a receive probe with its main beam extending into the test material at that same angle, with the two probes being arranged symmetrical about a centerline normal to the test face. The transmit probe generates a pulse wherein a portion of the pulse reflects at the incident angle back to the receive probe, which detects the reflections and marks the reception time as a reference. A sampling unit captures subsequent echo energy returning from a region within the test material. The sampled energy above a given threshold is processed to identify the sample times relative to the marked reference time. The identified sample times are used to determine the depth that the echo energy originated from. Consecutive identified samples in the depth direction are used to detect the height of a flaw within the test material. By scanning the probes in an x-y pattern, the planar dimensions of the flaw are determined.

Ultrasonic two probe system for locating and sizing

Field strength of an electromagnet is monitored at a threshold with a coupling coil positioned to monitor magnetic flux in a leg of an electromagnet. In the context of magnetic particle inspection for surface flaws (e.g. cracks) in ferromagnetic materials, sensing magnetic flux in a portion of a magnetic circuit including the material being inspected provides a continuous direct indication of whether or not the magnetic field strength produced is sufficient for reliable inspection to be performed. Since the magnetic flux in the electromagnet will be reduced with increases in reluctance of the magnetic circuit, the continuous monitoring of magnetic field strength also effectively monitors correct inspection technique by the magnetic particle inspection methodology.

Magnetic field strength threshold indicator for use in a magnetic

A method of welding metals wherein the size and shape of a weld pool as w as the traversing of the arc from one metal to the other is commanded magnetically by predetermined data, which data is updated by observing and characterizing isotherms in the weld pool, comparing the observed isotherms with a predetermined set of desired isotherms and then updating the command data for optimum performance.

System for control of weld arc development

A flexible extendable backing shield for use with the welding of reactive metals such as titanium. The backing shield provides a means for selectively distributing the inert gas along the length of the shield and then diffusing the inert gas to the root side of the weld to prevent oxidation and embrittlement of the weld root. The backing shield is of modular configuration so that a plurality of the devices can be readily connected together to shield a variety of complex shapes.

Flexible extendable backing shield for welding reactive metals

A flexible trailing shield for providing nonreactive gas shielding to arc lding operations comprises a housing formed of interlocking transverse segments adapted to flexibly cover weld surfaces having varying configurations. The housing has a torch entrance port for slidably receiving a welding torch, a conduit for receiving gas into the housing, a foraminous material to uniformly distribute the gas within the housing, and a pervious structure through which the gas is dispersed over the weld surface.

Growing community of inventors

Arnold, MD, United States of America

Robert DeNale