General Electric Company

Theodore McCall Evenden

Mark Gilbert Benz

Thomas Robert Raber

Judson Sloan Marte

Bernard Patrick Bewlay

Melvin Robert Jackson

Pazhayannur Ramanathan Subramanian

Paul Leonard Dupree

Bruce S Dunn

A multi-filament superconducting wire in which the filaments comprise zirconia-stabilized ultra-fine grain NbSn. The superconducting wire is formed by wire-drawing a preform comprising a metallic matrix and at least one niobium alloy rod having zirconium and oxygen in solid solution and heat treating the drawn wire in the presence of tin to yield at least one continuous filament comprising ultra-fine grain NbSn having semi-coherent ZrOprecipitates disposed therein. The ZrOprecipitates serve to stabilize the ultra-fine grain microstructure of the NbSn at temperatures up to 1100&#xb0; C. and allows NbSn to maintain the ultra-fine grain microstructure when heat treated at temperatures that are greater than those previously used. By using higher temperatures to form NbSn, the time required for heat treatment can be significantly reduced.

Zirconia-stabilized multi-filamentary niobium-tin superconducting wire

A method and apparatus for casting a near-net-shape article from a high temperature material, such as a refractory metal intermetallic composite material. The apparatus includes: a means for forming a molten material comprising at least one of a metal and an alloy; a means for pouring the molten material; a mold assembly comprising a solid shell having a face coat interposed between the solid shell and molten material; and a heater assembly for maintaining the solid shell at a temperature. The molten material solidifies within the solid shell to form a near-net shape of the article. The near-net shape article may be a turbine assembly component, such as, but not limited to, a vane or airfoil.

Method and apparatus for casting near-net shape articles

A multi-filament superconducting wire in which the filaments comprise zirconia-stabilized ultra-fine grain Nb Sn. The superconducting wire is formed by wire-drawing a preform comprising a metallic matrix and at least one niobium alloy rod having zirconium and oxygen in solid solution and heat treating the drawn wire in the presence of tin to yield at least one continuous filament comprising ultra-fine grain Nb Sn having semi-coherent ZrO precipitates disposed therein. The ZrO precipitates serve to stabilize the ultra-fine grain microstructure of the Nb Sn at temperatures up to 1100&deg; C. and allows Nb Sn to maintain the ultra-fine grain microstructure when heat treated at temperatures that are greater than those previously used. By using higher temperatures to form Nb Sn, the time required for heat treatment can be significantly reduced.

Thermocompression methods of forming sodium-sulfur cell casings are described. One method includes positioning an assembly within a die, the assembly having an inward flange at one end of an open ended metallic container positioned against an aluminum washer adjacent each opposite major surface of an electrically insulating ceramic ring, applying pressure to each flange within its respective container, and heating the assembly in an inert atmosphere to bond the containers to the ceramic ring. Another method includes the above steps except that the pressure is applied to the opposite edge of each container.

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Pattersonville, NY, United States of America

Theodore McCall Evenden