TECH TRANSFER NEWS
September 1999
MTTC Identifies Remarkable New Lubricant Additive
(9/1/99) MTTC has been informed of a major new
advance in wear-resisting lubricant additives. A series of products manufactured by
Muscle Products, Inc. (Butler, PA), all incorporating the basic anti-friction product
MT-10 in various formulations, have been designed for use in a wide variety of
applications in which high pressures between mating parts are required. Suggested
uses include gears, pistons, cutting tools, and sporting equipment. Tests by
independent laboratories have shown amazing reductions in wear. For example, in a
test conducted by Southwest Research Institute, use of well-known commercial products such
a Slick 50 and STP Engine Treatment resulted in seizure at applied loads of 200 kg,
whereas in tests with the MT-10 seizure did not occur up to the maximum equipment load of
800 kg!
CJ Distributing of Burton, MI
contacted MTTC for assistance in "spreading the word" about this
technology. MTTC is planning on using its partnerships with the National Tooling and
Machining Association (NTMA) and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) to alert
manufacturers the benefits of these new products. We are particularly interested in
demonstrating the use of ST-10 synthetic, soluble, biodegradable cutting fluid. In
fact, CJ Distributing has offered free samples of this product to companies willing to
provide specific feedback on improvements in tool life as a result of its use.
MTTC Assists Small Business With Revolutionary Clean Air Technology
(9/1/99) MTTC has been working with True
Molecular Sieve, LLC (TMS) on a new gas separation technology that has the potential to
revolutionize they way industry deals with clean air regulations. This new
technology (patent pending) can separate gases in a steady-state flow and, unlike
conventional "molecular sieves" or membranes, can handle the gas flow rates
required by industry. A primary application for this technology is in the separation
of oxygen from nitrogen. For example, the major causes of "smog" are
oxides of nitrogen, or NOx. These gases are formed when nitrogen, which is the major
(80%) constituent of air, is introduced into a combustion process. Now picture this
situation: suppose you could separate nitrogen from air before the combustion
process, so that only oxygen entered the combustion chamber. The result would be no
nitrogen, no NOx, and no smog!
This technology is especially significant for Kentucky, where coal-fired power plants
provide most of the electricity, because the EPA has demanded tough new standards for NOx
in these plants starting in the year 2003. Coal is the least expensive fuel used to
generate electricity, yet these new regulations could cost utility companies up to half a
billion dollars per plant for compliance using current technology! This will make
coal-fired power plants nearly as expensive to operate as plants using competing fuels,
reducing the cost advantage of Kentucky-bases utilities in deregulated industry.
And, of course, it will increase the electric bills for all consumers. However, the
TMS technology promises to do a better job of eliminating NOx than current scrubber
systems, and will do the job at a much reduced cost.
Beyond power plants, consider the automobile. A lot of money has been spent
developing alternatives to the internal combustion engine, because of the pollutants,
especially NOx, this powerplant produces. Think of all the pollution-control devises
on today's autos, right up through and including the catalytic converter. Now
suppose that nothing but oxygen was entering the engine's cylinders. Not only would
NOx never be produced, eliminating the need for all current smog equipment, but the engine
could burn fuel far more efficiently, thereby improving both performance and mileage.
The TMS technology is in the early development stage, and MTTC's role has included
identification of improved fabrication approaches; coordination with federal laboratories;
providing business development, intellectual property, and scientific/engineering support;
and developing and presenting technology an business plans to user and investors.
MTTC's early support efforts were so successful that TMS has placed MTTC under contract
for further assistance. Time is of the essence in helping utility companies meet
the EPA 2003 requirement, so stay tuned for further developments in this exciting
technology.
Have you got an invention that would, in some way, have a major impact on life on this
planet, but you need some help in "getting it off the ground"? Maybe MTTC
can help you!
Next Meeting of the Technical Advisory Board (TAB)
(9/1/99) Due to a conflict, the next TAB meeting
will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 1999 instead of Wednesday, October 13, 1999.
Navy Looking for Answers
(9/1/99) Our readers may be able to help the Navy
solve an ongoing problem. Shipboard watertight doors (WTD) have handles that, when not
being used, are stowed in the vertical direction. The handles are held there in place by
spring metal clamps. Some of these WTDs are operated hundreds of times a day.
Unfortunately, the clamps being used can corrode, lose their spring (which causes the
handles to fall down and block the doorway) or simply break off. The MTTC is looking for a
replacement for these clips. They do not have to be made of metal, but, if they are metal,
they must be able to withstand the salt-water environment. If you have a product or an
idea that we could propose to the Navy, please call or email Dick Gilbert at the numbers
at the bottom of this page.
MTTC Fleet Maintenance Projects
(9/1/99) The Project Status is as follows:
 Superbolt. Testing is complete. NAVSEA issued
a letter on May 17, 1999 authorizing fleet-wide use. This project is closed.
Portable Chlorinator. Suitcase unit is built. COMNAVSURFLANT has identified the USS CARR
as the test ship. Shipchecks have been conducted and modifications have been
installed. Underway testing will commence soon.
 Lynx Motor. The Lynx Motor shock test will
probably be delayed until later in 1999 when a steel-cased motor becomes available.
 Heat Exchanger Descaler. Approved on January 13, 1999. This commercially-
available system will be tested and approved for shipboard use. This will permit emergent
maintenance and eliminate the need for costly removal/reinstallation of heat exchangers in
order to deliver them ashore. An estimated $4M/year cost avoidance is forecast. This
project commenced in August 1999.
 Watertight Door Hinge Replacement. Approved
at the January 13, 1999 meeting of the Office of Naval Research Working Group.
Testing of the new hinge pin assembly has commenced. The tests will take 2 to 3
months to complete. This is a Secretary of the Navy high interest item.
Bilge Paint Qualification. Approved on January 13, 1999. MTTC will be teaming
with NAVSEA and the Fleet Commands to test and qualify one or more epoxy paints for use in
ship bilges. This is a Secretary of the Navy high interest item and should be complete by
September 1999. A savings of $6 million per year has been projected. Contract
is imminent.
Topside Connector Corrosion Protection. Approved on January 13, 1999. MTTC will
qualify several re-enterable connector covers for shipboard use. The use of these
materials will minimize connector corrosion and result in greater electronic system
reliability and reduced maintenance. A detailed test plan is in development.
 Fast Track. K-Flex E Co. MTTC will
evaluate a test section of this new material on USS Rushmore. A baseline assessment
was conducted prior to ship deployment in June 1999. When the Rushmore returns, the
installation will be re-evaluated. If approved, larger savings in production costs
will be realized.
 Fast Track. DDG-5 Class Intake Louvers.
MTTC coordinated a test coating on several louvers using a fluidized bed ponder
coats process. Within a month of the fleet request, the lovers were
coated and returned to the fleet for at-sea testing. The test set was installed on
the USS Cook in July 1999.
New Fleet Maintenance Technology Transfer Projects
(9/1/99) The Office of Naval Research Working Group
met in Washington, D.C. on July 8, 1999 and approved two new projects:
Tri-Tec Actuator. The Navy is looking for remote
valve actuators that are mechanically and electronically compatible with current models
and are considerably more reliable and user friendly. This project will procure and
test a new model actuator onboard an Aircraft Carrier for at least six months.
Ecotherm Insulation. Another MTTC project,
K-Flex ECO is proposed to replace the existing Calcium Silicate in low temperature
applications (<250 deg F). The Navy desires to test another CaSi replacement,
Ecotherm, for high temperatured applications (250-1000 deg F). This project will
install test sections of Ecotherm on a fleet ship and conduct extended at-sea trials.
Call
for More Information...
For additional news or information
about opportunities involving technology transfer, contact Dick Gilbert or Dave
Goddard at (502)367-2186. |
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