ISO9001:2000
UTRON is an award winning R&D corporation founded in 1989, headquartered in Manassas, Virginia with additional facilities in West Virginia. UTRON performs basic and applied research developing new materials processes for the industrial sector and Advanced Weapons Systems for the Department of Defense.
UTRON has a substantial infrastructure that supports high velocity, high-energy gun launch research, materials research, and material process development activities. The high velocity launch technologies which UTRON personnel have considerable knowledge of and experience with (in some cases exclusive) include: Combustion Light Gas Guns (CLGG), Electric Light Gas Guns (ELGG), Ram Accelerators, Electro Thermal Guns, Electro Thermal Combustion/Ignition Guns, Solid Propellant Guns, and Railguns. As a result of this research, UTRON personnel are experts at gun launching masses to velocities over 7 km/s.
UTRON intends to maintain its strong involvement in hypervelocity launcher research. Practical hypervelocity gun launch technologies, such as the CLGG, are demonstrating breakthrough performance in gun technology with applications in the Theater Missile Defense, Air Defense, Long Range Cannon, Reconnaissance, Anti-Ship Missile Defense, and Naval Surface Fire Support arenas.
With the US government's new emphasis on commercialization of defense technologies, UTRON is well positioned to apply its strong background in hypervelocity gun research and associated core technologies, such as pulsed power, plasma discharges and high-pressure engineering to several exciting commercial possibilities. We have identified a very diverse range of markets and are actively pursuing near term applications. UTRON is rapidly moving toward the commercialization of its products and is currently offering two of its latest products, dynamic compaction press and fine metal powders, to industry. UTRON is also actively developing the technologies listed below:
The CDC process utilizes the controlled release of energy from combustion of natural gas and air to compact powders at higher pressures (up to 150 tsi) than possible by traditional means with a gentler loading rate. In operation the following steps occurs: 1) The chamber is filled to high pressure with a mixture of natural gas and air; 2) As the chamber is being filled the piston or ram is allowed to move down pre-compressing and removing entrapped air from the powder and 3) The gas supply is closed and an ignition stimulus is applied causing the pressure in the chamber to rise dramatically, further compressing the metal powder to its final net shape. The CDC process is based on utilizing the direct conversion of chemical energy to produce compaction. The process inherently includes a pre-compaction step preparing the powder for the final compaction load.
Process Advantages
Improved high density of the part with unique CDC loading cycle, reduced process time (e.g., milliseconds), net shaping ability, compactness, amenability to make simple to complex part geometries, suitability for micro/nano powder consolidation, potential for composite/function gradient materials (FGM) fabrication, improved high performance properties (e.g., superior surface finish, improved mechanical properties), less or no post-matching/grinding needs and scalability to larger sizes.
Potential Commercial Uses of High Pressure CDC Net Shape Fabrication/Manufacturing
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X-ray targets/Anodes |
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Nozzle Liners/Heat Sinks |
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Accelerator/RF microwave components |
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Projectiles/Warhead/Armor Tile parts |
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Computer hard disk drive accessories such as read/write heads |
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High performance engines parts such as valves/valve seats, bearings, gears, pushrods and brakes |
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High density Soft and Permanent Magnets |
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Electrical/electromagnetic parts such as switching contacts/commutator rings/brushes |
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Tooling inserts |
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Welding electrodes |
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Wear/corrosion resistant tribological system parts |
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High temperature Thermal Protection System (TPS) components |
UTRON's fast switch technology developed for the Department of Energy uses pulse power techniques to suddenly heat a gas used to actuate a large switch. The heating process increases the gas pressure to 15,000 psi or more in less than 100 microseconds, providing the force needed to quickly accelerate the moving switch parts. Subsequently, a unique damping mechanism then brings the moving parts to a stop in the actuated position. These switches approach the speed of explosively actuated devices while retaining the repetitive operating capability of conventional pneumatically, hydraulically, or electromagnetically actuated devices. An experimental opening switch using novel arc quenching techniques has interrupted 6000 volt, 9000 ampere circuits in less than 400 microseconds. This is accomplished without the need for the AC current zero crossings required for conventional power distribution breakers. Even faster switches capable of higher voltages and currents are possible. This technology also eliminate the needs for sulphur-hexafluoride, an undesirable greenhouse gas and ozone depletion agent needed in conventional power distribution breakers.
If you think you have an application or questions about these or other technologies, contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
UTRON, Incorporated
703-369-5552
