Abstract: An electroslag refining apparatus includes upper and lower integral crucibles, with the lower crucible having a drain. In situ hot start is effected by depositing in the lower crucible a pre-refined starter. The starter is melted in the lower crucible to form a starter pool, and slag is deposited atop the starter pool for being melted thereby to develop a slag pool thereatop. An ingot electrode is lowered through the upper crucible to immerse a tip thereof into the slag pool. The electrode is powered to effect resistance heating of the slag pool to melt the electrode tip. The slag and starter pools are increased in volume into the upper crucible, with the drain then being opened to effect steady state operation.

Abstract: Rapid, sensitive detection of analytes in small-scale samples is achieved with an analytical method in which samples are adsorbed on a sorbent material and probed spectroscopically. The method is suitable for monitoring the progress of reactions in combinatorial screening experiments.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a scanning device for reading a tag disposed upon a cooking item, which tag includes cooking instructions, and a network connection for receiving updated information relative to a respective cooking item. Circuitry is coupled to the scanning device and to the network connection for updated and implementing the cooking instructions.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for the rapid determination of the light-induced degradation of polymeric materials and coatings. In a preferred embodiment of this method, samples are exposed to UV light and fluorescence emission spectral data are collected and fluorescence properties such as wavelength, intensity, lifetime, and polarization are monitored for changes, which in turn are an indication of the weatherability of a given sample.

Abstract: In turbomachinery, first and second flowpaths coupled to stages of the compressor flow cooling medium at different temperatures and pressures to components of the turbine. An ejector is provided in the first flowpath for suctioning flow from the second flowpath and combining the two flows for delivery to a component of the turbine at a temperature and pressure intermediate the temperature and pressure of the first and second flows. A flow sensor, flow controller and throttling valve are interposed in the motive flowpath, the exit flowpath or the suction flowpath relative to the ejector for controlling the flow through the ejector.

Abstract: Computerized process control systems and methods for the production of melt polycarbonate include a plurality of sensors for obtaining a plurality of measurements relating to a plurality of predetermined process variables, a preprocessor for preprocessing each of the plurality of measurements for multivariate statistical analysis, an identifier for identifying which of the plurality of predetermined process variables affect each of a plurality of predetermined product variables, a correlator for correlating the plurality of predetermined process variables and the plurality of predetermined product variables, and a model generator for modeling the relationship between the plurality of predetermined process variables and the plurality of predetermined product variables. The plurality of predetermined process variables are analyzed to predict polymer performance and/or to ensure that the value of each of the plurality of predetermined process variables is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A coating is applied to reinforcing fibers arranged into a tow by coaxially aligning the tow with an adjacent separation layer and winding or wrapping the tow and separation layer onto a support structure in an interleaved manner so that the separation layer separates a wrap of the tow from an adjacent wrap of the tow. A coating can then be uniformly applied to the reinforcing fibers without defects caused by fiber tow to fiber tow contact. The separation layer can be a carbon fiber veil.

Abstract: A rapid analysis method for the determination of Fries rearrangement products in aromatic polycarbonate resins utilizes in-line determination of polymer concentration and in-line fluorescence detection of Fries rearrangement products. The method avoids time consuming sample preparation required by previous methods, allows for separation of interfering low molecular weight components, and is suitable for automation.

Abstract: A combined acoustic backing and interconnect module for connecting an array of ultrasonic transducer elements to a multiplicity of conductors of a cable utilizes the backing layer volume to extend a high density of interconnections perpendicular to the transducer array surface. The module is made by injecting flowable backfill material into a mold made up of a plurality of spacer plates having aligned channels, with interleaved flexible circuit boards. The backfill material is cured to form a backing layer which supports the flexible circuit boards in mutually parallel relationship. Excess flexible circuit material on one side of the backing layer is cut flush with the front face of the backing layer, leaving exposed ends of the conductive traces on the flexible circuit boards. The module is then laminated to a piezoelectric ceramic layer, and diced. The flexible circuit board conductive traces are aligned with, and electrically connected to, signal electrodes of the transducer elements.

Abstract: A radiation imager includes a photosensor array disposed on a substrate. The photosensor array is optically coupled to a scintillator. A cover plate is disposed over the photosensor array, and the cover plate fully comprises a light absorbing layer interposed between the scintillator and the cover plate.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for glass-ceramic cooktop appliances includes an optical detector having an reference component and an active component. The active component is arranged to receive radiation from the glass-ceramic plate, and the reference component is insulated from radiation from the glass-ceramic plate. The sensor assembly further includes a temperature sensor and a heater located adjacent to the reference component and a controller having a first input connected to the optical detector and a second input connected to the temperature sensor. The controller is responsive to the optical detector and the temperature sensor to calibrate the sensor assembly. Calibration is accomplished by noting the temperature reading of the temperature sensor after the burner assembly has not been used for a predetermined period of time to obtain a first calibration point. Then, the burner assembly is activated so that the temperature of the glass-ceramic plate is raised, and the output of the optical detector is noted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for quantifying structural defects of a coating composition on a given substrate, where certain structural defect-inducing tests are performed. In this method, a coating formulation is doped with a colorimetric or luminescent material. Concentration of the material depends on the quantum efficiency, excitation and emission wavelengths, and employed detection techniques, and can range from about 1 fM to about 1 mM. Before, during and/or after such tests, the coating is illuminated with a wavelength of radiation at which the reflected or transmitted color or emitted luminescence of the material in the coating is detectable with an optical detector or by visual inspection. In this fashion, the percentage of failure of the coating can be quantified as well as the level of interdiffusion of coating into substrate or substrate into coating. The method of the invention is thus particularly well-suited for the combinatorial analysis of an array of coating samples.

Abstract: Using the molding tool (2), spatially-resolved spectrometer (1) and computerized device (101) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/303,409, streaking problems identified in production are first diagnosed (140), then duplicated on a laboratory scale (142) and compared with the streaking problems observed in production. Next, options are developed and tested for fixing (correcting) the observed problem and testing these on a laboratory scale (144). Finally, the option(s) chosen for correcting the observed problem are validated prior to reinitiating full-scale production (146).

Abstract: A brush seal is provided between a first stationary component and a second rotating component. A cooling medium is provided through a plurality of jet nozzles for flow along an upstream surface portion of the brush seal bristles and along the rotating component surface adjoining the tips of the bristles. The cooling medium cools the brush seal bristles to a temperature below the temperature of the working fluid passing through the turbine. The jet nozzles may be arranged in the shroud or in the upstream backing plate of the brush seal to direct the cooling medium toward the juncture of the brush seal and the sealing surface.

Abstract: A method for making an alkylhalosilane is provided wherein the method comprises heat treating silicon and a form of copper at a temperature greater than about 500° C. to produce a contact mass and effecting reaction between an alkyl halide and silicon in the presence of the contact mass to produce alkylhalosilane.

Abstract: An approach to image reconstruction provides enhanced image quality from limited projection data, particularly when the imaging object (or a portion of interest) is in motion during the tomographic projection data collection process. An interpolated projection view is generated from existing projection views between which an additional relationship exists by virtue of being respectively based on data collected in different data acquisition cycles. The present invention provides a technique for combining the existing projection views into an interpolated projection view by interpolation in time. A further aspect of the invention provides an approach for selecting a reconstruction range for projection data representing the imaged object and covering a plurality of projection ranges.

Abstract: The signaling overhead required for pilot symbol aided modulation is significantly reduced by recognizing that the residual uncertainty in the carrier frequency decreases after an initial carrier frequency estimate is made during an initial signal interval. This allows a commensurate reduction in channel process sampling rate during the remainder of the message; i.e., the frequency uncertainty of the pilot symbols can be decreased. This technique may be particularly effective when the rate of change of the received carrier frequency and phase is low as in fixed satellite terminal equipment. The resultant increase in spectral efficiency makes reduced-overhead pilot symbol aided modulation attractive for applications in low-cost/low-complexity terminal equipment.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the parameters of a normally occurring turbine exhaust gas temperature profile is provided. From that characterization the characteristics of a filter function to eliminate or significantly reduce the strength of aliased signals from that normally occurring pattern are established. Sensors to provide filtering functions for that purpose include a distributed gradient thermocouple system and a resistance thermometer system. Examples of such sensor systems are disclosed. The method and related sensors improve the detection limits associated with exhaust gas temperature profiles used to monitor, diagnose, and control gas turbines.

Abstract: An article comprises a silicon-containing substrate and a zircon coating. The article can comprise a silicon carbide/silicon (SiC/Si) substrate, a zircon (ZrSiO4) intermediate coating and an external environmental/thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: While silicon-containing ceramics or ceramic composites are prone to material loss in combustion gas environments, this invention introduces a method to prevent or greatly reduce the thickness loss by injecting directly an effective amount, generally in the part per million level, of silicon or silicon-containing compounds into the combustion gases.