Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a Cu-Cr melt involves melting Cu-bearing alloy component in a melting vessel disposed in ambient air atmosphere, retaining Cr-bearing alloy component in an inverted ceramic crucible held submerged in the melted Cu-bearing alloy component, introducing inert gas into the melted Cu-bearing alloy component, and flowing the melted Cu-bearing alloy component in the melting vessel through openings in the submerged crucible to contact the Cr-bearing alloy component.

Abstract: A power supply chain comprising a plurailty of power supply conduit carriers including first and second side links and first and second cross-pieces connected between the side links to form the carrier. The cross-pieces each comprise an elongated cross-piece member having a channel extending along the length of the member and a plurality of cylindrical rollers disposed end-to-end along the length of and residing in the channel for rotation in the channel relative to the cross-piece member. One or more roller separators are disposed transversely between facing cross-piece rollers in the cross-piece channels. Each roller separator typically includes an intermediate cylindrical roller region for engaging one or more power supply conduits and cylindrical end studs or shafts that are rotatably received in corresponding bores in the facing cross-piece rollers so that the separator roller can freely rotate on the cross-piece rollers.

Abstract: An electromechanical fluid control valve includes a solenoid-actuated actuating pin in a fluid passage for actuating a fluid control valve, and a spiral locating member for centering the actuating pin coaxially relative to the armature and fluid control valve. The spiral locating member may comprise a wire wound helically about the actuating pin along a portion of its length. The actuating pin is guided for movement by an inner surface of the spiral pin locating member. An outer surface of the spiral pin locating member is supported in a fluid passage of the valve to center the locating member therein between the armature and fluid control valve.

Abstract: In a castable, curable composition for producing plastic molded articles, comprising a sirup containing a proportion of acrylic acid monomer and/or derivatives thereof, in order to achieve an improved boiling resistance of the plastic molded articles produced from the composition, it is proposed that a proportion of a further component of the formula (I) ##STR1## which contains an ethylenically unsaturated group of the formula (II)--R.sub.5 --R.sub.6 (II)and/or contains a group of the formula (III) ##STR2## be added. The sirup may also optionally contain a proportion of a prepolymer, in particular PMMA, and, in addition, a particulate, inorganic filler in a proportion of 50 to 90% by weight in relation to the total composition, pigments and a radical initiator system are contained in the sirup. The viscosity of the total composition is .ltoreq.100 Pa.multidot.

Abstract: A method of making a single crystal or columnar grain superalloy casting comprises casting a superalloy in a mold wherein at least one of the mold and optional core comprises an oxygen-bearing ceramic, directionally solidifying the superalloy to form a single crystal or columnar grain superalloy casting, and solution heat treating the superalloy casting. The heat treatment is conducted under an atmosphere including a carbon-bearing gas, such as a carbon monoxide and inert gas mixture, wherein the carbon-bearing gas is present in an effective amount to reduce loss of carbon from the casting during the heat treatment. The heat treatment can be conducted prior to removal of all of the mold and core, if present, such as, for example, when the cast mold is in the as-knocked out condition wherein residual mold and/or core material is present on the casting. Alternately, the heat treatment can be conducted after removal of the mold and core, if present.

Abstract: A titanium silicide material based on Ti.sub.5 Si.sub.3 intermetallic compound exhibits substantially improved oxidative stability at elevated temperatures. In particular, carbon is added to a Ti.sub.5 Si.sub.3 base material in an amount (e.g. about 0.3 to about 3.6 weight % C) effective to impart substantially improved oxidative stability at elevated temperatures, such as about 1000.degree. C. Boron is added to a Ti.sub.5 Si.sub.3 base material in an amount (e.g. about 0.3 to about 3.3 weight % B) to this same end.

Abstract: A method of making a rare earth compound, such as a earth-transition metal permanent magnet compound, without the need for producing rare earth metal as a process step, comprises carbothermically reacting a rare earth oxide to form a rare earth carbide and heating the rare earth carbide, a compound-forming reactant (e.g. a transition metal and optional boron), and a carbide-forming element (e.g. a refractory metal) that forms a carbide that is more thermodynamically favorable than the rare earth carbide whereby the rare earth compound (e.g. Nd.sub.2 Fe.sub.14 B or LaNi.sub.5) and a carbide of the carbide-forming element are formed.

Abstract: Creep resistant gamma titanium alumninide comprising titanium in the range of about 55 to about 71 weight % and aluminum in the range of 29 to about 35 weight % by virtue of including oxygen intentionally in the composition in an effective amount to significantly increase the high temperature creep resistance of the alloy. The composition can include greater than about 800 ppm up to about 1500 ppm oxygen to this end.

Abstract: A direct drive power window actuator for remote opening and closing of a pivotal quarter window of an automotive vehicle comprising a reversible motor, a power transmitting gear device operatively connected with the motor at one end and with a rotary shaft at the other end for rotating the rotary shaft, and a linkage for converting the rotational torque of the rotary shaft into an opening-and-closing force for the window.

Abstract: A method of removing ceramic material, such as for example a ceramic core, from a metallic cast or other component involves contacting the metallic cast component and a caustic ceramic leaching medium at elevated temperature for a time effective to substantially remove the ceramic material from the component and providing an oxygen getter in the caustic ceramic leaching medium in an amount effective to avoid deleterious surface corrosion of the component while the ceramic material is being removed therefrom.

Abstract: A preformed fiber reinforced metal matrix composite reinforcement insert is clad or covered with a material that is effective to avoid the adverse reactions between the insert/melt and any exposed insert fibers/matrix. The clad insert is suspended in the mold cavity and a melt is introduced into the mold cavity about the clad insert. The melt is solidified about the clad insert to provide a casting of the solidified melt having the clad insert disposed therein to reinforce the casting.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing ceramic shell mold material from one or more castings in a relatively rapid manner wherein the casting and hot caustic solution spray nozzles are relatively moved to direct hot caustic solution under pressure at the castings to remove post-knock-out ceramic shell material thereon prior to further processing of the castings.

Abstract: In a monitoring sensor for protecting computers and peripheral computer equipment by means of theft protection systems, wherein the sensor has a housing and a sensor element and the housing comprises a coupling member, with which the sensor can be attached to standard connections of the computers and peripheral computer equipment, it is suggested in order to make the monitoring sensor universally usable for standard connections of computers that the sensor element comprise a sensor means and an elastically deformable bending member as position transducer, wherein the sensor means registers the elastic deformation of the bending member and wherein the bending member is arranged adjacent to the coupling member such that it first of all abuts against parts of the standard connection when the sensor is attached to the standard connection and can subsequently be elastically deformed by these parts.

Abstract: Energy control system for a window comprises fenestration blinds, horizontal or vertical, disposed at the window and adjustable in angle to control solar radiation entering the window. First and second photovoltaic sensors are disposed proximate respective exterior and interior sides of the fenestration blinds for providing a signal representative of incident solar radiation at the respective exterior and interior sides. An electrical motor is can be disposed proximate the window and is operably connected to the fenestration blinds in a manner to controll the angle thereof. A microprocessor control device is provided for providing control signals to the motor to adjust the angle of the fenestration blinds.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making nanoparticles of a material having a diameter of 100 nanometers or less wherein the material to be formed into nanoparticles is evaporated to form a vapor plume therein, a non-reactive entrainment gaseous atmosphere suitable for evaporation conditions is introduced to a first chamber, a gaseous jet is directed through the vapor plume in a direction to carry nanoparticles formed by quenching of the vapor plume through a flow restriction orifice between the first chamber and a second chamber downstream of the first chamber, recirculation of the gaseous jet and nanoparticles entrained therein from the second chamber to the first chamber is substantially prevented to thereby provide a second stage of the gaseous jet downstream of the orifice and substantially isolated from said first chamber for flow to the second chamber, and collecting the nanoparticles from the second stage of said gaseous jet in a collection chamber downstream from the orifice.

Abstract: Booth-type drier for a painting plant, in particular, for vehicle bodies, comprising a booth interior for receiving painted articles to be dried and at least one heating element arranged in the drier for heating the articles, the heating element being, for its part, heatable using waste air from the painting plant which has undergone thermal cleaning and has thereby been heated up and which is conducted through at least one pure gas pipeline, wherein to minimize the investment and operating costs, the pure gas pipeline is laid in the drier and designed to give off heat to the booth interior.

Abstract: An optoelectronic temperature sensor comprises a doped ferroelectric oxide thin film that exhibits a detectable change in luminescence intensity with temperature as a result of an oxide phase transition when the sensor is heated or cooled through a particular temperature range. The phase of the doped ferroelectric oxide affects the intensity of the luminescence emitted by the doped ferroelectric oxide and thereby provides a temperature dependent parameter or output. The optoelectronic temperature sensor of the present invention can comprise a rare earth or transition metal doped ferroelectric oxide thin film.

Abstract: A method of improving the oxidation resistance of a platinum modified aluminide coating formed on a nickel base superalloy substrate, comprises providing a platinum layer on the substrate, heating the substrate in a coating retort to a temperature of at least about 1000.degree. C., forming external of the coating retort a high purity coating gas comprising hydrogen and aluminum trichloride, and introducing the coating gas into the coating retort to contact the heated substrate to form an outwardly grown, single phase [(Ni,Pt)]Al] platinum modified aluminide coating having reduced concentration of at least one of a substrate substitutional alloying element and a surface active tramp element selected from at least one of B, P, and S in said coating as compared to a platinum modified aluminide coating formed at a lower temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying one or more power conduits to a movable power consumer includes one or more power supply chains, a carriage between static and dynamic portions of the chain and movable in response to movement of the power consumer via a sheave and cable carriage drive and having rollers positioned in response to movement of the power consumer to support a dynamic portion of a power supply chain when it sags in a chain guide tray as a result of the chain travelling beyond its self-supporting travel distance. The carriage rollers have a radius substantially less that the predetermined bend radius of the chain so that a compact, light-weight, low center-of-gravity carriage is provided for movement in a chain guide tray.

Abstract: In order to improve the printing capability with high-performance laser printers and the subsequent processing of a single-layered paper article, in particular, a single-sheet mailer having an adhesive coating adapted to be activated for adhering a single layer with itself or with further layers, it is suggested that a component is added to the adhesive coating which can absorb the separating agents used during laser printing and can remove them from the paper surface. According to the invention, additives of oleophilic bentonite and/or polyvinyl alkylether and/or polyethylene glycol are suggested.