Abstract: Method as well as apparatus for DS casting using a multi-stage thermal baffle disposed proximate a lower end of a DS casting furnace. The thermal baffle comprises a fixed primary baffle disposed at the lower end of the casting furnace and a secondary baffle initially releasably disposed adjacent and below the primary baffle prior to withdrawal of the melt-filled mold from the casting furnace. The primary baffle includes a primary aperture oriented perpendicular to the mold withdrawal direction and having a cross-sectional configuration tailored to accommodate a relatively large exterior region or profile of the melt-filled mold, such as a relatively wide platform region of a mold for making a turbine blade or vane.

Abstract: Method as well as apparatus for DS casting using a multi-stage thermal baffle disposed proximate a lower end of a DS casting furnace. The thermal baffle comprises a fixed primary baffle disposed at the lower end of the casting furnace and a secondary baffle initially releasably disposed adjacent and below the primary baffle prior to withdrawal of the melt-filled mold from the casting furnace. The primary baffle includes a primary aperture oriented perpendicular to the mold withdrawal direction and having a cross-sectional configuration tailored to accommodate a relatively large exterior region or profile of the melt-filled mold, such as a relatively wide platform region of a mold for making a turbine blade or vane.

Abstract: Method as well as apparatus for DS casting using a multi-stage thermal baffle disposed proximate a lower end of a DS casting furnace. The thermal baffle comprises a fixed primary baffle disposed at the lower end of the casting furnace and a secondary baffle initially releasably disposed adjacent and below the primary baffle prior to withdrawal of the melt-filled mold from the casting furnace. The primary baffle includes a primary aperture oriented perpendicular to the mold withdrawal direction and having a cross-sectional configuration tailored to accommodate a relatively large exterior region or profile of the melt-filled mold, such as a relatively wide platform region of a mold for making a turbine blade or vane.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (200, 300, 400, 500) mitigates the effects of excess timing delay caused by varying lengths of communication paths. In one general implementation, a transition communication path (206, 323, 329) is used to transfer a time-advanced version of a timing reference signal so that the cumulative time delay at a transition cell (209, 325, 331) is reduced. In another general implementation, the timing reference signal is time-advanced in all communication paths (403-411), and selected communication paths (403-407) include a time delay means (423-427, 503-507) such that the cumulative time delay at an area (421) near a target coverage area (130) is reduced. By reducing the cumulative time delay at the area (421) near the target coverage area (130), a handoff of a communication of a mobile station (128) into the target coverage area (130) can be performed.

Abstract: A receiver (156) includes both a coherent and noncoherent demodulator. When the confidence that estimates of the channel is high, the coherent demodulator is implemented. When the confidence that estimates of the channel is low, the noncoherent demodulator is implemented. A controlling microprocessor (162) controls the selection process and also provides a signal (158) to enable the noncoherent demodulator in instances when noncoherent demodulation would most likely be better than coherent demodulation. As an example, such an instance would be immediately after handoff of a mobile station (505) from a source base-station (503) to a target base-station (502).

Abstract: A method of making a directionally solidified casting by casting a melt in a mold cavity of an investment mold having a core therein to form an internal casting surface feature involves evacuting the mold cavity while the investment mold is disposed on a chill member with the mold cavity communicating to the chill member, and introducing the melt into the evacuted mold cavity about the core so that the melt contacts the chill member for unidirectional heat removal and directional solidification. Then, gaseous pressure is applied to the melt cast in the mold cavity rapidly enough after introduction in the mold cavity to reduce localized void regions present in the cast melt as a result of surface tension effects between the melt and the core.

Abstract: Bus arrangements are disclosed for interconnecting processors and main memory modules of a shared memory multiprocessor system. A single address bus interconnects all processors and memory modules, but odd and even memory modules communicate data to and from the processors via an odd and an even data bus. Each reading of memory occupies four bus cycles on one of the data buses. On the address bus, two of each of the four cycles are available for addressing odd and even memory modules, and the other two are available for sending invalidation addresses to the caches of the processors. The single address bus is used for transmitting a relatively narrow (32-bit) address word throughout the system, one address on each bus cycle, while the data buses are time shared to transmit a wide data word (256-bit) in four bus cycles, and each data bus is only connected to half of the main memory modules. Such an arrangement makes efficient use of limited bus resources to transmit information when and where it is needed.

Abstract: A thermocouple positioning device is provided for a directional solidification casting apparatus having a furnace for receiving a mold disposed on a chill plate that, in turn, is carried on a movable ram. The thermocouple positioning device comprises a support bracket disposed on the ram for movement therewith. The bracket includes an upstanding slide member and a slideway member disposed on the slide member and having a thermocouple holder thereon. A stop member is disposed in fixed position below the furnace for releasably engaging a stop engaging member on the slideway member as the ram is raised to position the mold in the furnace. Engagement between the stop member and the stop engaging member as the ram is raised positions the thermocouple in a temperature sensing position relative to the mold in the furnace.

Abstract: An address matcher and process for same used as an aid in debugging computer programs. Each of a plurality of random access memories (RAMs) is addressed by a different subfield of a computer memory address so that each access of the computer memory also causes a read of each of the RAMs. Each RAM is programmed with encoded data to define upper and lower block addresses for that subfield of the computer memory address with which it is associated. An output circuit decodes the encoded data read from each of the RAMs as a result of a computer memory access and generates a signal if the computer memory address lies within the monitored address block.

Abstract: A synchronous apparatus synchronized to the operation of the slowest device is disclosed, comprising a plurality of devices such as first-in first-out buffer memories (FIFOs) connected to at least one synchronizing mechanism such as a full adder circuit. Each device generates a signal to indicating readiness to operate and a signal indicating completion of operation. Each device receives a signal causing the device to operate and a signal causing the device to stop operating. The synchronizing mechanism generates the operate signal upon sensing the readiness signals of all the devices and continues to generate the operate signal while at least one of the ready signals is sensed. The synchronizing mechanism generates the stop signal upon sensing the completion signal from all of the devices and continues to generate that signal while at least one of the completion signals is sensed.