Abstract: A bottom pour ladle device for transferring liquidus metal alloy from a crucible to a shot sleeve includes a bowl, snout, aperture, stopper, actuator, and stopper rod. The snout is disposed below the bowl and is configured to fit into the shot sleeve. A distal end of the snout is configured to reach a bottom portion of the shot sleeve. The aperture is at the distal end of the snout. The stopper is to close the aperture in response to being urged against the aperture. The actuator is to urge the stopper. The stopper rod is to connect the stopper to the actuator. The bowl, snout, and aperture are comprised of materials compatible with liquidus metal alloy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for communicating DNP protocol messages across networks that maybe slower, less reliable, and/or bandwidth-cost-constrained are provided. A DNP Bridge server capable of sending/receiving messages to/from a DNP Master System, a DNP Bridge Slave Interface unit capable of sending/receiving DNP message to/from a DNP Slave Device are used. The DNP Bridge server and DNP Bridge Slave Interface act together to transparently link the DNP Master System to the DNP Slave Device over slow, unreliable networks. The DNP Bridge server and DNP Bridge Slave Interface use a combination of techniques to minimize message transmissions and DNP protocol errors over slow, unreliable networks.