Abstract: Polylactide resin compositions contain certain phosphite esters. The presence of the phosphite ester increases the rate of hydrolysis of the polylactide resin under conditions of moisture (including atmospheric moisture) at mildly elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for converting electric power are disclosed. Converter modules convert power in a configurable manner in conjunction with a controller.

Abstract: Apparatus for expanding a tube into a bore formed in a tube sheet in which a tubular force-transmitting member extends within the tube coextensive with the portion of the tube to be expanded. An explosive is disposed in the bore of the force-transmitting member, so that the forces resulting from the explosion of the explosive are uniformly transferred by the force-transmitting member to expand the tube into the bore. A tubular barrier member extends between the force-transmitting member and the tube and has a portion projecting from the tube sheet, and a plug is disposed in the end of the projecting portion of the barrier member to contain the debris and gases resulting from the explosion.

Abstract: Apparatus for expanding a tube into a bore formed in tube sheet in which a primary explosive containing a relatively high number of grains of explosive per unit length extends within the tube coextensive with that portion of the tube to be expanded. An energy transfer cord extends between a detonator and the primary explosive and includes a relatively low number of grains of explosive per unit length which are insufficient to detonate the primary explosive but which be covered by a sheath to contain the debris and gases associated with the explosion of the latter explosive. A booster extends between the energy transfer cord and the primary explosive and contains an explosive which is detonatable by the energy transfer cord and, upon exploding, detonates the primary explosive.

Abstract: Apparatus for expanding a tube within a tube sheet has an insert and a detonation device. The insert is sized to fit coaxially within the tube. The detonation device encircles the insert and can produce upon detonation an explosive force. Also included is an annular buffer sized to fit between the tube and the detonation device. In operation, the tube is inserted into a tube hole of the tube sheet. The insert is coaxially positioned within the tube and within the tube hole. The insert is overlayed with an explosive layer and the buffer is interposed between the explosive layer and the tube. The tube is joined to the tube sheet by detonating the explosive layer.

Abstract: A method for removing a tube from an opening in a tubesheet in which a containment plug is placed in the tube at a predetermined distance from the end of the tube and a granular material is placed into a portion of the tube between the plug and the latter tube end. A push rod is applied through the tube end and to said granular material to apply a force to the granular material against the plug to cause the granular material to exert a shear force on the inner wall of the tube of a magnitude to push the tube from the tubesheet opening.

Abstract: A method of measuring dimensional variations in a workpiece in which two spaced points are formed on the workpiece and their images transferred to an image transfer material. After the workpiece has been subjected to a mechanical and/or thermal load and then allowed to return to its original unloaded state, the images of the points are again transferred to an image transfer material and the difference in spacing between the images of the points is compared to ascertain the dimensional changes.