Abstract: A product on demand nozzle assembly includes a chamber at least partially defined by an external wall and an array of vertically spaced nozzles. Each nozzle has an air inlet, an air and entrained product outlet extending from the external wall, and an entrainment zone between the air inlet and the air and entrained product outlet to receive a product therein to be distributed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to optimize stitch quality in additive manufacturing are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory to store instructions, and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to identify at least one keep-out zone of an object build area where stitching is to be reduced during additive manufacturing, determine a first set of stitch coordinates corresponding to a stitching region of the object, the stitching region including a stitch boundary of the stitching region, and generate a second set of stitch coordinates reducing stitching in the at least one keep-out zone of the object build area, the second set of stitch coordinates determined by using (1) a local search algorithm and/or (2) a random coordinate modification algorithm, the second set of stitch coordinates used to reduce the stitch length or support load balancing.

Abstract: Deformities present on the end of a bone, for example the end of the metatarsal bone making up part of the metatarsocuneiform joint, can lead to deformities such as bunions. These deformities are treatable with an implant that comprises a plate with a wedge extending perpendicular from the plate. Following removal of cartilage from the joint, deformed portions at the end of the bone are removed and the wedge is inserted in the joint and held in place when the plate is attached to the bones flanking the joint. This effectively fuses the two bones together. The wedge can be shaped in various ways depending on the particular deformity present.

Abstract: A computer-implemented maintenance/repair workscope development tool uses one or more sources of gas turbine engine/fleet operational condition data, gas turbine engine/fleet historical data and gas turbine engine/fleet specific information, including other historical, statistical and maintenance/engineering records data to develop a recommended maintenance/repair workscope. A method, system and program product are described for producing a recommended maintenance/repair workscope for individual machines and/or machines on a fleet level. Relevant domain knowledge/information models along with appropriate application rules defining maintenance/repair requirements are predetermined and maintained in a network accessible database/repository. A rules/reasoner engine is used to develop logical inferences and make intelligent workscope choices based upon user input situational data, operational condition data stored in data/information databases and the predetermined knowledge/information models and rules.

Abstract: A mixed anatase-rutile phase, non-stoichiometric titania photocatalyst material is a highly reactive and is a UV and visible light responsive photocastalyst in the as-deposited condition (i.e. without the need for a subsequent thermal treatment). The mixed phase, non-stoichiometric titania thin film material is non-stoichiometric in terms of its oxygen content such that the thin film material shows a marked red-shift in photoresponse.

Abstract: Deformities present on the end of a bone, for example the end of the metatarsal bone making up part of the metatarsocuneiform joint, can lead to deformities such as bunions. These deformities are treatable with an implant that comprises a plate with a wedge extending perpendicular from the plate. Following removal of cartilage from the joint, deformed portions at the end of the bone are removed and the wedge is inserted in the joint and held in place when the plate is attached to the bones flanking the joint. This effectively fuses the two bones together. The wedge can be shaped in various ways depending on the particular deformity present.

Abstract: An optics element, such as an optical, IR, or X-ray mirror or mirror segment, is made by a combination of replication and lamination by depositing a first metallic layer on a replicating surface of a master or mandrel, depositing a light weight backing layer that adheres on the first metallic layer, and depositing a cover layer that adheres on the backing layer whereby the optics element comprises an in-situ deposited composite lamination of the first metallic layer, the backing layer, and the cover layer.

Abstract: A brazing product for fluxless brazing comprises a substrate and a filler metal-forming composition applied to the substrate. The substrate preferably comprises aluminum, an aluminum alloy or another metal and may include at least one layer of a ceramic, carbide or nitride. The filler metal-forming composition comprises a liquid-forming layer comprising silicon and a braze-promoting layer comprising one or more metals selected from the group comprising nickel, cobalt, palladium and iron. The liquid-forming layer comprises one or more material layers. Where the liquid-forming layer comprises a plurality of layers, it may include at least one layer consisting essentially of silicon.

Abstract: A mixed anatase-rutile phase, non-stoichiometric titania photocatalyst material is a highly reactive and is a UV and visible light responsive photocastalyst in the as-deposited condition (i.e. without the need for a subsequent thermal treatment). The mixed phase, non-stoichiometric titania thin film material is non-stoichiometric in terms of its oxygen content such that the thin film material shows a marked red-shift in photoresponse.

Abstract: A brazing product for fluxless brazing comprises a substrate and a filler metal-forming composition applied to the substrate. The substrate preferably comprises aluminum, an aluminum alloy or another metal and may include at least one layer of a ceramic, carbide or nitride. The filler metal-forming composition comprises a liquid-forming layer comprising silicon and a braze-promoting layer comprising one or more metals selected from the group comprising nickel, cobalt, palladium and iron. The liquid-forming layer comprises one or more material layers. Where the liquid-forming layer comprises a plurality of layers, it may include at least one layer consisting essentially of silicon.

Abstract: A coating is provided having a first metal or non-metal nitride layer and a second metal or non-metal nitride layer wherein the first and second nitride layers are sufficiently resistant to interdiffusion to maintain respective individual layer structure and strength at an elevated operating temperature when a coating contact surface is in sliding contact with another material and wherein one of the first layer or second layer includes a component that is oxidizable at the contact surface to form a friction-reducing lubricous oxide material at the contact surface.

Abstract: An arthroeresis-prosthesis (endorthosis) system comprising a sinus tarsi implant for the purpose of blocking abnormal motion between the talus and calcaneus while allowing normal motion and alignment. In a preferred embodiment, the prosthetic device is composed of a non-metallic, specialized medical grade polymer (polyetheretherketone-PEEK) that is a combination of a frustum of a right cine and an axially extending cylinder that is cannulated and partially structured on the exterior surface.

Abstract: A brazing product for fluxless brazing comprises an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate; a layer of an aluminum eutectic-forming layer applied to the substrate, and a braze-promoting layer comprising one or more metals from the group comprising nickel, cobalt and iron is applied on the eutectic-forming layer. The eutectic-forming layer is preferably Si deposited by physical vapor deposition. The brazing product may be brazed to another aluminum shape or to a shape comprised of a dissimilar metal.

Abstract: A brazing product for fluxless brazing comprises an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate; a layer of an aluminum eutectic-forming layer applied to the substrate, and a braze-promoting layer comprising one or more metals from the group comprising nickel, cobalt and iron is applied on the eutectic-forming layer. The eutectic-forming layer is preferably Si deposited by physical vapor deposition. The brazing product may be brazed to another aluminum shape or to a shape comprised of a dissimilar metal.

Abstract: A method for identifying and characterizing shape variations in parts. Measurements are taken of a population of parts and the shapes of the parts are expressed as a function having a plurality of coefficients. Discrete or function error maps are developed from the coefficients and a principal components analysis is performed on the error maps to identify the principal components of variation of the parts. The parts may be grouped into sub-populations representing ranges of variation along each of the principal components of variation, and downstream processes may be controlled differently for each sub-population. In one embodiment, a typical (re-generated) part shape is identified along multiple principal components of variation, and a tool path is controlled to be responsive to the typical part shape. Information regarding the principal components of variation may further be used to revise upstream manufacturing processes to advantageously affect the distribution of error in subsequently manufactured parts.

Abstract: The present invention is a removable semi-elastic brace which may alleviate heel and arch pain. The present invention provides support to the heel and arch of the foot to aid in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, heel spur syndrome, calcaneal apophysitis, and Achilles tendinitis and tibialis posterior dysfunction. The device is adjustable to accommodate small changes in foot size. The device may also be used in conjunction with other treatment modalities including night or rest splints and custom-molded orthotics.

Abstract: A rules data method is devised that records, documents, organizes, filters, and sorts a set of engineering rules along with other sets of rules. The rules database method may also correctly devise an order or sequence for a set of engineering rules. The rules database method comprises firstly, to create a database (14); secondly, to convert a set of symbolic equations to spreadsheet formula; thirdly, to write spreadsheet formula to a spreadsheet (18); and fourthly, to share a set of parameters of the database (14) with a computer aided design geometry (22).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling deposition of metal, insulating compounds or other compounds on a substrate by sputtering techniques includes maintaining pulsed, constant, direct current power to the target, sensing the voltage of the target material used in the process, simultaneously rapidly sensing the partial pressure of the reactive gas, and simultaneously biasing the substrate to activate the reactive gas or otherwise energizing the reactive gas in the vicinity of the substrate. An apparatus for practicing the invention is also disclosed.