Abstract: A new class of plant biomass feedstock particles characterized by consistent piece size and shape uniformity, high skeletal surface area, and good flow properties. The particles of plant biomass material having fibers aligned in a grain are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. In particular, the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A new class of plant biomass feedstock particles characterized by consistent piece size and shape uniformity, high skeletal surface area, and good flow properties. The particles of plant biomass material having fibers aligned in a grain are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. In particular, the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A novel class of flowable biomass feedstock particles with unusually large surface areas that can be manufactured in remarkably uniform sizes using low-energy comminution techniques. The feedstock particles are roughly parallelepiped in shape and characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially with the grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. The particles exhibit a disrupted grain structure with prominent end and surface checks that greatly enhances their skeletal surface area as compared to their envelope surface area. The L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers. The W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers.

Abstract: A novel class of flowable biomass feedstock particles with unusually large surface areas that can be manufactured in remarkably uniform sizes using low-energy comminution techniques. The feedstock particles are roughly parallelepiped in shape and characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially with the grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. The particles exhibit a disrupted grain structure with prominent end and surface checks that greatly enhances their skeletal surface area as compared to their envelope surface area. The L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers. The W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers.

Abstract: A novel class of flowable biomass feedstock particles with unusually large surface areas that can be manufactured in remarkably uniform sizes using low-energy comminution techniques. The feedstock particles are roughly parallelepiped in shape and characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially with the grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. The particles exhibit a disrupted grain structure with prominent end and surface checks that greatly enhances their skeletal surface area as compared to their envelope surface area. The L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers. The W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers.

Abstract: A novel class of flowable biomass feedstock particles with unusually large surface areas that can be manufactured in remarkably uniform sizes using low-energy comminution techniques. The feedstock particles are roughly parallelepiped in shape and characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially with the grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. The particles exhibit a disrupted grain structure with prominent end and surface checks that greatly enhances their skeletal surface area as compared to their envelope surface area. The L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers. The W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers.

Abstract: The present invention is a BLISK airfoil heat treating apparatus and method for heat treating the leading and/or trailing edge section(s) of a BLISK airfoil using the BLISK airfoil heat treating apparatus. The apparatus comprises a pair of hingedly connected heat treating shells, each shell having a cavity for receiving an airfoil edge section requiring heat treatment. A resistive heating element is positioned with the shells to heat the cavities.

Abstract: The present invention is a BLISK airfoil heat treating apparatus and method for heat treating the leading and/or trailing edge section(s) of a BLISK airfoil using the BLISK airfoil heat treating apparatus. The apparatus comprises a pair of hingedly connected heat treating shells, each shell having a cavity for receiving an airfoil edge section requiring heat treatment. A resistive heating element is positioned with the shells to heat the cavities.

Abstract: A metallic component is by at least one peripheral edge. The component includes at least one elongated treated zone having a length substantially greater than its width. This treated zone is spaced away from and disposed generally parallel to the peripheral edge of the component and the entire thickness of the component within the treated zone is in a state of residual compressive stress. Crack growth from the edge due to fatigue or damage is resisted.

Abstract: A method is provided for making, from a plurality of members brazed together, an article including an environmental resistant surface coating and a wear resistant surface portion. Prior to brazing, the members are assembled with at least one preform including the wear resistant material in a matrix including a first brazing alloy having a brazing temperature in a brazing temperature range. The assembly of members includes a second brazing alloy having a brazing temperature in the brazing temperature range. The assembly of members and wear resistant preform is heated in the brazing temperature range to provide a brazed article preform. Then the article preform is machined to a selected geometry and can be coated with the environmental coating.

Abstract: A heating apparatus and method for welding a superalloy article. The apparatus and method of this invention provide for pre-weld and post-weld heat treatments to be performed on an article within the same enclosure in which the welding operation is performed. The apparatus accurately controls the temperature of the component to be welded throughout the temperature treatment profiles with the use of means for welding the article, means for heating the article, and means for sensing the article temperature. The apparatus also works in conjunction with a memory storage device that stores appropriate pre-weld and post-weld heat treatment temperature profiles and a welding temperature profile for the article.

Abstract: A heating apparatus and method for welding a superalloy article. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus and method entail welding a superalloy article within an enclosure equipped with a thermal radiation-generating device that preheats the article to a temperature of at least 1500.degree. F. prior to welding. The invention more particularly provides a thermally-reflective coating on a reflector member positioned adjacent the thermal radiation-generating device for the purpose of reflecting thermal radiation emitted by the device into the enclosure. The device is then operated to heat the superalloy article to a suitable temperature, e.g., 1500.degree. F. or more, after which a welding operation is performed on the superalloy article.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for welding a superalloy article. The apparatus generally entails an enclosure adapted for containing a superalloy article, a polarity-reversing plasma transferred arc welder apparatus for welding a localized region of the article, an induction coil for heating the localized region, and elements for sensing and controlling the temperature of the localized region. The induction coil is placed in close proximity to the localized region of the article so that the temperature of the localized region is largely determined and quickly altered by the output of the coil. The polarity-reversing plasma transferred arc welding apparatus is operated at very low currents of not more than forty-five amps, so that the welding apparatus has only a secondary heating affect compared to the induction coil.

Abstract: A method of attaching a string of decorative lights to the outline of a house, by attaching a string of decorative lights to outline both a first side of the house in a first regular parallelogram array and a second adjacent side of the house in a second regular parallelogram array, wherein the first and second parallelograms slant in opposite directions. When lit, the resulting light display is slightly out of register with the outline of the house. This subtle asymmetry fools the passing eye into taking a second look.