Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bolster of a rail car that includes a pair of shoe pockets at respective ends configured to be inserted into bolster openings of respective side frames includes providing a bolster pattern for forming a drag portion and cope portion of a mold. Cores that define an interior region of a cast bolster are also provided. The bolster pattern and the cores are configured to constrain shoe pocket angles within about ±0.5°.

Abstract: In accordance with various example embodiments, an apparatus includes two or more circuit nodes and a conductive material that is located between and configured to electrically couple the circuit nodes. The conductive material includes a network of elongated portions of at least one electrospun Cu-based nanostructure. Each elongated portion has an aspect ratio of at least 50,000 and a length that is greater than 100 microns, and at least one fused crossing point that joins with a fused crossing point of another of the elongated portions. The network of elongated portions is distributed and aligned in the conductive material to set a conductance level and a transparency level along the network, along at least one direction.

Abstract: A temperature maintenance and/or possible heating apparatus for long products continuously cast and sheared to size by means of shearing means so as to define segments of bloom, said apparatus being disposed between a casting machine having a first casting line and a second casting line, and a rolling line disposed downstream of the casting machine in order to make long rolled metal products.

Abstract: Discontinuous diamond particulate containing metal matrix composites of high thermal conductivity and methods for producing these composites are provided. The manufacturing method includes producing a thin reaction formed and diffusion bonded functionally graded interactive SiC surface layer on diamond particles. The interactive surface converted SiC coated diamond particles are then disposed into a mold and between the particles and permitted to rapidly solidify under pressure. The surface conversion interactive SiC coating on the diamond particles achieves minimal interface thermal resistance with the metal matrix which translates into good mechanical strength and stiffness of the composites and facilitates near theoretical thermal conductivity levels to be attained in the composite. Secondary working of the diamond metal composite can be performed for producing thin sheet product.

Abstract: A metal mold holding method includes: rotating a metal mold by a first rotating portion; rotating a holding member by a second rotating portion in the same direction as that of the metal mold such that a difference between a speed of rotation of the holding member and that of the metal mold which rotates is smaller than a difference between the speed of rotation of the holding member and that of the metal mold in a case where the speed of rotation of the metal mold is zero; and holding the metal mold which rotates by the holding member which rotates.

Abstract: In a throttle body, a passive film and a corrosion-resistant film are stacked in that order on a substrate of aluminum. The passive film has a concave part on its corrosion-resistant film side. A metal layer is provided in the concave part. In shot blasting, upon collision of a blasting material against the corrosion-resistant film, a part of the blasting material is separated and adhered onto the resultant concaves to form the metal layer. For example, aluminum having a purity of not less than 98% is selected as the blasting material.

Abstract: A Ti particle-dispersed magnesium-based composite material is a material having titanium particles uniformly dispersed in a magnesium matrix, and is characterized by having a titanium-aluminum compound layer at an interface between the magnesium alloy matrix and the titanium particles dispersed in the magnesium alloy matrix.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine rotor blade has an airfoil portion containing one or more internal conduits. Each conduit extends to an end of the airfoil portion. The blade has a shroud at the end of the airfoil portion for sealing the blade to a facing stationary engine portion. There is a fillet portion which joins the end to the shroud. The fillet portion eases the transition from the outer surface of the airfoil portion to the outer surface of the shroud and has a cavity which extends from each conduit and expands laterally relative thereto. The area of the cavity on a cross-section through the fillet portion perpendicular to the radial direction of the engine and at an expanding part of the cavity is greater than the area of the conduit, or the combined areas of the conduits, on a parallel cross-section at the end of the airfoil portion.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersion containing a metal oxide powder with a fine fraction and a coarse fraction, in which—the metal oxide powder is silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, cerium oxide or a mixed oxide of two or more of the aforementioned metal oxides,—the fine fraction is present in aggregated form and has a mean aggregate diameter in the dispersion of less than 200 nm,—the coarse fraction consists of particles with a mean diameter of 1 to 20 ?m, —the ratio of fine fraction to coarse fraction is 2:98 to 30:70, and—the content of metal oxide powder is 50 to 85 wt. %, referred to the total amount of the dispersion. The aqueous dispersion is produced by a process comprising the steps:—production of a fine fraction dispersion by dispersing the pulverulent fine fraction in water by means of an energy input of at least 200 KJ/m3?, and—introducing the coarse fraction in the form of a powder into the fine fraction dispersion under dispersing conditions at a low energy input.

Abstract: A composite material and a method for the production of a composite material, in which the composite material has steel-like properties, at an increased modulus of elasticity, and a lower weight, and which can be produced in cost-advantageous manner. The composite material consists of ceramic particles, which are completely or partially sheathed with a metallic material, and partially or completely embedded in a metallic casting material. According to the method, ceramic particles are sheathed with a metallic material, and the ceramic particles sheathed in this manner are either embedded in a metallic casting material or sintered to form a steel matrix, which can also be embedded in a metallic casting material, if necessary.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a railcar coupler knuckle includes providing cope and drag mold portions having internal walls defining at least in part perimeter boundaries of a knuckle mold cavity; positioning a first internal core within either the cope mold or the drag mold portions, the first internal core configured to define a kidney cavity and a pivot pin hub as a single void within the knuckle; positioning a second internal core within either the cope mold portion and the drag mold portion, the second internal core configured to define a finger cavity; closing the cope and drag mold portions with the two internal cores therebetween; and at least partially filling the mold cavity with a molten alloy, the molten alloy solidifying after filling to form the knuckle, wherein the first internal core defines the kidney cavity and the pivot pin hub of the coupler knuckle, and wherein the second internal core defines the finger cavity of the knuckle.

Abstract: A rotary drum and vibratory conveyor system including a single walled rotary drum positioned above a vibratory conveyor assembly. The rotary drum may be segmented with each segment having end flanges that are connected to an adjoining segment with bolts. A section or sections of the rotary drum have perforations covered by a dust hood that allow sand and media to fall from the drum through a funnel structure onto the conveyor assembly. The vibratory conveyor assembly includes upper and lower conveyors, where the upper conveyor collects the media falling from the drum and passes the sand to the lower conveyor. The media may be redirected back to the drum inlet to be reused.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a medical guidewire, having a portion including an inner zone of material and an outer peripheral zone of material surrounding the inner zone of material. The inner zone of material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the outer peripheral zone of material has a second coefficient of thermal expansion less than the first coefficient of thermal expansion, wherein at an operating temperature the outer peripheral zone of material opposes expansion of the inner zone of material such that the outer peripheral zone of material exerts a compressive stress on the inner zone of material.

Abstract: Discontinuous diamond particulate containing metal matrix composites of high thermal conductivity and methods for producing these composites are provided. The manufacturing method includes producing a thin reaction formed and diffusion bonded functionally graded interactive SiC surface layer on diamond particles. The interactive surface converted SiC coated diamond particles are then disposed into a mold and between the particles and permitted to rapidly solidify under pressure. The surface conversion interactive SiC coating on the diamond particles achieves minimal interface thermal resistance with the metal matrix which translates into good mechanical strength and stiffness of the composites and facilitates near theoretical thermal conductivity levels to be attained in the composite. Secondary working of the diamond metal composite can be performed for producing thin sheet product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and apparatus for providing heat to a molten metal flowing through metal-conveying apparatus. The apparatus includes a molten metal-conveying channel, an enclosure for receiving and circulating combustion gases while preventing entry of the gases into said channel, a heat-conductive body of material separating at least part of the channel from the enclosure; and a combustion device for generating combustion gases and delivering the gases to the enclosure. Heat from the combustion gases is used to heat molten metal held in the channel, while preventing contact between the combustion gases and the molten metal. The body of material may be a trough used to form the channel, a tube for conveying the molten metal, or a tube acting as the enclosure, or the like.

Abstract: A system and method for producing foundry quality sand from non-conventional starting materials through the combination of oolitization and classification. Incoming particulate matter is first directed into a controlled energy attrition unit where the particles are made to collide with one another. Such collisions clean and round the particles by chipping away surface projections and coatings without crushing the particles. The particle stream is then directed through a multi-fraction classifier where it is separated into two or more useable grades of foundry sand. An air classifier is preferred for the classification stage.

Abstract: Hollow, cylindrical, seamless metal master for producing seamless diffuser sheets of preselected length and width. Additional aspects of the invention include a hollow cylindrical seamless invertable elastomeric master and method of making the same and an apparatus and process for effecting variable diffuser recording in photosensitive medium.

Abstract: An assembly for attaching a fabric component to a metal component includes a means for anchoring the fabric component by casting a low melting point yet high compressive strength material into a cavity in the metal component. The assembly includes (a) a metal housing including an interior entrance, at least first and second opposed interior walls, and an interior end opposite the interior entrance, the at least first and second opposed interior walls and the interior end defining an interior cavity; (b) a fabric; (c) a fabric anchor assembly; and (d) a castable material disposed in the interior cavity so as to envelop the fabric and the fabric anchor assembly.

Abstract: In a steel tube filled at least partially with a cementitious material, which is pumped into the steel tube and which is allowed to cure, and comprising plural sections, which have end flanges and which are bolted together at the flanges, the flanges contacted by the cementitious material have gaskets to prevent the cementitious material from being extruded between the flanges contacted by the cementitious material before the cementitious material has cured. The flanges having the gaskets are external flanges. The tube sections meeting at the flanges having the gaskets have notches, within which the gaskets are seated, so as to allow the flanges to have flange-to-flange contact, except where the gaskets are seated in the notches.

Abstract: The casting process of this invention focuses on the existing die-casting applications while offering benefits heretofore not available in die-casting. The benefits that the users receive from this process include longer tool life (up to 5 times). The other major benefit is better part quality (i.e., less internal porosity and better dimensional capability). The process utilizes molten metal 20 at the die cast machine 10. This invention is distinguishable from semi-solid molding or forming due in large part to the use of molten or fully liquid metal 20. The ladle 22 operation that delivers the molten metal 20 to the injection chamber 34 is another primary feature of this invention. A controller 28 is utilized that communicates with the furnace 30 and the ladle delivery system 22 to regulate the temperature of the molten metal 20 and the pour speed.

Abstract: A method for the production of a cast component comprising the steps of:

Abstract: Apparatus including a chamber and a coil system for converting a field-generating current into a RF magnetic field in the chamber when the chamber contains an ionized gas which interacts with the RF magnetic field to create a plasma. The plasma is contained within a cylindrical region enclosed by the chamber, which region has a longitudinal center axis, and the region is considered to be made up of a plurality of annular zones concentric with the center axis and disposed at respectively different distances from the center axis. The coil system is composed of: a plurality of individual coils each positioned and dimensioned to produce a RF magnetic field which predominantly influences a respective annular zone.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing foundry sand mixes, using a pre-mix tank to pre-mix water and particulate bond material to make a water/bond slurry, then feeding the slurry to a mullor or other foundry sand mixer. The slurry is received in the mullor/mixer, mixed with return sand, and then discharged for use in making foundry molds. Preferably, the particulate bond material is added to the pre-mix tank as a failing stream of such particles, and a disperse spray of water is projected onto the particles with sufficient gentleness to not deleteriously distract the particles from their downward path.

Abstract: An apparatus for a physical vapor deposition system includes a target having a sidewall having an undercut thereon defining a net erosion area and a net redeposition area.

Abstract: A plate width adjusting apparatus 1 for adjusting a strip 53 for a predetermined plate width, which is installed on a production line for the strip 53, is provided with bridle rolls 2 and 3. The bridle rolls 2 and 3 give tension in the transfer direction to the strip 53 being transferred on the production line to elongate the strip 53 in the transfer direction, by which the plate width of the strip 53 is adjusted.

Abstract: Novel method and means for securely attaching a liner of insulation boarding to the mold cap of a two-piece ingot mold, in order that the ingot mold will be capable of producing substantially void-free ingots.

Abstract: In a method of continuously measuring the temperature of the surface of a strand over the length of a continuously cast strand within a roller guide of a continuous casting plant, at least one thermoelement with its measuring junction and the thermocouple connecting the measuring junction with equalizing conduits are applied onto the strand surface and moved together with the strand surface. In order to make the method insensitive to the conditions prevailing within the cooling chamber, for example, the presence of a high level of humidity or steam, and to keep free the space laterally of the strand by providing a measuring arrangement for carrying out the method which is designable in a constructionally simple manner, the thermoelement is rolled into the strand surface in the longitudinal direction of the strand.

Abstract: In a hot top mounting method for mounting hot top insulation boards to the inside upper surface of a metal ingot mold, a plurality of spaced parallel metal straps are first affixed to a surface of each board, and each board is then fastened to the mold inner wall by setting a plurality of headed fasteners through the strap and into the mold wall using an air operated, magazine-type fastener driving tool. The straps are preferably of channel cross-section which then act as guides to locate the tool for the fastening operation. The channel straps when disposed vertically can have a row of spaced apertures in one edge which selectively receive a U-shaped hanger for suspending the board from the mold top edge for the fastening operation, the hanger being removed once fastening is complete. The straps can be disposed in other orientations such as horizontal depending upon the fastening pattern required. The tool is provided with an elongated handle to permit it to be used down in the mold from above the mold.

Abstract: A novel hot top mounting method is disclosed for use in attaching insulation to the upper interior portion of an ingot mold. The mounting method comprises (1) applying a plurality of thin steel mounting straps to the insulation and suspending the insulation in position adjacent to the upper interior surfaces of the mold, and (2) driving fasteners through the mounting straps and into the mold in order to securely fasten the insulation to the mold.

Abstract: A method of repairing an ingot mould for a steelworks which forms cracks, the method comprising applying a patch plate at both sides of the crack, a series of patch plates being provided in succession in the direction of the length of the crack, reinforcement strips curved to match the curvature of the mould wall being provided on the patch plates and being adjusted to positions transversely of the length of the crack and then fixed on the plates.

Abstract: A process for reconditioning an ingot mold of the type including an elongated cavity area having some predetermined volume and at least one open end for purposes of extending the useful life thereof. In accordance with the reconditioning process, a short portion of the mold length is cut-off or machined away at a mold cavity open end to eliminate the usual mold damage which typically occurs at that area after a number of separate casts. The cut-off is effected so that the mold cavity will have some new volume comprising some predetermined reduction of the original volume. This second volume is calculated such that ingots then cast from the reconditioned mold and thereafter processed may be cut into a lesser number of bars having substantially the same size and volume characteristics as those bars cut from ingots cast in the original mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing tie bars from a die casting machine. The apparatus and method involves utilizing gearing attached to the tie bar nut whereby the nut is held captive, but is capable of being rotated by an auxiliary drive unit. Further, by utilizing the existing die casting machine functions, it is possible to remove the tie bar from the machine so that the die can be removed and a new die inserted into the die casting machine. By reversing the process the tie bar can now be reinserted into its operating position in the machine and the locking nut rotated to its proper position and locked up.

Abstract: A segment exchanger apparatus for a continuous casting installation and a method of operating the same is disclosed, wherein there is provided an at least partially curved strand guide or roller apron subdivided into segments. The segments are mounted in stationary, straight guides. It is possible to pull any selected segment, by means of a flexible traction element operated by a stationary crane or equivalent structure, out of its stationary guide and through an inner pivotable track section. A replacement segment can be introduced, through the inner track section, into the stationary guide.

Abstract: A method for producing a pattern for making a cast part is described which comprises the steps of defining the structure of the part in terms of computer aided design system data, selecting a parting surface for the part to be cast; defining core requirements for the part by sweeping each positive feature of the part to the parting surface, subtracting the part from the projection, adding any remaining volume to the core, sweeping negative features away from the parting surface to the top or bottom of the mold and subtracting the negative features from the projection and intersecting the remainder of the part and adding any remaining volume to the core; repetitively generating alternative parting surfaces for the part and defining the corresponding core requirements whereby an optimum parting surface is defined for which the quantity and complexity of the corresponding core requirements are minimized, constructing core prints for each core requirement; constructing a pattern by adding the core prints to the p