Abstract: A board game comprising: (i) a board (13) defining a playing area (24) divided into two halves (20, 22) each of which is subdivided into regions (1-12) each bearing an indicia; (ii) a playing piece for movement between the regions; (iii) means for randomly determining to which region the playing piece is moved; (iv) means for randomly determining the outcome of an event associated with the region on which the playing piece is situated; and (v) rules determining how two opposing players may move the playing piece in an attempt to achieve a specified aim. The random determining means preferably comprises a plurality of dice and the rules specify how many dice a player uses in a given situation to determine the outcome of an event or movement of the playing piece. The game may also include means for recording and displaying parameters selected by a player used for biasing the outcome of certain events.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a diamond drill feed cylinder which includes a linear position sensor coupled to the feed cylinder for generating a position signal, a positioning module for generating a feed control signal in dependence upon the position signal, a proportional flow control valve having two hydraulic ports for connecting to the feed cylinder and responsive to the feed control signal for controlling flow rate of the two hydraulic ports, a plurality of operation sensors coupled to the diamond drill for generating operation status signals, a plurality of input modules for receiving the operation status signals and converting them to digital operation status signals and a programmable logic controller connected to the plurality of input modules for modifying the feed control signal in dependence upon the digital operation status signals. The rate of penetration of the diamond drill is controlled by controlling the flow rate applied to the feed cylinder.

Abstract: An enclosed pressure gravure roll coating applicator, particularly designed for applying pressure sensitive films to web types substrates, and method of operating such coater. A downstream blade and an arcuately spaced upstream blade are positioned with respect to a roll to be coated. An intermediate gap-forming body between the blades forms a running gap with the surface of the roll to be coated. Substantially air free liquid coating is applied under pressure to an offrunning chamber adjacent the offrunning blade with excess coating flowing through the gap to an onrunning chamber adjacent the upstream blade. The pressure in the onrunning chamber is regulated at a relatively constant positive value sufficient to prevent air from entering the onrunning chamber past the upstream blade.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding dynamoelectric machine field windings including a winding tool supported for longitudinal and rotational movement relative to a stator supported by a stator nest assembly. Upper and lower wire holders are supported on the winding, tool and are slidably movable relative to the winding tool. The upper and lower wire holders are located on opposite sides of a stator to be wound and are biased by compression springs in a direction toward a respective end of the stator. As the winding tool reciprocates in a longitudinal direction, the upper and lower wire holders alternately engage the upper and lower ends of the stator to alternately clamp upper and lower end loops of field windings being formed by the apparatus.

Abstract: A wear-resistant Ni\Cu alloy and methods of preparing same are disclosed. The alloy comprises a ductile, continuous phase of Ni\Cu with a discontinuous phase of hardened Ti containing particles distributed throughout the continuous phase. The particles are Ti\Al intermetallic or complex TixAlyNiz complex or particle. The alloying components are poured and mixed in the melt under an inert atmosphere, then slowly cooled to provide the desired cast article. The alloy should be protected during melting and cooling in a protective atmosphere, such as a vacuum, or an inert atmosphere so as to inhibit oxide and nitride formation that would otherwise adversely affect desirable alloy properties.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower wheel including a center disc assembly and a blade assembly. The blade assembly includes a plurality of blades, each blade including a notch which is engaged over a peripheral edge of the disc assembly in frictional engagement. The peripheral edge of the center disc assembly includes axially outwardly facing surfaces for engaging edges of the notches in the blades, and the axially facing surfaces are formed as roughened surfaces, including a plurality of grooves and/or ridges, for facilitating engagement between the notches of the blades and the center disc assembly to thereby positively prevent relative movement between the center disc assembly and the blade assembly when a torque is applied to the center disc assembly to rotate the centrifugal blower wheel.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and displaying clustered microcalcifications in a digital mammogram, wherein a single digital mammogram is first automatically cropped to a breast area sub-image which is then processed by means of an optimized Difference of Gaussians filter to enhance the appearance of potential microcalcifications in the sub-image. The potential microcalcifications are thresholded clusters are detected, features are computed for the detected clusters, and the clusters are classified as either suspicious or not suspicious by means of a neural network. Thresholding is preferably by sloping local thresholding but may also be performed by global and dual-local thresholding. The locations in the original digital mammogram of the suspicious detected clustered microcalcifications are indicated. Parameters for use in the detection and thresholding portions of the system are computer-optimized by means of a genetic algorithm.

Abstract: A twist pin for securing an outer cylindrical sleeve to an inner member concentrically received within the sleeve. The twist pin includes a first leg terminating at a first end and defining a longitudinal leg axis. A second leg extends downwardly from the first leg and extends more than 180 degrees around the outer circumference of the sleeve. The second leg passes below the leg axis proximate the first end at a crossover and terminates at a second end. A locking portion includes a protuberance extending inwardly toward the sleeve. The protuberance includes a bearing surface for contacting the sleeve and which is positioned below the first leg intermediate the crossover and the second end.

Abstract: A feed dish for use in combination with a cage having a cage side formed as a lattice of horizontal and vertical members. The feed dish includes a bowl and mounting structure wherein the mounting structure includes a pair of elongated leg members having enlarged end portions. The mounting structure further includes a slide member having a pair of slots for engaging over the leg members wherein the slide member is retained on the leg members between the bowl and the enlarged portions to retain the bowl in engagement with the side of a cage with the leg members extending through the lattice structure.

Abstract: A method for diffusion coating workpieces of ferrous base metals such as carbon steel and cast iron includes the step of weighing and mixing the following components, in powdered form: Chromium 40-50 wt % Ferrochromium 25-37 wt % Tantalum Carbide 0.40-0.65 wt % Vanadium 0.35-0.70 wt % Ammonium Halide 4-5 wt % Aluminum Oxide Remainder The workpieces are preferably degreased and then placed in a container with the mixed components. The container is sealed and heated to a temperature of 1000°-1050° C. The workpieces and the composition are kept at that temperature for a predetermined period, on the order of forty-five minutes or longer, to permit a surface layer of desired thickness to form. The container is then cooled in a conventional cooling chamber and the workpieces are removed. The method produces coatings having good wear and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Pressure screening apparatus for screening a suspension of paper fiber stock employs a rotor in which a single impulse or foil member is carried or positioned to move along a discrete portion of the screen surface. This arrangement improves efficiency of operation of the pressure screen by reducing the rotational effect of the rotor on the stock suspension being screened and by providing a less disturbed screening region through which the single foil operates. Embodiments are shown in which multiple single impulse elements sweep over discrete portions of a screen and in which a single foil is combined, in screening apparatus, with multiple foils in accordance with the increase in consistency of the stock as it passes through the screen.

Abstract: A process for treating substantially pure tantalum includes plastically deformed a billet, such as by side-forging or side-rolling, to reduce a first dimension of the billet transverse to the centerline, preferably by about 70% to about 85%. The billet is then upset, such as by upset forging or upset rolling, to reduce a second dimension of the billet transverse to the first dimension (for example, a second dimension lying parallel to the centerline), preferably by about 90% to about 99%. In accordance with an especially preferred process, the upsetting of the billet is followed by rolling along a plane normal to the second dimension. It has been found that billets prepared in accordance with the invention have grain sizes no greater than about 25 &mgr;m and predominantly <222> textures relative to their rolling planes, so that targets machined from such billets in such a way that their sputtering surfaces correspond with these rolling planes will have the same predominant <222> textures.

Abstract: Improved mist eliminator for use in pulp washers and the like, and method of use of such is disclosed. A cyclonic gas/liquid separator for a gas/liquid mixture flowing vertically upward therethrough includes a cylindrical housing, a top wall having a gas outlet, a gas/liquid inlet, and a cyclonic-flow-inducing vane assembly spanning the inlet. The improvement includes an annular wall transverse to the vane assembly positioned between the vane assembly and the housing. The annular wall, in combination with the vane assembly and housing, defines an annular volume wherein separated liquid may drain downwardly toward the annular wall substantially without resistance from the gas/liquid flow. A drain carries the separated liquid directly to a liquid reservoir.

Abstract: An exhaust vent including a roof cap inlet and a roof cap outlet which are joined together without the use of fasteners and which defines a vent for use in venting gases from the inside of a building structure. The roof cap inlet includes a base portion defining an aperture and including a cylindrical extension extending below the base portion for attachment to a duct, and a rectangular extension extending above the base portion for preventing ingestion of water through the aperture. The roof cap outlet is formed with a semicircular portion defining a flow passage and includes a hemispherical portion defining a closed end for the flow passage wherein the design of the roof cap outlet provides increased strength against deformation, and the hemispherical and semicircular shape of the roof cap outlet facilitates flow of gases through the exhaust vent to the outlet opening.

Abstract: A method of producing a sputter target assembly including a metal target attached to a metal-matrix-composite backing plate and sputter target assemblies made thereby. The method includes hot isostatically pressing a silicon carbide-aluminum powder composition to form a backing plate while simultaneously bonding the powder composition to a metal target to form a diffusion-type bond between the target and the backing plate such that the target assembly possesses extremely high resistance to warpage at high operating temperatures. A second embodiment of the sputter target assembly includes an annular sealing member of machined aluminum disposed in the backing plate around the target.