Abstract: Manifold for a heat exchanger intended to be joined by brazing or soldering to heat transfer tubes. A portion of a surface of the manifold that will be joined to the tubes is proved with at least one recess in which a brazing material is mechanically locked.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy and a process for treating the aluminum alloy. The alloy contains 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of an alloying mixture of magnesium and silicon, in which the molar ratio of Mg/Si is 0.70 to 1.25, the alloy optionally containing an additional amount of silicon up to about ⅓ of any iron, manganese and chromium in the alloy, as expressed by weight percent, the balance of the alloy being aluminum, optional alloying elements and unavoidable impurities. The process entails an ageing technique that includes a first stage in which an extrusion of the aluminum alloy is heated at a rate above 100° C./hour to 100-170° C., a second stage in which the extrusion is heated at a rate of 5 to 50° C./hour to a final hold temperature, wherein the total ageing operation is performed in 3 to 24 hours.

Abstract: A stabilizer-isolator device for a weightlifting bar, in which the stabilizer-isolator device is capable of stabilizing and isolating exercised muscles with less stress on the tendons. The stabilizer-isolator device generally includes a pair of brace bars having corresponding first and second ends, an annular-shaped collar interconnecting the second ends of the brace bars, and at least one isolator bar substantially transverse to the brace bars and interconnecting the brace bars so as to be spaced apart from the first and second ends of the brace bars. The first ends of the brace bars are adapted to be permanently or removable attached to the weightlifting bar. The collar is disposed in a plane substantially transverse to the brace bars and defines an opening therein. The at least one isolator bar may comprise a single member with a flat surface, or at least two parallel members spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contactor for removing gases and particulate matter from flue gases produced by processing operations of the type carried out in utility and industrial plants. The contactor is generally an open spray absorber having a spray tower (110) whose walls (114) form a passage within the tower (110). Flue gases are introduced into the tower (110) so as to flow vertically upward or downward through the passage. Disposed within the passage are heads (116) for introducing a liquid (118) into the passage such that the liquid (118) contacts the flue gases. A portion of the liquid (118) contacts the wall (114) of the tower (110), such that the portion of the liquid (118) flows downwardly along the wall (114). The tower (110) is equipped with a deflecting device (122) disposed on the wall (114) for deflecting the portion of the liquid (118) away from the wall (114), and thereafter reintroducing the portion of the liquid (118) into the passage so as to contact the gases flowing through the passage.

Abstract: A heat exchanger manifold (10) and method of forming a tube port (50) on the manifold (10). The manifold (10) comprises first and second walls (12,14) that define an internal passage (18) and an outer cross-sectional shape of the manifold (10). The first wall (12) of the manifold (10) has a concave outer surface in which the tube port (50) of the manifold (10) is to be formed, while the second wall (14) has a convex outer surface. The tube port (50) is formed in the concave first wall (12), such as by piercing. The shapes of the first and second walls (12,14) promote the ability of the manifold (10) to resist deformation when forming the tube port (50) in the first wall (12).

Abstract: A method of forming a multilayer ceramic coating system on a substrate that requires thermal protection from a hostile thermal environment. The method generally entails forming at least one tape that contains ceramic particles dispersed in an organic constituent, such as a binder and/or plasticizer. If a single tape is used, the tape is formed of multiple layers of different compositions and applied as a unit to the substrate, thereby forming at least an innermost layer and an outermost layer on the substrate. If multiple tapes are used, a first tape is applied to the substrate to form the innermost layer, and a second tape is applied to form the outermost layer. The tape/tapes are then sintered to form innermost and outermost ceramic layers, respectively, on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of removing a core from a CMC component in which the core was used to form an internal cavity. According to one embodiment of the invention, the core is removed from a fully densified CMC component by heating the component and core to a temperature at which the core deteriorates but below a temperature at which the component would melt or otherwise be damaged. According to a second embodiment of this invention, the component is only partially densified, and then impregnated with a coating material that is resistant to a leaching compound capable of removing the core. The core can then be removed using the leaching compound without damage to the internal surfaces of the component defined by the core when the component was fabricated.

Abstract: An optical data-storage medium comprises a base structure adapted to supply a peripheral surface with a medium adhered thereon, forming a data surface responsive to a light beam for providing optical signals corresponding to a plurality of data, wherein the plurality of data are arranged in a three dimensional pattern, most preferably, a plurality of helixes suitable for application of parallel processing of information. For this purpose, an optical data-storage apparatus is designed from a single platform to accommodate the optical data-storage medium rotatable therein about an axial line at a steady and constant speed, and to allow a plurality of optical heads each capable of providing a light beam jointly movable in a direction generally parallel to the axial line so as to simultaneously process a plurality of data bits at a time, i.e., in parallel.

Abstract: A method of removing a ceramic coating (18), and particularly zirconia-containing thermal barrier coating (TBC) materials such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), that has been either intentionally or unintentionally deposited on the surface of a component (10). The method entails subjecting the ceramic coating (18) to an aqueous solution containing an acid fluoride salt, such as ammonium bifluoride (NH4HF2) or sodium bifluoride (NaHF2), and a corrosion inhibitor. The method is capable of completely removing the ceramic coating (18) without removing or damaging the underlying substrate material, which may include a metallic bond coat (16).

Abstract: An information processing apparatus having hardware components that include plural turntables, plural head units, plural decoding units, at least one encoding unit, and a system control unit. These components are adapted in such a manner as to afford (1) true multitasking in information reading and writing, (2) direct communication for information to be exchanged directly within the information processing apparatus, (3) disc removability for information to be stored as off-line archives and to become transportable between computer systems, (4) separation of user-created data from program files for eliminating time-consuming file-defragmentation processing and for conveniently safekeeping the user-created data, and (5) capability of launching favored software programs directly from original software discs.

Abstract: An end winding (10) of a high voltage air-cooled ac generator or motor is made more resistant to surface deterioration by corona activity by using a paint whose binder contains at least 20% by weight silicone. An end winding, including its insulated conductors and separator and support structures, are coated with the paint whose composition includes a solvent or thinner, optional pigments, and the binder containing at least 20% by weight silicone. The balance (if any) of the binder can be, for example, an alkyd, acrylic, phenolic or epoxy resin.

Abstract: An energy-conserving power-supply system utilizes a keep-alive DC power to consistently power a control circuit so as to render a main power supply readily actuatable for either distributing AC power or supplying regulated DC power. The energy-conserving power-supply system allows any one of modern information-processing or entertainment electronic products to be readily operable manually, remotely, or automatically from a standby state; while, it totally eliminates any unnecessary energy waste because AC power is neither transmitted nor wasted not only within but outside the power-supply system. The latter allows an external line-operated device to be concurrently operable from a no-power state, i.e., without consuming any standby energy at all. Not only can the energy-conserving power-supply system conserve energy usage to the greatest extent, it will also correspondingly extend the life spans of electronic circuitry and electromechanical components.

Abstract: A light system of a vehicle is made to comprise light cover means having at least one light-illuminable area for luminously displaying a symbol corresponding to a vehicle's trademark or a manufacturer's mark when the vehicle is initiated by a driver to perform an action such as braking, parking-signalling, hazard-signalling, turn-signalling, driving, reverse-driving, or door-opening. When implemented, the present invention economically and effectively vivifies the illumination appearance of a vehicle not only in the daylight but in the dark.

Abstract: A high-performance optical information processing apparatus having various hardware for arriving at multitasking function. The optical information processing apparatus provides disc-loading and -unloading flexibility, allows a user to launch a software program or simultaneously several software programs directly from an optical disc and/or several optical discs stored therein, eliminates tedious and time-consuming software installation, affords a kind of copyright protection to software, and alleviates the burden of accessing a hard-disk drive during the process of information reproduction.