Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for imparting a smooth surface to a gypsum fiber panels. The method involves imparting energy to the surface of the slurry as the slurry is dewatered just prior to rehydration. The apparatus used to impart the energy is an air lance including an air source such as a blower, a distribution manifold and a plurality of nozzles to direct the flow of air at the surface of the slurry. In operation, the air lance directs a flow of air against the surface of the slurry. The flow disrupts the slurry to a fraction of its total depth, thus dispersing clumps or flocs of crystals in the depth that would give the surface of the finished panel a rough surface if they were allowed to remain.

Abstract: A communications system query processing element, for example a home location register for a mobile communications system, includes a plurality of application processors. First data such as permanent data relating to a plurality of mobile subscribers (subscription information etc.) is available at all application processors, whereas second data such as temporary data relating to the plurality of subscription is partitioned between the application processors. Queries are allocated via a transaction bus to an available application processor. If it is not the correct one for the subscriber originating the query, it is redirected via the transaction bus. This arrangement permits a linear growth in terms of database to be achieved with increasing numbers of subscribers by the addition of application processors as necessary and in a manner not involving a processing bottleneck.

Abstract: In a twin roll caster, the problem of the casting sticking to one or other of the rolls can be overcome or at least reduced by adjusting the relative speed of rotation of the rolls when sticking is detected or anticipated.