Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for providing context-based user authentication, workflow processing and data management in a centralized application in communication with a plurality of third-party applications. Changed data from a first third-party application is received by a centralized application. The changed data is processed by the centralized application. The processing comprises determining an urgency type, a second third-party application to which at least a portion of the data is applicable, mapping the data to a second third-party application data structure, and generating a request including the data structure and based on the urgency type and the second third-party application. The request is sent to the second third-party application. Data in a database associated with the centralized application is updated based on the changed data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing metal bearing gases involves generating a toroidal plasma in a plasma chamber. A metal bearing gas is introduced into the plasma chamber to react with the toroidal plasma. The interaction between the toroidal plasma and the metal bearing gas produces at least one of a metallic material, a metal oxide material or a metal nitride material.

Abstract: A device providing for microstructuring a storage medium includes a radiation source for producing an at least partially coherent beam from electromagnetic radiation, a modulator provided with a plurality of individually switchable modulator elements, a beam-forming optical element for illuminating the modulator, a reducing optical element for reducing a beam radiated by the modulator, and a transport table for displacing the storage medium in relation to the reducing optical element. The device solves technical problems caused by writing of microstructuring and individual diffractive optical elements, in particular computer-generated holograms having a high speed and high writing energy. The device is achieved in that the reducing optical element is configured with limited diffraction and produces a surface reduction of at least 25 from a surface of the individually switchable modulator elements.

Abstract: A method for producing a metallic component (B) allows adjoining zones (Z1, Z2, Z3) having differing material properties to be produced in a manner which is simple in terms of production. This is achieved in that a sheet metal element (E) heated to a forming temperature is shaped in a forming tool (1) into an end-shaped component (B), wherein the forming tool (1) has a temperature adjustment means for adjusting the temperature of at least one of the portions (5, 7, 16) thereof that comes into contact with the sheet metal element (E) during the forming process, and in that the forming speed is controlled in consideration of the time for which the portion (5, 7, 16) of the forming tool (1) that is regulated with regard to the temperature thereof is in contact with the respective region (E1, E2, E3) of the sheet metal element (E) that rests against said portion.

Abstract: A play-free plain bearing arrangement with a defined preset torque includes a plain bearing, wherein the plain bearing comprises a bearing housing and a bearing sleeve inserted into the bearing housing, wherein the bearing sleeve and the bearing housing are open axially. The play-free plain bearing arrangement also includes a shaft as a bearing mate of the bearing sleeve. The plain bearing arrangement is characterized in that the shaft having an oversize is inserted in the bearing sleeve in such a way that the bearing sleeve and the bearing housing expand.

Abstract: An electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch includes an elongated electrode body formed of an electrically conductive material. The electrode body is movable relative to the torch. A resilient element is used for passing substantially all of a pilot arc current between a power supply, a power connection in electrical communication with the power supply, and the electrode body during pilot arc operation of the plasma arc torch. The electrode and torch can include a contact element having a first surface in electrical communication with the power contact and a second surface for physical contact and electrical communication with a corresponding contact surface of the electrode body for passing substantially all of a transferred arc current between the power supply and the electrode body during transferred arc mode.

Abstract: A high voltage propellant isolator includes at least two different types of isolator rings or segments, in alternating lateral arrangement, that direct the flow of propellant, such as xenon gas, in a tortuous path through the isolator.

Abstract: A cooking method for cooking a hollow food item with a wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior volume, a plurality of skewers supporting the food item be piercing the wall through a stem side of the food item. The skewers maintaining the orientation of the food item with the stem side facing down and maintaining a minimum volume of the interior chamber to facilitate the accumulation of steam within the interior chamber.

Abstract: A wearable, one-way transfer device component for use in a communications system that includes a first device coupled to a first communication network that receives and compiles global positioning data corresponding to the physical location of one or more objects, a first serial communication path for transmitting the global positioning data from the first device, the first serial communications path being unidirectional to prevent data from being transmitted to the first device, means for formatting the global positioning data received from the first serial path into a serial communication format, a second serial communication path for transmitting the formatted global positioning data to a second device associated with a second communication network, and a user replaceable means for providing power to the means for formatting the global positioning data.

Abstract: A method for producing a piston for internal combustion engines includes the following steps: a first part is pre-fabricated by hot forging and a recess which has an undercut is formed in the first part during pre-fabrication by forming on the first part a projection, to which projection a lateral force is applied to form the undercut; a second part is pre-fabricated by hot forging and a projection is formed on this second part whose dimensions are matched to the dimensions of the recess; the two parts are joined together so that the projection on one part engages in the recess in the other part; and a compressive force is applied to the two parts which is sufficiently large and so aligned that the material of the projection on one part flows into the recess in the other part and completely fills it to connect the parts by positive fit.

Abstract: An improved electrode for use in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes an electrode body, a bore defined by and disposed in the electrode body, and an insert disposed in the bore. The insert and/or the bore of the electrode are configured to improve retention of the insert in the electrode, thereby extending electrode life. The invention also includes a method for forming the electrode. The method includes a step of positioning an insert into a bore of an electrode such that an exterior gap is established that is greater than a second gap.

Abstract: A separator for liquids, in particular condensate, from liquid-loaded compressed gases-generally serves, by coarse separation of condensate from the compressed gases, to protect downstream prefilters of cold dryers or adsorption dryers against overload due to condensate. In the separator of the invention, in a pot-shaped housing, a separator element in the form of a hollow cylinder is arranged, which consists of a multiplicity of flow chicanes formed from guiding bodies and impact bodies. The moisture-loaded gases are passed from the interior of the hollow cylinder to the exterior via these flow chicanes, condensate separating off on the chicanes and collecting in the collecting space.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for thermally processing a workpiece include directing a plasma arc to the workpiece and using a dielectric shield or dielectric coating to protect a forward portion (e.g., a torch head) of a plasma arc torch. The dielectric shield or dielectric coating covers a nozzle disposed within the torch head and protects the nozzle from the effects of slag and double arcing. The shield also improves operator visibility due to the spatial relationship between the dielectric shield and the nozzle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a gas-cooled plasma arc torch. Components of the torch can include an electrode, nozzle and a shield, each of which can be gas-cooled. The nozzle can be disposed relative to the electrode and can include a generally hollow conductive body and a cooling gas flow channel defined by at least one fin disposed about an exterior surface of the body, the body providing a thermal conductive path that transfers heat between the nozzle to the cooling gas flow channel during operation of the torch. The shield can be disposed relative to the nozzle and can include a generally hollow conductive body and a cooling gas flow channel defined by at least one fin disposed about an exterior surface of the body, the body providing a thermal conductive path that transfers heat between the shield to the cooling gas flow channel during operation of the torch.

Abstract: A method for producing high-quality grain oriented magnetic steel sheet utilizes a steel alloy with (in wt %) Si: 2.5-4.0%, C: 0.02-0.10%, Al: 0.01-0.065%, N: 0.003-0.015%. The method utilizes an operational sequence whose individual steps (secondary metallurgical treatment of the molten metal, continuous casting of the molten metal into a strand, dividing of the strand into thin slabs, heating of the thin slabs, continuous hot rolling of the thin slabs into hot strip, cooling of the hot strip, coiling of the hot strip, cold rolling of the hot strip into cold strip, recrystallization and decarburization annealing of the cold strip, application of an annealing separator, final annealing of the recrystallization and decarburization annealed cold strip to form a Goss texture) are harmonized with one another, so that a magnetic steel sheet with optimized electromagnetic properties is obtained using conventional apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a plasma used for materials processing feature cooperative action of a resonant circuit and a switch unit coupled to a plasma vessel and a power supply. A sensor for acquiring a signal associated with a state of a plasma in the plasma vessel supports closed-loop control of the switch unit. Undesirable plasma states detected by the sensor can be eliminated by closing the switch unit to shunt the resonant circuit.

Abstract: A retroreflector adapted to be mounted to a motor including a first, second, and third petal having a mutually perpendicular first, second, and third reflective surface that form a retroreflective surface. A base is directly connected to at least one of the first, second, or third petal so as to minimize a vertical profile of the retroreflector. The base is removably connected to the motor with a fastening mechanism. A spatial distance between the fastening mechanism and at least one of the first, second, or third petal minimizes a stress from the motor propagated to the retroreflective surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide measurement of a constituent of a fluid, such as ozone in ozonated water. The apparatus includes a vessel to contain the fluid, a light source configured to direct a first band of light and a second band of light along a substantially shared path though the fluid, and a photosensor that senses the first band of light and the second band of light. The constituent has a greater absorption associated with the first band of light than with the second band of light. The method includes modification of a measured attribute of the component in response to the sensed second band of light to improve the accuracy of the measured attribute.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for automated predictive design space estimation. A design space of input factors and output responses is estimated for a physical process. Data is received for one or more input factors for a physical process, one or more output responses for the process, and criteria. For each of the one or more input factors, a calculated range of input values within the corresponding experimented range of input values is calculated. A modified range of input values is calculated for each of the one or more input factors. A design space estimate is predicted based at least on the modified ranges of input values, wherein the modified ranges of input values each comprise a largest region of variability for one or more of the input factors where the criteria are fulfilled.