Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) positioner, including an actuator and method for making the same, includes a stage formed within a first layer of semiconductor material, along with a series of beams, flexure hinges and controlled input thermal actuators. The actuators are operatively engaged with a second layer, and are selectively actuatable to effect longitudinal expansion thereof, so that relative actuation between individual ones of actuators spaced in the planar direction relative to one another is configured to generate controlled movement of the stage within the planar direction, and relative actuation between individual ones of actuators spaced orthogonally to the planar direction relative to one another is configured to generate controlled movement of the stage out of the planar direction. The relative position between the stage and the support is adjustable in each of six degrees of freedom, so that the compliant mechanism forms a quasi-static precision manipulator.

Abstract: A dental/medical instrument is provided for use in diagnostic and related patient inspection/examination. The device includes a body having an integral speculum with a video image capture device, a power supply and a display. These components, and user actuatable controls, are integral with the body. The body is adapted for convenient engagement and manipulation by a user's hand to provide a unitary, hand-held device capable of illuminating and capturing an image of a patient, and displaying the image. An autofocus device moves an image sensor relative to a fixed lens array. Components of the image capture device, such as a lens and light emitter, are disposed on a nose portion of the speculum, which is modularly replaceable with alternate nose portions sized and shaped to facilitate various discrete medical/dental examination procedures. Embodiments also includes a tube and controller configured to apply material, capture data, and/or effect movement of the speculum.

Abstract: A non metallic flow through electrodeless conductivity sensor is provided with a conduit having primary and secondary process fluid flowpaths to form a fluid loop. At least one drive and one sense toroid surround the conduit on the fluid loop. Voltage supplied to the drive toroid induces a current in the sense toroid via the fluid loop to eliminate any need for metallic electrodes in contact with the process fluid. At least one additional drive and/or sense toroid is disposed on the fluid loop to enhance induction. Optionally one or more sense coils are disposed about the conduit outside of the fluid loop to cancel out stray electrical noise. An optional conductor disposed along the conduit detects any fluid leakage through changes in resistance thereof.

Abstract: A hydraulic locking and loosening device (40) is set on the neck of a rolling-mill roll or back-up roll with a conical part (3) and a cylindrical part (4), and comprising an oil-film bearing (7, 8), a spacer ring (16), a thrust bearing (15), a thrust ring (17), and a threaded lock ring (18). The locking device (30) comprises a body (21) inserted at the centre in a ram (22) to form a hydraulic actuator with two annular chambers (23), longitudinal arms (31), on each of which is provided a C-shaped notch (32), and cover (24) for closing the hydraulic chambers (23). A variant of the hydraulic locking and loosening device (40) is provided with a bayonet device for its engaging on the roll end.

Abstract: An abrasive grinding wheel having an annular grinding face depending from a substantially circular body includes a tubular inner wall which defines an axial bore configured to convey coolant in a downstream direction therethrough. The inner wall is coupled to a concave body portion terminating at an inner periphery of the annular grinding face. A flange having an outer periphery disposed, in representative embodiments, within about 20 mm of the inner periphery of the grinding face, is superposed with the concave body portion, to define a fluid flow passage between the flange and the concave body portion. The fluid flow passage is in fluid communication with the axial bore and with the grinding face, so that during operable rotation of the grinding wheel, coolant flowing downstream through the bore is conveyed radially outward into the fluid flow passage for delivery to the grinding face.

Abstract: A billet loader for extrusion presses includes a pair of billet grippers supported by two arms. While the first arm is fixed in relation to the supporting structure, the second arm is mobile in relation to the first arm allowing a translational motion along the axis of the billet. The arms are joined together by a chain, which is parallel to the billet-press axis, consisting of links that allow bending in one direction only to form a rigid and continuous supporting device for the billet along its entire length. The billet can consist of one or more workpieces. The chain can be wound in the opposite direction around a rod.

Abstract: A bonded abrasive grinding wheel is provided with a bonded abrasive disc including abrasive grain disposed within a bond matrix, and a mounting plate integrally fastened to the disc. In various embodiments, the mounting plate has a plurality of non-metallic first threaded fastener portions disposed in a predetermined pattern therein, and is fabricated from a composition including a polymeric material. The non-metallic first threaded fastener portions are each configured for respective engagement with a plurality of second threaded fastener portions disposed along a face plate of a grinding machine.

Abstract: A three-dimensional position and motion telemetry computer input apparatus includes a wireless movable element configured to repeatedly transmit encoded signals in at least three mutually distinct directions. A set of at least three unidimensional signal detectors are disposed in spaced relation to one another and configured to repeatedly detect in real-time, the amplitude of the encoded signals incident thereon. A controller is configured to repeatedly capture data corresponding to the signal amplitude, in real-time. A calculation engine repeatedly determines the 3-D position of the movable element using the captured data. At least one output port coupled to the calculation engine, repeatedly transmits the 3-D position of the movable element to a data consumer in real time.

Abstract: An additive impregnated abrasive article and method for fabricating the same is provided. The method includes providing an abrasive article having a pore structure, dissolving an additive in a supercritical fluid, and exposing the abrasive article to the additive-laden supercritical fluid, so that the fluid disperses through the pore structure. The supercritical fluid is then brought to below its critical point for a period of time sufficient to dissociate the additive from the fluid, so that the additive is deposited within the pore structure of the abrasive article.

Abstract: A modular weaving machine includes a loom chassis and a plurality of modular warp units. The warp units are each configured for supporting a plurality of removable bobbins thereon, the bobbins being pre-loadable with a plurality of warp threads. The loom chassis is configured to receivably support the warp units thereon, so that the warp threads are disposed in parallel, spaced relation to one another, extending in a downstream direction. A plurality of shedding actuators are coupled to the loom chassis and configured to form a shed with warp threads of each of the warp units. A weft insertion module is configured to insert a weft thread through the shed.

Abstract: An discharging device for molten metal between an upper ladle (1) and a tundish (3) comprising a slide valve nozzle fixed to the base of the ladle, comprising an upper fixed nozzle (42) and a mobile one below (43), inserted into an opening in the base of said slide valve nozzle with the lower end protruding from it, and a ring shaped blade (46) fixed to the base of the slide valve nozzle around said aperture. The tundish (3) comprises a cylindrical jacket (22) placed with a vertical axis and fitted at its end with a sand joint (24) for sealing gas into which the ring shaped blade is sunk (46). The slide valve nozzle can be fixed to the base of the ladle by mountings (48, 49) fitted with eyelets into which pivots (50) are inserted.

Abstract: A device for discharging molten metal from a container to another, comprising an outlet sleeve which penetrates into the lower container pushed by springs against a nozzle of refractory material which connects the inside of the upper container with the outside, so as to make a seal for the molten metal. The outlet sleeve is surrounded by a cylindrical sheath which joins, through a sand joint with a cylindrical blade fixed to the base of the upper container, around the aperture where it faces the nozzle. The sheath and the blade enclose a volume into which an inert gas is injected to remove the air possibly present.

Abstract: A non metallic flow through electrodeless conductivity sensor is provided with a conduit having primary and secondary process fluid flow paths to form a fluid loop. At least one drive and one sense toroid surround the conduit on the fluid loop. Voltage supplied to the drive toroid induces a current in the sense toroid via the fluid loop to eliminate any need for metallic electrodes in contact with the process fluid. At least one additional drive and/or sense toroid is disposed on the fluid loop to enhance induction. Optionally one or more sense coils are disposed about the conduit outside of the fluid loop to cancel out stray electrical noise. An optional conductor disposed along the conduit detects any fluid leakage through changes in resistance thereof. A temperature detector is supported within an electrically non-conductive holder extending into the fluid flow path, so that the detector is free from physical contact with the fluid.

Abstract: A system and method in a client-server computing environment is provided for generating and rendering a photorealistic three-dimensional (3D) perspective view of a 3D object selectively positioned within a 3D scene. A client is configured for communicably accessing a server, and includes a client application configured for scene editing and rendering, using a graphical user interface (GUI). The 3D scene may be selectively displayed in a plurality of views, and a 3D object may be retrieved from the server and imported into the 3D scene to generate a composite. The 3D object may also be manipulated within the composite for placement and orientation. A 3D image of the composite may then be rendered at the client and selectively reconfigured in real time. Luminosity characteristics may be applied to the 3D image; followed by rendering a photorealistic 3D view of the composite image.

Abstract: The following invention relates to an injector-burner for applications in the metalwork field, in particular for use in electric arc furnace melting processes having a frontal head with two series of holes arranged in two concentric crowns, the inner crown of holes used to feed fuel and the outer crown used to supply a supporter of combustion. A central hole is also provided, which is fitted with an oxygen injection nozzle. The holes of the two crowns are divided into groups separated by circular sectors without holes, in order to create a number of flames and are inclined in such a way as to give the gases supplied, and consequentially the flame generated, a rotation around the injector-burner axis. By regulating the flow-rates of the fuel and the supporter of combustion supplied to the various holes, the injector-burner is able to regulate the flame shape in burner mode and also in injection mode, thus guaranteeing optimum performance in all modes.

Abstract: A molten metal containment device between the crystallizing rollers (38, 39) of a continuous casting machine comprises a lateral containment plate (47) able to press against the shoulder surfaces (40, 41) of the crystallizing rollers (38, 39); means of providing pressure (37) able to move said lateral containment plate (47) so as to move it close to and press it against said shoulder surfaces (40, 41). The lateral containment plate (47) is fixed to the means of providing pressure (37) through an articulated joint which comprises a flexible tubular sleeve (1), corrugated like bellows and able to support said lateral containment plate (47) allowing the horizontal pivoting at least around one axis of pivoting (X) horizontal and not parallel to the axes of rotation (A1, A2) of the rollers (38, 39). In a second aspect of the invention the containment plate (47) is fixed to the means of providing pressure (37) through more supports (20).

Abstract: Cutting tools are provided that include a circular core with a cutting means located on its periphery, a central bore to receive an arbor of a rotating power tool and one or more perforations extending through the central core. The perforations are disposed along a circumference disposed concentrically with, and between, the central bore and the periphery. The perforations are arranged to form an annular window through the core which corresponds to a predetermined cutting depth during rotational operation of the tool.

Abstract: A drum grinding wheel includes an elongated drum configured for coaxial engagement with a spindle of a grinding machine. An exterior surface of the drum extends parallel to a central axis, and a plurality of removable cutters are removably fastened to the exterior surface. Each of the cutters has a plurality of ribs disposed in spaced relation thereon, and abrasive grain is disposed on a grinding face of each of the ribs, such as by use of a metallic braze.

Abstract: A modular system and method is provided for enabling remote configuring and ordering of flowmeters in a client-server environment. The system includes a meter selection module configured to enable a user to select from a plurality of flowmeter types. A process data module receives process data from a client and a fluid selection module coupled to the process module is configured to receive a process fluid selection and to calculate properties thereof. A sizing module generates parameters of at least one sized flowmeter, sized in accordance with the received process data. A material selection module provides a list of materials from which the sized flowmeter may be fabricated, and a fluid rating module rates compatibility of the various materials with the process fluid selection. A results module is configured to generate data corresponding to expected performance of the sized flowmeter.

Abstract: A modular receptacle assembly includes integral optical indication. The receptacle assembly includes a module housing one or more receptacles configured to releasably receive, in an insertion direction, a leading portion of a modular plug. A light pipe having proximal and distal ends, is disposed in the footprint of the module. The proximal end is coupled to the receptacle, and the distal end is coupled to a light source. The proximal end is configured to radiate light onto the leading portion of a plug disposed within said receptacle. An actuator is configured to selectively operate the light pipe.