Abstract: Disclosed are flame retardant resinous compositions comprising (i) at least one aromatic polycarbonate; (ii) at least one of a second polymer having structural units derived from one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of vinyl aromatic monomers, monoethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomers, and C1-C12 alkyl (meth)acrylate monomers; (iii) at least one rubber modified graft copolymer; (iv) at least one polymeric or non-polymeric organic phosphorus species; (v) at least one antidrip agent; and (vi) at least one perfluoroalkanesulfonate salt present in an amount in a range between about 0.01 wt % and about 0.25 wt %, based on the weight of the entire composition. Also disclosed are methods for making said compositions.

Abstract: A temperature limiting user interface comprises: a potentiometer for providing a reference signal to an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus being adapted to generate heat as a function of the reference signal; and a temperature-sensitive impedance, thermally coupled to the electronic apparatus so as to receive at least a portion of the heat, and electrically coupled to the potentiometer so as to alter the reference signal as a function of temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of repairing a turbine nozzle segment having one or more vanes disposed between outer and inner bands. The method includes separating at least one of the outer and inner bands from the vanes. The vanes are cut through in close proximity to the band being replaced. A newly manufactured replacement band including protruding vane stubs is provided for each one of the original bands being replaced. The replacement band is attached to the vanes by welding.

Abstract: A method for producing articles bearing patterned microstructures, e.g., optical film, information carrying substrates for optical recording media, etc. includes applying a radiation curable coating material to a surface of a base film substrate, passing the base film substrate and uncured coating through a compression nip defined by a nip roll and a casting drum having pattern master of the microstructures. The method further includes curing the radiation curable coating by directing radiation energy through the base film substrate from the surface opposite the surface having the coating thereon while the coating is in contact with the drum, thus causing microstructure pattern to be replicated in the cured coating layer.

Abstract: An annular disk side plate for a gas turbine engine rotor assembly includes an annular plate hub and an annular plate shaft extension extending axially forwardly from the plate hub. A plate web extends radially outwardly from the plate hub and a plate rim extends radially outwardly from the plate web. In the exemplary embodiments of the invention illustrated herein, the plate rim is canted aftwardly from the plate web. One or more annular sealing ridges extend aftwardly from the plate rim. The side plate further includes an anti-rotation means for preventing rotation of the disk side plate relative to the disk such as a circumferential row of radially extending circumferentially spaced apart tabs. Cooling air apertures or holes extend axially through the plate web. A rotor assembly further includes an annular rotor disk comprising a disk hub and an annular disk shaft extension extending axially forward from the disk hub.

Abstract: In a system for optimizing television reception by a television receiver receiving a diversity of input signals from a plurality of antennas, one of a plurality of combiners and television tuners selects the strongest combination of input signals for viewing and another scans the various combinations of input signals searching for a combination significantly stronger than the combination being viewed. A plurality of multiplexers selects the output signal of one combiner and transmits the selected signal to one of the tuners. A signal evaluation module evaluates the strength of the combinations of input signals and compares the strength of each combination of input signals to the strength of the viewing signal, looking for a superior signal. A control processor controls the combination of input signals selected by the combiners and the combiner output signal selected by the multiplexers.

Abstract: An electronic controller for an automatic icemaker includes a thermistor coupled to an icemaker mold, a first transducer coupled to a rake, a second transducer coupled to a feeler arm, and a processor. Time and temperature dependent calculations are summed at successive time intervals and compared to a predetermined value to determine when ice is frozen and ready for harvesting. Harvesting is delayed a pre-selected time based upon the position of the feeler arm to avoid premature harvesting. A harvest fix algorithm is executed when ice is not harvested within a predetermined time period by operating a heater at an elevated temperature and by de-energizing a motor. A water fill algorithm determines whether the mold is full of water based upon a change in the thermistor reading.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is directed a method and an apparatus comprising irradiating a polymer sample with at least one wavelength of substantially monochromatic light and monitoring radiation emitted by the polymer sample which is correlated to sample hydrolysis and a change in polymer molecular weight.

Abstract: Methods for repairing and manufacturing a gas turbine airfoil, and the airfoil repaired and manufactured with such methods are presented with, for example, the repair method comprising providing an airfoil having specified nominal dimensions, the airfoil comprising a first material, the first material having a creep life and a fatigue life, the airfoil further comprising a leading edge section and a trailing edge section; removing at least one portion of at least one section of the airfoil to create at least one deficit of material for the airfoil relative to the specified nominal dimensions, the at least one section selected from the group consisting of the leading edge section and the trailing edge section; providing at least one insert comprising a second material, the second material having a creep life that is at least substantially equal to the creep life of the first material, and a fatigue life that is at least substantially equal to the fatigue life of the first material; and disposing the at least o

Abstract: A high flow polyphenylene ether resin composition with improved HDT values and flame retardance comprising a blend of at least two polyphenylene ether resins, a first resin having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.3 dl/g, and a second resin having an intrinsic viscosity of less than 0.25 dl/g and preferably having a particle size of at least about 100 &mgr;m. The composition preferably contains less than 30 wt % of the low viscosity polyphenylene ether based on the weight of the total composition. Fiber reinforced and flame retarded compositions also exhibit high HDT values.

Abstract: A washing machine including a tub having a helical flow path defined by a channel and a sump located at a lower end of the channel with a dam therein is described. In an exemplary embodiment, a water outlet is located in the sump, and the dam is positioned in the sump upstream from the outlet. The dam, in the exemplary embodiment, is substantially perpendicular to flow path and extends from a tub sidewall to at least beyond the outer perimeter of the water outlet. The dam has a sufficient height to prevent debris heavier than water from flowing from the channel to the outlet during a non-spin portion of a wash cycle, yet is low enough so that when the spin cycle is initiated, the debris will flow over the dam to the outlet.

Abstract: A new and improved header design for a fluid tight, current carrying header that reduces direct contact between the liquid coolant and brazed joints. More specifically, the present invention provides for a header with hollow strands for carrying a coolant, and solid strands, the hollow strands being longer than the solid strands, the hollow strands grouped together at a first end of the header to form a hollow strand package, and the hollow strands and the solid strands grouped together at a second end of the header to form a mixed strand package. The hollow strand package may be fused to a liner of the header. This construction reduces water contact with the current carrying braze and groups the fluid carrying hollow strands in a separate hollow strand package where a reliable, corrosion-resistant metal fusing process can be applied to provide a reliable leak proof seal.

Abstract: A system for purifying a cumene hydroperoxide cleavage product mixture comprises a cumene hydroperoxide cleavage product mixture feed containing impurities in fluid communication with an aqueous alkaline solution feed; the cumene hydroperoxide cleavage product mixture and aqueous alkaline solution feeds in fluid communication with a neutralization drum having a aqueous salt phase outlet; a aqueous salt phase feed containing impurities in fluid communication with a decomposer reactor having an oxidized aqueous salt phase outlet; an oxidizing agent feed in fluid communication with the aqueous salt phase feed containing the impurities prior to the decomposer reactor; and an oxidized aqueous salt phase feed containing water-soluble oxidized derivatives of the impurities in fluid communication with the cumene hydroperoxide cleavage product mixture prior to the neutralization drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a sheet of material along a preselected line. The apparatus includes a table having an upper surface sized and shaped for receiving the sheet of material. In addition, the apparatus includes a wire positionable adjacent the upper surface of the table and generally vertically below the preselected line on the sheet of material when the sheet of material is received by the upper surface of the table. Further, the apparatus includes an elongate guide positionable above the sheet of material when the sheet is received by the upper surface of the table for holding the sheet of material in position with respect to the wire and the upper surface of the table. The apparatus also includes a device engageable with the wire for pulling the wire upward through the sheet of material to cut the sheet of material along the preselected line.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for determining variability in a measurement system using a measurement repeatability and reproducibility system coupled to a plurality of respondent systems by a network. The method includes determining a definition of items to be measured. The definition of the items to be measured are provided to the respondent systems. Measurements are provided from the respondent systems to the measurement repeatability and reproducibility system. The measurement repeatability and reproducibility system determines one of measurement repeatability and measurement reproducibility in response to the measurements.

Abstract: High molecular weight polycarbonates are prepared from hindered bisphenols in a reaction sequence involving conversion of the hindered bisphenol to the corresponding bischloroformate and subsequent treatment with an amine catalyst and aqueous base to effect polymerization by hydrolysis and condensation of the bischloroformate groups. Tertiary aliphatic and cycloaliphatic amine catalysts bearing at least one methyl group are found to be especially effective in promoting this polymerization reaction. Reaction rates and selectivities are shown to be superior to known methods employing tertiary amines lacking methyl groups attached to nitrogen, such as triethylamine. The inclusion of chain stoppers allows the preparation of well defined mixtures of polycarbonate oligomers from hindered bisphenols. Additionally, the methodology may be used to prepare symmetrical diaryl carbonates from hindered phenols.

Abstract: Powder coating compositions comprising at least one thermosetting resin and at least one poly(phenylene ether) are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of neutralizing residual acid species in crude dihydric phenol comprising the step of introducing a thermally stable organic base selected from the group consisting of tetraalkyl phosphonium hydroxides, tetraorganophosphonium carboxylic acid salts, or a mixture thereof into the crude dihydric phenol.

Abstract: An ultrasound transmitter generates ultrasound signals at an adjustable pulse repetition rate. A Doppler unit generates Doppler signals from ultrasound backscattered signals and stores them in a memory. A logic unit performs an algorithm which automatically adjusts the polarity and position of the velocity scale of a display and automatically adjusts the pule repetition rate of the transmitter based on analysis of the signals.

Abstract: A process for the formation of halophthalic anhydrides and halogen substituted-n-alkyl-phthalimides from the corresponding substituted-n-alkyl-tetrahydrophthalimide by passing said substituted-n-alkyl-tetrahydrophthalimide over a metal catalyst, in the gaseous phase in the presence of oxygen. By selection of the reaction temperature and reaction time, high conversions and purity of the anhydride or imide can be selectively obtained.