Abstract: An arrangement for producing a fibrous mat from a heated die source wherein the produced mat includes a first layered, preselected fiber portion of substantially straight fibers produced by directing such fibers directly to a collector source and a second layered preselected fiber portion of substantially curled fibers produced by diverting and exerting an external vertically creative curling force thereon before reaching the collector source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the extrusion of multilayered composite products, is provided. The inventive apparatus includes a coextrusion structure and a partition member. In accordance with the inventive method, the relative orientation of a first shaped flow stream and a second shaped flow stream to one another is changed, and the reoriented shaped streams are melt-laminated to produce a layered composite formed independent of division of a layered precursor stream. The reorientation occurs via a flow sequencer, which may be removably disposed. Beneficially, layered flow streams that differ from one another may be used. The coextrusion structure may advantageously include one or more removably disposed, flow-shaping inserts, and the partition member may be a removably disposed, partition plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for melt spinning and cooling a group of filaments comprising a spinning device with an annular spinneret and a cooling device arranged below the spinning device. The cooling device comprises a holder that is connected to a coolant dispersing head. The coolant dispersing head is centered relative to the spinneret with contact between the spinning device and the holder in an operating position. The coolant dispersing head can be guided into a standby position at a distance from the spinneret. A guide tube encloses the coolant dispersing head in the manner of a jacket with a clearance and which is open at its end facing toward the spinning device. The guide tube and coolant dispersing head are displaceable relative to one another in axial direction to produce an air stream at the blowing end of the guide tube during transition from the standby position to the operating position.

Abstract: Each inside surface of an injection molding press is attached to a static frame and ejector frame, respectively. The static frame is attached to a removable static mold assembly and the ejector frame is attached to a removable ejector frame assembly. The static mold assembly consists of a static cavity mold housing removably attached to a back plate. The ejector frame assembly consists of an ejector cavity mold housing removably attached to an ejector back plate assembly. The system only requires a change in the static and ejector cavity mold housing when changing molds for different plastic components. The static mold assembly and ejector mold assembly is attached by a yoke in a runner bar slot in a front portion of each respective static and ejector frame.

Abstract: Molding apparatus for producing non-planar parts using compaction molding compounds (CMC) comprises a mold having a cavity which receives CMC therein, the mold including a movable platen assembly having at least two plates movable in substantially parallel directions to compact CMC placed in the cavity, and an actuating mechanism which moves the plates simultaneously at different respective velocities such that the CMC is substantially uniformly compacted into a non-planar shape with a predetermined, substantially uniform density.

Abstract: In a rotary compressive molding machine for powder material in which powder material filled in a die hole 41 of a die 4 mounted on a rotary table 3 is compressed and molded between a lower face 5a of an upper punch 5 and an upper face 6a of a lower punch 6, a powder lubricant supplying means LS that supplies the upper face 6a of the lower punch 6, the lower face 5a of the upper punch 5 and the die hole 41 with a predetermined quantity of powder lubricant L prior to filling the powder material comprises a powder lubricant supplying portion LS1 that sends the powder lubricant L, a flow quantity detecting portion LS2 that detects a flow quantity of the powder lubricant L, a retrieved quantity detecting portion LS3 that detects a quantity of superfluous powder lubricant L that has not been used, and a control portion LS4 that controls the powder lubricant supplying portion LS1 by computing a quantity of the powder lubricant L to send out based on a quantity detected by the flow quantity detecting portion LS2 and

Abstract: A tubular resonant mechanical horn having a contoured inner surface such that, under vibration, an output radial displacement is obtained on the outer surface of horn that is substantially uniform over its entire surface, for producing effects useful in continuous processes. The horn does not contain a node of motional displacement.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for etching back a tungsten layer that overlies a titanium nitride adhesion layer on a semiconductor structure. This method includes the steps of: (1) performing a first plasma etchback of the tungsten layer for a first predetermined time period, such that a thin layer of tungsten remains over the adhesion layer at the end of the first plasma etchback, (2) actively or passively cooling the resulting semiconductor structure to a temperature of 35° C. or lower, and then (3) performing a second plasma etchback of the tungsten layer until an endpoint is detected, thereby exposing the adhesion layer. Cooling the semiconductor structure prior to the second plasma etchback ensures that the titanium nitride adhesion layer is at a relatively low temperature during the second plasma etchback. The titanium nitride adhesion layer etches significantly slower at lower temperatures, thereby making it easier to stop the second plasma etchback on the adhesion layer.

Abstract: A continuous process provides a devolatilized liquid injection moldable silicone composition. In the process, a filler, treating agent and silicone polymer are introduced into an extruder having a length to diameter ratio of at least greater than 50. The filler, treating agent and silicone elastomer are continuously compounded in the extruder into a devolatilized liquid injection moldable silicone composition. A system for preparing a liquid silicone rubber composition comprises a mixer to prepare a concentrate of filler and silicone polymer, a long extruder having an L/D ratio of greater than 50, connected to the mixer to receive the concentrate from the mixer and to compound and devolatilize the concentrate, a treating agent and silicone polymer into a liquid silicone rubber composition containing volatiles and a cooler to receive the liquid silicone rubber composition to cool, homogenize and further devolatilized the composition.

Abstract: The process of heavy metals removal from the waste water using silica dispersion without mixing silica dispersion with the waste water. This is achieved due to the membrane device where silica dispersion and waste water stream are separated by membrane with pore sizes smaller that size of the silica particles. The process is organized as counter-flow, which means that silica dispersion and waste water flow in the opposite directions. This provides the maximum utilization of the adsorption capacity corresponding to the adsorbent being in equilibrium with the high initial concentration of the contaminant in distinction from the low utilization when adsorbent works in equilibrium with the low output concentration. In the particular instance the membrane device comprises a lumen of a bundle of hollow fibers with silica dispersion flowing either inside or outside of the fibers and wastewater flowing on the opposite side of the fiber membrane. This process eliminates step of separating silica from the wastewater.

Abstract: A hydrogen permselective membrane, a method of forming a permselective membrane and an apparatus comprising a permselective membrane, a porous substrate and an optional intermediate layer are described. Using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at low reactant gas concentration, high permselectivities are achieved with minimal reduction in hydrogen permeance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding a plate having highly detailed surface features from a thermosetting resin with a high concentration of a filler such as graphite. The method an apparatus provides for the formation of a preform of casting material and the placement of the material in a cavity mold which is precisely temperature controlled, has vacuum assist operating throughout the molding operation. The molding pressure is rapidly increased to flow the material through the molding cavity prior to the onset of curing and uniquely positioned ejector pins are provided for removal of the molded plate without damage to the detailed surface features.

Abstract: An improved injection molding runnerless manifold and nozzle system, method and apparatus in which the fluid plastic molding material transfer conduits, such as the manifold runner channels and cavity injection nozzle passageway, are constructed of a low thermal conductivity, non-metallic heat insulation structural material to thereby heat insulate the liquified molding material or resin, whether thermosetting or thermoplastic, while resident in the manifold runners and/or nozzle passageways. The heat transfer and other physical parameters of the conduit material and structure are such that this molding material remains at a reasonable uncured molding temperature while resident in the transfer conduit for the duration of at least one injection cycle due to the heat insulation characteristics of these fluid flow conduits of the system.

Abstract: The arrangement is based on the principle that the ejector (9) of a moulding tool actuates the front ejector plates (4, 4A, 4B) and the rear plates (5, 5A, 5B) are conveyed along until the bearing segments reach the free groove in the central pin, which at the same time is provided with a stroke-restricting collar (20), in conjunction with which balancing against misalignment of the ejector package is obtained at the same time through the incorporation of this two-stage ejector, and, at the same time, that it replace extra guides.

Abstract: A new fiber-forming method, and apparatus useful for performing the method, are taught in which extruded filaments of fiber-forming material are directed through a processing chamber that is defined by two parallel walls, at least one of which is instantaneously movable toward and away from the other wall; preferably both walls are instantaneously movable toward and away from one another. Movement means provide instantaneous movement to the at least one movable wall. In one embodiment, the movement means comprises biasing means for resiliently biasing the wall toward the other wall. Movement of the wall toward and away from the other wall is sufficiently easy and rapid that the wall will move away from the other wall in response to increases in pressure within the chamber but will be quickly returned to its original position by the biasing means upon resumption of the original pressure within the chamber.

Abstract: The arrangement is based on the principle that the ejector (9) of a moulding tool actuates the rear ejector plates (5, 5A, 5B) and the front plates (4, 4A, 4A) are conveyed along until the bearing segments (23) reach the free groove (17) in central pin (12). Balancing against misalignment of the ejector package is obtained at the same time through the incorporation of this two-stage ejector, and, at the same time, it replaces extra guides.

Abstract: As a part of the manufacture of concrete products, such as concrete pipe, manholes and the like, the joint rings applied during the casting process much be removed. The invention relates to a joint ring removal system in which a vertically oriented concrete product, containing a joint ring, is gripped to hold the product stationary while a joint ring pulling force is applied. Then, a shocking force is applied laterally to the joint ring to free it from the concrete joint. The amount of pulling force applied to the joint ring is less than that required to separate the joint ring from the concrete while the shocking force is applied in a direction transverse to the pulling force so that no harmful tensile shocking forces are transmitted to the concrete joint. The pulling force on the joint ring is variably applied and timed with the shocking force.

Abstract: The present application discloses a lithium-ion battery using heat-activatable microporous membrane which comprises a hot-melt adhesive, an engineering plastics, a tackifier and a filler. It also discloses methods of preparing such microporous membrane and the lithium-ion batteries. The battery built with the use of the microporous membrane of the present invention shows high rate capability, long cycle life, and low as well as stable impedance during charge-discharge cycling. The microporous membrane of the present invention also shows thermal shutdown behavior.

Abstract: A submerged membrane bioreactor includes a tank containing a mixed liquor having microorganism; and a filtration module immersed in the mixed liquor and having a permeate side in fluid communication with the mixed liquor only through the filtration module. The filtration module includes a porous support having a first surface forming the permeate side and a second surface opposing to the first surface; and a non-woven fabric membrane covering the second surface and having a thickness of 0.1-2 mm and a pore size of 0.2-100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of composite reverse osmosis membrane modules arranged in multi-stages, each of the modules including a porous support and a polyamide skin layer formed on the porous support. In this apparatus, the module at the final stage is supplied with some of permeated water obtained from at least one module preceding the module at the final-stage, and a rest of the permeated water is discharged from or recovered in the apparatus along with permeated water obtained from the final-stage module.