Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlled combustion and decomposition of gaseous pollutants while reducing deposition of unwanted reaction products from within the treatment systems. The systems include a novel thermal reaction chamber design having stacked reticulated ceramic rings through which fluid, e.g., gases, may be directed to form a boundary layer along the interior wall of the thermal reaction chamber, thereby reducing particulate matter buildup thereon. The systems further include the introduction of fluids from the center pilot jet to alter the aerodynamics of the interior of the thermal reaction chamber.

Abstract: An atmospheric shield for isolating a component from an external atmosphere is provided and comprising an envelope, and a base carrying a continuous channel, wherein the base and the envelope are arranged to define an enclosure within which the component to be isolated in use is located and such that a portion of the envelope extends within the continuous channel, wherein a seal is provided within the channel to seal between the envelope and the base.

Abstract: Vessel and method for the production and delivery of a precursor-containing fluid stream comprising the gaseous phase of a precursor material are disclosed herein. In one aspect, there is provided an vessel comprising: an interior volume wherein the interior volume is segmented into an upper volume and a lower volume wherein the upper volume and the lower volume are in fluid communication; a lid comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, an optional fill port, and an internal recess wherein at least a portion of the upper volume resides within the internal recess; a sidewall interposed between the lid and a base; and at least one protrusion that extends into the lower volume wherein the precursor is in contact with the at least one protrusion and wherein at least one protrusion extends from at least one selected from the lid, the sidewall, the base, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for use in removing pollutants from a gas stream. The invention includes a thermal reaction unit formed from a plurality of stacked porous ceramic rings. The porous rings include perforations adapted to allow fluid to be flowed into the thermal reaction unit. By flowing fluid through the porous rings, deposition of waste effluent and/or by-products on the interior of the thermal reaction unit is prevented. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Defects within structures formed by deposition processes can be relatively expensive, particularly as previously non-destructive testing was performed only once the component had been formed. By in-situ continuous or intermittent sequential non-destructive testing, early notice of defects can be provided. Such early notice may allow rejection of the part-formed component, correction of the errors causing the defect, or through an auto-correction process adjustment of the deposition devices or otherwise to improve component quality. Generally, deposition processes provide for provision of a layer of material which is consolidated in order to form an object component through use of a consolidation device. By providing a non-destructive testing device which either continuously inspects the layers of consolidated component or sequentially inspects the object component, it is possible as indicated to provide an early identification of defect problems within a formed object component.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus is provided for use in removing pollutants from a gas stream. The apparatus includes a thermal reaction unit formed from a plurality of stacked porous ceramic rings. At least one of the stacked ceramic sections may be adapted to allow sensing of a characteristic of contents of the central chamber. In some embodiments, waste gas inlets to the thermal reaction unit may be angled to create a helical vortex within the thermal reaction unit. Other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for use in removing pollutants from a gas stream. The invention includes a thermal reaction unit formed from a plurality of stacked porous ceramic rings. A first of the porous ceramic rings has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and a second of the porous ceramic rings has a second CTE. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus is provided for use in removing pollutants from a gas stream. The apparatus may include one or more thermal reaction units formed from a plurality of stacked porous ceramic rings. The thermal reaction units may be selectively coupled to one or more process tools. In some embodiments a manifold may be used to direct waste effluent toward online primary thermal reaction units and away from back-up thermal reaction units. If a primary thermal reaction unit goes off-line, the manifold may redirect waste effluent toward one or more of the back-up thermal reaction units. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A welding torch (10) for welding on a component has an electrode (12) within a nozzle (14) through which a flow of gas passes. A shield (20) defines an enclosure (22) around the nozzle (14). Means are provided for supplying weld filler material (18) into the vicinity of the electrode (12) through the shield (20). One end of the shield (20) is attached to the welding torch (10). The other end of the shield (20) is open and extends towards the component (16). An inflatable seal (28) is mounted on the end of the shield (20) to seal between the shield (20) and the component (16).

Abstract: An actuator (12) is disclosed for example for controlling gas flow in a gas turbine engine. The actuator (12) comprises a first portion (14) having shape memory properties, and a second portion (16) formed of substantially the same material as the first portion and having reduced shape memory properties relative to the first portion. The first portion (14) is movable from a first position to a second position at a temperature above the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material of the first portion (14). The second portion (16) is arranged to urge the first portion (14) from the second position to the first position at a temperature below the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material.

Abstract: A method for joining components comprises locating a region, such as an end region 24, of a shape memory alloy (SMA) material component 10 adjacent to a further component 12, and generating localised plastic deformation of the aforesaid region to create a joint between the components 10, 12. The localised plastic deformation of the shape memory alloy material component 10 is preferably generated by applying a shock load to the shape memory alloy material component 10.

Abstract: A virtual view tree for representing a document. A virtual view tree is maintained by an application, rather than a renderer (e.g., graphics rendering library) called upon by the application to display the document. The view tree is virtual in that nodes need not be created until they are to be displayed. When instructed to display the document, the renderer requests nodes and their attributes. The nodes may be cached while the renderer works on their content, but may be removed from memory anytime thereafter. Only a subset of the virtual view tree's nodes is stored at one time, and only in non-persistent storage. The application includes various APIs for navigating a virtual view tree, describing its attributes and caching its nodes. The APIs may be directly accessible to the renderer or may be invoked by subsystems of the application (e.g., client, tree navigation and caching subsystems).

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first abatement apparatus is provided. The first abatement apparatus includes (1) an oxidation unit adapted to receive an effluent stream from a semiconductor device manufacturing chamber; (2) a first water scrubber unit adapted to receive the effluent stream from the oxidation unit; and (3) a catalysis unit adapted to receive the effluent stream from the first water scrubber unit. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus, for the localised treatment of part of a blade (14), comprises an enclosure (16) that is placed in a spaced relationship around the blade (14). Nozzles (20) extend through the enclosure (16) and direct a flow of gas onto both sides of the blade (14). The gas may be heated or cooled prior to delivery to the nozzles (20). The gas jets impinge upon the blade (14) to treat it.

Abstract: The interior space within a refrigeration unit cassette (50) associated with a refrigerated merchandiser (10) is divided by a division wall (68) into a first section in air flow communication with the interior product display space of the cabinet (20), and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with the environment exterior of the cabinet. An evaporator module (160) disposed within the first section, and a condenser module (170) and a compressor are disposed within the second section. The refrigeration cassette (50) is selectively insertable in to and out of the equipment compartment to facilitate servicing of the refrigeration equipment therein, including removal and replacement of the evaporator module (160) and the condenser module (170).

Abstract: Described is a carrier of articles for wearing around a forearm. The carrier includes a carrier body having a top side, a center portion, and an end portion on each side of the center portion. The carrier also includes means for fastening the end portions to each other when the end portions are wrapped around opposite sides of the forearm to secure the carrier to the forearm. A strap extends across at least a portion of the top side of the carrier body and is attached to the top side at a plurality of locations such that a compartment is defined for receiving and holding an article between the strap and the center portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlled combustion and decomposition of gaseous pollutants while reducing deposition of unwanted reaction products from within the treatment systems. The systems include a novel thermal reaction chamber design having stacked reticulated ceramic rings through which fluid, e.g., gases, may be directed to form a boundary layer along the interior wall of the thermal reaction chamber, thereby reducing particulate matter buildup thereon. The systems further include the introduction of fluids from the center pilot jet to alter the aerodynamics of the interior of the thermal reaction chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal reactor apparatus used to treat industrial effluent fluids, for example waste effluent produced in semiconductor and liquid crystal display manufacturing processes. Specifically, the present invention relates to improved monitoring and control features for the thermal reactor apparatus, including a flame sensing device, an intrinsically safe flammable gas sensing device, and a sequential mode of operation having built-in safety redundancy. The improved monitoring and control features ensure the safe and efficient abatement of waste effluent within the thermal reactor apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for rasterizing digital graphics objects having a stacking order. One method includes rasterizing the graphics objects by marking pixels in a pixel array, where each graphics object is separately rasterized according to a processing sequence that follows the stacking order from top to bottom; and, during the rasterization, tracking which pixels have been marked. Tracking which pixels have been marked can include using at least one tracking list that is associated with a scan line defining a sequence of pixels in a pixel array and that identifies marked or unmarked segments in the scan line. Rasterizing the graphics objects can include using the tracking list to identify markable pixels in the pixel array and marking only those pixels that are markable according to the tracking list. Marking pixels can include assigning any graphical attribute of a graphics object to the pixels.

Abstract: In order to achieve micro alloying of protective coatings for components such as turbine blades in a turbine engine, a base metal is splutter coated by deposition of a trace element to a desired proportion. A protective layer of the base metal is then applied over the trace element to prevent further reaction or oxidation of the trace elements. A coating consumable is therefore formed from the base metal and the trace element. The consumable may be produced immediately prior to coating of the component or may be inertly stored for subsequent use. The consumable is applied by laser deposition techniques whereby a coating is formed in the melting process.