Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time, closed-loop shape control of extruded ceramic honeycomb structures are disclosed. Methods include extruding batch material through an extruder barrel and through an extruder die using at least one extrusion screw to form the extrudate, and measuring a shape of the extrudate immediately adjacent the die. The batch material water content is determined or measured, at least one of the extruder barrel and screw temperature are measured, and the extrusion screw rotation rate are measured. At least one of the batch material water content, barrel temperature, screw temperature and rotation rate is adjusted to maintain the extrudate shape to within a select tolerance.

Abstract: Methods of extruding a honeycomb body with an extruder comprise the step of feeding batch material to the extruder, wherein the batch material comprises a ceramic or ceramic-forming material. The methods further include the step of rotating at least one mixing screw to cause the batch material to travel along a flow path defined by a barrel of the extruder. The methods further include the step of indexing a carriage to remove a first device from the flow path and introduce a second device into the flow path of the batch material. In one example, the pressure of the batch material changes less than about 25% as a result of indexing the carriage. In addition or alternatively, further methods include the step of reducing a decrease in temperature of the batch material resulting from the step of indexing. In further examples, the method includes the step of pre-filling a second honeycomb extrusion die held by the carriage with a plugging material.

Abstract: A microwave circulator having an outer metal housing with a cavity containing at least one magnet and an annular centring arrangement interposed between the outside of the magnet and the cavity. The centring arrangement includes first and second solid metal rings, the two rings having cooperating inclined faces arranged such that when a force is applied to urge the centring arrangement along the cavity, one ring is displaced outwardly into intimate contact with the inside of the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing the risk to information resources that may include the generation and/or use of a security risk index. The security risk index may represent the security of information resources. The security risk index may be based on at least one factor. The at least one factor may be individually quantified. The at least one factor may include a threat factor associated with a rate or frequency of security events that threaten the security of the information resources, a vulnerability factor associated with a likelihood of a security event breaching the security of the information resources, an impact factor associated with an expected cost of a breach of the security of the information resources, or another type of factor. The security risk index of a subset of information resources including at least one resource may enable various comparisons and observations with respect to the security of the subset of information resources.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion apparatus comprises a die body and a flow control device. The die body comprises an inlet end, an outlet end, a central axis, a first set of feedholes, a second set of feedholes, a set of central slots, and a set of outermost peripheral slots. The first set of feedholes extends from the inlet end to an interior interface portion of the die body. The second set of feedholes extends through the die body from the inlet end to the outlet end. The set of central slots extends from the outlet end to the interior interface portion of the die body. The set of outermost peripheral slots is disposed radially outwardly of the central slots. The interior interface portion of the die body is configured to allow flow of the batch material from the first set of feedholes to the central slots and to the outermost peripheral slots.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for forming a circumferential skin surrounding a central cellular structure of an extruded honeycomb article. The method and apparatus may be used to produce defect-free skins and/or skins having large thickness and a high degree of particle alignment thereby preferably exhibiting CTE comparable to the extruded webs. These benefits are achieved by providing a die and method wherein a flow, Q, exiting any two active ones of a plurality of peripheral slots forming the skin is substantially equal. Also disclosed is a thick-skinned ceramic article having a thick extruded skin (ts?>5 tw?) with an I-value comparable to the webs.

Abstract: An extrusion die is processed to alter the flow of extrudable material through the die by collecting data reflecting flow variations across the face of the die, constructing a graded resistance flow restrictor utilizing the data, and forcing an abrasive machining medium through the flow restrictor and die with the flow restrictor being arranged to deliver higher abrasive flow through die portions initially exhibiting low extrusion rates, the resulting die being useful for the manufacture of ceramic honeycomb bodies exhibiting a reduced incidence of shape defects attributable to die flow variations.

Abstract: A gravity feed shelf device for storing product containers on their sides and dispensing containers one at a time has first and second cradle assemblies. The first cradle assembly has a first cradle panel with connecting members extending therefrom. At least one gravity feed panel is attached to the first cradle panel and extends from a rear edge portion of the first cradle panel towards a front edge portion of the first cradle panel. The second cradle assembly has a second cradle panel with connecting members extending therefrom. At least one gravity feed panel is attached to the second cradle panel and extends from a rear edge portion of the second cradle panel towards a front edge portion of the second cradle panel. The connecting members of each panel slidably receive a rod to connect the first cradle panel with the second cradle panel so that distance between the first and second cradle panels adjusts to accommodate different sized containers.

Abstract: A method of constructing a solid-state energy-density micro radioisotope power source device. In such embodiments, the method comprises depositing the pre-voltaic semiconductor composition, comprising a semiconductor material and a radioisotope material, into a micro chamber formed within a power source device body. The method additionally includes heating the body to a temperature at which the pre-voltaic semiconductor composition will liquefy within the micro chamber to provide a liquid state composite mixture. Furthermore, the method includes cooling the body and liquid state composite mixture such that liquid state composite mixture solidifies to provide a solid-state composite voltaic semiconductor, thereby providing a solid-state high energy-density micro radioisotope power source device.

Abstract: Honeycomb shapes are extruded from plasticized ceramic powder mixtures by methods that include reducing the core temperature of the charge of the plasticized mixture during transit through the extruder, such methods being carried out utilizing apparatus comprising twin-screw extruders incorporating actively cooled screw elements, whereby temperature-conditioned charges of plasticized material that exhibit reduced core-to-periphery temperature differentials are delivered for extrusion.

Abstract: A twin-screw extruder includes a barrel including a pair of chambers in communication with each other and a discharge port, and an extrusion molding die coupled with respect to the discharge port of the barrel. First and second screw sets are rotatably mounted at least partially within respective ones of the pair of chambers. The first and second screw sets each include a raker blade segment at the discharge port of the barrel that includes at least one flight element with a plurality of serrations extending therethrough. Each of the first and second screw sets also include a lobed kneading segment at the discharge port of the barrel that includes at least one flight element. One of the raker blade segment and the lobed kneading segment is located downstream from another of the raker blade segment and lobed kneading segment. A method of using the twin-screw extruder is also provided.

Abstract: A cooler has a housing defining a product compartment having a floor panel. A product platform is disposed in the product compartment and is movable vertically relative to the floor panel. A plurality of product containers are disposed on the product platform within the product compartment. A constant force spring disposed between the floor panel and the product platform exerts an upward force on the product platform to maintain product containers at a constant height as product containers are removed and as ice melts.

Abstract: A microwave circulator having an outer metal housing with a cavity containing at least one magnet and an annular centring arrangement interposed between the outside of the magnet and the cavity. The centring arrangement includes first and second solid metal rings, the two rings having cooperating inclined faces arranged such that when a force is applied to urge the centring arrangement along the cavity, one ring is displaced outwardly into intimate contact with the inside of the cavity.

Abstract: A shelf device for mounting on an inside surface of a cooler door comprises a bottom panel and left and right mounting flanges connected to the bottom panel along left and right side edge portions thereof. Each flange has a pair of openings therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device. A partition panel is connected to the bottom panel and divides the bottom panel into a plurality of compartments. Vertically extending ribs are attached to the partition panel at junctions of adjacent compartments. A display panel is spaced from the bottom panel and attached to the ribs. The display panel includes top and bottom lips forming a slot for slidably receiving a display insert. Ventilation openings in the partition panel increase air circulation.

Abstract: A method of making a hotel reservation includes receiving a reservation request from a booking source, wherein the reservation request is based on an allocation to the booking source from a hotel and wherein the reservation request is price-blind; transmitting the reservation request to the hotel; receiving a confirmation from the hotel; and transmitting the confirmation to the booking source. The booking source can be a consolidator, a travel agent, a tour operator, a Global Distribution System or a wholesaler. The method also includes connecting to the hotel using a web service to transmit the reservation to the hotel. If the reservation request exceeds the allocation, the hotel has an option of accepting the reservation request or declining the reservation request. The method also includes receiving polling inquiries from the booking source prior to transmitting the hotel's confirmation to the booking source. The confirmation from the hotel can be received using a web service.

Abstract: A shelf device for mounting on an inside surface of a cooler door comprises a bottom panel and left and right mounting flanges connected to the bottom panel along left and right side edge portions thereof. Each flange has a pair of openings therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device. A partition panel is connected to the bottom panel and divides the bottom panel into a plurality of compartments. Vertically extending ribs are attached to the partition panel at junctions of adjacent compartments. A display panel is spaced from the bottom panel and attached to the ribs. The display panel includes top and bottom lips forming a slot for slidably receiving a display insert. Ventilation openings in the partition panel increase air circulation.

Abstract: A technique includes operating a converter to convert a first voltage produced by an electrochemical cell stack in a power producing mode into a second voltage. The technique includes operating the converter to convert a third voltage into a fourth voltage to drive the electrochemical cell stack in a pumping mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tuning are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a tuner formed on a substrate. The tuner comprises a first die that receives an analog input signal and processes the analog input signal using analog processing circuitry to form analog output signals, and a second die that receives the analog output signals, converts the analog output signals to digital signals, and processes the digital signals to form output signals. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a multi-chip module comprising a tuner adapted to process television signals of a plurality of types and of a plurality of standards to form output signals.

Abstract: A shelf device for mounting on an inside surface of a cooler door comprises a bottom panel and left and right mounting flanges connected to the bottom panel along left and right side edge portions thereof. Each flange has a pair of openings therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device. A partition panel is connected to the bottom panel and divides the bottom panel into a plurality of compartments. Vertically extending ribs are attached to the partition panel at junctions of adjacent compartments. A display panel insert is received by slots in the ribs and recesses in the mounting flanges.

Abstract: A display device for mounting on an inside surface of a cooler door has a mounting bracket for attaching to the cooler door, a top tube mounted on the first mounting bracket, and a bottom tube mounted on the first mounting bracket below the top tube. A display scroll is entrained about the top and bottom tubes so that the scroll is visible through the cooler door. As the scroll is rotated about the tubes, a display graphic on the scroll moves to attract the attention of potential consumers.