Abstract: A drilling rig system including a man-machine workstation interface located in proximity to the drilling rig for providing to a single operator at substantially one location simultaneous operational access to drilling rig processes. The workstation includes an adjustable base and an operator alcove formed on the base in which an operator is positioned allowing for a substantially unobstructed view of the drilling rig. Adjustable forearm support panels are formed on opposing sides of the operator alcove for supporting the forearms of the operator while positioned in the alcove. At least one display unit is adjustably connected to the base and has a touch access screen adapted to allow the operator to monitor and control drilling rig processes. A plurality of discrete hand controls are used for controlling predetermined drilling rig processes wherein at least one of the discrete hand controls is located on the forearm support panels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating the use of a pre-paid card linked to a stored value card account (e.g., a debit type card associated with an available, remaining money value, etc.). The system and method include and involve a data storage system for storing data related to a pre-paid card and a stored value card account. The stored value card account is maintained and managed by a stored value card processing system. The stored value card processing system stores a money value applicable to purchases and telephone calls. The system and method also include and involve a pre-paid telephone calling card processing system that is coupled to the data storage system and is configured to receive a request to initiate a telephone call in relation to the prepaid telephone calling card and to instruct the stored value card processing system to adjust the money value in relation to the telephone call.

Abstract: Door skins for a door skin assembly are formed from thermoplastic material in a thermoplastic flow forming process. The thermoplastic material is a composite material including polypropylene copolymer, glass fiber, UV stabilizers, filler such as talc and pigment.

Abstract: A user program directly accesses a storage device for I/O operations, bypassing the operating system. The user registers a virtual memory region and an “extent”, or region, of the storage device with a host bus adapter. A virtual interface is created between the user and the storage device including a queue for transmitting commands from the user to the storage device. To perform I/O, the user creates a descriptor including command information identifying the type of I/O operation, a buffer handle identifying the registered virtual memory region, virtual memory address information identifying the locations of data buffers in the registered virtual memory region to be used for the I/O operation, an extent handle identifying the registered extent, and disk address information identifying an area within the registered extent to or from which data is to be written or read. The user posts this descriptor to the virtual interface by placed it on the associated queue.

Abstract: System and a method for facilitating the use of a preferred, discount rate pre-paid telephone calling card. The system and method include and involved a data storage system for storing data corresponding to a pre-paid telephone calling card and at least one location identifier related to the pre-paid telephone calling card. The location identifier(s) corresponding to at least one telephone call service rate. The system and method also include and involve a pre-paid telephone calling card processing system that is coupled to the data storage system and which is configured to receive the location identifier(s) during a setup call over a telephone network and to cause the location identifier(s) to be stored in the data storage system during the setup call.

Abstract: A drilling rig system including a man-machine workstation interface located in proximity to the drilling rig for providing to a single operator at substantially one location simultaneous operational access to drilling rig processes. The workstation includes an adjustable base and an operator alcove formed on the base in which an operator is positioned allowing for a substantially unobstructed view of the drilling rig. Adjustable forearm support panels are formed on opposing sides of the operator alcove for supporting the forearms of the operator while positioned in the alcove. At least one display unit is adjustably connected to the base and has a touch access screen adapted to allow the operator to monitor and control drilling rig processes. A plurality of discrete hand controls are used for controlling predetermined drilling rig processes wherein at least one of the discrete hand controls is located on the forearm support panels.

Abstract: A user program directly accesses a storage device for I/O operations, bypassing the operating system. The user registers a virtual memory region and an “extent”, or region, of the storage device with a host bus adapter. A virtual interface is created between the user and the storage device including a queue for transmitting commands from the user to the storage device. To perform I/O, the user creates a descriptor including command information identifying the type of I/O operation, a buffer handle identifying the registered virtual memory region, virtual memory address information identifying the locations of data buffers in the registered virtual memory region to be used for the I/O operation, an extent handle identifying the registered extent, and disk address information identifying an area within the registered extent to or from which data is to be written or read. The user posts this descriptor to the virtual interface by placed it on the associated queue.

Abstract: An alloy composition suitable for use as a single crystal seed comprises nickel and, in the proportion of 5 to 50 weight %, a further metal selected from the Transition Series of elements in Period VI of the Periodic Table of Elements. The further metal may be tungsten or tantalum. The alloy composition contains no component which forms an oxide layer at elevated temperatures, and in particular contains no aluminium or titanium. The alloy composition is suitable for use as a seed alloy for the casting of single crystal components such as aerofoils for gas turbine engines.

Abstract: A crystal selector pattern for use in forming a mould in an investment casting process, which is formed from a water-soluble organic composition which, in a preferred embodiment, comprises 80% urea.

Abstract: Retiming means for retiming an incoming data stream 2 comprising clock generation means 22 for producing a plurality of clock signals 23 having the same frequency but differing phase, and signal processing means 24 for receiving both the plurality of clock signals 23 and the incoming data stream 2 and outputting a selected one of the clock signals 23 and a retimed data stream retimed in accordance with the selected clock signal. The signal processing means 24 includes comparison means for comparing the phase of the incoming data stream with the phase of the plurality of clock signals and selecting which clock signal to use on the basis of this comparison.

Abstract: Paint or varnish is applied to the exterior of elongate elements such as pencils, by passing the pencils(3) through a receptacle(12) containing the paint or varnish(13), causing the pencils(3) to leave the receptacle(12) through a washer(17) which permits the pencils to leave the receptacle with a coating of paint or varnish on the exterior thereof, and subsequently passing the pencils through a light box(23) adapted to apply light to each point on the exterior of each pencil(3), the paint or varnish(13) comprising a resin which has the property that curing of the resin is initiated in response to the application of the light.

Abstract: A serial data clock receiver circuit (11) is provided that synchronizes a clock signal to data. The serial data clock receiver circuit (11) comprises a control circuit (21), a dual oscillator circuit (19), and a phase locked loop circuit (22). The control circuit (21) arms the dual oscillator circuit (19) for being enabled during an idle period. The phase locked loop circuit (22) provides a reference voltage for the dual oscillator circuit (19). The dual oscillator circuit (19) is responsive to both the data and control circuit (19) for providing a clock signal.

Abstract: An improved vibration warning device is disclosed for monitoring rotating machinery, and signaling the occurrence of an unsafe condition. The apparatus includes a one or more mercury wetted resonating reed gauge switches tuned to a critical frequency that lies within a predetermined range of the critical frequency of the rotor. An imbalance force imposed by the rotor is transmitted to the device and if the imbalance force exceeds a predetermined threshold, the mercury wetted reed gauge switch/switches will conduct an appropriate electrical warning signal.

Abstract: Particles or inclusions are removed from a molten alloy by contacting the molten alloy with a material selected from the group consisting of aluminium silicate, magnesium silicate, zirconium oxide or a mixture of alumina-calcia and alumina-magnesia.

Abstract: Apparatus for pouring molten metal comprises a cold crucible 15 which has a recess adjacent its top and a pouring spout 16 positioned in the recess just below the level of the surface of the melt. The recess defines a lip above the spout which helps to ensure that there is a constant pressure head above the spout. Pivotally mounted on the lip, and biased to assume a horizontal position irrespective of the angle of tilt of the crucible is an induction coil 21. The coil induces currents in the surface of the melt and thereby moves the dross away from the pouring spout. The crucible 15 pours into a constant head hopper 22 and the opening and closing of the crucible pouring spout 16 and the angle of tilt of the crucible are controlled to ensure constant pressure head in the hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus for pouring molten metal comprises a water cooled copper crucible 15 which has a recess adjacent its top and a pouring spout 16 positioned in the recess just below the level of the surface of the melt. The recess defines a lip above the spout which helps to ensure that there is a constant pressure head above the spout. Pivotally mounted on the lip, and biased to assume a horizontal position irrespective of the angle of tilt of the crucible is an induction coil 21. The coil induces currents in the surface of the melt and thereby moves the dross away from the pouring spout. The crucible 15 pours into a constant head hopper 22 and the opening and closing of the crucible pouring spout 16 and the angle of tilt of the crucible are controlled to ensure constant pressure head in the hopper.

Abstract: An alloy suitable for making single crystal castings consists essentially of the following constituents by weight percent:______________________________________ Chromium 8-15% Aluminum 5-7% Titanium 2-5% Niobium 0.1-2% Molybdenum 0-7% Tantalum 1-8% Tungsten 0-7% Cobalt 5-15% Vanadium 0.5-2% Carbon 0-0.05% Balance Nickel plus impurities. ______________________________________The combined weight of Tungsten, Molybdenum and Tantalum is from 2.5 to 8.0 percent by weight of the total alloy weight and the combinations of Aluminium, Titanium, Niobium, Tantalum and Vanadium are balanced such as to give an alloy volume fraction of between 60 and 75% of gamma prime (Ni.sub.3 (M)) where M is Aluminium, Titanium, Niobium, Tantalum, Vanadium and also minimum gamma/gamma prime lattice mismatch. The alloy has good high strength characteristics, impact resistance, corrosion and oxidation resistance and has a wide heat treatment window.

Abstract: A relatively low-density Nickel based superalloy particularly suitable for use in the form of a single crystal casting comprised by weight percent:Chromium: 7-13%Aluminium: 5-7%Titanium: 2-5%Cobalt: 4-16%Molybdenum and/or Ruthenium: 1-4%Vanadium: 0-2%Carbon: 0-0.05%Balance Nickel plus incidental impurities, the density of the alloy being less than 7.9 kg/dm.sup.3.

Abstract: A skin care product such as a cleansing lotion or pre- or aftershave lotion comprising ethanol, water, spherical polymer or copolymer microspheres, e.g. of polyethylene, polystyrene or polymethylmethacrylate, and a suspending agent for the microspheres. The ethanol:water weight ratio is in the range 1:19 to 19:1 and the microspheres, which may be sized from 5 to 7 microns, amount to 3 to 10% by weight of the product. The microspheres have a smoothing and matting effect on the skin, improving the observed degreasing effect of the product.

Abstract: Skin treatment product for greasy or oily skin comprising an unpigmented oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion having dispersed therein 3 to 10% by weight of spherical polymer or copolymer particles having an average size of 5 to 15 microns. The polymer or copolymer particles are cross-linked polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate or polyethylene microspheres. The oil of the emulsion is a volatile organic liquid in the amount of 1 to 30% of the weight of the emulsion and may be a silicone or silicon glycol.