Abstract: A blocking member for an actuator having a movable arm for effecting a quick-make feature, includes, for example, an elongated member having a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the elongated member is configured so that the blocking member disposed in a first position engages a portion of the movable arm of the actuator to restrain movement of the movable arm and so that the blocking member disposed in a second position disengages from the portion of the movable arm of the actuator to permit movement of the movable arm.

Abstract: A blocking member for an actuator having a movable arm for effecting a quick-make feature, includes, for example, an elongated member having a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the elongated member is configured so that the blocking member disposed in a first position engages a portion of the movable arm of the actuator to restrain movement of the movable arm and so that the blocking member disposed in a second position disengages from the portion of the movable arm of the actuator to permit movement of the movable arm.

Abstract: A blocking member for an actuator having a movable arm for effecting a quick-make feature, includes for example, an elongated member having a first end and a second end, and wherein a portion of said elongated member being configured so that said blocking member disposed in a first position engages a portion of the movable arm of the actuator to restrain movement of the movable arm, and so that said blocking member disposed in a second position disengages from the portion of the movable arm of the actuator to permit movement of the movable arm.

Abstract: A latch-free actuator includes, for example, a movable arm, a first biasing element operable to apply a force to move the movable arm in a first direction, and a yieldable support having a rigid configuration defining a generally straight axis and a flexible configuration defining a non-straight axis. The yieldable support is operable in the rigid configuration to support a compression force along the straight axis due to and countering the first biasing element so that the movable arm is prevented from movement in the first direction, and the yieldable support is operable, by applying a tripping force, to the yieldable support to transition the rigid configuration to the flexible configuration to withdraw support of the compression force and allow the movable arm to be moved by the first biasing element in the first direction.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes, for example, a housing, a stationary electrical contact attached to the housing, a movable arm operably movably attachable to the housing and a second end having an electrical contact releaseably contactable with the stationary electrical contact, and an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism includes a first biasing means for opening the electrical contacts, a second biasing means for closing the electrical contacts, and a yieldable support. The yieldable support is operable in a rigid configuration to support a compression force to prevent opening of the electrical contacts while the second biasing means is operable to apply the force to close the electrical contacts. The yieldable support is operable, by applying a tripping force, to transition the rigid configuration to the flexible configuration to withdraw support of the compression force and allow opening of the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes, for example, a housing, a stationary electrical contact attached to the housing, a movable arm operably movably attachable to the housing and a second end having an electrical contact releaseably contactable with the stationary electrical contact, and an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism includes a first biasing means for opening the electrical contacts, a second biasing means for closing the electrical contacts, and a yieldable support. The yieldable support is operable in a rigid configuration to support a compression force to prevent opening of the electrical contacts while the second biasing means is operable to apply the force to close the electrical contacts. The yieldable support is operable, by applying a tripping force, to transition the rigid configuration to the flexible configuration to withdraw support of the compression force and allow opening of the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A latch-free actuator includes, for example, a movable arm, a first biasing means operable to apply a force to move the movable arm in a first direction, and a yieldable support having a rigid configuration defining a generally straight axis and a flexible configuration defining a non-straight axis. The yieldable support is operable in the rigid configuration to support a compression force along the straight axis due to and countering the first biasing means so that the movable arm is prevented from movement in the first direction, and the yieldable support is operable, by applying a tripping force, to the yieldable support to transition the rigid configuration to the flexible configuration to withdraw support of the compression force and allow the movable arm to be moved by the first biasing means in the first direction.

Abstract: A blocking member for an actuator having a movable arm for effecting a quick-make feature, includes for example, an elongated member having a first end and a second end, and wherein a portion of said elongated member being configured so that said blocking member disposed in a first position engages a portion of the movable arm of the actuator to restrain movement of the movable arm, and so that said blocking member disposed in a second position disengages from the portion of the movable arm of the actuator to permit movement of the movable arm.

Abstract: A deposition friction stir weld process of joining work pieces includes placing a filler material on and about a joint line formed by butting a first work piece surface against a second work piece surface; and frictionally heating the filler material to soften the filler material and portions of the first and second work piece surfaces in thermal contact with the filler material and form a weld between the first and second work pieces, wherein frictionally heating is at a temperature below a melting point of the filler material and the first and second workpiece surfaces. Also disclosed herein are friction stir welding assemblies for providing the deposition friction stir weld as well as processes for depositing filler material and contouring a workpiece surface.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, one or more thermal forming treatments may be predicted to achieve a desired shape and/or microstructure in a workpiece.

Abstract: A hybrid metal forming system includes a die cavity defined by a first die and a second die and a press adapted to apply a static pressure over the first die to deform a workpiece against the second die. The hybrid forming system also includes a dynamic loading system coupled to and positioned between, the press and the die cavity.

Abstract: A method for bending a tube in a pre-selected geometry includes deriving at least one processing parameter from the geometry, applying a thermal source circumferentially to the tube to heat the tube along at least one circumferentially directed path in accordance with the parameter and actively cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature. The applying and active cooling steps are alternately performed a number of times. A system for bending the tube includes a thermal source for heating at least one region along the path on the tube, a tube advancing module for advancing the tube, an active cooling module for cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature, a processing module to derive at least one processing parameter from the geometry and a control module configured to control the thermal source and active cooling module in accordance with the parameter. The alternate heating and cooling are performed a number of times.

Abstract: A hybrid metal forming system includes a die cavity defined by a first die and a second die and a press adapted to apply a static pressure over the first die to deform a workpiece against the second die. The hybrid forming system also includes a dynamic loading system coupled to and positioned between, the press and the die cavity.

Abstract: A method for determining an equilibrium configuration for an object to be subjected to peening includes representing a bulk geometry of the object as a solid body and representing a surface of the object as a surface layer overlying the solid body. The method further includes expanding the surface layer in response to a number of thermal loads to simulate peening and balancing a number of forces on the surface layer and the solid body to determine the equilibrium configuration of the object after peening.

Abstract: A method for bending a tube in a pre-selected geometry includes deriving at least one processing parameter from the geometry, applying a thermal source circumferentially to the tube to heat the tube along at least one circumferentially directed path in accordance with the parameter and actively cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature. The applying and active cooling steps are alternately performed a number of times. A system for bending the tube includes a thermal source for heating at least one region along the path on the tube, a tube advancing module for advancing the tube, an active cooling module for cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature, a processing module to derive at least one processing parameter from the geometry and a control module configured to control the thermal source and active cooling module in accordance with the parameter. The alternate heating and cooling are performed a number of times.

Abstract: A method for determining an equilibrium configuration for an object to be subjected to peening includes representing a bulk geometry of the object as a solid body and representing a surface of the object as a surface layer overlying the solid body. The method further includes expanding the surface layer in response to a number of thermal loads to simulate peening and balancing a number of forces on the surface layer and the solid body to determine the equilibrium configuration of the object after peening.

Abstract: A rigid die insert for forming and shaping a working material. The rigid die insert comprises a nickel-base superalloy, preferably Rene 95. A plurality of gamma prime particles are uniformly distributed throughout the rigid die insert, which has a Rockwell hardness Rc of between about 48 and about 52. The invention also includes a method of treating a rigid die insert comprising a nickel-base superalloy to reduce crack propagation and raise yield stress. The method comprises the steps of: providing the rigid die insert; dissolving larger gamma-prime particles in the rigid die insert; and growing additional gamma-prime particles of smaller particle size in the rigid die insert, whereby the particle size of each of the plurality of gamma-prime particles is refined, thereby reducing crack propagation and raising the yield stress of the rigid die insert. A method of refining the particle size of gamma-prime particles in a Rene 95 superalloy is also disclosed.

Abstract: A die for reducing the formation of flash on parts includes a first die section and a second die section defining therein a cavity. The first die section includes a pair of first surfaces and the second die section includes a pair of second surfaces which together define a pair of parting lines which extend from opposite sides of the cavity. Desirably, the first die section includes a pair of lands, each extending along the length of one of the parting lines. Each land defines a first surface portion of the first surface and is sized and configured so that the land is elastically loaded, e.g., substantially equal to and less than the elastic limit of the material forming land when forming a part.