Abstract: A computer-implemented image-based property condition determination system and method are provided. The method includes determining one or more element condition ratings from individual images of the property; and determining an overall property condition based on available element condition ratings of the property. An overall condition rating of a portfolio comprising a plurality of properties is determined using the condition ratings of properties in the portfolio.

Abstract: A fixturing apparatus is described that can be used with metrology apparatus, such as coordinate measuring machines, flexible gauges and the like. The fixturing apparatus has a base and a plurality of supports extending from the base that are configured to retain an object. At least one of the plurality of supports comprises a floating support having a floating support element that is moveable relative to the base upon contact with an object being loaded into the fixture. A locking mechanism, such as a pneumatic locking mechanism, is provided that can be actuated to immobilise each floating support element relative to the base. The object may have a glass sheet. A corresponding method of fixturing an object is also described.

Abstract: A fixturing apparatus is described that can be used with metrology apparatus, such as coordinate measuring machines, flexible gauges and the like. The fixturing apparatus has a base and a plurality of supports extending from the base that are configured to retain an object. At least one of the plurality of supports comprises a floating support having a floating support element that is moveable relative to the base upon contact with an object being loaded into the fixture. A locking mechanism, such as a pneumatic locking mechanism, is provided that can be actuated to immobilise each floating support element relative to the base. The object may have a glass sheet. A corresponding method of fixturing an object is also described.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture provide for displaying per-instance dynamic properties of an object. A reference to an object instance having a dynamic property that is supplied at runtime for the object instance on a per-instance basis and is not stored with the object is received. A reference to a property source instance, that maintains knowledge of the dynamic property, associated with the object, is retrieved. The references are provided to a control that retrieves and displays the dynamic property. Additionally, the object may provide/specify a custom ActiveX control that defines a user interface for displaying and editing one or more properties. The custom control is instantiated and used to display the property in the defined user interface.

Abstract: A bed frame that can be assembled without the use of additional tools. The bed frame generally comprises a pair of spaced side rails, retainer brackets secured to each side rail, and cross support members extending between the side rails. Each retainer bracket has a base section for supporting one of the cross support members and an aperture extending through the base section. The apertures are aligned with threaded bores in the cross support members so that threaded portions of respective leg assemblies may be inserted through the apertures and used to secure the cross support members to the corresponding retainer brackets.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for head protection is provided. The system includes a helmet body defining at least one hole. The system also includes at least one reinforcement member coupled to the helmet body. The reinforcement member defines an aperture that at least partially aligns with the hole of the helmet body.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture provide for displaying per-instance dynamic properties of an object. A reference to an object instance having a dynamic property that is supplied at runtime for the object instance on a per-instance basis and is not stored with the object is received. A reference to a property source instance, that maintains knowledge of the dynamic property, associated with the object, is retrieved. The references are provided to a control that retrieves and displays the dynamic property. Additionally, the object may provide/specify a custom ActiveX control that defines a user interface for displaying and editing one or more properties. The custom control is instantiated and used to display the property in the defined user interface.

Abstract: Small cooling holes, e.g. 0.25-0.9 mm diameter, in cast hollow turbine blades are provided by delivering successive pulses of laser energy to the surface of the blade until penetration of the blade is complete. By leaving the ceramic casting core in situ within the blade during drilling, the laser beam is prevented from striking through to the far wall of the cavity defined by the ceramic core within the blade. The ceramic core is subsequently removed by leaching techniques common to the art.

Abstract: In the laser drilling of a hole through a wall of a gas turbine blade into a cavity within the blade there is provided an injectable PTFE substitute for injection into the cavity before laser drilling. The PTFE substitute prevents strike-through of laser light to the opposite wall of the cavity. The PTFE substitute used is fluorinated ethylene propylene or a copolymer having a PTFE backbone and fully fluorinated alkoxy side groups.

Abstract: A variety of configurations for convergent-divergent film cooling holes are disclosed, together with the hole drilling methods necessary to achieve the configurations.

Abstract: In the laser drilling of gas turbine engine blades there is provided a method of maintaining constant the distance between a laser nozzle and the surface to be drilled by measuring the topography of the surface and using that data to control the focusing of the laser beam onto the surface. The topography is measured by determining the back pressure of a stream of oxygen blown through the nozzle onto the surface, and relating the back pressure to the distance between the nozzle and the surface. The distance measured is used to control a servo operated table so as to move the surface to the optimum distance from the nozzle.

Abstract: PTFE-loaded wax is used in the laser drilling of holes in hollow turbine blades to prevent strike-through of the beam to an opposite wall of a cavity in the blade. The PTFE-loaded wax is poured or injected in molten form into the cavity prior to laser-drilling, and is subsequently removed by steaming.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a shaped hole in a workpiece by means of a laser beam emanating from a laser source, includes (a) means for directing the beam onto the workpiece, (b) means for controlling the angle of the beam striking the workpiece relative to the axis of the hole, and, (c) means for controlling the distance between the intersection of the beam with the surface of the workpiece and the axis of the hole, so that the combination of the means for controlling the angle and the means for controlling the distance enables a shaped hole to be drilled in the workpiece by the laser beam. The apparatus also includes means for rotating the direction of the beam about the axis of the hole so as to describe at least part of the curved surface of a one that has its vertex on or within the body of the workpiece.

Abstract: A variety of configurations for convergent-divergent film cooling holes are disclosed, together with the hole drilling methods necessary to achieve the configurations.