Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically managing investment portfolios to substantially track a selected index and to automatically harvest tax losses is disclosed. Preferably, the system comprises an accounting system for maintaining tax lot information for individual accounts, an optimization system for rebalancing each account to substantially model the index and for harvesting tax losses, and a trading system for executing trades. Each investor owns the securities in his account, and therefore, harvested losses can be used to offset capital gains. The period between successive optimization procedures is selected to avoid application of the internal revenue service wash sale rules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically managing investment portfolios is disclosed which substantially tracks a selected index and automatically harvests tax losses. The system includes an accounting system for maintaining tax lot information for individual accounts, an optimization system for rebalancing each account to substantially model the index and for harvesting tax losses, and a trading system for executing trades. Each investor owns the securities in his/her account, and therefore, harvested losses can be used to offset capital gains. Securities sold to harvest tax losses are repurchased at a later time selected to avoid application of the Internal Revenue Service wash sale rules, with exchange traded funds (ETF's) from the same technological sector as the securities being sold to harvest tax losses being used as temporary replacement securities for the portfolios.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically managing investment portfolios to substantially track a selected index and to automatically harvest tax losses is disclosed. Preferably, the system comprises an accounting system for maintaining tax lot information for individual accounts, an optimization system for rebalancing each account to substantially model the index and for harvesting tax losses, and a trading system for executing trades. Each investor owns the securities in his account, and therefore, harvested losses can be used to offset capital gains. The period between successive optimization procedures is selected to avoid application of the internal revenue service wash sale rules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically managing investment portfolios is disclosed which substantially tracks a selected index and automatically harvests tax losses. The system includes an accounting system for maintaining tax lot information for individual accounts, an optimization system for rebalancing each account to substantially model the index and for harvesting tax losses, and a trading system for executing trades. Each investor owns the securities in his/her account, and therefore, harvested losses can be used to offset capital gains. Securities sold to harvest tax losses are repurchased at a later time selected to avoid application of the Internal Revenue Service wash sale rules, with exchange traded funds (ETF's) from the same technological sector as the securities being sold to harvest tax losses being used as temporary replacement securities for the portfolios.

Abstract: A process for superplastically forming a tube of superplastic material to make a part includes sealing both ends of the tube with end caps to provide a sealed enclosed volume within the tube. At least one of the end caps has a connection that communicates between the enclosed volume and a gas line for connection to a gas management system for controlling forming gas pressure inside the enclosed space. The tube is inserting in a die and the connection is coupled to a gas supply line from said gas management system for supplying forming gas under pressure to said enclosed volume. The die and the tube are heated to the superplastic forming temperature for said material, and gas is introduced from the gas management system for pressurizing the enclosed volume with pressurized forming gas and for expanding the tube against the internal surfaces of the die.

Abstract: A tubular part formed by superplastic forming has a tubular structure made of superplastic material having a tubular wall with an outside surface like an inside surface of a die against which the tubular wall was superplastically formed by heating to superplastic forming temperature, and injecting the forming gas through connectors in end portions of the tubular structure, sealed against escape of forming gas from the tubular structure, to inflate the tubular structure against the inside surface of the die. Two open ends at opposite ends of the tubular wall are made by cutting off the end portions of the tubular structure. An integral projecting pull-out in the tubular wall for connection to a connecting tube is formed simultaneously with the tubular wall against a concave shape on the die.

Abstract: A tool for sealing two ends of a tube of superplastic material in preparation for superplastically forming the tube against inside surfaces of a die by gas pressure inside of the tube. The tool has a longitudinal axis that is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the tube when the tool is positioned in the tube, and has two end caps with a cross-sectional shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of the tube ends on a plane perpendicular to the axis. A central connecting tube extends between and connects the two end caps. The end caps are made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the tube, and expand, on heating, into intimate sealing contact with the inside surface of the tube ends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions containing the serotonin selective re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI), preferably (1S-cis)-4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-N-methyl-1-naphthalenam ine, and an agonist or antagonist of the serotonin 1 (5-HT.sub.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the magnitude of current delivered through welding electrodes to a workpiece to be welded using resistance welding techniques, in order to prevent weld expulsion and concomitant diminishment of weld quality. Weld expulsion is detected by determining changes in resistance during formation of the weld, by periodically determining the power factor, and the primary circuit of the welding transformer. The power factor is determined by determining the relative timing between the commencement of the applied voltage, the zero crossover point of the applied voltage, and the ensuing zero point of the applied current.

Abstract: A fluidized bed of solid particulate material cools a heated workpiece through a temperature range critical to strength property determination. Upon immersion into the fluidized bed container the bed is allowed to collapse around the workpiece forming a universal fixture which firmly supports the workpiece for the remainder of the cooling, allowing cooling to be completed at a slower rate to prevent or minimize distortion caused from differential thermal contractions.

Abstract: A process is set forth for making a structure formed of at least two metallic workpiece sections each formed of a reactive metal. A mandrel having a nonreactive surface is sandwiched between the workpiece sections thereby preventing them from being in contact over a first selected area and allowing them to be in facing relation over a second selected area. A reactive metal contact is formed of the workpiece sections over the second selected area. The workpiece sections are maintained under coordinated temperature-pressure-time duration conditions to diffusion bond them at the second selected area. A gas pressure differential is applied between intermediate the workpiece sections and external of the workpiece sections to cause breakthrough at the first selected area and superplastic forming of at least one of the workpiece sections causing it to stretch in excess of its original surface area. The mandrel is removed from between the workpiece sections.

Abstract: A method of making metallic sandwich structures is disclosed using a plurality of metal blank workpieces with at least one of the blank workpieces capable of being superplastically formed against a surface of a die. At least one of the blanks is treated at selective areas to prevent bonding in those areas. The blanks are positioned in a stack with at least one of the outer workpieces of the stack having the capacity to be superplastically formed. The stack is then diffusion bonded together in the untreated areas. At least one insert, preferably made from wax, is coupled to the bonded stack such that the external configuration of the at least one insert and bonded stack conform to the external configuration of the sandwich structure. A mold is cast around the at least one insert and bonded stack, after which the at least one insert is removed from the mold. Thereafter, the bonded stack is superplastically formed within the cast mold, resulting in the desired sandwich structure.

Abstract: In a process for diffusion bonding of at least two metal workpieces of a reactive metal, particularly titanium, the improvement for expelling entrapped air from between surfaces of such workpieces prior to diffusion bonding, which comprises precoating the metal surfaces of the workpieces which are to be diffusion bonded with a substance capable of decomposing at a temperature above about 800.degree. F. and below the diffusion bonding temperature of the workpieces, e.g. of the order about 1300.degree. F., such substance being preferably polytetrafluoroethylene, to form an inert gas having a density greater than air, heating the workpieces to a temperature above about 800.degree. F. and causing decomposition or pyrolysis of such substance and forming an inert gas having a density greater than air, and flushing the inert gas together with the entrapped air out of contact with the surfaces of the workpieces, preferably by means of argon having a density greater than the pyrolysis products or the inert gas.

Abstract: A method for fabricating superplastically formed/diffusion bonded structures wherein metal blanks of aluminum or an aluminum alloy having an oxide surface layer are joined at selected areas by diffusion bonding and expanded superplastically to form a desired sandwich or integrally stiffened structure. According to such method, a suitable mask is applied to selected areas of the aluminum or aluminum alloy blanks. The assembly is then placed in a vacuum chamber and at a suitable low pressure and suitable voltage a glow discharge is created between the metal blank or blanks functioning as cathode or sputtering target, and an anode to selectively remove the oxide from the metal blanks and deposit the oxide debris on the anode.

Abstract: An improvement to an apparatus for and method of making structures from at least one workpiece is disclosed. The prior art apparatus and method comprised a pair of dies which were clamped about the periphery of the at least one workpiece creating a gap therebetween. A pair of non-inflatable platens were then used to apply a force against the pair of dies further clamping the workpiece in place. The die assembly and workpiece were then heated to forming temperatures and thereafter the workpiece was formed within the pair of dies by fluid under pressure. Typically the forming was Superplastic Forming or Superplastic Forming/Diffusion Bonding. The improvement to the apparatus and method comprises providing an inflatable platen between one of the dies and one of the non-inflatable platens, adapted to regulate the force applied by said pair of dies to said at least one workpiece.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed to the method of making metallic structures from a plurality of stacked workpieces or blanks by joining first portions, preferably by diffusion bonding, of the stack and by clamping the joined stack at its periphery between forming members and superplastically forming second portions of said plurality of stacked blanks by the selective application of fluid under pressure. The improvement is a method of coupling the fluid to the second portions of the stack which comprises providing a first port through one of the outer blanks at the periphery of the stack. At least one stopoff path is provided for coupling the first port to the second portions of the stacked blanks, which are to be superplastically formed. A second port is provided in one of the forming members, which couples the first port to a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: An improvement to an apparatus for and method of making structures from at least one workpiece is disclosed. The prior art apparatus and method comprised a pair of dies which were clamped about the periphery of the at least one workpiece creating a gap therebetween. A pair of non-inflatable platens were then used to apply a force against the pair of dies further clamping the workpiece in place. The die assembly and workpiece were then heated to forming temperatures and thereafter the workpiece was formed within the pair of dies by fluid under pressure. Typically the forming was Superplastic Forming or Superplastic Forming/Diffusion Bonding. The improvement to the apparatus and method comprises producing an inflatable platen mounted between one of the dies and one of the non-inflatable platens, adapted to regulate the force applied by said pair of dies to said at least one workpiece.