Abstract: A system comprises a first master element; and at least one shared communication element arranged to operably couple the first master element to at least one slave element. The system further comprises at least one validation element located on at least one further validation path located between the first master element and the at least one slave element, wherein the at least one validation element is arranged to validate at least one of: at least one access request by the first master element; and a response to an access request from the at least one slave element.

Abstract: A metallic alloy having a semi-solid range between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy is processed by cooling the metallic alloy from an initial metallic alloy elevated temperature to a semi-solid temperature of less than the liquidus temperature and more than the solidus temperature, and maintaining the metallic alloy at the semi-solid temperature for a sufficient time to produce a semi-solid structure in the metallic alloy of a globular solid phase dispersed in a liquid phase. The cooling may be accomplished by providing a crucible at a crucible initial temperature below the solidus temperature, pouring the metallic alloy into the crucible, and allowing the metallic alloy and the crucible to reach a thermal equilibrium between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy.

Abstract: A metallic alloy having a semi-solid range between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy is processed by cooling the metallic alloy from an initial metallic alloy elevated temperature to a semi-solid temperature of less than the liquidus temperature and more than the solidus temperature, and maintaining the metallic alloy at the semi-solid temperature for a sufficient time to produce a semi-solid structure in the metallic alloy of a globular solid phase dispersed in a liquid phase. The cooling may be accomplished by providing a crucible at a crucible initial temperature below the solidus temperature, pouring the metallic alloy into the crucible, and allowing the metallic alloy and the crucible to reach a thermal equilibrium between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy.

Abstract: A metallic alloy having a semi-solid range between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy is processed by cooling the metallic alloy from an initial metallic alloy elevated temperature to a semi-solid temperature of less than the liquidus temperature and more than the solidus temperature, and maintaining the metallic alloy at the semi-solid temperature for a sufficient time to produce a semi-solid structure in the metallic alloy of a globular solid phase dispersed in a liquid phase. The cooling may be accomplished by providing a crucible at a crucible initial temperature below the solidus temperature, pouring the metallic alloy into the crucible, and allowing the metallic alloy and the crucible to reach a thermal equilibrium between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy.

Abstract: A Z-fold print media handling system for printing banners and the like uses an inkjet printing mechanism without a tractor-feed. A series of stuttering stopping and starting steps generates varying static and dynamic frictional forces to separate the first sheet of a Z-fold stack from the remainder of the stack. Both conventional cut-sheet media and Z-fold media are fed using the same printing mechanism, which pulls the media toward a printzone through frictional engagement with a first surface of the media To prevent printhead crashes and smearing the image near the perforations joining the Z-fold sheets, the printhead to media spacing is increased for Z-fold media over the standard spacing used for cut-sheet media. A cam feature is incorporated into the media drive clutch disk to determine whether an operator has set a selector lever for cut-sheet or Z-fold printhead to media spacing.

Abstract: A metallic alloy having a semi-solid range between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy is processed by cooling the metallic alloy from an initial metallic alloy elevated temperature to a semi-solid temperature of less than the liquidus temperature and more than the solidus temperature, and maintaining the metallic alloy at the semi-solid temperature for a sufficient time to produce a semi-solid structure in the metallic alloy of a globular solid phase dispersed in a liquid phase. The cooling may be accomplished by providing a crucible at a crucible initial temperature below the solidus temperature, pouring the metallic alloy into the crucible, and allowing the metallic alloy and the crucible to reach a thermal equilibrium between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy.

Abstract: A composite material having less than about 25 volume percent refractory particles in a metal matrix is concentrated to have about 37-45 volume percent refractory particles. The concentrating is accomplished by heating the composite material to melt the matrix, and then contacting the molten composite material to a porous element having an average pore size greater than that of the average particle size. A small pressure differential, on the order of about one atmosphere, is applied across the porous element, so that metal matrix material separates from the composite material and flows through the porous element. The particulate volume fraction in the composite material gradually increases. When the particulate volume fraction exceeds about 37 volume percent, the mass of composite material becomes semi-solid and freestanding. The resulting composite material may be further processed, as by forming to a useful shape or diluting with another matrix material.

Abstract: A composite material is rapidly melted by furnishing a pre-wetted composite material in the form of granules, placing the granules into an induction coil, and powering the induction heater to melt the metal matrix portion of the granules to form a molten mixture. High power inputs to the induction coil may be used, so that the granules are rapidly heated to their melting point and to temperatures above the melting point, from which the molten mixture may be cast. Because of the rapid heating, otherwise-reactive composite materials may be prepared by melting in air.

Abstract: A Z-fold print media handling system for printing banners and the like uses an inkjet printing mechanism without a tractor-feed. A series of stuttering stopping and starting steps generates varying static and dynamic frictional forces to separate the first sheet of a Z-fold stack from the remainder of the stack. Both conventional cut-sheet media and Z-fold media are fed using the same printing mechanism, which pulls the media toward a printzone through frictional engagement with a first surface of the media. To prevent printhead crashes and smearing the image near the perforations joining the Z-fold sheets, the printhead to media spacing is increased for Z-fold media over the standard spacing used for cut-sheet media. A cam feature is incorporated into the media drive clutch disk to determine whether an operator has set a selector lever for cut-sheet or Z-fold printhead to media spacing.

Abstract: A Z-fold print media handling system for printing banners and the like uses an inkjet printing mechanism without a tractor-feed. A series of stuttering stopping and starting steps generates varying static and dynamic frictional forces to separate the first sheet of a Z-fold stack from the remainder of the stack. Both conventional cut-sheet media and Z-fold media are fed using the same printing mechanism, which pulls the media toward a printzone through frictional engagement with a first surface of the media. To prevent printhead crashes and smearing the image near the perforations joining the Z-fold sheets, the printhead to media spacing is increased for Z-fold media over the standard spacing used for cut-sheet media. A cam feature is incorporated into the media drive clutch disk to determine whether an operator has set a selector lever for cut-sheet or Z-fold printhead to media spacing.

Abstract: A device for measuring metal purity, comprising a receptacle for holding a sample of molten metal, the receptacle being made, at least internally, from an insulating refractory material and having a bottom wall provided with a hole containing a filter element. The bottom wall is substantially impermeable to air except at the hold. An enclosed collection vessel is positioned below the receptacle for collecting molten metal which passes through the filter element from the receptacle, the collection vessel having an opening permitting extraction of gas from within the vessel to enable a vacuum to be generated within the vessel during use of the device. A leak-tight seal is established between the receptacle for molten metal and the collection vessel to permit vacuum generated in the collection vessel to draw molten metal into the collection vessel from the receptacle through the filter.

Abstract: A steering and suspension system for a ride-on mower. A wheel is connected to a spindle and rotates about a first axis of rotation. The spindle is coupled to a frame and rotates about a second axis of rotation that is inclined from vertical backward substantially along a longitudinal axis of the ride-on mower. A level adjusting device is coupled to a steering component of the ride-on mower and is also coupled to a lawn mower accessory. The level adjusting device offsets vertical displacements caused by the inclined spindles, thereby allowing the accessory to stay level when turning the ride-on mower.

Abstract: A rear suspension device for a ride-on mower that includes a pivoting assembly coupled to the ride-on mower. The pivoting assembly is coupled to a torsion bar and the torsion bar is coupled to a rear portion of the ride-on mower. The coupling to the rear portion is accomplished by insertion of a portion of the torsion bar that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ride-on mower into an aperture coupled to the rear portion. The device is callable of transferring weight from one portion of the: ride-on mower to another portion of the ride-on mower, thereby enhancing stability.

Abstract: A hitch system for connecting utility attachments, such as mower decks, to lawn and garden tractors. A pair of J-shaped hooks are attached to the front axle assembly to the tractor. An elongate hitch bracket, having a handle at its forward end, it pivotally connected to the forward end of the mower deck. A hanger rod extends across the hitch bracket and engages the hooks so that the hitch bracket and mower deck ar trailed behind the front axle of the tractor. A user-releasable latch helps retain the hanger rod within the hooks and can be released while the user grasps the handle. The handle provides a convenient means for manipulating the mower deck as it is connected and disconnected from the tractor.

Abstract: A two blade mower deck for lawn and garden tractors having a continuous height adjustment feature. The mower deck includes a primary cutting blade and a smaller diameter secondary cutting blade. The secondary cutting blade is positioned to the side and slightly to the rear of the primary blade so that the cutting swaths of the blades overlap when the tractor moves forward. A continuous roller across the rear end of the mower deck follows the ground contour to prevent scalping or uneven cutting. The vertical position of the roller relative to the mower deck housing can be continuously adjusted by a crank handle to permit continuous adjustment of the cutting height.