Abstract: Embodiments of a method for producing powder mixtures having uniform dispersion of ceramic particles within larger superalloy particles are provided, as are embodiments of superalloy powder mixtures. In one embodiment, the method includes producing an initial powder mixture comprising ceramic particles mixed with superalloy mother particles having an average diameter larger than the average diameter of the ceramic particles. The initial powder mixture is formed into a consumable solid body. At least a portion of the consumable solid body is gradually melted, while the consumable solid body is rotated at a rate of speed sufficient to cast-off a uniformly dispersed powder mixture in which the ceramic particles are embedded within the superalloy mother particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for producing powder mixtures having uniform dispersion of ceramic particles within larger superalloy particles are provided, as are embodiments of superalloy powder mixtures. In one embodiment, the method includes producing an initial powder mixture comprising ceramic particles mixed with superalloy mother particles having an average diameter larger than the average diameter of the ceramic particles. The initial powder mixture is formed into a consumable solid body. At least a portion of the consumable solid body is gradually melted, while the consumable solid body is rotated at a rate of speed sufficient to cast-off a uniformly dispersed powder mixture in which the ceramic particles are embedded within the superalloy mother particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for producing powder mixtures having uniform dispersion of ceramic particles within larger superalloy particles are provided, as are embodiments of superalloy powder mixtures. In one embodiment, the method includes producing an initial powder mixture comprising ceramic particles mixed with superalloy mother particles having an average diameter larger than the average diameter of the ceramic particles. The initial powder mixture is formed into a consumable solid body. At least a portion of the consumable solid body is gradually melted, while the consumable solid body is rotated at a rate of speed sufficient to cast-off a uniformly dispersed powder mixture in which the ceramic particles are embedded within the superalloy mother particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for producing powder mixtures having uniform dispersion of ceramic particles within larger superalloy particles are provided, as are embodiments of superalloy powder mixtures. In one embodiment, the method includes producing an initial powder mixture comprising ceramic particles mixed with superalloy mother particles having an average diameter larger than the average diameter of the ceramic particles. The initial powder mixture is formed into a consumable solid body. At least a portion of the consumable solid body is gradually melted, while the consumable solid body is rotated at a rate of speed sufficient to cast-off a uniformly dispersed powder mixture in which the ceramic particles are embedded within the superalloy mother particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for producing powder mixtures having uniform dispersion of ceramic particles within larger superalloy particles are provided, as are embodiments of superalloy powder mixtures. In one embodiment, the method includes producing an initial powder mixture comprising ceramic particles mixed with superalloy mother particles having an average diameter larger than the average diameter of the ceramic particles. The initial powder mixture is formed into a consumable solid body. At least a portion of the consumable solid body is gradually melted, while the consumable solid body is rotated at a rate of speed sufficient to cast-off a uniformly dispersed powder mixture in which the ceramic particles are embedded within the superalloy mother particles.

Abstract: Systems for filtering particles from an airflow are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, the system includes a chamber, an airflow and particle inlet, a concentrator, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The airflow and particle inlet is adapted to direct at least a portion of the airflow and the particles into the chamber. The concentrator is adapted to concentrate the particles from the airflow and particle inlet into a space within the chamber. The first outlet is in flow communication with the concentrator and adapted to allow the concentrated particles to exit the system, while minimizing an amount of air exiting therefrom. The second outlet is in flow communication with the chamber and is adapted to allow substantially all of the airflow to exit therethrough.

Abstract: Systems for filtering particles from an airflow are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, the system includes a chamber, an airflow and particle inlet, a concentrator, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The airflow and particle inlet is adapted to direct at least a portion of the airflow and the particles into the chamber. The concentrator is adapted to concentrate the particles from the airflow and particle inlet into a space within the chamber. The first outlet is in flow communication with the concentrator and adapted to allow the concentrated particles to exit the system, while minimizing an amount of air exiting therefrom. The second outlet is in flow communication with the chamber and is adapted to allow substantially all of the airflow to exit therethrough.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including an actuator housing assembly having a linear drive mechanism disposed at least partially therein. A linear variable differential transducer (LVDT) is coupled to the linear drive mechanism and configured to eliminate rotation of the linear drive mechanism and provide linear positioning of the linear drive mechanism. A valve shaft is coupled to the linear drive mechanism and in substantially linear alignment with the linear drive mechanism. A rotational coupler, in the form of a helical groove and reciprocating guide member, is formed to couple the linear drive mechanism to the valve shaft. The valve shaft is configured to allow for the linear displacement therein of the linear drive mechanism and thereby output a rotation moment via the rotational coupler to the valve shaft.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a valve flowbody. Valve assemblies including the flowbody are also provided. A method includes disposing a first fiber composite fabric piece in a cavity of a first half of an outer mold and placing a foam piece over a portion of the first fiber composite fabric piece. A cylinder is placed in the outer mold first half over the foam piece and the first fiber composite fabric piece, where the cylinder is made of a second fiber composite fabric piece. The first half of the outer mold is assembled with a second half of the outer mold to enclose the cylinder, the foam piece, and the first fiber composite fabric piece therebetween. The assembled outer mold is heated to cure resin impregnated in the first and the second fiber composite fabric pieces to form the valve flowbody.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including an actuator housing assembly having a linear drive mechanism disposed at least partially therein. A linear variable differential transducer (LVDT) is coupled to the linear drive mechanism and configured to eliminate rotation of the linear drive mechanism and provide linear positioning of the linear drive mechanism. A valve shaft is coupled to the linear drive mechanism and in substantially linear alignment with the linear drive mechanism. A rotational coupler, in the form of a helical groove and reciprocating guide member, is formed to couple the linear drive mechanism to the valve shaft. The valve shaft is configured to allow for the linear displacement therein of the linear drive mechanism and thereby output a rotation moment via the rotational coupler to the valve shaft.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including an actuator housing assembly having a piston rod and a piston body disposed at least partially therein and in substantial linear alignment. A linear variable differential transducer (LVDT) is coupled to the piston rod to provide linear positioning and configured to eliminate rotation of the piston rod. A rotational coupler, in the form of a helical groove and reciprocating guide member, couple the piston rod to the piston body. The rotational coupler is configured to translate linear displacement of the piston rod into rotation of the piston body. A valve shaft is positioned in substantially linear alignment with and surrounding at least a portion of the piston body. A magnetic rotational coupler couples the piston body to the valve shaft. The magnetic rotational coupler is configured to create a magnetic field that translates rotational displacement of the piston body into rotation of the valve shaft.

Abstract: The invention is a carrier comprising three support elements connected by an underlying frame. The periphery of a wafer rests upon the support elements. The invention also comprises a wafer handler with a plurality of arms. Spacers space the carrier above a base plate associated with a station in a wafer handling area. An arm slides beneath the frame and between the spacers, but the handler does not contact the wafer. A method of using the handler and carrier is provided where the handler lifts and rotates the carrier with the wafer through various stations in a wafer handling area. A control device reduces the handler speed only at critical points of the processing cycle. The handler is capable of moving a plurality of carriers and wafers simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention is a carrier comprising three support elements connected by an underlying frame. The periphery of a wafer rests upon the support elements. The invention also comprises a wafer handler with a plurality of arms. Spacers space the carrier above a base plate associated with a station in a wafer handling area. An arm slides beneath the frame and between the spacers, but the handler does not contact the wafer. A method of using the handler and carrier is provided where the handler lifts and rotates the carrier with the wafer through various stations in a wafer handling area. The handler is capable of moving a plurality of carriers and wafers simultaneously.

Abstract: An improved fluid management system for irrigation of a body cavity and in particular for use in arthroscopic surgery having a pressurized fluid circuit for supplying irrigation fluid and a vacuum fluid circuit for withdrawing waste fluid from the cavity. In a preferred embodiment there is an uninterrupted fluid supply comprised of a plurality of sterile solution saline bags with an automatic spiker to perforate the bags. The system is processor controlled with numerous safety and design features to automate arthroscopy to the highest degree possible. Some of the features include the monitoring and tracking of cavity pressure and flow rates to predetermined pressure and flow rates, tracking cavity to mean blood pressure, overpressure protection, a plurality of pressure and flow rate baseline settings, monitoring, setting and controlling saline supply, and specialized functions for providing pressure and flow rates for typical surgical procedures such as lavage, clear view, and burr/shaver.

Abstract: An improved fluid management system for irrigation of a body cavity and in particular for use in arthroscopic surgery having a pressurized fluid circuit for supplying irrigation fluid and a vacuum fluid circuit for withdrawing waste fluid from the cavity. In a preferred embodiment there is an uninterrupted fluid supply comprised of a plurality of sterile solution saline bags with an automatic spiker to perforate the bags. The system is processor controlled with numerous safety and design features to automate arthroscopy to the highest degree possible. Some of the features include the monitoring and tracking of cavity pressure and flow rates to predetermined pressure and flow rates, tracking cavity to mean blood pressure, overpressure protection, a plurality of pressure and flow rate baseline settings, monitoring, setting and controlling saline supply, and specialized functions for providing pressure and flow rates for typical surgical procedures such as lavage, clear view, and burr/shaver.

Abstract: An improved fluid management system for irrigation of a body cavity and in particular for use in arthroscopic surgery having a pressurized fluid circuit for supplying irrigation fluid and a vacuum fluid circuit for withdrawing waste fluid from the cavity. In a preferred embodiment there is an uninterrupted fluid supply comprised of a plurality of sterile solution saline bags with an automatic spiker to perforate the bags. The system is processor controlled with numerous safety and design features to automate arthroscopy to the highest degree possible. Some of the features include the monitoring and tracking of cavity pressure and flow rates to predetermined pressure and flow rates, tracking cavity to mean blood pressure, overpressure protection, a plurality of pressure and flow rate baseline settings, monitoring, setting and controlling saline supply, and specialized functions for providing pressure and flow rates for typical surgical procedures such as lavage, clear view, and burr/shaver.

Abstract: A process for monitoring fluid density by use of a fluidic jet oscillator (26) absent the necessity for a high-precision pressure regulator. Fluid is delivered to the fluidic oscillator (26) via a pressure divider (28). As the fluid flows through the oscillator the latter generates a pressure wavetrain at a frequency which is indicative of the density of the fluid, but is inaccurate to the extent that the pressure difference across the oscillator varies from a predetermined value. A differential pressure transducer (30) senses the pressure difference. Accordingly, the process is adapted for use with a gated sampling and control system (84) which operatively responds to the oscillator output only when the differential pressure is substantially in accord with a predetermined value thereof.