Abstract: A heat exchanger has a fluid flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, and with a first plate and a second plate in opposed facing relation to one another. The fluid flow passage is defined by a space between the inner surfaces of the first and second plates. An electrical heating element is outside the fluid flow passage and adjacent to the outer surface of the first plate, such that heat produced by the electrical heating element is transferred through the first plate to the fluid in the fluid flow passage during use of the heat exchanger. In an embodiment, the first plate has an opening to receive a heater plate component including a first plate portion having an inner surface bonded to a turbulence-enhancing insert and an outer surface bonded to the electrical heating element.

Abstract: A fluid associated with the desired chemical or electrochemical reaction is continuously flowed or periodically pulsed across a reaction surface at a flow rate or frequency that coincides with the average time needed for a desired proportion of gas bubbles to grow, as part of the reaction, to a specific diameter. The fluid flow rate used is sufficient to break the capillary forces of a bubble on the reaction surface, at the aforementioned specific diameter. If pulsed, during the time period between the periodic fluid flows or pulses, the fluid either does not flow or is at a low enough flow rate to allow for sufficient reaction kinetics. Curving the reactive surface and fluid flow channel can also reduce the surface tension of the bubble, reducing the fluid flow forces required to dislodge the bubbles at optimal sizes, thus reducing energy requirements to pump the fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for additive manufacturing (AM) that utilize rail support structures in the process of building objects, as well as novel rail support structures to be used within these AM processes. The rail support structures include a plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls, each wall extending substantially parallel to a direction from the first side to the second side. Adjacent walls of the plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls are separated by a portion of unfused powder. An object is formed above the plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating an object. The method and apparatus entail applying a pulsed laser energy to a first quantity of a powder material on a substrate so as to fuse particles of the powder material into a first layer on the substrate, and then forming at least one additional layer on the first layer by applying a pulsed laser energy to at least a second quantity of the powder material on the first layer so as to fuse particles of the powder material into the at least one additional layer on the first layer. The pulsed laser energy is applied in a controlled manner such that solidification dynamics of the first and second quantities of the powder material are altered to promote at least one microstructural characteristic of the first and additional layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for additive manufacturing (AM) that utilize rail support structures in the process of building objects, as well as novel rail support structures to be used within these AM processes. The rail support structures include a plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls, each wall extending substantially parallel to a direction from the first side to the second side. Adjacent walls of the plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls are separated by a portion of unfused powder. An object is formed above the plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a supporting base including an upwardly facing hemispherical socket, a positioning sphere having a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree, and a collar engageable by threads with the base and comprising a flange, wherein the positioning sphere may be disposed in the hemispherical cavity, and the compression collar maximally threadably engaged with the base, thereby contacting the flange with the sphere and immobilizing the sphere in the socket.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for additive manufacturing (AM) that utilize rail support structures in the process of building objects, as well as novel rail support structures to be used within these AM processes. The rail support structures include a plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls, each wall extending substantially parallel to a direction from the first side to the second side. Adjacent walls of the plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls are separated by a portion of unfused powder. An object is formed above the plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes: a coater including: at least one trough including a plurality of side-by-side deposition valves.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes: a coater including: at least one trough including a plurality of side-by-side deposition valves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating an object. The method and apparatus entail applying a pulsed laser energy to a first quantity of a powder material on a substrate so as to fuse particles of the powder material into a first layer on the substrate, and then forming at least one additional layer on the first layer by applying a pulsed laser energy to at least a second quantity of the powder material on the first layer so as to fuse particles of the powder material into the at least one additional layer on the first layer. The pulsed laser energy is applied in a controlled manner such that solidification dynamics of the first and second quantities of the powder material are altered to promote at least one microstructural characteristic of the first and additional layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating an object. The method and apparatus entail applying a pulsed laser energy to a first quantity of a powder material on a substrate so as to fuse particles of the powder material into a first layer on the substrate, and then forming at least one additional layer on the first layer by applying a pulsed laser energy to at least a second quantity of the powder material on the first layer so as to fuse particles of the powder material into the at least one additional layer on the first layer. The pulsed laser energy is applied in a controlled manner such that solidification dynamics of the first and second quantities of the powder material are altered to promote at least one microstructural characteristic of the first and additional layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for additive manufacturing (AM) that utilize ghost support structure in the process of building objects, as well as novel ghost support structures to be used within these AM processes. The ghost support structures include a portion of powder that is scanned with an energy beam having insufficient power to fuse the powder. The ghost supports control timing of the additive manufacturing process and allow portions of the object to cool to a desired temperature before adjacent portions of the object are scanned.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for additive manufacturing (AM) that utilize rail support structures in the process of building objects, as well as novel rail support structures to be used within these AM processes. The rail support structures include a plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls, each wall extending substantially parallel to a direction from the first side to the second side. Adjacent walls of the plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls are separated by a portion of unfused powder. An object is formed above the plurality of substantially parallel vertical walls.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an additive manufacturing process in which a layer of powdered material is deposited in a recoating process so as to define a build surface, and a directed energy source is used to create a weld pool in the build surface and selectively fuse the powdered material to form a workpiece. The method includes: measuring a vibration signal profile generated by the recoating process; and controlling at least one aspect of the additive manufacturing process in response to the measured vibration signal profile.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes: a coater including: at least one trough including a plurality of side-by-side deposition valves.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a supporting base including an upwardly facing hemispherical socket, a positioning sphere having a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree, and a collar engageable by threads with the base and comprising a flange, wherein the positioning sphere may be disposed in the hemispherical cavity, and the compression collar maximally threadably engaged with the base, thereby contacting the flange with the sphere and immobilizing the sphere in the socket.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a supporting base including an upwardly facing hemispherical socket, a positioning sphere having a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree, and a collar engageable by threads with the base and comprising a flange, wherein the positioning sphere may be disposed in the hemispherical cavity, and the compression collar maximally threadably engaged with the base, thereby contacting the flange with the sphere and immobilizing the sphere in the socket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating an object. The method and apparatus entail applying a pulsed laser energy to a first quantity of a powder material on a substrate so as to fuse particles of the powder material into a first layer on the substrate, and then forming at least one additional layer on the first layer by applying a pulsed laser energy to at least a second quantity of the powder material on the first layer so as to fuse particles of the powder material into the at least one additional layer on the first layer. The pulsed laser energy is applied in a controlled manner such that solidification dynamics of the first and second quantities of the powder material are altered to promote at least one microstructural characteristic of the first and additional layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to weight monitoring systems for recovering, processing, monitoring, and managing various commodities or products stored in a container.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to weight monitoring systems for recovering, processing, monitoring, and managing various commodities or products stored in a container.