Abstract: The present invention relates to tooling and methods for disposing, coating, building up, repairing, or otherwise modifying the surface of a metal substrate using frictional heating and compressive loading of a consumable metal material against the substrate. Embodiments of the invention include friction-based fabrication tooling comprising a non-consumable member with a throat and a consumable member disposed in the throat, wherein the throat is operably configured such that during rotation of the non-consumable member at a selected speed, the throat exerts normal forces on and rotates the consumable member at the selected speed; and comprising means for dispensing the consumable member through the throat and onto a substrate using frictional heating and compressive loading. Embodiments of the invention also include fabrication methods using the tools described herein.

Abstract: A low-temperature friction-based coating method termed friction stir fabrication (FSF) is disclosed, in which material is deposited onto a substrate and subsequently stirred into the substrate using friction stir processing to homogenize and refine the microstructure. This solid-state process is capable of depositing coatings, including nanocrystalline aluminum and/or metal matrix composites and the like, onto substrates such as aluminum at relatively low temperatures. A method of making rod stock for use in the FSF process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tooling and methods for disposing, coating, building up, repairing, or otherwise modifying the surface of a metal substrate using frictional heating and compressive loading of a consumable metal material against the substrate. Embodiments of the invention include friction-based fabrication tooling comprising a non-consumable member with a throat and a consumable member disposed in the throat, wherein the throat is operably configured such that during rotation of the non-consumable member at a selected speed, the throat exerts normal forces on and rotates the consumable member at the selected speed; and comprising means for dispensing the consumable member through the throat and onto a substrate using frictional heating and compressive loading. Embodiments of the invention also include fabrication methods using the tools described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to towed array shape sensing and manipulation. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to an array of multiple flow sensors positioned at set lengths along a tow cable to measure changes in the flow direction and water speed as a function of position along the length of the cable, which can be used to accurately determine tow cable shape and assist in maintaining a desired tow cable shape. Embodiments include a system for determining the shape of a towed cable comprising: a tow cable; multiple probes linearly distributed along the cable, each for measuring pressure, velocity, and/or flow direction in water; and means for using the measurements as a function of probe position along the cable to determine cable shape or to correct/restore cable shape during use with the aid of actuators and a control system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tools and methods for welding, coating, repairing, or otherwise modifying the surface of a metal substrate. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide self-reacting friction stir welding tools which have an internal channel that allows filler materials to be added to the weld joint or otherwise friction stir processed area. Embodiments also provide friction stir tooling having upper and lower shoulders disposed at a fixed distance from one another and connected by a fixed split-pin. The tooling can be configured for automatically dispensing varying amounts of filler material into the tooling in response to variations in thickness of a substrate being processed.

Abstract: Packet switch operating methods and packet switches, using primary control circuitry of the packet switch, receive a request to perform a transaction. In response to the receiving the request, the primary control circuitry forwards the request to backup control circuitry of the packet switch. Subsequent to forwarding the request, the primary control circuitry performs the transaction by modifying a plurality of first data objects stored in a memory of the primary control circuitry. The packet switch operating methods and packet switches, using the primary control circuitry, inform the backup control circuitry that the primary control circuitry has performed the transaction and, in response to the informing, the backup control circuitry performs the transaction by modifying a plurality of second data objects stored in a memory of the backup control circuitry. The first data objects correspond to the second data objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tools and methods for welding, coating, repairing, or otherwise modifying the surface of a metal substrate. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide self-reacting friction stir welding tools which have an internal channel that allows filler materials to be added to the weld joint or otherwise friction stir processed area. Embodiments also provide friction stir tooling having upper and lower shoulders disposed at a fixed distance from one another and connected by a fixed split-pin. The tooling can be configured for automatically dispensing varying amounts of filler material into the tooling in response to variations in thickness of a substrate being processed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tools and methods for disposing, coating, repairing, or otherwise modifying the surface of a metal substrate using frictional heating and compressive/shear loading of a consumable metal against the substrate. Embodiments of the invention include friction-based fabrication tooling comprising a non-consumable member with a throat and a consumable member disposed in the throat, wherein consumable filler material is capable of being introduced to the throat in a continuous manner during deposition using frictional heating and compressive/shear loading of the filler material onto the substrate. Preferred embodiments according to the invention include such tools operably configured for applying a force or displacement to the filler material during deposition.

Abstract: Packet switch operating methods and packet switches receive a plurality of packets using a forwarding plane of the packet switch. Each packet of the plurality conforms to a different one of a plurality of forwarding information formats. The methods and packet switches modify each packet of the plurality to conform to a common forwarding information format instead of a respective one of the plurality of forwarding information formats and forward the modified packets of the plurality to a control plane of the packet switch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tooling and methods for disposing, coating, building up, repairing, or otherwise modifying the surface of a metal substrate using frictional heating and compressive loading of a consumable metal material against the substrate. Embodiments of the invention include friction-based fabrication tooling comprising a non-consumable member with a throat and a consumable member disposed in the throat, wherein the throat is operably configured such that during rotation of the non-consumable member at a selected speed, the throat exerts normal forces on and rotates the consumable member at the selected speed; and comprising means for dispensing the consumable member through the throat and onto a substrate using frictional heating and compressive loading. Embodiments of the invention also include fabrication methods using the tools described herein.

Abstract: Packet switch operating methods and packet switches compare a quantity of virtual interfaces associated with a virtual switch to a threshold. If the quantity of virtual interfaces is not greater than the threshold, and the packet switch is configured to learn forwarding fields of packets forwarded by the virtual switch, the methods and switches configure the packet switch to not learn forwarding fields of packets subsequently forwarded by the virtual switch. Other methods and packet switches compare a quantity of virtual interfaces associated with a virtual switch to a threshold. If the quantity of virtual interfaces associated with the virtual switch is not greater than the threshold and the packet switch is configured to learn forwarding fields of packets forwarded by the virtual switch, the methods and packet switches configure the packet switch to not learn forwarding fields of packets subsequently forwarded by the virtual switch.

Abstract: A low-temperature friction-based coating method termed friction stir fabrication (FSF) is disclosed, in which material is deposited onto a substrate and subsequently stirred into the substrate using friction stir processing to homogenize and refine the microstructure. This solid-state process is capable of depositing coatings, including nanocrystalline aluminum and/or metal matrix composites and the like, onto substrates such as aluminum at relatively low temperatures. A method of making rod stock for use in the FSF process is also disclosed.

Abstract: This document describes tools that forward data packets having tags conforming to different formats. In one embodiment, the tools receive a data packet on each of a plurality of ports, each data packet comprising a tag conforming to a different format. The tools relay the data packets to a port capable of transmitting tags conforming to a plurality of formats. In another embodiment, the tools receive a plurality of data packets on a source port comprising a plurality of logical source ports, each of which is associated with a unique tag. At least one data packet is received on each logical source port. Each data packet includes the tag associated with the logical source port on which the data packet is received. The tools map each data packet to one of a plurality of virtual switches based on the logical source port on which the data packet is received.

Abstract: Composite materials comprising ferroelastic ceramic particulates dispersed in a metal matrix are capable of vibration damping. When the ferroelastic ceramic particulates are subjected to stress, such as the cyclic stress experienced during vibration of the material, internal stresses in the ceramic cause the material to deform via twinning, domain rotation or domain motion thereby dissipating the vibrational energy. The ferroelastic ceramic particulates may also act as reinforcements to improve the mechanical properties of the composites. The composite materials may be used in various structural components in vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft, buildings and tools.

Abstract: The invention relates to macromolecules auto-assembled and photopolymerised around carbon nanotubes. Said macromolecules are essentially formed from rings of lipid compounds, polymerised about the nanotubes, said polymerised compounds being obtained from lipid molecules with one or two chains A, bonded to a group Z where A is a chain, CH3—(CH2)m—C?C—C?C—(CH2)n—, where n and m, independently=whole numbers from 1 to 16 and Z is a polar head group embodied by a —COOH, —CO—NH—Y, —NH2 or N+(R)3, where R is an alkyl with C1, to C4 and Y is a —(CH2)4—C(R1)—N(CH2—COOH)2 group with R=H, or a COOH group, where A is a single lipid chain or a group of structure (I) or (II), where R2=a COOH, or —CO—NH—Y1 group with Y1=a —(CH2)4—C (R3)—N(CH2COOH)2 group with R3=H or a COOH group, where Z and R2 can also be neutral polar head groups of the sugar or polysaccharide type.

Abstract: Composite materials comprising piezoelectric ceramic particulates dispersed in a metal matrix are capable of vibration damping. When the piezoelectric ceramic particulates are subjected to strain, such as the strain experienced during vibration of the material, they generate an electrical voltage that is converted into Joule heat in the surrounding metal matrix, thereby dissipating the vibrational energy. The piezoelectric ceramic particulates may also act as reinforcements to improve the mechanical properties of the composites. The composite materials may be used in various structural components in vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft, buildings and tools.

Abstract: A front end assembly for a motor vehicle having spaced apart upper and lower side rails includes an elongated upper cross member adapted to be fixedly secured to and extend between the spaced apart upper side rails. The upper cross member has a mounting surface extending the length thereof. The front end assembly also includes an elongated lower cross member adapted be fixedly secured to and extend between the spaced apart lower side rails. The lower cross member has a mounting surface extending along the length thereof. In addition, the front end assembly includes a component integration panel having upper and lower mounting portions for complementary mating engagement with the mounting surfaces of the respective upper and lower cross members to position the component integration panel between the upper and lower side rails and provide support to the component integration panel.

Abstract: Method for the attachment and/or crystallization of macromolecules, chemical reagents used in the said method, products obtained as well as applications of the said products in the field of materials and of structural biology, in particular as biosensors or as biomaterials.

Abstract: Method for the attachment and/or crystallization of macromolecules, chemical reagents used in the said method, products obtained as well as applications of the said products in the field of materials and of structural biology, in particular as biosensors or as biomaterials. The said method comprises essentially the incubation, without stirring, for at least 15 minutes, of a biological macromolecule in solution with nanotubes of carbon closed at their ends, under suitable temperature and pH conditions.

Abstract: A front end assembly for a motor vehicle having spaced apart upper and lower side rails includes an elongated upper cross member adapted to be fixedly secured to and extend between the spaced apart upper side rails. The upper cross member has a mounting surface extending the length thereof. The front end assembly also includes an elongated lower cross member adapted be fixedly secured to and extend between the spaced apart lower side rails. The lower cross member has a mounting surface extending along the length thereof. In addition, the front end assembly includes a component integration panel having upper and lower mounting portions for complementary mating engagement with the mounting surfaces of the respective upper and lower cross members to position the component integration panel between the upper and lower side rails and provide support to the component integration panel.