Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a financial account associated with a payment object based on fund availability are disclosed. A payment object, such as a proxy card associated with multiple financial accounts, is used by a consumer to make a purchase. In one example, the consumer selects a debit card associated with the proxy card to use for the purchase. A computer system determines that the debit card account has insufficient funds available for the purchase, and determines that an alternate account associated with the proxy card has sufficient funds. The computer system notifies the consumer, via a mobile device of the consumer, that the debit account has insufficient funds, and provides the consumer with the option of using the alternate account. The consumer indicates a desire to use the alternate account, and the computer system processes the payment based on the alternate account.

Abstract: Techniques for using a stored balance associated with a payment instrument are described. Transaction data associated with a transaction is received, wherein a payment instrument linked to a stored balance of a user is provided for payment of the transaction. In one example, a computer system determines that the stored balance is insufficient to satisfy the total amount of the purchase. The computer system further determines, based on a policy and without user input, to access funds from a bank account linked to the stored balance. The funds from the bank account are deposited to the stored balance, and the payment is processed for the total amount using the updated stored balance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a financial account associated with a payment object based on fund availability are disclosed. A payment object, such as a proxy card associated with multiple financial accounts, is used by a consumer to make a purchase. In one example, the consumer selects a debit card associated with the proxy card to use for the purchase. A computer system determines that the debit card account has insufficient funds available for the purchase, and determines that an alternate account associated with the proxy card has sufficient funds. The computer system notifies the consumer, via a mobile device of the consumer, that the debit account has insufficient funds, and provides the consumer with the option of using the alternate account. The consumer indicates a desire to use the alternate account, and the computer system processes the payment based on the alternate account.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating the surface of a microelectronic workpiece via impingement of the surface with at least one fluid and a method for operating the apparatus are described. In particular, the apparatus includes a treatment chamber defining an interior space to treat the microelectronic workpiece with at least one fluid within the treatment chamber, and a movable chuck that supports the workpiece within the treatment chamber. The apparatus further includes a workpiece translational drive system configured to translate the movable chuck between a workpiece load position and at least one processing position at which the workpiece is treated with the at least one fluid using at least one nozzle connected to at least one fluid supply, and a workpiece rotational drive system configured to rotate the microelectronic workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating the surface of a microelectronic workpiece via impingement of the surface with at least one fluid and a method for operating the apparatus are described. In particular, the apparatus includes a treatment chamber defining an interior space to treat the microelectronic workpiece with at least one fluid within the treatment chamber, and a movable chuck that supports the workpiece within the treatment chamber. The apparatus further includes a workpiece translational drive system configured to translate the movable chuck between a workpiece load position and at least one processing position at which the workpiece is treated with the at least one fluid using at least one nozzle connected to at least one fluid supply, and a workpiece rotational drive system configured to rotate the microelectronic workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating the surface of a microelectronic workpiece via impingement of the surface with at least one fluid and a method for operating the apparatus are described. In particular, the apparatus includes a treatment chamber defining an interior space to treat the microelectronic workpiece with at least one fluid within the treatment chamber, and a movable chuck that supports the workpiece within the treatment chamber. The apparatus further includes a workpiece translational drive system configured to translate the movable chuck between a workpiece load position and at least one processing position at which the workpiece is treated with the at least one fluid using at least one nozzle connected to at least one fluid supply, and a workpiece rotational drive system configured to rotate the microelectronic workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating the surface of a microelectronic workpiece via impingement of the surface with at least one fluid and a method for operating the apparatus are described. In particular, the apparatus includes a treatment chamber defining an interior space to treat the microelectronic workpiece with at least one fluid within the treatment chamber, and a movable chuck that supports the workpiece within the treatment chamber. The apparatus further includes a workpiece translational drive system configured to translate the movable chuck between a workpiece load position and at least one processing position at which the workpiece is treated with the at least one fluid using at least one nozzle connected to at least one fluid supply, and a workpiece rotational drive system configured to rotate the microelectronic workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the automatic checking of welds between tubular parts. A carriage comprises two fixed ends with their centering wheels, a movable mechanism with two flanges and guide rails. This mechanism rotates on bearings. The carriage includes a drum moving over rails and bearing a telescopic arm orientable by rotation on its axis. The end of the arm carries an inspection head. Digital control ensures the programming of the movement and the orientation of the inspection head opposite the weld. The device and method are useful for the ultrasonic checking of the welds of the nodes of offshore platforms and for the checking of welds in nuclear power systems.

Abstract: Ultrasonic probes are automatically moved and oriented on the edges of a weld in off-shore structures. An open U squirrel cage is fixed on a secondary member of an off-shore structure; an open U squirrel cage rotor rotates in the squirrel cage and bears a retractable sleeve within which an inspection arm moves. The end .OMEGA. of the arm has an orientable telescopic elbow of length .OMEGA..GAMMA.. From a wrist .GAMMA. of the arm extend two hands bearing ultrasonic feelers. The position of .GAMMA., the angle of the hands between them, and their orientation, are programmed by numerical control from theoretical geometries. The compensation of the manufacturing tolerances is integrated into the design of the hands. The device is useful for checking the welds of nodes in off-shore platforms.

Abstract: A method for assembling successive ducts end to end with a pipe-line constituted by the assembled ducts comprising: providing inner equipments for said ducts each comprising means for vacuum-tight connection with the inside of a duct and means protruding from the duct for vacuum tight connection with the pipe-line; placing said inner equipments in each successive duct in an equipping station, connecting said equipment to the inside of the duct at both ends to close an inner vacuum tight space inside the duct; connecting said space to pumping means and evacuating said inner space by said pumping means while transferring said duct and inner equipment from said equipping station to a welding station; positioning said duct in alignment and abutment end to end with the pipe-line in said welding station; locking the duct in fixed position with respect to the pipe-line, sealingly connecting said equipment with the pipe-line inside the pipe-line; and sealingly connecting a vacuum tight welding chamber of a rotary wel

Abstract: A method for assembling successive ducts end to end with a pipe-line constituted by the assembled ducts comprising: providing inner equipments for said ducts each comprising means for vacuum-tight connection with the inside of a duct and means protruding from the duct for vacuum tight connection with the pipe-line; placing said inner equipments in each successive duct in an equipping station, connecting said equipment to the inside of the duct at both ends to close an inner vacuum tight space inside the duct; connecting said space to pumping means and evacuating said inner space by said pumping means while transferring said duct and inner equipment from said equipping station to a welding station; positioning said duct in alignment and abutment end to end with the pipe-line in said welding station; locking the duct in fixed position with respect to the pipe-line, sealingly connecting said equipment with the pipe-line inside the pipe-line, and sealingly connecting a vacuum tight welding chamber of a rotative w

Abstract: The invention relates to a moving sealing device of the type comprising a chamber movable along a pre-determined path along a wall with which it is tightly connected on a closed contour, and means for providing an opening through the wall within said contour and for causing said opening to progress along the pre-determined path of the chamber simultaneously with the latter.

Abstract: A small volume rotative welding gun comprises a welding torch which is adjustable both radially and angularly with respect to a movable block, a flat torque motor and a movable block having an accessible front portion carrying the welding torch so as to put same in alignment with a workpiece to be welded. A rear portion of the block passes through the flat motor and is connected to the motor rotor and is provided with axially extending electric wires. The block has a cooling fluid inlet and an inlet for a protective gas flow, both of the inlets being co-axial with said electric wires, and an insulating member. Also provided is a body in which the flat motor is fixed which comprises a device for measuring rotations, liquid metal or carbon electric contacts, bearings for centering the movable block, a protective hood, and gas and current stationary outlets. A ring is further provided for fixing the body to a support member for positioning the gun comprising a device for axially adjusting the gun.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for displacing a fluid-tight passage along a pre-determined rectilinear path on a wall separating two media, the device comprising: a flexible coupling adapted to be opened and closed longitudinally by progressive deformation and covering the rectilinear path, the coupling being constituted by an assembly of two identical L-shaped bands each having two faces perpendicular to each other, applied against each other by one face along a plane perpendicular to the wall and applied against said wall by their other faces arranged in line with each other, a chamber comprising a mobile fluid-tight passage on said flexible coupling, astride the assembly of the two faces of the bands applied against each other and inside which the coupling is opened and then re-closed; the chamber is not directly supported on the wall and its fluid-tightness is maintained during its displacement on the coupling, means being provided for opening and closing said coupling inside the chamber and for displa

Abstract: A grid or lattice structure for a nuclear reactor fuel element support in accordance with the invention includes two components that are successively joined by electron beam welding. Extruded cruciform bars which provide the lattice nodes and flat plates which interconnect these nodes, are for example, typical components. Electron beam welding these components together avoids the need for a filler metal, and the welding sequence avoids distortion, thereby obviating the need for post machining operations. Consequently, the plates and bars can be provided with machined positioning or fastening fittings before the lattice is assembled. Illustratively, studs on the cruciform bars are used to join these bars to the elementary plates that form the individual components of a reactor coolant flow distribution plate.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the invention provides for a space between the two barriers that ordinarily form the emergency containment system for a nuclear reactor. Tracks set within this space, and a television camera bearing trolley adapted to move on these tracks enables the surface of the inner containment structure to be thoroughly inspected at low cost.