Abstract: A method of processing signal data including an unencrypted portion and an encrypted portion, the method including: receiving, at a receiver, the signal data; processing a sample of the signal data to provide a processed signal sample including data relating to the encrypted portion of the signal data and data relating to the unencrypted portion of the signal data, comparing the unencrypted signal data with at least one reference signal to determine information including at least one of (i) the time at which the signal was sent from the source and (ii) the identity of the source; requesting, based on the determined information, and from a source remote to the receiver, a set of encrypted reference signal samples; comparing, on a processing device remote to the receiver, the set of encrypted reference signal samples with the received encrypted signal data to identify any matching signal samples.

Abstract: A method of processing signal data including an unencrypted portion and an encrypted portion, the method including: receiving, at a receiver, the signal data; processing a sample of the signal data to provide a processed signal sample including data relating to the encrypted portion of the signal data and data relating to the unencrypted portion of the signal data, comparing the unencrypted signal data with at least one reference signal to determine information including at least one of (i) the time at which the signal was sent from the source and (ii) the identity of the source; requesting, based on the determined information, and from a source remote to the receiver, a set of encrypted reference signal samples; comparing, on a processing device remote to the receiver, the set of encrypted reference signal samples with the received encrypted signal data to identify any matching signal samples.

Abstract: A method of producing a clad metal ingot suitable for rolling to form a clad metal sheet, and the clad metal ingot so produced. The method involves providing a solid core ingot having an upper side with a rolling face thereon having cavities extending inwardly into the ingot from the rolling face. All or all-but-one of the cavities are blocked against molten metal entry and casting cores extending outwardly from the rolling surface are provided in alignment with the cavities. Molten cladding metal is cast on the rolling face around the casting cores to produce a composite ingot and the casting cores are removed to produce voids in the cladding layer, and the cavities are unblocked. The resulting interconnected cavities and voids are filled with a molten metal to form cast-in-place metal lugs keying or pinning the cladding layer to the core ingot.

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 method of producing a clad metal ingot suitable for rolling to form a clad metal sheet, and the clad metal ingot so produced. The method involves providing a solid core ingot having an upper side with a rolling face thereon having cavities extending inwardly into the ingot from the rolling face. All or all-but-one of the cavities are blocked against molten metal entry and casting cores extending outwardly from the rolling surface are provided in alignment with the cavities. Molten cladding metal is cast on the rolling face around the casting cores to produce a composite ingot and the casting cores are removed to produce voids in the cladding layer, and the cavities are unblocked. The resulting interconnected cavities and voids are filled with a molten metal to form cast-in-place metal lugs keying or pinning the cladding layer to the core ingot.

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 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: In an aluminium reduction cell including a cell lining and embedded therein at least one cathode current collector including a high temperature section comprising an electrically conducting refractory material such as titanium diboride, generally in conjunction with molten aluminium metal, corrosion is a problem. The invention provides a substance to protect the collector section. The substance may be a liquid impermeable layer e.g. particulate material impregnated with a molten fluoride-or chloride-containing salt mixture; for a getter such as particulate aluminium to react chemically with gaseous corrosive species. Combinations of these substances may be used, optionally in conjunction with a solid layer such as an alumina or aluminium metal tube.