Abstract: Methods of refining the grain size of a titanium alloy workpiece include beta annealing the workpiece, cooling the beta annealed workpiece to a temperature below the beta transus temperature of the titanium alloy, and high strain rate multi-axis forging the workpiece. High strain rate multi-axis forging is employed until a total strain of at least 1 is achieved in the titanium alloy workpiece, or until a total strain of at least 1 and up to 3.5 is achieved in the titanium alloy workpiece. The titanium alloy of the workpiece may comprise at least one of grain pinning alloying additions and beta stabilizing content effective to decrease alpha phase precipitation and growth kinetics.

Abstract: It is disclosed an arrangement of a rotor and at least a blade. The blade includes a root, a platform and an airfoil. The rotor includes a seat for the root. The root has side walls which complement side walls of the seat and axial walls between the side walls. A chamber is provided between the root and the rotor. A shank cavity is provided between the root and the platform. A lock plate facing at least an axial wall is connected to the rotor and the blade. The lock plate has at least a slot on a side facing the root.

Abstract: A method of processing a non-magnetic alloy workpiece comprises heating the workpiece to a warm working temperature, open die press forging the workpiece to impart a desired strain in a central region of the workpiece, and radial forging the workpiece to impart a desired strain in a surface region of the workpiece. In a non-limiting embodiment, after the steps of open die press forging and radial forging, the strain imparted in the surface region is substantially equivalent to the strain imparted in the central region. In another non-limiting embodiment, the strain imparted in the central and surface regions are in a range from 0.3 inch/inch to 1 inch/inch, and there exists no more than a 0.5 inch/inch difference in strain of the central region compared with the strain of the surface region of the workpiece. An alloy forging processed according to methods described herein also is disclosed.

Abstract: An endplate for a hot isostatic pressing canister comprises a central region, and a main region extending radially from the central region and terminating in a corner about a periphery of the endplate. The thickness of the endplate increases along the main region, from the central region to the corner, defining a taper angle. The corner includes an inner surface comprising a radiused portion by which the main region smoothly transitions into the lip. A hot isostatic pressing canister including at least one of the endplates also is disclosed, along with a method of hot isostatic pressing a metallurgical powder using the hot isostatic canister.

Abstract: Forge lubrication processes are disclosed. A solid lubricant sheet is placed between a workpiece and a die in a forging apparatus. Force is applied to the workpiece with the die to plastically deform the workpiece. The solid lubricant sheet decreases the shear friction factor for the forging system and reduces the incidence of die-locking.

Abstract: Methods of refining the grain size of a titanium alloy workpiece include beta annealing the workpiece, cooling the beta annealed workpiece to a temperature below the beta transus temperature of the titanium alloy, and high strain rate multi-axis forging the workpiece. High strain rate multi-axis forging is employed until a total strain of at least 1 is achieved in the titanium alloy workpiece, or until a total strain of at least 1 and up to 3.5 is achieved in the titanium alloy workpiece. The titanium alloy of the workpiece may comprise at least one of grain pinning alloying additions and beta stabilizing content effective to decrease alpha phase precipitation and growth kinetics.

Abstract: An endplate for a hot isostatic pressing canister comprises a central region, and a main region extending radially from the central region and terminating in a corner about a periphery of the endplate. The thickness of the endplate increases along the main region, from the central region to the corner, defining a taper angle. The corner includes an inner surface comprising a radiused portion by which the main region smoothly transitions into the lip. A hot isostatic pressing canister including at least one of the endplates also is disclosed, along with a method of hot isostatic pressing a metallurgical powder using the hot isostatic canister.

Abstract: Methods of refining the grain size of a titanium alloy workpiece include beta annealing the workpiece, cooling the beta annealed workpiece to a temperature below the beta transus temperature of the titanium alloy, and high strain rate multi-axis forging the workpiece. High strain rate multi-axis forging is employed until a total strain of at least 1 is achieved in the titanium alloy workpiece, or until a total strain of at least 1 and up to 3.5 is achieved in the titanium alloy workpiece. The titanium alloy of the workpiece may comprise at least one of grain pinning alloying additions and beta stabilizing content effective to decrease alpha phase precipitation and growth kinetics.

Abstract: A method of processing a non-magnetic alloy workpiece comprises heating the workpiece to a warm working temperature, open die press forging the workpiece to impart a desired strain in a central region of the workpiece, and radial forging the workpiece to impart a desired strain in a surface region of the workpiece. In a non-limiting embodiment, after the steps of open die press forging and radial forging, the strain imparted in the surface region is substantially equivalent to the strain imparted in the central region. In another non-limiting embodiment, the strain imparted in the central and surface regions are in a range from 0.3 inch/inch to 1 inch/inch, and there exists no more than a 0.5 inch/inch difference in strain of the central region compared with the strain of the surface region of the workpiece. An alloy forging processed according to methods described herein also is disclosed.

Abstract: An endplate for a hot isostatic pressing canister comprises a central region, and a main region extending radially from the central region and terminating in a corner about a periphery of the endplate. The thickness of the endplate increases along the main region, from the central region to the corner, defining a taper angle. The corner includes an inner surface comprising a radiused portion by which the main region smoothly transitions into the lip. A hot isostatic pressing canister including at least one of the endplates also is disclosed, along with a method of hot isostatic pressing a metallurgical powder using the hot isostatic canister.

Abstract: Disclosed are ink compositions for printing patterns on substrates having non-stick fluororesin coatings. The ink compositions are particularly useful for printing decorative patterns or markings on cookware or bakeware to provide aesthetic and/or functional effects. Also disclosed are coated substrates which comprise non-stick coatings having patterns. Further disclosed are methods of manufacturing the coated substrates comprising non-stick coatings having patterns.

Abstract: A method of processing a non-magnetic alloy workpiece comprises heating the workpiece to a warm working temperature, open die press forging the workpiece to impart a desired strain in a central region of the workpiece, and radial forging the workpiece to impart a desired strain in a surface region of the workpiece. In a non-limiting embodiment, after the steps of open die press forging and radial forging, the strain imparted in the surface region is substantially equivalent to the strain imparted in the central region. In another non-limiting embodiment, the strain imparted in the central and surface regions are in a range from 0.3 inch/inch to 1 inch/inch, and there exists no more than a 0.5 inch/inch difference in strain of the central region compared with the strain of the surface region of the workpiece. An alloy forging processed according to methods described herein also is disclosed.

Abstract: A close control of electric power converters includes a diode D1 in parallel with a switch I1; a diode D2 in parallel with a switch I2; a transformer (T1). The switches (I1, I2) are controlled, cyclically repeating the following stages: at a time T0 the switch I1 is switched on; at a time T1 the switch I1 is switched off; the switch I2 is switched on before the current passing through the diode D2 reaches zero; at a time T3 the switch I2 is switched off; and at a time T4, when the diode D1 becomes conductive, the first stage is returned to. In particular, the close control of electric power converters relates to electrically isolated electric power supplies working at high frequency with high efficiency and a high level of integration.

Abstract: Methods of refining the grain size of titanium and titanium alloys include thermally managed high strain rate multi-axis forging. A high strain rate adiabatically heats an internal region of the workpiece during forging, and a thermal management system is used to heat an external surface region to the workpiece forging temperature, while the internal region is allowed to cool to the workpiece forging temperature. A further method includes multiple upset and draw forging titanium or a titanium alloy using a strain rate less than is used in conventional open die forging of titanium and titanium alloys. Incremental workpiece rotation and draw forging causes severe plastic deformation and grain refinement in the titanium or titanium alloy forging.

Abstract: A rectifier system for a primary AC electrical power distribution system comprising a PFC circuit connected onto the primary distribution system which delivers a DC power supply and means for storing electrical energy connected to the outputs of the PFC via a switching circuit. This circuit is controlled in such a manner as to effect either the discharge of the electrical energy stored in the storage means onto the DC power supply line, or the charging of the storage means by the DC power supply line. A first control circuit determines the state of operation of the switching circuit by comparing the value of the voltage on the power supply line with a first reference voltage. A second control circuit regulates the power delivered by the PFC over the power supply line by comparing the voltage present at the output of the storage means with a second reference voltage.

Abstract: Methods of refining the grain size of titanium and titanium alloys include thermally managed high strain rate multi-axis forging. A high strain rate adiabatically heats an internal region of the workpiece during forging, and a thermal management system is used to heat an external surface region to the workpiece forging temperature, while the internal region is allowed to cool to the workpiece forging temperature. A further method includes multiple upset and draw forging titanium or a titanium alloy using a strain rate less than is used in conventional open die forging of titanium and titanium alloys. Incremental workpiece rotation and draw forging causes severe plastic deformation and grain refinement in the titanium or titanium alloy forging.

Abstract: A conference bridge of a conference system having a plurality of conference stations, the bridge comprising: reception means for receiving dual-channel audio signals coming from the conference station; determination means for determining at least one processing function per conference station of the conference system; application means for applying respective weighing functions to the received dual-channel signals; build-up means for building up one hybrid dual-channel signal for forwarding per conference station by means for summing a portion of the process dual-channel audio signals; and forwarding means for forwarding the respective hybrid dual-channel audio signal to each of the various conference stations of the conference system. A method of forwarding a spatialized audio scene and implemented by a conference bridge is also disclosed.

Abstract: An endplate for a hot isostatic pressing canister comprises a central region, and a main region extending radially from the central region and terminating in a corner about a periphery of the endplate. The thickness of the endplate increases along the main region, from the central region to the corner, defining a taper angle. The corner includes an inner surface comprising a radiused portion by which the main region smoothly transitions into the lip. A hot isostatic pressing canister including at least one of the endplates also is disclosed, along with a method of hot isostatic pressing a metallurgical powder using the hot isostatic canister.

Abstract: A rectifier system for a primary AC electrical power distribution system comprising a PFC circuit connected onto the primary distribution system which delivers a DC power supply and means for storing electrical energy connected to the outputs of the PFC via a switching circuit. This circuit is controlled in such a manner as to effect either the discharge of the electrical energy stored in the storage means onto the DC power supply line, or the charging of the storage means by the DC power supply line. A first control circuit determines the state of operation of the switching circuit by comparing the value of the voltage on the power supply line with a first reference voltage. A second control circuit regulates the power delivered by the PFC over the power supply line by comparing the voltage present at the output of the storage means with a second reference voltage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and device for regulating a series resonant inverter with controlled rectification. It also relates to a resonant inverter equipped with such a device. The synchronous series resonant inverter includes a primary winding having across its terminals a periodic voltage V(t) of period T, this primary winding being coupled to at least one secondary winding providing the output voltage Vs. The establishment of the current IT(t) in the secondary winding is controlled within the period T. The output voltage Vs is regulated as a function of the phase shift angle ? between the zero crossing of the voltage V(t) across the terminals of the primary winding and the instant of establishment of the current IT(t) in the secondary winding. Embodiments include the production of isolated switched power supplies having a high level of integration, operating at a switching frequency of several megahertz.