Abstract: A method and system for arranging for authorization of an item, comprising actions of: creating an item request record, comprising information related to an item; digitally signing the item request record; confirming the digital signature of the item request record; submitting an authorization request associated with the item, for authorization by at least one authorizer; securing authorization of the authorization request by the at least one authorizer; generating an authorized item request digitally signed by the at least one authorizer; and validating the digital signature of a next authorizer in the authorization item request until the digital signature(s) of all of the at least one authorizers have been validated. The system may comprise a processor and a computer-readable and executable medium for containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the actions of the method.

Abstract: A casting furnace for manufacture of metal and/or ceramic components at high production rate is disclosed. The casting furnace comprises a melting chamber, a dual zone mold heating chamber and a dual zone mold cooling chamber. The melting chamber provides a source of molten alloy or ceramics with adequate superheat. The dual zone mold heating chamber includes an independently controlled primary heating zone and the secondary heating zone. The primary heating zone raises the mold temperature adequately to impart high gradient solidification conditions. The secondary heating zone assists the primary heating zone to minimize overheating of the majority of the mold. The dual zone mold cooling chamber comprises a primary cooling chamber and a secondary cooling chamber. The primary cooling chamber speeds up solidification in order to prevent defect formation and refine microstructure.

Abstract: This application relates to a mixer and an exhaust system. Wherein, the mixer comprises a pipe, comprising a side wall that comprises an opening; a doser mounting base provided on the opening of the side wall of the pipe, connecting the pipe through the opening, defining a first space, and comprising an injection inlet; and an attachment, comprising a chamber portion and a deflector portion, wherein the chamber portion comprises a chamber portion inlet corresponding to the injection inlet, and a chamber portion outlet corresponding to the opening of the side wall of the pipe; and the deflector portion extends from a side wall of the chamber portion and makes the pipe, the side wall of the chamber portion and the chamber portion inlet fluidly connected, and the attachment constitutes a swirling structure that forms a swirling movement of exhaust at the chamber portion inlet.

Abstract: This application relates to a mixer and an exhaust system. Wherein, the mixer comprises a pipe, comprising a side wall that comprises an opening; a doser mounting base provided on the opening of the side wall of the pipe, connecting the pipe through the opening, defining a first space, and comprising an injection inlet; and an attachment, comprising a chamber portion and a deflector portion, wherein the chamber portion comprises a chamber portion inlet corresponding to the injection inlet, and a chamber portion outlet corresponding to the opening of the side wall of the pipe; and the deflector portion extends from a side wall of the chamber portion and makes the pipe, the side wall of the chamber portion and the chamber portion inlet fluidly connected, and the attachment constitutes a swirling structure that forms a swirling movement of exhaust at the chamber portion inlet.

Abstract: A mixer comprises an exhaust intake channel (the side wall of which comprises an injection opening, and which provides a first mixing chamber); a flow distributor in the first mixing chamber and comprising a first and second flow path area; a first and second endcaps; and a deflector. The first and second endcaps are oppositely closed to form a second mixing chamber comprising an inlet and outlet portion that are not concentrically arranged. The inlet portion is connected to the first mixing chamber. The deflector is at the second mixing chamber. The first flow path area, the deflector, and the side wall of the outlet portion form a first flow path. The second flow path area and the side wall of the second mixing chamber form a second flow path. The downstream ends of the first and second flow paths merge at the outlet portion of the second mixing chamber.

Abstract: A casting method and apparatus are provided for casting a near-net shape article, such as for example a gas turbine engine blade or vane having a variable cross-section along its length. A molten metallic melt is provided in a heated mold having an article-shaped mold cavity with a shape corresponding to that of the article to be cast. The melt-containing mold and mold heating furnace are relatively moved to withdraw the melt-containing mold from the furnace through an active cooling zone where cooling gas is directed against the exterior of the mold to actively extract heat. At least one of the mold withdrawal rate, the cooling gas mass flow rate, and mold temperature are adjusted at the active cooling zone as the melt-containing mold is withdrawn through the active cooling zone to produce an equiaxed grain microstructure along at least a part of the length of the article.

Abstract: A casting method and apparatus are provided for casting a near-net shape article, such as for example a gas turbine engine blade or vane having a variable cross-section along its length. A molten metallic melt is provided in a heated mold having an article-shaped mold cavity with a shape corresponding to that of the article to be cast. The melt-containing mold and mold heating furnace are relatively moved to withdraw the melt-containing mold from the furnace through an active cooling zone where cooling gas is directed against the exterior of the mold to actively extract heat. At least one of the mold withdrawal rate, the cooling gas mass flow rate, and mold temperature are adjusted at the active cooling zone as the melt-containing mold is withdrawn through the active cooling zone to produce an equiaxed grain microstructure along at least a part of the length of the article.

Abstract: A casting method and apparatus are provided for casting a near-net shape article, such as for example a gas turbine engine blade or vane having a variable cross-section along its length. A molten metallic melt is provided in a heated mold having an article-shaped mold cavity with a shape corresponding to that of the article to be cast. The melt-containing mold and mold heating furnace are relatively moved to withdraw the melt-containing mold from the furnace through an active cooling zone where cooling gas is directed against the exterior of the mold to actively extract heat. At least one of the mold withdrawal rate, the cooling gas mass flow rate, and mold temperature are adjusted at the active cooling zone as the melt-containing mold is withdrawn through the active cooling zone to produce an equiaxed grain microstructure along at least a part of the length of the article.

Abstract: A casting method and apparatus are provided for casting a near-net shape article, such as for example a gas turbine engine blade or vane having a variable cross-section along its length. A molten metallic melt is provided in a heated mold having an article-shaped mold cavity with a shape corresponding to that of the article to be cast. The melt-containing mold and mold heating furnace are relatively moved to withdraw the melt-containing mold from the furnace through an active cooling zone where cooling gas is directed against the exterior of the mold to actively extract heat. At least one of the mold withdrawal rate, the cooling gas mass flow rate, and mold temperature are adjusted at the active cooling zone as the melt-containing mold is withdrawn through the active cooling zone to produce an equiaxed grain microstructure along at least a part of the length of the article.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting molten metal or alloy into a plurality of molds that are connected by mold ingate passages in melt flow communication to a melt supply passage which is configured in a manner to completely or partially fill the molds with the molten metal or alloy sequentially one after another. Filling of the molds in this manner provides uniform mold filling, reduces foreign matter in molds filled after the first-filled mold, and improves quality of the cast articles.