Abstract: Sulfonated block copolymers (SBCs) are coagulated from SBC solutions in one or more organic solvents, including reaction mixtures obtained in the sulfonation process, by a process in which the SBC solution is ejected into or onto water provided that no steam is added to the SBC solution prior to ejection and provided that the ejection velocity as well as the water temperature and convection are controlled and balanced. The coagulation process is easy to implement and avoids or at least diminishes problems due to foaming and the formation of micro dispersions of the SBC which cannot be separated successfully or easily by conventional filtration or centrifuging.

Abstract: Sulfonated block copolymers (SBCs) are coagulated from SBC solutions in one or more organic solvents, including reaction mixtures obtained in the sulfonation process, by a process in which the SBC solution is ejected into or onto water provided that no steam is added to the SBC solution prior to ejection and provided that the ejection velocity as well as the water temperature and convection are controlled and balanced. The coagulation process is easy to implement and avoids or at least diminishes problems due to foaming and the formation of micro dispersions of the SBC which cannot be separated successfully or easily by conventional filtration or centrifuging.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method of assembling a rotatable machine is provided. The machine includes a plurality of blades that extend radially outwardly from a rotor. The method includes determining a geometric parameter for each blade in a row of blades that is relative to a ratio, R of an inlet area and an outlet area of a predetermined volume defined between each pair of blades, determining an initial sequence map for the row of blades that facilitates minimizing a difference of R between circumferentially adjacent pairs of blades, and iteratively remapping the sequence of the blades to facilitate reducing a moment weight vector sum of the rotor to a value that is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a rotatable machine is provided. The machine includes a first set of blades that extend radially outwardly from a rotor assembly and wherein a second set of blades is available for installation on the rotor assembly. The method includes determining at least one of a moment weight of each blade in the first set of blades and a geometric parameter of each blade in the first set of blades, determining at least one of a moment weight of each blade in the second set of blades and a geometric parameter of each blade in the second set of blades, and determining a mapping order of each blade for the rotor assembly using the moment weight and the geometric parameter of each blade in the first set of blades and the moment weight and the geometric parameter of at least one blade in the second set of blades.

Abstract: Methods and systems for ordering blades in a rotatable machine is provided. The method includes receiving at least one geometric parameter measurement of each blade in a row of blades, determining a root sum squared value of a difference of a selected one of the received geometric parameter measurements between adjacent blades in the row of blades, determining a vector sum of a selected other one of the received geometric parameter measurements, determining a moment weight vector sum of each blade to be positioned on the rotor, and determining, using a computer, a sequence map of each blade using the root sum squared value of the difference of the geometric parameter measurement between adjacent blades in the row of blades, the vector sum of a selected other one of the received geometric parameter measurements, and the moment weight vector sum.

Abstract: A method, rotor assembly, and apparatus for ordering blades in a rotatable machine is provided. The rotor assembly includes a disk including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced blade root slots defined therein, and a plurality of blades, each blade including a root, a tip, and an airfoil therebetween, each blade positioned within a pre-determined slot based on a blade map, the blade map generated by a computer system configured to receive a geometric parameter measurement of each blade in a row of blades, determine a shape factor for the row of blades using the geometric parameter measurement of each blade, and determine a sequence map of each blade using the shape factor for the row of blades.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ordering blades in a rotatable machine is provided. The machine includes a plurality of blades that extend radially outwardly from a rotor. The method includes determining a moment weight of each blade in a row of blades, determining a geometric parameter of each blade in the same row of blades, and determining a mapping order of each blade using the moment weight and the geometric parameter. The apparatus includes a computer system that includes a software product code segment for minimizing imbalance in a bladed rotor wherein the segment is configured to receive a moment weight value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, receive a geometric parameter value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, calculate a blade location on the rotor based on the received values, and generate a blade map based on the calculated location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a rotatable machine is provided. The machine includes a plurality of blades that extend radially outwardly from a rotor. The method includes determining a moment weight of each blade in a row of blades, determining a geometric parameter of each blade in the same row of blades, and determining a mapping order of each blade using the moment weight and the geometric parameter. The apparatus includes a computer system that includes a software product code segment for minimizing imbalance in a bladed rotor wherein the segment is configured to receive a moment weight value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, receive a geometric parameter value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, calculate a blade location on the rotor based on the received values, and generate a blade map based on the calculated location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a rotatable machine is provided. The machine includes a plurality of blades that extend radially outwardly from a rotor. The method includes determining a moment weight of each blade in a row of blades, determining a geometric parameter of each blade in the same row of blades, and determining a mapping order of each blade using the moment weight and the geometric parameter. The apparatus includes a computer system that includes a software product code segment for minimizing imbalance in a bladed rotor wherein the segment is configured to receive a moment weight value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, receive a geometric parameter value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, calculate a blade location on the rotor based on the received values, and generate a blade map based on the calculated location.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods allow fused bi-conical couplers to be pulled to reduced diameters to exposes more of the evanescent field in the coupled region. First and second stages hold the fibers on either side of the fused region, with at least one of the stages being moveable relative to the other. A furnace positioned relative to the fused region, and a tensometer is used to determine the tension of the fibers between the stages. A controller is provided to monitor the tension on the fibers and increase the distance between the stages when the tension falls to a predetermined threshold. As the fibers are pulled, light begins to couple from one fiber to the next, leading to five distinct crossover regions. The tension is continuously monitored, and when the tension drops below each threshold, the furnace is slowly pushed back to maintain the tension by decreasing the heat on the fiber from the furnace. As the fiber is pulled through these crossover areas, the coupling region decreases in diameter.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine which includes a secondary aggregate or unit such as, for example, a vacuum pump, located inside of a valve housing which is formed by a cylinder head and a cylinder head cover. A portion of the vacuum pump, for example, a connecting portion for a vacuum line leading to a consumer, extends outwardly through an opening or passage and forms a seal with the cylinder head cover.

Abstract: A cylinder head for an air-compressing, self-igniting injection internal combustion engine is disclosed. The cylinder head comprises a substantially plate-shaped cylinder head bottom with adjoining walls of gas exchange ducts and of a secondary combustion chamber separated from each other on the coolant side and exhibiting on the combustion chamber side sealing seats for valves, arranged approximately in a common plane, in the orifices of the gas exchange ducts, and wherein the secondary combustion chamber comprises a combustion port of a cross section smaller as compared with the chamber cross section and the combustion port is oriented approximately centrally toward a relatively wide main web extending between two inlet valves in the cylinder head bottom, characterized in that an outlet valve is arranged in the cylinder head bottom essentially diametrically opposite to an orifice of a single combustion port of the secondary combustion chamber.