Abstract: A device for use in the semiconductor industry includes a robotic arm whose end effector includes at least two prongs designed to hold a substrate carrier. A pushing member located between the prongs can move independently of the prongs and is configured to exert force against the substrate carrier while the prongs are retracted from the substrate carrier, after the substrate carrier has been brought to its intended position. In this manner, the position of the substrate carrier is maintained at its intended position as the prongs are retracted. Each of the prongs may include a claw or gripping member for grasping the substrate carrier.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for inspecting a plurality of target features arrayed in spaced arrangement on a surface of a target object, such as but not limited to inspection of the location of cooling air holes in the surface of a turbine blade or vane.

Abstract: A method of machining a rotor disk includes the step of detecting accessible contact areas on a rotor surface and corresponding abrasive disk orientations at contact points within that contact area. The detected accessible area and orientations are then utilized to map a machining path and corresponding abrasive disk movements. Machine tool executable instructions are generated using the mapped machining path and corresponding abrasive disk movement for removing material on a rotor surface between two airfoils.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integral bladed rotor is disclosed. The method includes calculating a cutting path in an area of a blank between adjacent blade locations to approximate contours of adjacent blades. A cutter is plunged into the area at an initial angle and depth that extends from an outer perimeter to the blank to an inner perimeter of the blank, in one example. The blade roots extend from the inner perimeter, and the blade tips terminate near the outer perimeter. The cutter is plunged into the area at an original angle that, in one example, is different than the initial angle. The cutter is rotated about an axis in a spiral-like fashion as the cutter extends further into the blank, along the cutting path.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly includes a slot for mounting a rotor blade that extends partially through a rotor disk and a continuous uninterrupted hoop seal that extends about the circumference of the rotor disk. The rotor disk includes an integrally formed seal that includes at least one knife edge disposed concentrically about the rotor disk. The slot receives a root portion of a rotor blade but does not extend through the seal. As the seal remains an uninterrupted full hoop about the circumference of the rotor disk, additional rigidity and strength are realized. The increased rigidity and strength provided by the full hoop structure provides for the reduction in material and physical dimensions without compromising desired performance of the seal.

Abstract: A tool for use in an abrasive machining process has a body extending along a central longitudinal axis from a first end to a tip end. An abrasive material is located on the tip end. The body has a tip end protuberance. An abrasive material is located on the protuberance. A body lateral surface has, over a radial span of at least 20% of a radius of the protuberance, a continuously concave longitudinal profile diverging tipward.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integral bladed rotor is disclosed. The method includes calculating a cutting path in an area of a blank between adjacent blade locations to approximate contours of adjacent blades. A cutter is plunged into the area at an initial angle and depth that extends from an outer perimeter to the blank to an inner perimeter of the blank, in one example. The blade roots extend from the inner perimeter, and the blade tips terminate near the outer perimeter. The cutter is plunged into the area at an original angle that, in one example, is different than the initial angle. The cutter is rotated about an axis in a spiral-like fashion as the cutter extends further into the blank, along the cutting path.

Abstract: An integrally bladed rotor includes a central hub and a plurality of airfoils or blades. The blades are repaired by rebuilding their surfaces beyond the original shape, such as by adding weld material. The contour of the blade is then returned to the desired shape using superabrasive quills.

Abstract: A tool for use in an abrasive machining process has a body extending along a central longitudinal axis from a first end to a tip end. An abrasive material is located on the tip end. The body has a tip end protuberance. An abrasive material is located on the protuberance. A body lateral surface has, over a radial span of at least 20% of a radius of the protuberance, a continuously concave longitudinal profile diverging tipward.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly includes a slot for mounting a rotor blade that extends partially through a rotor disk and a continuous uninterrupted hoop seal that extends about the circumference of the rotor disk. The rotor disk includes an integrally formed seal that includes at least one knife edge disposed concentrically about the rotor disk. The slot receives a root portion of a rotor blade but does not extend through the seal. As the seal remains an uninterrupted full hoop about the circumference of the rotor disk, additional rigidity and strength are realized. The increased rigidity and strength provided by the full hoop structure provides for the reduction in material and physical dimensions without compromising desired performance of the seal.

Abstract: A deep groove ground-contacting roller for a reel type mower assembly having a plurality of interfitting intermediate roller segments and matching end segments mounted on a transverse bearing mounted axle rod in tight abutment. Stop rings engage the end segments and the axle rod to fix the roller segments on the rod to form a roller body. Each roller segment includes a cylindrical hub and a disc element extending radially therefrom with converging planar annular side surfaces intersecting to form a rounded ground-contacting ridge. The disc elements and the hub sections combine to form a deep groove with angled side surfaces and a right circular cylindrical bottom.

Abstract: A deep groove ground-contacting roller for a reel type mower assembly having a plurality of interfitting intermediate roller segments and matching end segments mounted on a transverse bearing mounted axle rod in tight abutment. Stop rings engage the end segments and the axle rod to fix the roller segments on the rod to form a roller body. Each roller segment includes a cylindrical hub and a disc element extending radially therefrom with converging planar annular side surfaces intersecting to form a rounded ground-contacting ridge. The disc elements and the hub sections combine to form a deep groove with angled side surfaces and a right circular cylindrical bottom.

Abstract: Foamed water-swellable polymeric water absorbent materials are prepared by contacting a polymer capable of having a water-swellable character and containing acid moieties in acid form with a blowing agent such as sodium bicarbonate, which blowing agent is capable of neutralizing the acid moieties of the polymer. The foamed polymers are useful in a wide variety of water absorbent applications.

Abstract: Foamed water-swellable polymeric water absorbent materials are prepared by contacting a polymer capable of having a water-swellable character and containing acid moieties in acid form with a blowing agent such as sodium bicarbonate, which blowing agent is capable of neutralizing the acid moieties of the polymer. The foamed polymers are useful in a wide variety of water absorbent applications.

Abstract: Creped absorbent composites made from lightly crosslinked or water-swellable hydrophilic polymers with layers of wicking substrates are disclosed. The creped composites are made by drying the composites to less than 8% moisture and creping them in a creping zone. The creped composites have a tissue-like feel at low relative humidities with rapid absorption and are useful to make low bulk, high fluid capacity personal care products. Absorbent pads made from the above composites are also disclosed wherein the pads comprise one or more layers of wicking substrates, a water impermeable bottom sheet, and a water permeable face sheet.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for increasing the water capacity and air capacity of soil matrixes comprising modification of such soil matrixes with a water-absorbing laminate by positioning in the soil a mass of said laminate having a lightly cross-linked polyelectrolyte film with a layer of wicking substrates adhered to both sides of the absorbent film.

Abstract: A method of preparing fibrous hydrophilic fluff having increased absorbency is disclosed. An absorbent polymer solution is coated on base fluffing material, and the coated fluffing material is dried, disintegrated and mechanically worked into a fibrous fluff matrix which contains absorbent polymer platelets distributed throughout said matrix.

Abstract: A method of preparing fibrous hydrophilic fluff having increased absorbency is disclosed wherein an absorbent hydrophilic composite is mechanically disintegrated, either singly or in combination with a base fluffing material.

Abstract: Flexible absorbent laminates made from crushed films of lightly crosslinked or water-swellable hydrophilic polymers with layers of wicking substrates are disclosed. The crushed laminates are made by drying the laminates to less than 8% moisture and crushing them preferably between a yieldable roller and an enbossed roller. The crushed laminates have a tissue-like feel at low relative humidities with rapid absorption and are useful to make baby diapers or adult diapers.

Abstract: Water swellable aerated films and laminates, made from solutions of carboxylic polyelectrolytes, together with methods for their preparation, are disclosed. The films and laminates are cured and/or crosslinked with a polyfunctional or difunctional crosslinking agent that is reactive with carboxylate groups by heating and/or removing substantially all of the water and/or alcohol from the precursor composition. The solutions are mechanically aerated prior to the curing step.The absorbent articles have a rapid water absorbency rate and are useful as components in diapers, tampons, dressings and the like.