Abstract: Methods of performing electrostatic discharge testing on a transaction card are disclosed. A transaction card may be placed on an insulated surface. A grounding probe may be placed at a first location on the transaction card. A discharge probe may be charged to a known voltage level. The discharge probe may then be discharged at a second location on the transaction card. A discharge wave shape may be recorded from the ground probe, and one of a pass condition and a fail condition may be assigned based on at least the value of the known voltage level as compared to a reference voltage level. The first location and the second location may each be selected from a plurality of areas on the transaction card.

Abstract: Methods of performing electrostatic discharge testing on a transaction card are disclosed. A transaction card may be placed on an insulated surface. A grounding probe may be placed at a first location on the transaction card. A discharge probe may be charged to a known voltage level. The discharge probe may then be discharged at a second location on the transaction card. A discharge wave shape may be recorded from the ground probe, and one of a pass condition and a fail condition may be assigned based on at least the value of the known voltage level as compared to a reference voltage level. The first location and the second location may each be selected from a plurality of areas on the transaction card.

Abstract: Methods of performing electrostatic discharge testing on a transaction card are disclosed. A transaction card may be placed on an insulated surface. A grounding probe may be placed at a first location on the transaction card. A discharge probe may be charged to a known voltage level. The discharge probe may then be discharged at a second location on the transaction card. A discharge wave shape may be recorded from the ground probe, and one of a pass condition and a fail condition may be assigned based on at least the value of the known voltage level as compared to a reference voltage level. The first location and the second location may each be selected from a plurality of areas on the transaction card.

Abstract: Methods of performing electrostatic discharge testing on a transaction card are disclosed. A transaction card may be placed on an insulated surface. A grounding probe may be placed at a first location on the transaction card. A discharge probe may be charged to a known voltage level. The discharge probe may then be discharged at a second location on the transaction card. A discharge wave shape may be recorded from the ground probe, and one of a pass condition and a fail condition may be assigned based on at least the value of the known voltage level as compared to a reference voltage level. The first location and the second location may each be selected from a plurality of areas on the transaction card.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding blocks with laterally projecting, undercut side features includes a mold box having split mold parts defining a mold cavity open at the top and bottom. A top plate having an opening aligned with a cavity overlies the mold parts. Moldable block material is charged into the cavity from a feed box, and the material is compacted and shaped between a lower pallet and upper stripper head. The mold parts are retractable beneath the top plate to release the block for stripping through the bottom of a mold. A plurality of fluid outlets in the top plate cleanse the mold surfaces of the block material between mold cycles.

Abstract: A touchless air cleansing system is provided for the stripper shoe or shoes of a concrete product producing machine comprising an air knife mounted on the feed box and having a nozzle supported in facing spaced relation to the underside surface of the shoe when the shoe is in the raised position. The air knife is operative during movement of the feed box for directing a moving curtain of high pressure air against the underside surface to cleanse it of any latent moldable block material that may have accumulated on its underside surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding blocks with laterally projecting, undercut side features includes a mold box having split mold parts defining a mold cavity open at the top and bottom. A top plate overlies the mold parts and is formed with an opening aligned with a cavity. Moldable block material is charged into the cavity from a feed box, and the material is compacted and shaped between a lower pallet and upper stripper head which are moved to close the bottom and top of the cavity during vibration of the mold. The mold parts are retractable beneath the top plate to release the block for stripping through the bottom of a mold. A plurality of fluid outlets in the top plate communicate with problem areas of the recessed mold parts which are prone to accumulate residual block material. Pressurized clean-out fluid, such as air is directed through the outlets onto such problem areas to cleanse the mold surfaces of the block material between mold cycles.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding blocks with laterally projecting, undercut side features includes a mold box having split mold parts defining a mold cavity open at the top and bottom. A top plate overlies the mold parts and is formed with an opening aligned with a cavity. Moldable block material is charged into the cavity from a feed box, and the material is compacted and shaped between a lower pallet and upper stripper head which are moved to close the bottom and top of the cavity during vibration of the mold. The mold parts are retractable beneath the top plate to release the block for stripping through the bottom of a mold. A plurality of fluid outlets in the top plate communicate with problem areas of the recessed mold parts which are prone to accumulate residual block material. Pressurized clean-out fluid, such as air is directed through the outlets onto such problem areas to cleanse the mold surfaces of the block material between mold cycles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing repairs and inspections in a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of a nuclear reactor are described. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a support mast facilitates the positioning of tools within the RPV, especially at locations that are extremely difficult to access using known methods and apparatus. In the one embodiment, a mast extends in the reactor pressure vessel and through an opening in the top guide and through an opening in the core plate. The mast includes an outer tube and an inner tube positioned at least partially within the outer tube. The inner tube is connected to a robotic arm. A slot is formed in the outer tube and the slot extends at least partially along the axial length of the mast. The portion of the inner tube positioned at the location of the slot is in free communication with the reactor components when the mast is positioned within the RPV. The robotic arm can access the reactor components through the slot in the outer tube.

Abstract: A durable coating process which provides improved adhesive bond strength between the coating and its substrate. This process utilizes spray parameters which generate a unique plasma coating that can be applied through a liquid environment between the spray gun nozzle and the substrate to provide combined ion cleaning, etching and activation of the surface to be coated. The improved surface conditioning allows the creation of an exceptionally strong metallurgical bond at the interface between the splattered droplets of the coating material and the substrate. The improved plasma coating process utilizes a relatively short nozzle-to-work surface distance and is therefore suitable for use directly in a liquid such as water in order to keep the substrate from overheating, which may be more likely to occur if the coating were applied in a gas or vacuum environment.

Abstract: Genetic mapping is provided by combinations of two related general procedures. In the first procedure, mapping is provided by identifying genetic regions from which DNA fragments derived from two individuals can combine to form extensive hybrids free of base mismatches. DNA is processed by a method that allows perfectly-matched hybrid DNA molecules formed between DNAs from the two individuals, to be separated from imperfectly-paired DNA hybrids or hybrids in which both strands are from the same individual's DNA. The perfectly-matched hybrid DNAs can then be labeled and the labeled DNA used as probes to identify loci of identity-by-descent between the two individuals. In the second procedure, nicks are introduced specifically into DNA hybrids formed between non-identical alleles from a region of heterozygosity in an individual diploid genome. The nicked DNA molecules are then specifically labeled to provide probes for identifying regions of heterozygosity in the genome of an individual.