Abstract: A slurry suitable for forming facecoats, facecoats formed by such a slurry, and processes using such facecoats. The slurry is formed of a particulate refractory material, an aqueous suspension containing a particulate inorganic binder, a thixotropic organic binder, a dispersant, and possibly optional constituents excluding particulate refractory materials and inorganic binders. The particulate refractory material constitutes at least about 60 weight percent of the slurry and consists essentially of yttria. The aqueous suspension containing the particulate inorganic binder constitutes at most about 35 weight percent of the facecoat slurry. The dispersant is present in the slurry in an amount sufficient to stabilize the slurry at a pH of up to about 10, and has the general formula Hx[N(CH2)yOH]z, where x has a value of 0, 1 or 2, y has a value of 1 to 8, and z=3?x.

Abstract: A casting process and apparatus for producing directionally-solidified castings, and castings produced therewith. The process entails applying a facecoat slurry to a surface within a mold cavity to form a continuous solid facecoat on the surface, introducing a molten metal alloy into the mold cavity so that the molten metal alloy contacts the facecoat, and then immersing the mold in a liquid coolant to cool and solidify the molten metal alloy and form a casting of the metal alloy, during which an oxide layer forms on the casting surface. The facecoat is sufficiently adherent to the oxide layer such that at least a portion of the facecoat detaches from the mold surface and remains tightly adhered to the casting surface in the event the casting contracts during cooling. The facecoat contains at least 60 weight percent of a first phase of yttria, and the balance of the facecoat is a binder phase of an inorganic material.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for managing the copying of writes from primary storages to secondary storages across different networks. Information is maintained on a first group of at least one primary storage, at least one primary device managing Input/Output (I/O) access to the at least one primary storage, and at least one corresponding secondary storage to which writes to the at least one primary storage are copied and a second group of at least one primary storage, at least one primary device managing Input/Output (I/O) access to the at least one primary storage, and at least one corresponding secondary storage to which writes to the at least one primary storage are copied. A failure notification is received from one of the primary devices in the first or second group of a failure to copy a write from the primary device to the secondary device.

Abstract: A command sequence for an autonomous UAV mission is optimized by simulating the performance of a mission in a model environment. Using a genetic algorithm, neural net, or other suitable technique this command sequence is then optimized, to improve the outcome of the mission. A factor in selecting an optimal command sequence will be its compressability. A set of one or more optimal command sequences is compiled. Each optimal command sequence is encoded into an algorithmic active packet of minimum size for uploaded to the UAV, which then executes the mission. To track the UAV in its performance of the mission without compromising its location, the active packets are executed in the simulated environment. The simulated environment is continually updated with the most current available information. The simulation results are an approximation of the current state of the UAV.

Abstract: A Gen-Set (10) control system is disclosed. The control system has an engine (12) having a desired operating range and a generator (14) driven by the engine to produce an electrical power output. The control system also has an engine control module (30) communicatively coupled with the engine, and configured to change and operating parameter of the engine based on a load command before a load on the engine causes the engine to deviate from the desired operating range. The control system further has an automatic voltage regulator (32). The automatic voltage regulator is configured to monitor at least one of a voltage output, a current output, and a power factor of the generator and generate the load command based on a change in at least one of the voltage output, the current output, and the power factor. The automatic voltage regulator (32) is also configured to deliver the load command to the engine control module (30).

Abstract: A rare earth-based core for use in the casting of a reactive metal is described. The core contains a ceramic composition which includes at least about 10% by weight of monoclinic rare earth aluminate (RE4Al2O9), wherein RE represents at least one rare earth element; and at least about 10% by weight of at least one free rare earth oxide. The ceramic phase of the composition may include a microstructure which comprises a multitude of substantially spherical pores which are formed as a result of the removal of aluminum metal from the core composition during a heat treatment step. Additional embodiments relate to a method for the fabrication of a ceramic core, employing a rare earth oxide, aluminum metal, and a binder. Methods for removing cores from a cast part are also described.

Abstract: An engine load management system is disclosed. The engine load management system may have an engine and a hydraulic device driven by the engine. The engine load management system may also have a sensor associated with the hydraulic device to detect a load change of the hydraulic device, and a controller in communication with the engine, the hydraulic device, and the sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a change in engine operation required to accommodate the detected load change, and determine a modification of an engine parameter required to produce the change in engine operation. The controller may be further configured to determine a capacity for the modification, and implement the modification and relieve the load change from the hydraulic device before the load change is transmitted to the engine, based on the capacity for the modification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Helmholtz resonator (6) for damping airborne sound in a space, particularly in a conduit (4, 5) transporting airborne sound, comprising a housing (8) surrounding a resonance volume (9), comprising at least one neck (10) for connecting the resonance volume (9) to the space or to the conduit (4, 5) transporting the airborne sound. The Helmholtz resonator (6) obtains at least two resonance frequencies if the housing (8) has at least one wall section delimiting the resonance volume (9), said wall section being formed by a vibratory membrane (11), and if the membrane (11) is tuned such that the resonance frequency thereof corresponds to the first order of the resonance frequency of an identically constructed Helmholtz resonator that does not have such a membrane (11).

Abstract: A hand-inscribable surface has a pattern on its surface to assist a user to handwrite in correct alignment. The pattern includes an arrangement of linear paths with linear regions in between. The uses writes in the linear regions relying on the linear paths as alignment guides. Within each linear region, there is a separation-boundary that is located between: i) a clear primary linear strip which is substantially devoid of indications and in which clear primary linear strip, in use, a majority of typical handwriting will be inscribed; and ii) at least one secondary linear strip in which only a minority of typical handwriting will be inscribed. The separation-boundary is biased towards one of the linear paths, between which it lies. In other words, the separation-boundary is not located centrally between the linear paths, and the primary linear strip is substantially wider than the secondary linear strip.

Abstract: Casting molds suitable for directional solidification processes using a liquid cooling bath include a graded facecoat structure on a mold body. The graded facecoat structure includes an innermost layer and a delamination layer, wherein the delamination layer fractures upon cooling of the molten metal so as to separate the mold body from the innermost layer, which remains in contact with or in close proximity to the metal being cast. Also disclosed are directional solidification processes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using a wavelength as an address in an optical network are disclosed. In particular, methods for selecting a wavelength for a particular node in an optical network, resolving a wavelength for a destination node in an optical network from a network address, and receiving and transmitting data packets at particular wavelengths are disclosed. A resulting system implementing such methods may significantly reduce space, weight and power measurements while transferring data at high rates for a data network.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to pre-qualify user communities for communication services are disclosed. An example method comprises configuring a first remote network demarcation associated with a first loop to a loop-back state, interrogating the first loop to determine a first parameter representative of the first loop, configuring a second remote network demarcation associated with a second loop to the loop-back state, interrogating the second loop to determine a second parameter representative of the second loop, and compiling a report based on the first and second parameters, the report containing a value that represents a degree to which a communication service can be provided to a user community associated with the first and second loops.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for monitoring the status of a system by providing a health score. A health scoring module accesses a configuration management database (CMDB) comprising a plurality of configuration items referencing physical, service and process information. A target value for each configuration item is decided, followed by collecting their current value. Comparison operations are then performed between each configuration item's current and target value and a health subscore is generated. The resulting health subscore is then indexed to its corresponding configuration item. Once indexed, a health score is generated from a predetermined plurality of health subscores.

Abstract: A foot-bed, also called an innersole or sock liner, having a two-piece molded innersole with an upper section, a lower section, and an optional mesh cover (or top liner). The lower surface of the upper section of the innersole has a specific contour that follows the bottom surface of the foot. The upper section of the innersole fits into a cavity in the lower section of the innersole. The lower section is cupped in the cross-section and provides support and stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides polyamide curing agent compositions comprising the reaction products of (1) multifunctional amines of structure 1 where R1 is CH2CH2CH2NH2; R2, R3 and R4 independently are H or CH2CH2CH2NH2, and X is CH2CH2 or CH2CH2CH2 with (2) dimer fatty acids, optionally in combination with monofunctional fatty acids, the reaction product preferably comprising at least 15 wt % tetrahydropyrimidine-containing components. The curing agent compositions are useful for crosslinking epoxy resins to produce coatings, adhesives, floorings, composites and other articles.

Abstract: Shell molds and processes for making the shell molds that exhibit high emissivity in the red and infrared regions. In this manner, thermal resistance within a gap formed between solidifying cast metal and the interior mold surface is decreased. In one embodiment, the facecoat region is formed from a slurry composition comprising an aluminum oxide, a green chromium oxide and a silicon dioxide. In another embodiment, the facecoat region is formed from a slurry composition including zirconium silicate and silica with stucco layer of alumina is included.

Abstract: In one aspect, a stretch wrap system configured to separately wrap a plurality of loads in film comprising a plurality of stretch wrapping machines, each machine comprising at least one sensing mechanism configured to sense the presence of a load, and a control box electrically coupled to sensing mechanisms, the control box comprising a start button configured to start the machines when sensing mechanisms detect load.

Abstract: A support cushion for supporting a person (e.g. a pregnant woman) lying on their side includes a first cushion part configured to support the person's back, a second cushion part spaced-apart from the first cushion part and configured to support the front of the person's abdomen and/or the person's legs, and a connecting part that connects the first cushion part to the second cushion part, the connecting part configured to extend under the person's side. The first and second cushion parts may be elongate and generally in the form of cylinders, and the connecting part may be in the form of a flexible cushioned panel. The second cushion part may support a pregnant woman's swollen abdomen and may extend between, and support, her legs.

Abstract: An alloy casting having a protective layer disposed on a surface of the casting is provided. The protective layer is resistant to liquid metal attack, and wherein the protective layer includes an oxide of an element present in the alloy. A method of forming a protective layer on a surface of the alloy casting is also provided. The method includes disposing the alloy in a mold, and oxidizing an element of the alloy to form a protective layer on the surface of the casting.

Abstract: A burette (10) to receive liquid from an intravenous supply (29) to deliver liquid to a patient via a tube (30). The burette (10) includes a hollow body (11) that is generally cylindrical configuration and that contains a float valve (24). Liquid level in the chamber (12) of the body (11) regulates liquid level within the chamber (12) by engaging an inlet passage (36) or an outlet tube (25).