Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for measuring the effectiveness of a marketing and advertising campaign directed at consumers. The systems and methods receive data corresponding to consumers that were served impressions in the campaign, and match the data to identifiers for credit records of the consumers. Credit record activity information in the credit records related to products and services of the campaign can be retrieved and potentially depersonalized. The credit record activity information can be the basis of a campaign report for adjusting and optimizing the campaign, in the case of an in-flight campaign report, or future campaigns, in the case of a post-campaign report. More accurate measurement of the effectiveness of the campaign can be obtained due to linking of a consumer's activity with the campaign.

Abstract: An integrated circuit layout is described that uses a library cells with alternating conducting lines. One embodiment includes a first cell and a second cell, the second cell being adjacent to the first cell. The first cell has a first plurality of conductive lines, a first portion of the first plurality having line ends that are a first distance from the second cell. The second cell has a second plurality of conductive lines, the conductive lines being parallel to and aligned with the conductive lines in the first cell, a second portion of the second plurality having line ends that are a second distance from the first cell. The first distance is shorter than the second distance.

Abstract: An integrated circuit layout is described that uses a library cells with alternating conducting lines. One embodiment includes a first cell and a second cell, the second cell being adjacent to the first cell. The first cell has a first plurality of conductive lines, a first portion of the first plurality having line ends that are a first distance from the second cell. The second cell has a second plurality of conductive lines, the conductive lines being parallel to and aligned with the conductive lines in the first cell, a second portion of the second plurality having line ends that are a second distance from the first cell. The first distance is shorter than the second distance.

Abstract: An electron gun includes the following: a primary thermionic electron source, a secondary thermionic electron source and a focusing electrode disposed within a first housing that includes one or more reference members adjustably attached to a housing support connected to a first platform; an anode and one or more focusing coils disposed within a second housing comprising one or more insulating members adjustably connected to the first platform; and one or more deflection coils disposed within a third housing connected to the second housing and located opposite said first housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for coating one or more workpieces such as components to be used in jet engines or industrial turbines. The apparatus comprises a device for simultaneously manipulating a workpiece about multiple axes while holding a center of the workpiece at a fixed position with respect to a source of coating material. The device for manipulating the workpiece preferably comprises a modular fixture while allows the workpiece to be simultaneously rotated about a first axis, rotated about a second axis at an angle to the first axis, and titled through a range of motion such as from +45 degrees to ?45 degrees with respect to the first axis.

Abstract: A method for heat treating at least one workpiece, such as a coated turbine engine component, is provided. The method comprises the steps of cleaning a furnace to be used during the heat treating method, which cleaning method comprising injecting a gas at a workpiece center location and applying heat, and diffusion heat treating the at least one workpiece in a gas atmosphere with the gas being injected at the workpiece center location. After the diffusion heat treatment step, the coated workpiece(s) may be subjected to a surface finishing operation such as a peening operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for coating one or more workpieces such as components to be used in jet engines or industrial turbines. The apparatus comprises a device for simultaneously manipulating a workpiece about multiple axes while holding a center of the workpiece at a fixed position with respect to a source of coating material. The device for manipulating the workpiece preferably comprises a modular fixture while allows the workpiece to be simultaneously rotated about a first axis, rotated about a second axis at an angle to the first axis, and titled through a range of motion such as from +45 degrees to ?45 degrees with respect to the first axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overlay coating which has improved strength properties. The overlay coating comprises a deposited layer of MCrAlY material containing discrete nitride particles therein. The nitride particles are present in a volume fraction in the range of 0.1% to 15.0% and have a particle size in the range of from 0.1 microns to 10.0 microns. The coating may also have oxide particles dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for inspecting a coated substrate such as a multi-layer coating on a substrate of a turbine airfoil. At each of a number of locations along the airfoil a number of frequencies of alternating current are passed through the airfoil. At least one impedance parameter is measured. The measured impedance parameters are utilized to determine a condition of the coating.

Abstract: A method for heat treating at least one workpiece, such as a coated turbine engine component, is provided. The method comprises the steps of cleaning a furnace to be used during the heat treating method, which cleaning method comprising injecting a gas at a workpiece center location and applying heat, and diffusion heat treating the at least one workpiece in a gas atmosphere with the gas being injected at the workpiece center location. After the diffusion heat treatment step, the coated workpiece(s) may be subjected to a surface finishing operation such as a peening operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overlay coating which has improved strength properties. The overlay coating comprises a deposited layer of MCrAlY material containing discrete nitride particles therein. The nitride particles are present in a volume fraction in the range of 0.1% to 15.0% and have a particle size in the range of from 0.1 microns to 10.0 microns. The coating may also have oxide particles dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for inspecting a coated substrate such as a multi-layer coating on a substrate of a turbine airfoil. At each of a number of locations along the airfoil a number of frequencies of alternating current are passed through the airfoil. At least one impedance parameter is measured. The measured impedance parameters are utilized to determine a condition of the coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for coating one or more workpieces such as components to be used in jet engines or industrial turbines. The apparatus comprises a device for simultaneously manipulating a workpiece about multiple axes while holding a center of the workpiece at a fixed position with respect to a source of coating material. The device for manipulating the workpiece preferably comprises a modular fixture while allows the workpiece to be simultaneously rotated about a first axis, rotated about a second axis at an angle to the first axis, and titled through a range of motion such as from +45 degrees to −45 degrees with respect to the first axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overlay coating which has improved strength properties. The overlay coating comprises a deposited layer of MCrAlY material containing discrete nitride particles therein. The nitride particles are present in a volume fraction in the range of 0.1% to 15.0% and have a particle size in the range of from 0.1 microns to 10.0 microns. The coating may also have oxide particles dispersed therein.

Abstract: Metallic surfaces are prepared to receive ceramic coatings. An abrasion process of progressively declining intensity removes a portion of the metallic surface. Ceramic coating applied to surfaces so prepared display improved lives at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A method is described for reducing surface oxide growth which heating aluminum containing surfaces in a vacuum environment prior to the deposition of a ceramic coating. The method comprises flowing an inert or non reactive gas into the coating apparatus adjacent to the surface to be coated to reduce oxygen reaction with the surface.

Abstract: A method is described for reducing surface oxide growth which heating aluminum containing surfaces in a vacuum environment prior to the deposition of a ceramic coating. The method comprises flowing an inert or non reactive gas into the coating apparatus adjacent to the surface to be coated to reduce oxygen reaction with the surface.

Abstract: An asynchronous and delay-insensitive data processor comprises a plurality of components communicating with each other and synchronizing their activities by communication actions on channels and buses. Each component consists of a control part and a data part. All control parts are implemented with a lazy-active-passive handshake protocol and a sequencing means called a left/right buffer that provides the minimal sequencing constraints on the signals involved. The data parts comprise novel asynchronous ALU, buses, and registers. The control parts and data parts are connected together in an asynchronous and delay-insensitive manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for simultaneously coating a plurality of workpieces. The apparatus includes a module fixture having a plurality of bushing and spindle arrangements for supporting the workpieces to be coated. The bushing and spindle arrangements allow each workpiece to rotate about its longitudinal axis and tilt along an axis which intersects the rotational axis of the fixture. By providing such a bushing and spindle arrangement, it is possible to coat surfaces of the workpiece which are substantially perpendicular to other surfaces of the workpiece. A process for simultaneously coating the workpieces is also described.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating may be applied by depositing a MCrAIY bond coat onto a superalloy substrate, wherein M stands for Ni, Co, Fe, or a mixture of Ni and Co. Undesired oxides and contaminants are removed from the MCrAIY bond coat with an ionized gas stream cleaning process, such as a reverse transfer arc process. An adherent aluminum oxide scale is formed on the MCrAIY bond coat and a ceramic layer is deposited on the aluminum oxide scale by physical vapor deposition to form a columnar structure.