Abstract: A building system including one or more memory devices configured to store instructions that, when executed on one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to collect building device data of a building device, generate a time correlated data stream for a data point, and generate a time correlated reliability data stream for the data point. The building device data includes a plurality of data samples of the data point. The time correlated data stream includes values of the plurality of data samples of the data point. The time correlated reliability data stream includes a plurality of reliability values time correlated to corresponding values of the plurality of data samples of the data point and indicating reliability of the values of the plurality of data samples of the data point.

Abstract: A building system including one or more memory devices configured to store instructions that, when executed on one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to collect building device data of a building device, the building device data comprising a plurality of data samples of a data point and generate a time correlated data stream for the data point, the time correlated data stream comprising values of the plurality of data samples of the data point. The instructions cause the one or more processors to generate a time correlated reliability data stream for the data point, the time correlated reliability data stream comprising a plurality of reliability values indicating reliability of the values of the plurality of data samples of the data point.

Abstract: An improved molten metal spray forming atomization ring converter adapted for the spray forming of a refined molten metal from a molten metal refining or melting chamber wherein the molten metal is atomized into tiny molten droplets by gas impingement in a stream of molten metal and to the structure by which the molten metal droplets are preferentially directed to and deposited on a target surface. The molten metal spray forming atomization ring converter is adapted to control the flow of liquid metal droplets and to avoid a backflow of such droplets during the gas atomization by providing structure, such as small apertures to the inner diameter of the ring, by providing large holes through the inner diameter and adding a porous metal filter to cover the large holes or by providing a gas supply system independent from the atomization system gas supply, such that a pressure or diffused source of gas is provided at the inner bore.

Abstract: A regulating gas flow valve is operatively connected to an oscillating molten metal spray forming ring converter through which a molten metal stream passes. The passing metal stream is impacted by gas jets from the converter which breaks up the metal stream into a spray pattern of small molten metal droplets. The valve regulates the flow of gas into the converter as a function of the converter oscillation which also operates the valve.

Abstract: A molten metal atomization ring structure has an elongated or oval aperture therethrough through which a molten metal stream passes and is broken up into a molten metal spray pattern. The structure may be angularly adjusted about a transverse axis of the aperture at a greater angle without engaging the passing metal stream.

Abstract: A method of electroslag refining of metal is taught. The method starts with the introduction of unrefined metal into an electroslag refining process in which the unrefined metal is first melted at the upper surface of the refining slag. The molten metal in the form if droplets is refined as it passes through the molten slag. The refined metal droplets are collected in a cold hearth apparatus having a skull of refined metal formed on the surface of the cold hearth and protecting the cold hearth from the leaching action of the refined molten metal. A cold finger bottom pour spout is formed at the bottom of the cold hearth to permit dispensing of molten refined metal from the cold hearth.

Abstract: A method for the electroslag refining of titanium base alloy is provided. The method involves providing a refining vessel to contain an electroslag refining layer floating on a layer of molten refined metal. An ingot of unrefined titanium base alloy having a higher nitrogen content is lowered into the vessel into contact with the molten electroslag layer. A refining current is passed through the slag layer to the ingot to cause surface melting at the interface between the ingot and the electroslag layer. As the ingot is surface melted at its point of contact with the slag, droplets of the unrefined metal are formed and these droplets are refined as they pass down through the slag and are collected in a body of molten refined metal beneath the slag. The refined metal is held within a cold hearth. At the bottom of the cold hearth, a cold finger orifice is provided to permit the withdrawal of refined metal from the cold hearth apparatus.

Abstract: A method for the electroslag refining of metal is provided. The method involves providing a refining vessel to contain an electroslag refining layer floating on a layer of molten refined metal. An ingot of unrefined metal is lowered into the vessel into contact with the molten electroslag layer. A refining current is passed through the slag layer to the ingot to cause surface melting at the interface between the ingot and the electroslag layer. As the ingot is surface melted at its point of contact with the slag, droplets of the unrefined metal are formed and these droplets pass down through the slag and are collected in a body of molten refined metal beneath the slag. The refined metal is held within a cold hearth. At the bottom of the cold hearth, a cold finger orifice is provided to permit the withdrawal of refined metal from the cold hearth apparatus. The refined metal passes from the cold finger orifice as a stream and is processed into a sound metal structure having desired grain structure.

Abstract: A method of atomization of refined metal is taught. The method starts with the introduction of unrefined metal into an electroslag refining process in which the unrefined metal is first melted at the upper surface of the refining slag. The molten metal in the form of droplets is refined as it passes through the molten slag. The refined metal droplets are collected in a cold hearth apparatus having a skull of refined metal formed on the surface of the cold hearth and protecting the cold hearth from the leaching action of the refined molten metal. A cold finger bottom pour spout is formed at the bottom of the cold hearth to permit dispensing of molten refined metal from the cold hearth. The rate of flow of molten metal through the cold finger apparatus is controlled principally by controlling the rate of melting of the unrefined metal. The metal flowing from the cold finger apparatus is introduced to the upper end of a ceramic melt guide tube.

Abstract: A method for the electroslag refining of metal is provided. The method involves providing a refining vessel to contain an electroslag refining layer floating on a layer of molten refined metal. An ingot of unrefined metal is lowered into the vessel into contact with the molten electroslag layer. A refining current is passed through the slag layer to the ingot to cause surface melting at the interface between the ingot and the electroslag layer. As the ingot is surface melted at its point of contact with the slag, droplets of the unrefined metal are formed and these droplets pass down through the slag and are collected in a body of molten refined metal beneath the slag. The refined metal is held within a cold hearth. At the bottom of the cold hearth, a cold finger orifice is provided to permit the withdrawal of refined metal from the cold hearth apparatus. The refined metal passes from the cold finger orifice as a stream and is processed into a sound metal structure having desired grain structure.

Abstract: A metal composition is formed into a sheet by the method comprising; spray forming the metal composition to form a cylindrical deposit, and wire electric discharge machining the cylindrical deposit in a preselected spiral path parallel to the axis of the cylindrical deposit to form the sheet.

Abstract: A method for forming a preform having an inner portion of a first metal and an outer portion of a second metal is taught. The preform is fabricated by spray forming processing. The beginning stages of the spray forming is performed with a first metal in a dispensing crucible which supplies a stream of the first metal to an atomization zone where the stream is broken up into many droplets which are driven by an atomizing gas onto a receiving surface. The second stage of the processing involves adding small quantities of a second metal to the dispensing crucible before the first metal is completely drained therefrom to permit a blend of the two metals to be formed on the preform between an inner and an outer portion thereof. The third phase of the method is the addition of a second metal to the dispensing crucible so that the latter stages of the spray forming is performed with the second metal and accordingly that the outer portions of the preform are formed of the second metal.

Abstract: A method for regulating the flow of liquid metal to an atomization zone is provided. The regulation is effected by imparting a high density flux to a stream of liquid metal as it descends toward the atomization zone. The high density flux is applied by a flux concentrator. The flux concentrator is a small sleeve-like element attached by parallel conductors to a larger sleeve-like element which acts as a secondary to primary coil extended through the larger sleeve element. By imparting high density flux to initiate a stream passing through the flux concentrator the cross sectional dimensions of the melt stream and the rate of flow of melt through the concentrator is regulated to values which are appropriate for a spray-form type of action.

Abstract: A furnace assembly for casting directionally solidified articles, such as turbine blades. A pair of tunnels feed blanket insulative material towards the bottom of the heating chamber to engulf the mold as it exits the chamber atop a water cooled pull rod.

Abstract: In a directionally solidified alloy casting operation the retractor is securely attached to the ingot mold by means also enabling easy separation of the resulting ingot from the retractor.

Abstract: A directional solidification furnace is provided in which the susceptor is characterized by at least one substantially longitudinal slot to provide interference with eddy current motion and lower the furnace temperature in the slotted region and cause the highest temperature to be near the solid-liquid interface of a casting contained therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method of casting superalloy articles and more particularly to an apparatus for directionally solidifying eutectic superalloy compositions to produce a composite structure of a superalloy matrix reinforced with aligned carbide fibers. The improvement includes positioning a movable bed of a ceramic insulation around the mold such that as the mold is lowered the bed forms a continuous heat insulating barrier around the sides of the mold to prevent lateral heat transfer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of casting superalloy articles and more particularly to directionally solidifying eutectic superalloy compositions to produce a composite structure of a superalloy matrix reinforced with aligned carbide fibers.