Abstract: A method for fabricating a reinforced matrix composite comprising the step of providing a composite preform having a fibrous structure and applying matrix material onto the preform in locations along the preform. A barrier material is applied to at least a portion of the coated preform to direct the flow of matrix material into the preform. The composite preform is heated to a temperature sufficient to render the matrix material viscous and insufficient to cure the matrix material. The pressure to the interior of the composite preform is reduced, while the pressure to the barrier material is increased. The temperature is maintained to flow the matrix material into the composite preform and to force gases from the fibrous structure. The composite preform is then cured and cooled to form a reinforced matrix composite having a low void content and a substantially uniform matrix distribution.

Abstract: A reinforced matrix composite containment duct for gas turbine engines comprising a reinforced matrix composite containment duct having high strength integral flanges and pre-stressed reinforcing fibers, the reinforced matrix composite having uniform distribution of matrix material; and the reinforced matrix composite having less than or equal to 2.5% void space.

Abstract: A mold tool for forming a reinforced matrix composite part for a gas turbine engine, comprising a body. The body comprises a body surface capable of receiving a first portion of a composite preform. A first endplate and second endplate are attached to the body and include a substantially planar surface disposed perpendicular to the body surface. A first and second set of plates are attached to the first and second endplate adjacent to the body surface and have a geometries that includes a first and second cavity bounded by the first and second plate and first and second endplate. The first and second cavities have a volume sufficient to receive a second portion of a composite preform. The second cavity is in fluid communication with the first cavity, which is in fluid communication with a vacuum source.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a reinforced matrix composite comprising the step of providing a composite preform having a fibrous structure and applying matrix material onto the preform in locations along the preform. A barrier material is applied to at least a portion of the coated preform to direct the flow of matrix material into the preform. The composite preform is heated to a temperature sufficient to render the matrix material viscous and insufficient to cure the matrix material. The pressure to the interior of the composite preform is reduced, while the pressure to the barrier material is increased. The temperature is maintained to flow the matrix material into the composite preform and to force gases from the fibrous structure. The composite preform is then cured and cooled to form a reinforced matrix composite having a low void content and a substantially uniform matrix distribution.

Abstract: A color image is fused on a hard surface by a laser beam. A first color layer of toner particles is fused in accordance with a first color separation of a color image at a first screen angle. A second color layer of toner particles is fused in accordance with a second color separation of a color image at a second screen angle. A third color layer of toner particles is fused in accordance with a third color separation of a color image at a third screen angle. A fourth color layer of toner particles is fused in accordance with a fourth color separation of a color image at a fourth screen angle. The screen angles and offsets of the focal point of the laser beam are selected for each color to optimize the colors fused onto the surface.

Abstract: A new method and directory management system for creating and maintaining directories, linking accounts, and assigning appropriate access rights when triggering events occur as prescribed by the business rules of the organization. To accomplish this, the directory management system acts as a bridge between the organizations commonly used transaction systems and the file system directory used by the organization. The directory management system generally operates by defining triggering events which are represented by defined observable changes in the commonly used transaction systems of the organization, incorporating the organizations business rules to prescribe account and directory actions that should be taken when the triggering events occur, and providing a system to monitor for the occurrence of the triggering events and execute the account and directory actions in response to the triggering events.

Abstract: Techniques to create physically and transactionally consistent copies of one or more database objects without impacting the availability of the target database objects are described. In one technique, a consistent copy is created as of the time a copy utility is executed. In another technique, a consistent copy is created as of an arbitrary specified time. This approach modifies a prior copy to bring it “up-to-date.” In yet another technique, a consistent copy is created by starting with a current snapshot of the target database objects and selectively removing updates from it back to a user specified arbitrary point-in-time. Each of the described techniques generate consistent copies of the target database objects without blocking users from accessing the target objects during the copy operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seam bracket for providing electrical contact between a first structural wall member and a second structural wall member. The seam bracket includes a flexible channel portion have a first wall and a second wall, the first wall having a first interior surface and a first exterior surface, the second wall having a second interior surface and a second exterior surface, a first plurality of barb members flexibly protruding outwardly from the first exterior surface, and a second plurality of barb members flexibly protruding outwardly from the second exterior surface. The seam bracket further includes a first side mount portion adjacent the first wall, the first side mount portion including a first plurality of fastener holes, and a second side mount portion adjacent the second wall, the second side mount portion including a second plurality of fastener holes.

Abstract: A security device used with trailers comprising first and second attached security chambers, the first chamber providing a security bolt orifice allowing insertion of a security bolt. A security pin orifice bored through one side of the chamber allows insertion of a security pin. The second chamber provides security bolt orifices to also allow insertion of the security bolt. A lock is inserted into the first chamber, with a lock body portion dimensioned to fit within the proximal interior portion of the first chamber, and a non-linear shackle portion dimensioned to fit within the distal interior portion of the first chamber. A security bar having a security bolt orifice bored therethrough permits traversing of the bar by the security bolt. The security bar is dimensioned to allow its insertion within the second chamber and unimpeded passage of the security bolt through the bar's bolt orifice.

Abstract: An ice ball launcher simulates the impact of a storm-generated hailstone falling onto a test specimen or structural component exhibit such as a roofing shingle, skylight, automobile panel, aircraft fuselage panel, aircraft wing panel and the like. The launcher includes a tripod base, a rail, a sled, an ice ball holder cup, a manually operable trigger latch assembly, an elastic band and a laser beam aiming device. The ice ball launcher consistently and repeatably projects ice balls at a predetermined velocity and impact energy onto the component sample. The velocity of each ice ball is measured as it transits from the ice ball launcher to the installation mockup, verifying that the ice ball velocity is within a predetermined velocity tolerance range. The measured velocity and known mass of the ice ball are used to calculate the kinetic impact energy on the component sample material, and to determine whether the calculated impact energy is within a predetermined impact energy tolerance range.

Abstract: An ice ball launcher simulates the impact of a storm-generated hailstone falling onto a test specimen or structural component exhibit such as a roofing shingle, skylight, automobile panel, aircraft fuselage panel, aircraft wing panel and the like. The launcher includes a tripod base, a rail, a sled, an ice ball holder cup, a manually operable trigger latch assembly, an elastic band and a laser beam aiming device. The ice ball launcher consistently and repeatably projects ice balls at a predetermined velocity and impact energy onto the component sample. The velocity of each ice ball is measured as it transits from the ice ball launcher to the installation mockup, verifying that the ice ball velocity is within a predetermined velocity tolerance range. The measured velocity and known mass of the ice ball are used to calculate the kinetic impact energy on the component sample material, and to determine whether the calculated impact energy is within a predetermined impact energy tolerance range.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implementing one or more existing object-oriented program classes as component objects in an object management system, each class including one or more member functions, each class being defined in a header file, builds an information list, the information list including a list of the classes and the member functions in each class, processes the information list, the processing including parsing the header file for each class and reading a type file, the type file including computer code for converting between an object-oriented type and an object management type, and generates from the processed information list one or more output files for each component object, each component object implementing the member functions of one class.

Abstract: The IRO System entitles employees to communicate change of restaurant events compared to established restaurant standards. Employee empowerment is created wherein the employee has responsibility for reporting the variance to the standard daily within his or her work shift. The reporting represents empowerment wherein the change is recorded and updated in the database within the work shift. The restaurant industry has adopted food and beverage controls for the collection and recording of food and beverage receipts, and production. This invention improves productivity by identifying and recording events by employees.

Abstract: A protection and control system incorporates status acquisition apparatus for use in monitoring the status of a device in the protection and control system, such as a protection relay in a high voltage electrical circuit. The status acquisition apparatus comprises a conversion circuit which converts an input voltage to a pulse width modulated signal and a comparison circuit which monitors the pulse width modulated signal to determine the status of the device. The mark-space ratio of the pulse width modulated signal decreases as the input voltage is increased to minimize power dissipation over a range of input voltages. The status acquisition apparatus may form an integral part of a protective switching device, although other applications are envisaged.

Abstract: A protection and control system incorporates status acquisition apparatus for use in monitoring the status of a device in the protection and control system, such as a protection relay in a high voltage electrical circuit. The status acquisition apparatus comprises a conversion circuit which converts an input voltage to a pulse width modulated signal and a comparison circuit which monitors the pulse width modulated signal to determine the status of the device. The mark-space ratio of the pulse width modulated signal decreases as the input voltage is increased to minimize power dissipation over a range of input voltages. The status acquisition apparatus may form an integral part of a protective switching device, although other applications are envisaged.

Abstract: The present invention combines an alkaline mixture, adjuvant surfactant, and water, thereby creating a treatment mixture, for eliminating acid generation in sulfide bearing material. After determining a level of acidity of a sulfide bearing material, a user derives an alkaline mixture to neutralize the level of acidity of the sulfide bearing material. The alkaline mixture of the present invention comprises highly reactive calcium oxide and lower reactive calcium carbonate. The user then combines the alkaline mixture with an adjuvant surfactant and water to generate a treatment mixture. The treatment mixture is applied to the sulfide bearing material, thereby eliminating acid generation.

Abstract: A method of preparing waste fission products for storage comprising combining graphite powder and a carbonaceous binder into one component, mixing this component with alpha-silicon carbide, and sprinkling this mixture on to waste fission product particles as the particles are tumbled in the presence of a solvent to form a tacky "overcoating" around the particles.The "overcoated" particles are warm pressed to form a "green" body, then the temperature is raised to carbonize the binder. The body is then heated at an elevated temperature in contact with silicon so as to melt the silicon and impregnate the body, to form a matrix of beta-silicon carbide enclosing the waste fission product particles by reaction-sintering.