Abstract: Aspects of the invention include an apparatus to aid a surface mount connection process including a barrier, a substrate in a facing spaced relationship with the barrier, a hybrid land grid array (LGA) socket interposed between the barrier and the substrate, and at least one fastening mechanism securing the barrier to the substrate at a selected distance such that a gap is formed between the barrier and the hybrid LGA socket.

Abstract: A colloidal silica solution which includes two or more colloidal silica compositions or suspensions having differing particle sizes and specific surface areas, the compositions or suspensions resulting in a multimodal particle size distribution in which the solution or suspension can be bimodal in nature and composed of, but not limited to, particles with a mode of 4 nm and 20 nm or composed of particles 7 nm and 12 nm. The solution or suspension can also be trimodal and composed of, but not limited to, 4 nm, 7 nm and 15 nm or 3 nm, 5 nm, and 20 nm. The solution or suspension can also include other multimodal systems which would give superior water drainage and fiber and ash retention on paper machines. The colloidal silica solution is a drainage and retention aid in the making of paper.

Abstract: A testing system to test safety interlock switches to ensure that they are operating normally comprising a test loop circuit 16 which connects in series a plurality of safety switches 2, the test loop circuit 16 is adapted to open the switches 2 outputs if broken, the testing system further comprising a diagnostic means 18 which checks each switch to ensure it is operating normally when the test loop circuit 16 is broken. The test loop circuit 16 may be broken when a single switch 2 is activated to open its safety output.

Abstract: A safety interlock switch with coded interlocking to provide tamper resistance, the coded interlocking having two differently coded technologies 8,10; 16,18. In a preferred embodiment one technology is mechanical in the form of a coded-cam system operated by a coded-tongue 8, the other is electronic comprising a non-contact coded RFID sensor 16,18, and wherein the switch is only enabled when the two different codes have been correctly applied.

Abstract: A testing system to test safety interlock switches to ensure that they are operating normally comprising a test loop circuit 16 which connects in series a plurality of safety switches 2, the test loop circuit 16 is adapted to open the switches 2 outputs if broken, the testing system further comprising a diagnostic means 18 which checks each switch to ensure it is operating normally when the test loop circuit 16 is broken. The test loop circuit 16 may be broken when a single switch 2 is activated to open its safety output.

Abstract: A safety interlock switch with coded interlocking to provide tamper resistance, the coded interlocking comprising two differently coded technologies 8,10; 16,18. In a preferred embodiment one technology is mechanical in the form of a coded-cam system operated by a coded-tongue 8, the other is electronic comprising a non-contact coded RFID sensor 16,18, and wherein the switch is only enabled when the two different codes have been correctly applied.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a workpiece by directing a laser beam onto an area of the workpiece and at the same time injecting substantially continuously a stream of high speed (5-300 m/s) solid particles onto the area of the vicinity thereof. The solid particles may be aluminum oxide or zirconium oxide particles having a size in the range of 1-50 &mgr;m. The particle stream is preferably formed coaxially around the laser beam, the particles being accelerated by means such as an inert gas or electrostatic charge which does not work the material. The laser beam melts the material and the solid particles are directed into the molten material before exiting from the face of the material opposite that to which the stream is directed.

Abstract: A method of cutting or machining a material (7) by directing a laser beam (1) into a cut zone and at the same time injecting substantially continuously a stream of high speed (50-300 m/s) solid particles (4) into the cut zone or the vicinity thereof. The solid particles (4) may be aluminium oxide or zirconium oxide particles having a size in the range of 1-50 &mgr;m. The particle stream is preferably formed coaxially around the laser beam, the particles (4) being accelerated by means such as an inert gas or electrostatic charge which does not work the material. The laser beam (1) melts the material and the solid particles (4) are directed into the molten material before exiting from the face of the material opposite that to which the stream is directed.

Abstract: An energy conversion and storage device (1) which comprises a magnetic rotor (5) and a stator (7) comprising one or more electric coils whereby electrical energy may be applied to and extracted from the device (1) when the rotor (5) is rotating relative to the stator (7) and means (13, 14, 15, 17) for electromagnetically suspending the rotor (5) whilst rotating relative to the stator (7), wherein the rotor (5) comprises a tubular body portion formed of a composite of fiber reinforced material and magnetic material emnbedded within the fiber reinforced material and the stator (7) is disposed inside the rotor (5) co-axially with the rotor (5) and extends along at least a major part of the length of the said body portion of the rotor (5).

Abstract: A method of friction welding which comprises forcing together two components to be welded together and providing a relative oscillatory movement between the two components to cause rubbing together of the two components to provide friction welding thereof, said oscillatory movement being caused by means, acting on at least one of the said components, which comprises a magnetostrictive transducer.

Abstract: A wall or other surface is coated by applying a multiplicity of tiles to adhere to the surface, the edges between adjacent tiles being separtated by grouting materila comprising a vitrifiable particulate material incorporated in a binder, and applying local heat from a source of heat to the grouting material to cause vitrification of the particulate material thereby to weld the tiles together.