Abstract: A mower with a hitch system allows large lateral offsets in both directions of the mower relative to a towing vehicle. The mower hitch system includes first and second swing arms spaced apart across the mower. First and second pivot shafts mount the respective first and second swing arms on the mower for pivotal movement of the arms about respective upright axes spaced apart across the mower. The swing arms extend towards a front end of the mower for connecting to lift arms of a three point hitch on the towing vehicle. A lug extends from the first pivot shaft such that the first swing arm and the lug form a bell crank. A hydraulic cylinder mounted on the front end of the mower connects to the lug such that extension and contraction of the cylinder pivots the first swing arm laterally over the cylinder and across the mower. The towing vehicle also includes a power take off for connecting to a telescoping drive shaft assembly with universal joints on the mower.

Abstract: A zero-turning radius self-propelled power lawn mower includes a standing platform structure for supporting a standing operator during mower operation. The mower has a combination parking brake and pump lockout structure which, when actuated, simultaneously applies a braking force to rear drive wheels and prevents hydro pumps from being moved from their neutral positions. The mower also includes a biasing system for automatically returning hand control levers to their neutral positions when they are not being manipulated by an operator. Unique cutter deck structure, caster structure, grass catcher structure, and steering control levers are also provided.

Abstract: A non-binding reel mount for a harvester platform includes added clearance between the sidewalls of a reel mounting bracket and the reel lifting arms. Side bushings are provided between the brackets and the arms at the center of the arms to prevent lateral motion of the brackets relative to the arms but enable twisting or rotation of the brackets relative to the arms. The non-binding reel mount thus enables one lift cylinder to be fully extended without causing binding between the reel mounting brackets and the reel support arms during a cylinder charging operation. The reel mount can be designed to provide the desired amount of vertical adjustment to the reel. In an alternative embodiment, a single bushing is provided at the top of the support arm that extends between the two sidewalls of the mounting bracket and wraps around the upper corners of the support arm to prevent lateral shifting while permitting rotation of the mounting bracket on the support arm.

Abstract: To provide a yarn heating apparatus offering greater heating efficiency and ease of manufacture than a conventional yarn heating apparatus. Provide two heating spaces for yarn, and make the middle heating part 13a between these two heating spaces 10a, 10b detachable. By doing this, yarn can be heated sufficiently and the heating unit can be manufactured more easily. Place heating units 17, 17 on both side of the heating space 10a, 10b through which the two yarns will pass. By doing this, heat is radiated from both sides of the heating space 10a, 10b towards the yarn, heating the entire heating space uniformly. Taper the heating space 10a, 10b towards the yarn inserting port and make the wall facing the heating space 13a, 13b flat. This makes it easier to manufacture the wall.

Abstract: A lock for a thrust reverser mechanism having actuator means for operating a thrust reverser mechanism, includes a first lock device connectable, in use, to the actuator means for preventing actuation of the latter. The first lock device is operable hydraulically to unlock the lock so as to free the actuator means for operation. An electro-mechanical second lock device is arranged so as normally to prevent actuation of the first lock device and is operable to permit actuation of the first lock device when required.

Abstract: A rocket engine is prepared by fabricating a combustion chamber having an annular wall as a single piece of material. The wall has a first axial region with a first inner diameter, a second axial region with a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter, and an inner wall step transition between the first axial region and the second axial region. The combustion chamber is attached to an injector by bonding an annular metallic deposit to the first axial region of the combustion chamber, providing an annular adaptor ring, first welding the adaptor ring to the metallic deposit, and second welding the adaptor ring to the injector.

Abstract: A rocket engine has a combustion chamber formed of an annular wall made of an annular wall material, and an annular insert made of an annular insert material that is of substantially the same thermal expansion coefficient as the annular wall material. The annular insert has an insert outer surface sized to fit within and contact the wall inner surface along less than the wall length. The annular wall and the annular insert are welded together. There is further an attachment between the combustion chamber and an injector. The attachment includes an annular metallic deposit bonded to the combustion chamber, an annular adaptor ring, a weld joint between the adaptor ring and the metallic deposit, and a joint between the adaptor ring and the injector.

Abstract: An adaptive catalytic monitoring method for an engine having two engine banks each coupled to one of two catalytic converters uses first and second exhaust gas oxygen sensors respectively upstream and downstream of one catalytic converter. Third and fourth exhaust gas oxygen sensors are respectively coupled upstream and downstream of the other catalytic converter. Switch ratios are determined for each of the engine banks based the switching ratios of each upstream and downstream pair of exhaust gas oxygen sensors, with the switch ratio being adjusted by an adjustment gain that is a function of airflow and a catalytic converter characteristic. A combination of the adjusted switch ratios is used to determine overall catalytic converter system performance.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas purification device for an internal combustion engine, a NO.sub.X occluding and reducing catalyst is disposed in the exhaust gas passage of an engine. The NO.sub.X occluding and reducing catalyst absorbs NO.sub.X in the exhaust gas when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is at a lean air-fuel ratio and releases and reduces NO.sub.X when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is at a rich air-fuel ratio. The air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing out from the catalyst is detected by an air-fuel ratio sensor disposed in the exhaust gas passage downstream of the catalyst. When the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the catalyst is changed from a rich air-fuel ratio to a lean air-fuel ratio, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing out from the catalyst stays at a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio before it changes to a lean air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: An exhaust stream aftertreatment system that selectively reduces NOx emissions during lean-burn operation of an internal combustion engine is provided. The apparatus includes a partial oxidation reactor having a fuel source, an ignition device, and various values. The partial oxidation reactor is disposed in the exhaust pipe of automobile between the engine and the threeway catalyst. A light-off catalyst is provided adjacent to the engine, upstream from the partial oxidation reactor. The three-way catalyst and the light-off catalyst are typical automotive catalysts having a substrate plated with a precious metal to facilitate the oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) as well as the reduction of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx). The partial oxidation reactor is adapted to operate while the internal combustion engine is producing high levels of NOx or while the engine is operating in a lean burn regime.

Abstract: For the mixing of two streams having substantially different temperatures, a primary object of the present invention is to obtain significantly improved recovery of heating and/or refrigeration values by indirect heat transfer combined with staged heat and mass transfer. The process of the present invention is a fundamental departure from all previous processes of the prior art.An object of the present invention is to accomplish reverse or "inverse" distillation. While traditional distillation or staged absorption performs simultaneous heat and mass transfer to achieve a separation, the present invention uses that process to mix two feed streams to form a single mixed product stream.

Abstract: A novel pressure-exchange ejector is disclosed whereby a high energy primary fluid compresses a lower energy secondary fluid through direct fluid-fluid momentum exchange. The pressure-exchange ejector utilizes non-steady flow principles and supersonic flow principles to obtain an ejector-compressor which can attain substantially higher adiabatic efficiencies than conventional ejectors while retaining much of the simplicity of construction and the low manufacturing cost of a conventional ejector. By virtue of the capabilities of the ejector to compress high volumes of secondary fluid, an ejector refrigeration system utilizing water and other environmentally benign refrigerants is disclosed.

Abstract: A combustion powered cooling system (10, 100) includes a power loop (12, 102) and a cooling loop (14, 104). Heat produced by combustion is used to produce superheated steam in a steam generator (18). The steam is used to move a reciprocating steam piston (26) in a power unit (16). Power is transferred from the steam piston through a energy transfer mechanism (44) to a compressor piston (40) in the cooling loop. Refrigerant material in the cooling loop is used to provide air conditioning for a residence or other facility through a chilled water circuit (60). The system is also operative as a heat pump for heating a residence or other facility.

Abstract: An actuator employing an electromagnetic voice coil actuator in parallel with a pneumatic actuator in a single, integrated unit. Rolling diaphragms on the piston are used to minimize sliding static friction. The pneumatic portion of the actuator provides the high forces necessary to support a heavy load and does not become stiff at high frequencies. At high frequencies (above 15-20 Hz.), where the frequency response of the pneumatic portion of the actuator decreases, the voice coil portion takes over and provides the desired high frequency actuation forces. The voice coil does not require a large amount of electrical power, and air flow in the pneumatic actuator provides sufficient cooling of the voice coil. A servo-valve is also disclosed for use with the pneumatic portion of the electro-pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: The linear compressor for compressing and expanding working fluid contained in a regenerative refrigerator is composed of a compressor casing in which a pair of pistons are disposed and a plurality of electromagnets for driving the pair of pistons. A pair of rods for driving the pair of pistons are also disposed in the compressor casing, and permanent magnets are mounted on the driving rods. The plurality of electromagnets are disposed outside of the compressor casing along the axis of the driving rods so that the electromagnets face the permanent magnets. The pair of driving rods are driven by magnetic force between the permanent magnets and the electromagnets which are excited by alternating current. The linear compressor can be made small in size and heat generated in the electromagnets can be easily dissipated, because the electromagnets are disposed outside of the compressor casing.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for a refrigerator and a control method therefor, mount an air circulation fan in addition to a prior refrigerating fan into the refrigerating compartment, drive the air circulation fan together with the refrigerating fan or drive only the air circulation fan, obtain a uniform cooling effect of a refrigerating compartment, feebly circulate a cool air when opening a door of the refrigerating compartment, and quickly cool the refrigerating compartment after closing the door.

Abstract: A power consumption prediction method and apparatus for a refrigerator having a defrosting heater is provided. In the power consumption prediction method, a defrosting timer cycle expressed as a cumulative value of an operation time of a compressor is set. The defrosting heater is activated to perform forced defrosting. The compressor is activated so that cooling cycles are completed several times. A defrosting time, a pause time and an operation time of the compressor and the energy consumed during each time are respectively detected. Based on the detected results, a unit run cycle of the refrigerator corresponding to the defrosting timer cycle is estimated. The energy consumption for a predetermined interval of time is estimated. Accordingly, the test time for power consumption prediction for the refrigerator can be shortened.

Abstract: A conduit is coupled to an oil accumulator with an orifice coupled in series with the conduit for limiting the flow of oil therethrough. A pressure sensor is coupled to the conduit for measuring the pressure in the conduit. An oil drain control solenoid valve is coupled to an electrical circuit also coupled to the pressure sensor for selectively opening the oil drain for the draining of oil into a collection tank without losing refrigerant.

Abstract: A control system for mobile air conditioning systems for controlling the rate at which the system compressor or clutch is cycled between operational and decreased refrigerant flow, by selectively controlling the response time of certain system control signals to flow demand changes including de-icing control, from interactions between de-icing control and flow control valves, as well as system overall control. Upon the detection of an icing condition, the response of the control system is delayed to a degree to control the rate at which the capacity of the compressor can be cycled with in design limits. The delay feature allows the differential used in differentiating between icing and non-icing conditions to be significantly reduced over that required in the prior art and thereby improving the performance of the air conditioning system. Icing conditions, or the likelihood thereof, can be determined by sensing the condition of the refrigerant flow from the evaporator.

Abstract: An improved defrost controller is provided for a space cooling system of the type having an evaporator in heat exchange relationship with a space to be cooled, a condenser external to the space, a compressor for circulating heat transfer fluid between the evaporator and condenser, an expansion valve located between an outlet from the condenser and an inlet to the evaporator, and a defroster operatively associated with the evaporator. The expansion valve is positionable in a plurality of positions between a fully open position and a fully closed position to maintain a desired level of superheat across the evaporator. The defrost controller monitors the expansion valve position and activates the defroster in response to the expansion valve being in a more closed position than a predetermined defrost target position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling the temperature of a refrigeration unit (1) with a refrigerating compartment (3), a freezing compartment (2) and a common evaporator (4) of a cooling circuit, and a corresponding temperature control arrangement. In a first mode (normal operation) the compressor (5) of the cooling circuit is turned ON when cooling is required and turned OFF when cooling is not required, in dependence of the refrigerating compartment temperature (T.sub.2). In a second mode, in spite of no cooling requirement in the refrigerating compartment (3), the compressor (5) is forced ON for a predetermined operating time (t.sub.1), when the OFF-time of the compressor has exceeded a threshold value (t.sub.2). The forced turning ON is repeated as often as the OFF-time exceeds the threshold value. A return to the first mode occurs as soon as the refrigerating compartment (3) requires cooling.

Abstract: The invention provides a battery cooling system to cool an electric vehicle battery pack and extend the operating range of an automotive heat pump system. Waste heat from the battery pack is transferred to a secondary coolant system thereby cooling the battery pack. A secondary heat exchanger is coupled between the secondary cooling system and a reversible HVAC system. The secondary heat exchanger transfers the secondary coolant system heat energy to the reversible HVAC system. The heat energy transferred to the reversible HVAC system supplements the existing stored energy thereby extending the heating mode operating range of the HVAC system. The requirement for supplemental electric heating is reduced, further increasing the electric vehicle energy efficiency.

Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system in steady state operation drives the refrigerant system to the lowest capacity state which is still able to maintain operation within acceptable pressure and temperature limits. Generally, the system seeks to minimize the on and off compressor cycling. The lowest capacity state is achieved by throttling the compressor suction and by staging down the compressor operation from economized to normal and to unloaded mode while assuring that desired box temperature is maintained. Safety methods are incorporated into the system to ensure that the operation does not violate limits on suction pressure, discharge pressure, and compressor discharge temperature.

Abstract: A variable displacement compressor in a refrigeration circuit using carbon dioxide refrigerant. The compressor changes the inclination of a swash plate located in a control chamber in accordance with the difference between the pressure in the control chamber and the pressure in a suction chamber thereby varying the compressor displacement. The compressor includes a control valve that adjusts the difference between the pressure in the control chamber and the pressure in the suction pressure. The control valve controls the flow rate of refrigerant supplied from the discharge chamber to the control chamber thereby adjusting the pressure difference. A controller inputs information from the outside of the refrigeration circuit. The outside information includes the outside temperature, the temperature of a passenger compartment and a target compartment temperature set by a temperature adjuster.

Abstract: To cool heat-emitting electronic components, a compact, non-moving-parts compressor, an evaporator in juxtaposition to the electronic components and a condenser are mounted as a unit, preferably within a vacuum can. A heat exchanger is mounted external to the can but in proximity to the condenser. The foregoing comprise a unit which may be detachably connected to a host pump and heat exchanger. The unit may be removed from the system of which it is a part for upgrade and maintenance. All its components are thermally isolated from the ambient atmosphere to prevent water vapor condensation corrosion.

Abstract: A liquid desiccant dehumidifier includes a liquid desiccant absorber arranged to receive concentrated liquid desiccant and absorb moisture contained in ambient air passed through the absorber thereby diluting the liquid desiccant. A first heat exchanger is operative to heat dilute liquid desiccant received from the desiccant absorber prior to passage to a boiler that evaporates moisture from the diluted liquid desiccant to create steam and reconstitute the desiccant into a concentrated liquid desiccant. Dilute liquid desiccant from the first heat exchanger first passes to a condenser that receives steam from the boiler and sensibly heats the dilute liquid desiccant to a higher second temperature without direct exposure to steam or air.

Abstract: An air conditioning device has two compression and expansion units connected with one another through a heat exchanger, and a mixing device arranged before the object to be air conditioned, wherein the units for expansion and compression are used at a first stage and a second stage, or for a first airstream portion and a second airstream portion.

Abstract: An ice-storing tank for an air conditioner with an ice-storing tank includes a temperature-preserving tank and a spiral pipe set positioned in the tank. The spiral pipe set consists of a bottom base, a plurality of upright long posts spaced around an outer circumferential edge of the bottom base, and a plurality of independent spiral pipe units orderly placed on the bottom base. Each spiral pipe unit consists of supporting rods radially arranged and a spiral pipe supported on the supporting rods. The outer end of each supporting rod is fixed with the upright long post, and two ends of each pipe have a joint. A vertical inlet pipe and a vertical outlet pipe are provided to stand just outside the bottom base, having a plurality of connecting mouths to connect to the joints of each pipe and their upper ends extending out of the temperature-preserving tank to function as an inlet and an outlet for freezing liquid.

Abstract: A station for dispensing a gas, in particular nitrogen, under a dispensing pressure, includes a line (10) for gas inlet under an inlet high pressure, a line (14) for dispensing the gas under a lower dispensing pressure, and a device (16) for reducing the pressure of the gas to be dispensed from the inlet pressure to the dispensing pressure. The pressure-reducing device (16) includes a machine for pressure reduction with external work production. The station includes upstream of the pressure-reducing device (16), a conduit (18) for dividing the inlet gas into a fraction to be dispensed and a complementary fraction, downstream of the conduit (18), a device (20) for liquefaction of the complementary fraction of the inlet gas that includes a heat exchanger (26) for exchanging heat with the reduced-pressure fraction of the inlet gas, and a reservoir (40) for collecting the liquefied complementary fraction.

Abstract: In a process for the cryogenic separation of air and recovery of argon in a distillation system having at least one distillation column that produces a nitrogen-enriched stream, an oxygen enriched stream, and an argon-enriched stream, and at least one sidearm column which receives the argon-enriched stream from the distillation column, controlling argon recovery by manipulating the total amount of argon inventory within the system at a given time.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for securing jewelry to a person's body, or to secure together the ends of a piece of jewelry. In one embodiment, an earring back for receiving a post of an earring has a base having a base aperture therein for receiving the post, and a first primary leg extending from a first end of the base, and a second primary leg extending from a second end of the base. A first spring leg extends from the first primary leg, the first spring leg having front face having a tear-drop shaped front aperture therein for receiving the post. A second spring leg extends from the second primary leg, the second spring leg having intermediate face having an intermediate aperture therein for receiving the post. The spring legs are biased such that when the earring back is uncompressed or not under external applied compressive forces, the front aperture, the intermediate aperture, and the base aperture are in axial misalignment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connecting member for facilitating connecting of optical fibers, and a connecting method in which the loss due to connecting is small. An optical fiber connecting member is composed of: a retaining portion having through-holes each of which has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of optical fibers to be connected; and introduction portions which are integrally formed with and on the opposite end sides of the retaining portion and each of which has introduction grooves communicated with the through-holes to thereby make it easy to insert ends of the optical fibers into the through-holes. Further, the inner diameter of each of the through-holes is reduced by heating the connecting member to thereby make axis alignment of the optical fibers automatically to obtain connecting in which the connecting loss is reduced.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for bending a sheet of glass heated to a bending temperature in a horizontal furnace through which it is conveyed by a plane conveyor delivering the glass sheet to a bending cell heated to substantially the same temperature as the bending temperature. A concave annular recessed portion moves the glass sheet vertically towards a solid convex projecting portion within the cell, so that the sheet is squeezed between the concave and convex portions. A device for carrying out the method and its use for producing glazing with a particularly complex shape are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a method and device for manufacturing a preform. The method involves arranging a starting body within a channel as defined by a vessel. Then, the channel is supplied with a reactive gas containing a coating material precursor. A resonator then generates a plasma zone within the channel. The starting body is aligned in the channel such that the plasma zone concentrically surrounds the starting body. The axial movement of the resonator relative to the starting body is controlled such that a desired layer of coating material precursor reactively deposits on the starting body to form the preform. The method suppresses deposition on the inside of the vessel via suppressing means, which may involve inducing nodes in the E-field at the vessel walls, or using an suppressing gas on the inner surface of the vessel, or a combination of the two. The present invention is also directed at a device to facilitate the aforementioned method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a rectangular bar have a gradient composition. In optical or ophthalmic applications, the gradient of composition ensures formation of a corresponding gradient of optical property, such as refractive index or optical density. The glass material is manufactured using a device containing several reservoirs, all designed to contain glass in the fluid state. According to the invention, the composition of the glass varies from one reservoir to the other so that the refractive indices, for example, of the three compositions are different, with an incremental progression. The fluid glass is deposited one composition on top of the next and then heated, creating a certain degree of interdiffusion between the layers. The glass is then heat-treated to create the desired property profile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling the diameter of a glass rod drawn from a glass preform. The diameter control begins as soon as a glass gob begins to move away from a heated portion of the preform. The velocity of the gob is measured and furnace temperature adjusted to maintain gob velocity at a pre-selected target value. By starting diameter control at this early stage of the process, utilization of the preform is improved as is the utilization of the drawing equipment.

Abstract: In a heating furnace which holds at least one end of a glass rod with a holding portion and elongates the glass rod by softening the glass rod successively from the other end portion thereof with heating while applying a tensile force thereto, the heating furnace comprises a tubular portion through which the glass rod to be elongated is inserted such as to be longitudinally movable; heater, positioned within the tubular portion such as to circumferentially surround the glass rod, for heating the glass rod; a moving portion through which one end of the glass rod is inserted; bellows the ends of which are respectively secured to the moving portion and the tubular portion and which is longitudinally expandable and contractible and composed of at least a double cylinder surrounding the part of the glass rod such as to block an outside air from flowing into the heating furnace; and gas supply line for supplying, for purging, an inert gas into a space within the tubular portion and the inner bellows as well as the

Abstract: A knitting method that can permit the forming of a connecting part of the knitting fabric overlapped in front and back, such as a pleat or fly, even when the knitting fabric is knitted in a double jersey stitch structure.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing a computer or office equipment component to a work surface. The device is adjustable for use with different sizes of components, and includes a generally U-shaped base member having an intermediate base frame and first and second parallel arms extending from the base frame and spaced apart to receive the equipment component to be secured therebetween. The base frame includes a base plate having a plurality of securing holes for receiving securing means to secure the base member to the support surface. The device includes a generally U-shaped clamping member having an intermediate clamp plate for engaging the office equipment component and first and second parallel arms extending from the clamp plate. The first and second parallel arms of one member are telescopically engaged with the first and second parallel arms, respectively, of the other member such that the base plate and clamp plate are opposed.

Abstract: A rod locking device for locking cabinet doors has locking rods movable between an unlocked position for unlocking the cabinet doors and a locking position for locking the cabinet doors. A two-part lock housing having short rods arranged therein is provided. The short rods are connected by a connecting device to the locking rods. The lock housing has a drive member arranged therein and connected to the short rods. An actuating device is connected to the drive member for actuating the drive member in order to move the short rods. The short rods have a length such that, in a retracted position, the short rods do not project from the lock housing. The lock housing has a base plate to be positioned at the exterior side of the cabinet door at a door penetration.

Abstract: A safety lock, particularly a self-locking lock, including at least one l catch and a bolt operable by a lock cylinder and a split latch nut. For creating a particularly inexpensively manufacturable and relatively narrow safety lock, a coupling device of the lock is provided with two congruent racks which have a panic or freewheel function. The racks are superimposed and mesh with the teeth of the inner and outer nut. An electromagnetic coupling is achieved with the aid of a coupling lever, which is fixable to each rack directly or indirectly subjects to the function of the particular rack and engageable with a detent of the racks.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for picking a lock which utilizes a single blade or pair of elongated thin, rigid, interchangeable blades which are to be inserted within the keyway of the lock. Each of the blades have an upper hiatused surface and can have an off-center sharpened edge so that the sharpened edge will contact the cylindrical lock pins of the lock spaced from the center of each of the lock pins. The off-center sharpened edge could be formed by beveling the side of the blade or by making a cut-out in the blade. The hiatused surface of the blades cause the lock pins of the lock to move lineally with the sharpened edge causing the lock pins to pivot. Instead of a hiatused surface, there could be used one or more deflectable members, tufts of bristles or a brush. The blades are to be driven in a reciprocal manner with one blade moving in and the opposite blade moving out.

Abstract: A roll, particularly a back-up roll, for rolling flat material is composed of a rotating roll shell and a unit arranged within the roll shell for influencing the bending stiffness of the roll shell. The unit for influencing the bending stiffness of the roll shell is a friction bearing in the form of a body of rotation. The body of rotation can be adjusted by rotating the body. The body of rotation is shaped in such a way that the load application surface thereof corresponding to the zone of the roll shell to which load is applied is part of the circumferential surface of a rotation-symmetrical body and the edge of this circumferential surface is shaped in such a way that along the circumference of the body of rotation the width and/or position of the load application surface vary.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing a heat dissipating element having a multiplicity of pins arranged in parallel rows and columns in longitudinal and transverse directions from a generally longitudinally extending extruded member having a base and a number of transversely spaced longitudinally extending ribs on the base. A cover frame having a number of transversely spaced longitudinal grooves is placed over ribs to establish a supporting relationship between the cover frame and the free ends of the ribs. The support provided by the cover frame to the ribs facilitates a subsequent cutting operation by a cutting tool on the ribs, thereby obviating potential damage to the ribs.

Abstract: A method of producing a heat transfer device comprising a base (1) and a number of flanges (2) projecting from the base (1), the device being formed with the flanges in a first mutual relation in a first operation and the base being subjected to at least partial deformation in a second operation so that the flanges projecting from the deformed portion of the base are brought into a second mutual relation, the flanges being arranged at shorter mutual distances in the second relation than in the first relation.

Abstract: Non-directional and diffuse reflecting photometric properties may be imbued to a metal sheet stock, particularly aluminum alloy sheet stock, by directly creating a textured surface on one or more surfaces of the sheet stock through mechanical texturing with at least one textured work roll in a cold roll reducing mill. A textured metal sheet surface thus produced is characterized by having over its entire surface randomly formed imbricated depressions transversely arranged, such that each depression has a substantially transverse width dimension relative to a longitudinal axis of the sheet and a longitudinal dimension greater than its width. The depressions formed are substantially equiaxial. Surface properties of both the textured work roll and the textured metal sheet may be controlled. The metal sheet stock are subjected to finishing steps such as chemical brightening and anodizing, or organic coating to provide lighting sheets with high total reflectance.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatus for forging and may be applied to trim processes using trim presses. Included are methods and apparatus for forging a gas turbine engine blade forging from a pre-formed workpiece having in serial relationship root, platform, and airfoil sections. A forge press includes a lower die and an upper die and the workpiece has a workpiece contact surface area for contacting a die contact surface area of the upper die during impact of the upper die against the workpiece. A workpiece is heated to a first temperature above an impact temperature, the workpiece is placed on the lower die such that the workpiece contact surface area is in an elevated position above the die contact surface area during chill down, and the ram is actuated to effect impacting of the upper die against the workpiece and contact between the workpiece contact surface area and the die contact surface area during the impacting.

Abstract: A tool holder for securely holding a forming tool in its intended position on a press brake. The tool holder includes a tool holder plate having first and second receiving surfaces oriented to respectively engage first and second mounting surfaces of a press brake tool, an actuator arm movable toward and away from the tool holder plate and having a camming surface, a clamp carried by the actuator arm and being movable with respect to the actuator arm toward and away from the respective receiving surfaces of the tool holder plate, and a cam surface on the clamp oriented to be engaged by the camming surface of the actuator arm to receive force therefrom in response to engagement of the respective camming surfaces of the actuator arm and the clamp. The force thus received has substantial force vector components normal to the first and second receiving surfaces of the tool holder plate to press against these surfaces, respectively, the first and second mounting surfaces of the tool.

Abstract: A calibration device is provided for use in an apparatus for measuring kinematic error in a power mechanism which includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a kinematic error measurement device. The calibration device comprises a Hooke's joint interposed at an inclination angle between the input shaft and the output shaft and a device to measure the inclination angle.

Abstract: A calibration tool and method for a robot includes a circular transparent plate with at least one reference or "symbolize" line on a planar surface of the tool and a guide groove on an edge of the tool. The size of the tool is equal to the size of a wafer to be processed by the robot. A calibration method using the tool involves placement of the tool on a wafer just before the robot is used to process the wafer, and then driving the robot to catch the tool and move it between the cassette and processing chambers. Because a non-transparent wafer is replaced by the transparent plate, it is easy to adjust the motion of the robot and record information about the motion of the robot, which can then be used to control the motion of the robot.