Abstract: A die coating for use on the surface of a metal mold or die component contacted by molten metal in low pressure or gravity die casting, and a method for its production. The die coating includes a porous layer of ceramic material produced by co-deposition, using a thermal spraying procedure, of a powder of said ceramic material and a powder of an organic polymer material. After the co-deposition, the co-deposited layer is heated to remove the polymer material, and provide the porous layer of ceramic material.

Abstract: A multiple-slide die-casting machine is equipped with improved mechanical structure and unique injection control system to improve the quality of molded products, to achieve flash free castings of improved surface finish. The clamping assemblies are mounted on one side of a base plate of the machine for applying clamping force to the mold sections in a preloaded state. A reinforcement ring interconnects the clamping assemblies to inhibit deflection of the base plate and the brackets which support the clamping assemblies so that an accurate parting line between the contacting surfaces of mold sections is insured.

Abstract: An open-ended mold for casting metal strands with a thin slab cross section, the mold having broad-side walls which form a central widening region which extends from the mold inlet edge to the mold outlet edge and at the outlet edge opens out in a rectangular outlet cross section. To prevent to a great extent the strand from coming away from the broad-side walls, the contour of the mold cavity in the widening region is formed, as seen in sectional planes taken at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the mold, by curves which at least in partial regions form clothoids or clothoidal curves, within which sudden changes in curvature (&Dgr;k) are minimized or reduced to zero. The curvature reduces to flat at the mold outlet edge. Other cavity surface features are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a metal strip, whereby molten metal is continuously poured between two casting rolls (1, 2) of a strip casting machine with rolls. Above the molten bath (4) and respectively proximate to the molten bath (5)/casting rolls (1, 2) transition surface a rotating magnetic field is produced which generates, in the molten metal, local turbulent flows, so that a surface current is formed in said molten metal, which surface current is directed by the casting rolls (1, 2) towards the central plane (E) of the molten bath (4), that is towards the plane for output of the metal strip (8), thereby enabling to largely prevent supernatant impurities at the surface of the molten bath and oxides located on the surface of the rolls from being deposited, and the molten metal particles from being prematurely solidified.

Abstract: A twin roll casting machine that can reduce an amount of inert gas supplied. A duct is upwardly urged by cylinders to compress resilient sealing members respectively between a flange on a casting module and an upper flange on the duct and between a lower flange on the duct and a lower surface on a peripheral edge of an upper-end opening of an enclosure to maintain air-tightness of connections between the casting module and the duct and between the duct and the enclosure. A scrap box is moved upward by jacks to make a lower edge of a partition plate of an upper sealing member on the enclosure penetrate into the sealing material stored in a groove on the scrap box to maintain air-tightness of a connection between the scrap box and the enclosure.

Abstract: A system provided in a high-speed continuous casting plant for casting a metallic strand for automatically operating the high-speed continuous casting plant. In the system, the stopping or slide movement, the modification of the steel level, the heat currents through the mold walls, the temperature of the liquid metal and the drawing-off speed are measured over the casting time, supplied to a computer and compared with predetermined limit values for an automatic operating mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic braking device for the steel melt running within the continuous casting ingot in a continuous casting unit. The electromagnetic brake device comprises at least one coil (3) with a ferromagnetic core (5), arranged on the broad side of the ingot and at least one yoke (7) provided on the above. In order to reduce the oscillating masses on the ingot components and to permit the retro-fitting of electromagnetic brakes to conventional continuous casting machines, the electromagnetic brake, comprising yoke (7), coil (3) and ferromagnetic core (5), is embodied such as to pivot inwards or outwards, preferably by means of two unequal length, non-parallel levers in or on the continuous casting ingot, using an actuator (6).

Abstract: A foundry sand binder formed by reacting a smectite clay containing exchangeable calcium ions with an acid to enhance the ability of the clay to bind sand in forming a metal casting sand mold. The acid-treated clay is an excellent sand binder for metal casting molds and produces cast metal parts having improved surface finish with the elimination or substantial reduction in carbonaceous, e.g., coal, foundry sand additive, while reducing VOC emissions from the foundry.

Abstract: The invention relates to refractory ceramic checker brick comprising eight wall sections (10.1-10.8) that adjoin one another at an angle <90°. Said brick is used for example for the checker lining of chambers of a glass-melting furnace.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a wafer baking plate is provided. The wafer baking plate has a support plate for supporting a wafer, a heater under the support plate, and a heat transfer plate interposed between the support plate and the heater, for transferring heat. In the cooling apparatus, a hollow bore is formed in the heat transfer plate of the wafer baking plate and partially filled with a liquid working fluid. A cooling pipe is laid in the heat transfer plate, for circulating a cooling medium. The wafer baking plate is cooled down via the working fluid, stabilizing its temperature distribution. Therefore, the product yield of wafers is increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waste gas heat exchanger comprising at least one bank of tubes (2, 3) through which waste gas can flow, the tube ends (4, 5) being respectively connected to a tube bottom (6) in a material fit, and a housing envelope (7) which surrounds the bank of tubes and through which a coolant can flow, one of the two tube bottoms being connected to the housing envelope (fixed bearing) in a fixed manner. According to the invention, the other tube bottom (6) is embodied as a movable bearing and forms a sliding seat (13) with the housing envelope (7), said sliding seat being in communication with the coolant side (8) on one side thereof and with the outer side (atmosphere) on the other side thereof.

Abstract: A heat sink includes a base having a first side in contact with a heat-generating electronic element and a second side opposed to the first side. Fins are formed on the second side of the base. A non-rectilinear air channel is formed between two adjacent fins, with a length of the non-rectilinear air channel being greater than a length of the base along an extending direction of the fins on the base. The heat sink may be provided to an outlet side of a heat-dissipating fan to form a cooler.

Abstract: A heat exchange device includes a tubular outer body having an outer wall confining a receiving space, a tubular inner body disposed in the receiving space and having an inner wall with an inner wall surface, a liquid chamber containing a heat transfer liquid, a ventilating space defined within the inner wall, and a plurality of inner fins projecting into the ventilating space from the inner wall surface of the inner body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring heat from an outer edge of a substrate holder to a temperature-controlled shield ring surrounding the substrate in a plasma reactor. Additionally, heat may be transferred from an edge of the substrate to the shield ring as well.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from a heat generating device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plate thermally coupled to the heat generating device and thermally coupled to two beat pipes wherein each heat pipe is configured to have a predetermined boiling point temperature selected according to design criteria. The apparatus can include one or more additional heat pipes coupled to the plate. The apparatus can include a heat spreader, wherein the heat spreader is in thermal contact with the heat generating device and with at least one of the heat pipes. The heat pipes can differ in outer cross-sectional dimensions depending on thermal distance position relative to the heat generating device, such that the heat pipes located a farther thermal distance from the heat generating device have smaller outer cross-sectional dimensions than the heat pipes located a shorter thermal distance from the heat generating device.

Abstract: A heat pipe with superior heat transfer between the heat pipe and the heat source and heat sink is provided. The heat pipe is held tightly against the heat source by mounting holes which penetrate the structure of the heat pipe but are sealed off from the vapor chamber because they each are located within a sealed structure such as a pillar or the solid layers of the casing surrounding the vapor chamber. Another feature of the heat pipe is the use of a plurality of particles joined together by a brazing compound such that fillets of the brazing compound are formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of particles so as to form a network of capillary passageways between the particles of the wick.

Abstract: An integrated heat spreader is presented. The heat spreader is constructed and arranged to be adhesively affixed, with a sealant, to at least a portion of a component, such as a substrate. The heat spreader includes a body portion, a lip portion substantially vertically oriented and integrally formed with the body portion, and a step portion integrally formed with the lip portion. As such, adhesion of the heat spreader to the sealant is increased, and failure due to shear stresses at the heat spreader bonding surface is prevented.

Abstract: A compound type heat exchanger has an oil cooler unit and a condenser unit integrated with each other. Both of the units have a plurality of heat exchanging pipes and fins juxtaposed and alternately stacked into a lamination, in common. At both ends of the lamination in the longitudinal direction of the pipes, they are connected with header pipes. At a boundary between the units, the heat exchanger includes partition walls arranged in the header pipes and a pseudo heat exchanging passage member interposed in the lamination. Further, at least either one of two fins adjoining the pseudo heat exchanging passage member on the side of the oil cooler unit and also on the side of the condenser unit is joined to the pseudo heat exchanging passage member, while the other fins are joined to the pipes.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes plural laminated tubes through which a coolant from a fuel cell flows, fins arranged between the tubes and at outermost sides in a lamination direction of the tubes, core plates connected to longitudinal end portions of the tubes, and tank members attached to the core plates to form tank spaces. The tubes are made of a first insulating material, and the fins and the core plates are bonded to the tubes by using metal parts provided separately from each other on surfaces of the tubes. In addition, a coating portion is coated with a second insulating material on surfaces of the core plates at least at an exposed position of the core plates and at positions around brazing portions of the core plate bonded to the tubes. Accordingly, the heat exchanger can be insulated from the fuel cell without using an electrical insulating liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic circuit element (20) for heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid, which defines a path for the first fluid and comprises at least one tube (22) having two ends and at least one tip (24) at one of said ends of the tube (22), said tip having at least one communicating passage (28b) that defines the path of the first fluid. The invention also relates to a heat exchanger obtained by stacking circuit elements (20). Such a heat exchanger can be used in particular in motor vehicles.

Abstract: A manifold for, e.g. a motor vehicle heat exchanger, has a first part formed from a shaped metal sheet and bottom and two lateral walls folded face-to-face, at least one of which is provided with an aperture for fixing a pipe there. A second part is shaped metal sheet and able to be fitted onto the lateral walls of the first part to form a cover opposite the bottom of this first part. Either the first part or the second part has a manifold plate. The first part, the second part and the pipe are assembled by brazing.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes, a pair of header pipes, partition walls, an inlet connector block and an outlet connector block. The plurality of tubes have one ends connected to one header pipe and other ends connected to the other header pipe. The header pipe internally has a pipe-inside flow-through bore. The partition wall is internally formed in each header pipe to divide the pipe-inside flow-through bore into two regions. Each header pipe has a block connector bore opening at an outer side wall opposing to an area to which the tubes are connected and opening to the pipe-inside flow-though bore by cutting out a portion of the partition wall. The inlet connector block is connected to the block connector bore of one header pipe to admit coolant to flow in. The outlet connector block is connected to the block connector bore of the other header pipe to permit coolant to flow out.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube is provided that includes an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a longitudinal axis. The heat exchanger includes at least two spiral upsets protruding from the inner diameter of the tube and spiraling around the longitudinal axis of a length of the tube. The at least two spiral upsets include a first spiral upset having a cross-sectional shape, a depth of protrusion from the inner diameter, a pitch, and an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and a second spiral upset having a cross-sectional shape, a depth of protrusion from the inner diameter, a pitch, and an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the angle of the first spiral upset with respect to the longitudinal axis is approximately equal to the angle of the second spiral upset with respect to the longitudinal axis, such that the first and second spiral upsets are approximately parallel.

Abstract: A cooling fin structure is constructed by a thermally conductive sheet bent to form a heat radiation part and a welding part. The welding part is formed with a vacant region, which is defined by notches, openings or a slot, and the thermally conductive sheet is welded to a substrate through the welding part.

Abstract: A vehicle HVAC control system including front and rear HVAC control systems for controlling a front HVAC system and a rear HVAC system, and a method for controlling the front and rear HVAC systems. A front set point temperature is used by the front HVAC control system to control operation of the front HVAC system. The front set point temperature is communicated to the rear HVAC control system. The rear HVAC control system derives a rear set point temperature, which is based upon the front set point temperature and a temperature adjustment value, to control operation of the rear HVAC system. The temperature adjustment value is one of a plurality of predetermined temperature adjustment values that may be selected by a rear seat passenger to adjust the rear set point temperature relative to the front set point temperature and thereby permit the rear set passengers to control the temperature of air delivered to the rear seat.

Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle is provided. An internal air passage in a case of the air conditioner includes a first passage which guides a portion of the air from a blower unit to flow through an auxiliary cooling portion of the evaporator, a second passage, which guides the remaining portion of the air from the blower unit to bypass the auxiliary cooling portion of the evaporator, an air mixing portion in which the air passed through the first passage and the air passed through the second passage flow together, and a third passage, which is connected to the air mixing portion and guides the air passed through the air mixing portion to flow through a main cooling portion of the evaporator. In the air conditioner a portion of the air that flows in is cooled twice while passing through the auxiliary cooling portion and the main cooling portion of the evaporator, so that a higher cooling efficiency requirement, especially regarding the early stage cooling performance, is satisfied.

Abstract: An air conditioner for automotive vehicles is disclosed. The flow rates of air supplied to an evaporator (4) and a heater (5) are adjusted by rotationally displacing a scroll casing (2b) and thus changing an air flow from a blower (2) to a predetermined direction. The air-mix door can thus be eliminated to allow a smaller size of an air-conditioner casing (3) (air-conditioning unit (1)). Also, the ratio between cool air flow rate and hot air flow rate is adjusted by rotationally displacing the scroll casing (2b) with a spur gear (2c) and, therefore, the size and the production cost of the air conditioner can be reduced as compared with a conventional system in which an air-mix door is swung by a link mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the boiling temperature of a fluid within a heat pipe are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a temperature associated with a heat pipe that contains a fluid and has an evaporator end includes measuring the temperature associated with the heat pipe and determining when the temperature associated with the heat pipe is at a desired level. The method also includes changing a pressure within the heat pipe when it is determined that the temperature associated with the heat pipe is not at a desired level. Changing the pressure within the heat pipe causes the temperature associated with the heat pipe to change.

Abstract: The invention is a mechanism for retaining an electrical transmission line. In one embodiment of the invention it is a system for retaining an electrical transmission line within downhole components. The invention allows a transmission line to be attached to the internal diameter of drilling components that have a substantially uniform drilling diameter. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes a plurality of downhole components, such as sections of pipe in a drill string, drill collars, heavy weight drill pipe, and jars. The system also includes a coaxial cable running between the first and second end of a drill pipe, the coaxial cable having a conductive tube and a conductive core within it. The invention allows the electrical transmission line to withstand the tension and compression of drill pipe during routine drilling cycles.

Abstract: A portable groundwater sampling system utilizing an air pump in combination with a sampling tank, valves, and a pressure gauge to sample a liquid from a below ground surface monitoring well. The system includes a portable power supply for energizing the air pump and is mounted on wheels for mobility. The system also may include a flat work surface and a storage container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slip system for frictionally engaging a temporarily set body, such as a packer or a whipstock, within a wellbore. The slip system comprises (1) a plurality of slips; (2) a tubular slip ring for holding the individual slips at an end; and (3) a tubular cone body having beveled surfaces for receiving the individual slips when the slip system is actuated. Each slip has a first end that defines a tail, and a second opposite end that defines a slip body. The tail and the slip body are integral, meaning that the intermediate shank portion of prior art slips is essentially removed. In its place, a dovetail geometry is provided within the tail, creating an increased tail width at the end of the tail opposite the slip body. The slip ring has a plurality of pockets, with each pocket being dimensioned to receive the dovetailed configuration of the tail on the respective slips.

Abstract: An expandable centralizer is disclosed having a body having a first portion of circular cross-section and a second portion of polyhedral cross-section. Centralizing members are arranged on the faces of the second portion which, in a first position, limit the diameter of the tool so that it can pass through small openings in a wellbore. The centralizing members can then be moved hydraulically across the faces to extend and provide support for the expandable downhole tool in larger openings within the wellbore.

Abstract: A tubular member is expanded by pressurizing an interior region within the tubular member.

Abstract: A method is disclosed relating to the treatment of a hydrocarbon well, which method comprises administering down a bore hole thermophilic microorganisms capable of generating a well treatment chemical, in particular wherein the bore hole is a producer bore hole and the well treatment chemical is a peptide such as polyAsp; further aspects include thermophilic microorganisms which have been genetically engineered to produce a well treatment chemical and bioreactors in which microorganisms generate well treatment chemicals for application to a down hole environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for making in situ thermal property determinations utilizing a heat source employed in wellbore stabilization procedures, well drilling, or well perforating, for example. In particular, using a heat source, such as a laser driller, to enable formation temperature measurements. Based on these measurements, thermal properties of the formation may be inferred.

Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole sample tank and a plurality of micro sample chambers. The micro sample chambers can have at least one window for introduction of visible, near-infrared (NIR), mid-infrared (MIR) and other electromagnetic energy into the tank for samples collected in the micro sample chamber downhole from an earth boring or well bore. The window is made of sapphire or another material capable of allowing electromagnetic energy to pass through the window. The entire micro sample chamber can be made of sapphire or another material capable of allowing electromagnetic energy to pass another material enabling visual inspection or analysis of the sample inside the micro sample chamber. The micro sample chamber enables immediate testing of the sample on location at the surface to determine the quality of the sample in the main sample tank or to enable comprehensive testing of the sample.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for predicting the formation pressure ahead of a bit in a well, which includes using measurements taken in shales and permeable formations at or near the bit together with centriod calculations to improve models predicting what the pressures ahead of the bit will be.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of oil from a subsurface reservoir in combination with the production of liquid hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbonaceous stream involving:

Abstract: A method for recirculating fluid in a well system includes drilling a first well bore from a surface to a subterranean zone, and drilling an articulated well bore that is horizontally offset from the first well bore at the surface and that intersects the first well bore at a junction proximate the subterranean zone. The method also includes drilling a drainage bore from the junction into the subterranean zone, and receiving gas, water, and particles produced from the subterranean zone at the junction via the drainage bore. The gas, water, and particles are received from the junction at the surface, and the water is separated from the gas and the particles. The method also includes determining an amount of water to circulate, and recirculating a portion of the separated water according to this determination.

Abstract: A method for reducing or completely eliminating water influx in an oil or natural gas borehole includes introducing in the borehole an aqueous solution of a copolymer comprising: A) 40-98 wt. % of structural units of formula (I), wherein: R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2 represents C2-C10 alkylene; and Me+ represents an ammonium metal ion and an alkali metal ion; B) 0.1 to 58 wt. % of structural units of formula (II); C) 0.1 to 10 wt. % of structural units of formula (III), wherein: R3 and R4 independently of each other represent hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or R3 and R4 represent together a propylene group, which, with inclusion of a radical (A), form a pyrrolidon radical or, with inclusion of a pentamethylene group, forms a caprolactam radical; D) 0.10 to 10 wt % of structural units of formula (IV). The method also includes introducing in the ground or deposit, simultaneously with the copolymer or subsequently, an agent for crosslinking the copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for completing and producing from multiple mineral production zones, independently and in several combinations. This is made possible only through the use of pressure-actuated circulating (PAC) valves and pressure-actuated device (PAD) valves in combination with isolation valves. Also disclosed are methods of completing and producing from multiple mineral zones.

Abstract: Methods for cementing in a subterranean zone, which use a cement composition that includes zeolite, cementitious material, proportioned fluid loss control additives and a mixing fluid. Cement compositions containing proportioned fluid loss control additives, and methods of making cement compositions containing proportioned fluid loss control additives.

Abstract: A lost-circulation-material includes: rubber particulates; crosslinked-copolymer particulates; cellulosic particulates; an expandable clay; a hydrogel material, and optionally a thickener. The average size of the particulates is selected so that each of the rubber particulates, crosslinked-copolymer particulates, and cellulosic particulates differ by at least a factor of 2 in diameter from one another. The components are admixed with fresh water having low salinity to form a remedial plug. In one embodiment, the copolymer particulates are pre-formed beads; the rubber particulates are finely ground butyl rubber compound; the expandable clay includes smectite; the hydrogel includes a partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide compound; and the cellulosic particulates are wood flour. Methods of forming a slurry for plugging lost-circulation zones, and methods of treating wellbores with the slurry, are described.

Abstract: A variety of approaches to reducing or eliminating “end effect” or the tendency of tubular ends to reduce in diameter after expansion are disclosed. Some involve pre-bending the ends outwardly while others involve removing material internally or/and externally near the ends. Yet other approaches feature weakening the ends in other ways including penetration of the tubular material using openings of various shapes including slots or/and holes where the openings are between the tube ends or where they can extend on one or both ends all the way to the end of the tubular. Inserts that are softer than the tube material can be placed near the ends. If there is an end effect, then the protruding material can be pushed out of the way or broken off.

Abstract: Water is supplied from a host facility (2) to a pump (10) in a seabed facility (5) via a connecting pipeline (6). The pump (10) pumps the water to a higher pressure, and injects the pumped water into a hydrocarbon reservoir at a pressure higher than the pressure of the fluid in the reservoir so that it drives production fluid there to the host facility (2).

Abstract: A bypass valve for a gas lift plunger includes a cylindrical valve having opposed ends, a circumferential sidewall and a first flow through aperture which extends through the circumferential sidewall. A body is provided with a cylindrical valve seat and a second flow through aperture. The cylindrical valve is rotatable relative to the valve seat. When the cylindrical valve is rotated to a first position the first flow through aperture and the second flow through aperture are in register thereby permitting gas to flow through. When the cylindrical valve is rotated to a second position, the first flow through aperture and the second flow through aperture are out of register and the flow of gas is restricted. An activation sleeve which overlies the body is used to move the cylindrical valve between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A flowline is described for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea well that is comprised of a substantially neutrally buoyant tubular composite umbilical. The flowline may possess electrical heating apparatus within the tubular walls of the tubular composite umbilical to prevent waxes and hydrates from forming within the flowline and blocking the flowline. The electrical heating apparatus is comprised of at least one electrical conductor disposed within the tubular walls of the composite umbilical that conducts electrical current that is used to heat the tubular composite umbilical. The tubular composite umbilical that contains any produced hydrocarbons is substantially neutrally buoyant in the sea water adjacent to the subsea well. Positively neutrally buoyant tubular composite umbilical flowlines are also described.

Abstract: A system for separating fluids from a hydrocarbon well production fluid mixture at a subsea location has a centrifugal separator (16) for separating the mixture into gas and liquid. A hydrocyclone separator (32) then separates the liquid into oil and water and an oil-in-water sensor (38) detects the amount of oil in water leaving the separator. If the sensor (38) detects that the water contains more than the prescribed amount of oil, the water is recirculated through the hydrocarbon separator (32) for removal of further oil form water. The hydrocyclone separator (32) has a level interface sensor (66) and if this sensor detects that the oil/water interface is not within prescribed limits for optimum separation of the oil and water, the amount of oil removed from the separator is adjusted until the oil/water interface is within the prescribed limits.

Abstract: A riser for connection between a vessel and a fixed connection point on the seabed, in the form of an “L”, where the bottom riser arm is connected to the fixed point (2) on the seabed and the top riser arm (3) is connected to the vessel at the point (4). An elastic element (5) is connected to the bend (6) between the riser's arms and an anchoring point (7) on the seabed.

Abstract: A system for establishing fluid communication between a floating body and a wellhead on the seafloor includes a rigid, self-tensioning riser for fluidly connecting the floating body and the wellhead. The riser defines a major axis extending from the floating body to the wellhead. The riser is formed with a series of pre-formed curves that absorb and release energy in response to the heave and surge of the floating-body by flexing in a direction essentially parallel to the major axis. The series of curves may be in a single plane (e.g., sinusoidal), or in multiple planes (e.g., helical).