Abstract: There is a positive displacement flowmeter having a pair of rotors 11 rotatable on spaced apart parallel axis 14 within a housing 8 between inlet and outlet chambers 9, 10. The rotors have gear teeth 18 and are meshed together to rotate in accordance with volumetric fluid flow through the meter from the inlet chamber 9 to the outlet chamber 10. Each of the rotors has three lobes with rotor profiles between adjacent lobes being concave.

Abstract: A method for producing a conductive segment, includes: a step of printing a metal conductive paste on a substrate, and drying the paste; a step of printing other metal conductive paste on the metal conductive paste after drying, and drying the paste; and a step of burning the metal conductive paste after drying and the other metal conductive paste after drying, wherein the conductive metal paste is an Ag—Pd conductive paste comprising silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd), and the other metal conductive paste is an Au conductive paste comprising gold (Au) as a main component; or the metal conductive paste is an Au conductive paste comprising gold (Au) as a main component, and the other metal conductive paste is an Ag—Pd conductive paste comprising silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd).

Abstract: A method of protecting a sensor for use in an environment, includes providing a protective enclosure formed in a plurality of sections, at least a first section of the plurality of sections being movable relative to a second section of the plurality of sections so that the protective enclosure can be placed around at least a portion of the sensor; placing the first section adjacent the sensor while the first section and the second section are in an open state; and moving the second section to place the first section and the second section in a closed state in which the first section and the second section encompass the at least a portion of the sensor.

Abstract: A gyroscope, including: a body; a driving mass, mobile along a driving axis; a driving device that keeps the driving mass in oscillation according to the driving axis at a driving frequency; a sensing mass, coupled to the driving mass to move according to the driving axis and is mobile with respect to the driving mass along a sensing axis; and a reading device, which receives a sensing signal associated with the movement of the sensing mass and supplies an output signal indicating a position of the sensing mass. The reading device includes an analog-to-digital converter, which receives a voltage signal associated with the sensing signal. The voltage signal includes a useful signal component and a spurious signal component, phase-shifted with respect to one another by approximately 90°, and the analog-to-digital converter is configured for sampling the voltage signal at maximum values assumed by the useful signal component.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial measurement system facilitates accurate location and/or attitude measurements via passive thermal management of MEMS inertial sensors. Accuracy of the system is also improved by subjecting the inertial sensors to programmed single-axis gimbal motion, and by performing coarse and fine adjustments to the attitude estimates obtained by the system based on the programmed motion and on the passive thermal management of the sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for pipeline inspection, the apparatus having a longitudinal axis, is provided. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of ultrasonic sensor units arranged for inspection of a pipe wall, each ultrasonic sensor unit comprising an array of ultrasonic sensors, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic sensor units defines two or more groups of ultrasonic sensor units, wherein the groups of ultrasonic sensor units are axially offset from one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, the ultrasonic sensor units in each group being spaced circumferentially from one another, and wherein the ultrasonic sensor units are arranged out of phase, to provide inspection coverage for the circumferential spacing between the sensor units in the groups of ultrasonic sensor units so that the combined output from the groups of sensor units provides 360 degrees of inspection coverage.

Abstract: Porosity of aluminum ingot can be evaluated using focused beam ultrasonic testing and/or florescent dye penetrant testing. The aluminum ingot can be machine cut to form an aluminum ingot slice prior to testing. The machine cut can be performed using a polycrystalline cutting material in a “fly cutter” configuration. The polycrystalline cutting material can comprise a diamond material. The insert can cut an aluminum ingot slice to a surface roughness finish in the range of about 7-9 micro inches.

Abstract: A wheel servicing machine such as a wheel balancer includes an acoustic transducer configured to measure energy of one or more reflected acoustic waves after the waves have bounced off a material boundary surface such as a wheel assembly. In some embodiments, a return energy index signal representative of the measured energy is generated by a transducer and is further processed by a processor to control operations of the machine. The acoustic transducer also measures distance between the transducer and the wheel assembly surface in some embodiments. One or more values in a sample queue of acquired distance data may be flagged, or indexed, based on variation in the magnitude of the return energy signal. Methods of measuring wheel width using sonar measurement of both distance and reflected energy are also provided.

Abstract: A method for measuring the amount of material removed from a target in pulsed laser ablation is provided. The method includes generating a laser beam with a laser generator for ablating the target; driving the laser generator with a delay generator; acquiring the acoustic signal generated when the target is being ablated by the laser beam and generating an electrical signal accordingly with a microphone; amplifying the electrical signal generated by the microphone with a pre-amplifier; displaying an acoustic waveform indicating the intensity of the acoustic signal generated when the target is being ablated by the laser beam with a digital oscilloscope connected to the delay generator and the pre-amplifier; and deducing the amount of material removed from the target in the pulsed laser ablation according to the acoustic waveform in real time. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems used to perform sweep-free stimulated Brillouin scattering-based fiber optical sensing are described. In one aspect, a method includes interrogating different parts of a Brillouin gain spectrum using multiple optical tones in an optical fiber. The interrogating includes sending at least two pump tones into the optical fiber from one end of the optical fiber, such that a frequency spacing between the pump tones is larger than a width of the Brillouin gain spectrum. The interrogating also includes sending at least two probe tones into the optical fiber from another end of the optical fiber, such that a frequency spacing between the probe tones is different from the frequency spacing between the pump tones. The method further includes generating a sensing output based on the interrogating.

Abstract: An optical detection system for monitoring a pipeline. The optical detection system includes a host node in the vicinity of or remote from, a pipeline to be monitored. The optical detection system includes (a) an optical source for generating optical signals, and (b) an optical receiver.

Abstract: A wind-speed-detecting device including a stator, a rotor and a processing unit is disclosed. The stator has a flux-sensing member. The rotor has a plurality of blades and a magnet module, wherein the rotor is rotatably coupled with the stator, at least a part of the plurality of blades is arranged in a settling area of an air channel, and the magnet module faces the flux-sensing member. The processing unit electrically connects with the flux-sensing member to receive an electrical signal generated by the flux-sensing member and to send out a processing result.

Abstract: Provided is a support structure for a load measurement sensor having sufficient durability without adding a large load to a portion transmitting a load to the load measurement sensor. In the support structure, including a sensor body detecting a load generated from a seat having a seat frame and an extension shaft portion extending from the sensor body, to attachment brackets in a state where the extension shaft portion follows the horizontal direction, the support structure includes a load input portion which comes into contact with the sensor body and inputs a load to the sensor body. The sensor body includes a load receiving surface which comes into contact with the load input portion and receives the load, and the load input portion is formed to be movable in the axial direction of the extension shaft portion with respect to the load receiving surface.

Abstract: Provided is a support structure for a load measurement sensor having sufficient durability without adding a large load to a portion transmitting a load to the load measurement sensor. In a support structure for a load measurement sensor, including a sensor body detecting a load generated from a seat having a seat frame and an extension shaft portion extending from the sensor body, by way of attachment brackets in the state where the extension shaft portion follows the horizontal direction, the support structure includes a load input portion which comes into contact with the sensor body and inputs a load to the sensor body, the sensor body includes a load receiving surface which contacts the load input portion and receives the load, and the load input portion is formed to be movable in the axial direction of the extension shaft portion with respect to the load receiving surface.

Abstract: A glass sampling apparatus and a method for using the glass sampling apparatus to obtain a glass sample from molten glass within a glass melting vessel are described herein. In one embodiment, the glass sampling apparatus includes: (a) a sampling tube having a first end and a second end, where the second end is used to obtain the glass sample from the molten glass in the glass melting vessel; (b) a first valve; (c) a vacuum device; and (d) a tube network that couples the first end of the sampling tube to both the first valve and the vacuum device.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated preparation of one or more samples for analysis is disclosed. The system comprises a processing mechanism configured to process the one or more samples, wherein each sample is contained in a separate sample container. The system further comprises a cover configured to enclose the sample containers while the processing mechanism is operating, a first holder comprising a first pivot point and a second pivot point, wherein the first pivot point of the first holder is hingedly connected to the cover, a second holder comprising a first pivot point and a second pivot point, wherein the first pivot point of the second holder is hingedly connected to the cover, a first actuator interface arm hingedly connected to the second pivot point of the first holder, and a second actuator interface arm hingedly connected to the second pivot point of the second holder.

Abstract: An electronic device is positioned in an environment regulating device controlling the environmental regulating device, and is tested under different test environments of the environment regulating device. The electronic device stores a number of standard environment values corresponding to the test environments. The environment regulating device regulates the testing environments according to the standard environment values. The electronic device tests itself in the different test environments.

Abstract: An environmental test apparatus is disclosed. The environmental test apparatus is configured to simulate the environmental variation in temperature and humidity. The environmental test apparatus comprises a box, a plurality of openings, a plurality of fans, two guiding elements and a plurality of controllers. The box has a plurality of sidewalls and a plurality of corners each being defined by three of the adjacent sidewalls, wherein the openings are disposed on at least two sidewalls of the box, and each of the fans is correspondingly disposed in each of the openings. The two guiding elements are disposed on two opposite corners for guiding the airflow in the hollow box, wherein the two opposite corners share a single sidewall. The controllers are configured to control the rotational speed of each fan and adapted to uniform the distribution of the temperature and the humidity inside the box.

Abstract: An auxiliary device for a bicycle is disclosed. The auxiliary device includes a pair of thrusting members and a drive mechanism pivotally coupled between the thrusting members and the bicycle. The thrusting members positioned at two sides of the bicycle in a one-up-one-down manner, so that the thrusting members normally abut against a cyclist's back thigh muscles. The drive mechanism has two first pivots, a second pivot and a linkage system so as to make the thrusting members thrust the cyclist's back thigh muscles when the cyclist treadles the treadles. Thereby, the auxiliary device is useful to reduce burden bore by the cyclist's front thigh muscles and shank muscles, and can use the kinetic energy generated by the cyclist's back thigh muscles to enhance the cyclist's riding speed and endurance.

Abstract: An improvement to a mechanism for actuating valves or other control mechanisms, either manually or by means of an electric/electronic, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator, rendering the mechanism independent and dispensing with specific controls. The redundant actuation mechanism comprises a reduction gear (1) with epicyclic gearing, coupled to the top of the shaft (2) of the shut-off component (3) and attached to the body of the valve (4). A cover (5) is mounted on the body of the reduction gear (1). The reduction gear (1) comprises an endless screw (11) with a flywheel (12) at the end thereof for manually actuating the valve. The endless screw (11) meshes tangentially with the outside of the ring gear (13) of the epicyclic gearing. Three pinions (14) interconnected by a central gear (15) rotate inside the ring gear (13).

Abstract: A vibratory drive of a vibrating roller includes an unbalanced-mass vibration generator configured to be used in at least one drum of the vibrating roller. The vibrating roller is operated by an external drive device or advancing device such that the unbalanced-mass vibration generator can be rotated relative to the drum in at least one direction. The unbalanced-mass vibration generator is mechanically coupled to a hydraulic motor, which is configured to be supplied with a pressure medium by a hydraulic pump to rotate the unbalanced-mass vibration generator. At least one high-pressure accumulator is provided to accommodate pressure medium pumped by the hydraulic motor in a pushing operation. The high-pressure accumulator feeds stored pressure medium to the hydraulic motor in a driving operation of the hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A coupler assembly is provided for coupling components in a power transmission system, such as a rack and pinion drive system. The coupler assembly includes a floating mount and a pair of clamp members movable between an unfastened configuration in which the floating mount is adjustably supported between the clamp members and a fastened configuration in which the floating mount is fixedly secured between the clamp members. At least a pitch and a yaw of the floating mount are adjustable when the clamp members are in the unfastened configuration. Methods and systems which relate to or include the aforementioned coupler assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A baby stroller for transporting a child is disclosed. This baby stroller has a folding mechanism to facilitate folding for easier stowing and transporting. The folding mechanism, a unique feature of the design is directed toward compactness, ease of use, reliability, and reduction in manufacturing costs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting device for adjusting two vehicle parts relative to each other, comprising a first guide rail (10), which is longitudinally extended along a longitudinal axis and which is formed by a base (100) and lateral legs (101, 102) connected to the base, a second guide rail (11), which is movably arranged on the first guide rail and which is longitudinally extended along the longitudinal axis, an adjusting mechanism (2), which is arranged between the legs on the first guide rail and which comprises a spindle nut (23), which can be rotated about the longitudinal axis in order to drive the adjusting device, a spindle (3), which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the second guide rail and which is longitudinally extended along the longitudinal axis and which engages with the spindle nut in such a way that, when the spinal nut is rotated, the first guide rail is moved along the longitudinal axis relative to the second guide rail, and a fastening device for fastening the adju

Abstract: In a control apparatus for an automatic transmission having multiple speeds constituted by four sets and speed selecting mechanisms corresponding to the four sets, assuming the speeds as seven among eight speeds of A to H in order of gear ratio, the four sets are constituted by a first set of A having a largest gear ratio and C that is next but one; a second set including at least H having a smallest gear ratio; a third set of B and D between two of the first set; and a fourth set including two of E, F and G between the second and third sets, and one of first and second pressure regulators selectively supplies hydraulic pressure to two of the mechanisms corresponding to the first and second sets, while the other thereof selectively supplies hydraulic pressure to two of the mechanisms corresponding to the third and fourth sets.

Abstract: A machining assembly (1) comprising a drive unit (2) with a drive motor and a drive member rotatable by the drive motor, which drive member is rotatably arranged in a housing (6) of the drive unit, and a transmission unit (4) which is attached or attachable to the drive unit and comprises:—a housing (20);—a first rotatable member, which is configured for connection to the drive member and rotatable about a first axis of rotation;—a second rotatable member, which is configured for connection to a machining tool (5) and rotatable about a second axis of rotation extending in parallel with and at a distance from the first axis of rotation; and—a transmission mechanism for transmitting torque from the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member. The transmission unit is adjustable into different rotational positions in relation to the drive unit by pivoting the housing of the transmission unit in relation to the housing of the drive unit about a pivot axis coinciding with said first axis of rotation.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to gear backlash compensation in a printing device. This gear backlash compensation occurs in a gear train assembly utilized to drive and position a service station of the printing device. The gear train assembly is driven by a media advance and positioning subsystem of the printing device.

Abstract: A pop-up monitor is provided. A pop-up monitor with a double rack gear includes a driving unit, a rack gear set, and a monitor frame. The driving unit includes a spur gear set having first and second spur gears, and generates first and second rotational motions with the first and second spur gears. The rack gear set includes an outer gear with a rail groove in one surface thereof along, changing the first rotational motion to a first rectilinear motion, and an inner gear with a rail rail-coupled to the rail groove changing the second rotational motion to a second rectilinear motion. The monitor frame includes a support frame supporting a monitor. The monitor frame is fixed by the inner gear which vertically ascends by the second rectilinear motion without forward and rearward movement when the support frame has vertically ascended to a position according to the first rectilinear motion.

Abstract: A gear structure for supporting a vertical motion of an electric pop-up monitor is provided. More specifically, a double rack gear structure for supporting a pop-up monitor is disclosed. The rack gear structure includes an outer gear and an inner gear. The outer gear is coupled at a side of the monitor frame to operate integrally with the monitor frame, and enables the vertical motion of the monitor frame with an ascending or descending motion. The inner gear is received inside the outer gear. The inner gear performs an ascending or descending motion simultaneously with the outer gear, and supports forward and rearward or right and left shaking, which occurs in the outer gear, by maximizing a portion overlapping with the outer gear when the outer gear has ascended to the maximum.

Abstract: A method of determining an optimized face cone element for spiral bevel and hypoid gears. The form of the root fillet of one member of a gear pair is determined and that from is transferred to the tip of the other member of the gear pair. With the inventive method, tooth root-tip clearance is optimized and the contact ratio is maximized while avoiding root-tip interference between mating gear members.

Abstract: A haptic device for an actuator of a gear selector for a vehicle. The haptic device includes a first element and a second element coupled to one another and movable from a rest position, when the actuator is in a disengaged position, to a triggered position, when the actuator is moved to an engaged position. The elements define a space for accepting a slide between the first and second elements. A biasing member continuously biases the first and second elements toward one another. The slide defines a contoured surface. A cam follower selectively engages the contoured surface and urges the first and second elements toward the triggered position to create the tactile feedback to the actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic system (1) for actuating at least one shifting element (2) of a transmission. The hydraulic system comprises a regulating valve device (3) that can be preset and has a regulating valve slide (8), and a shifting valve device (4) which can also be preset and has a shifting valve slide (6). The shifting valve device (4) interacts with the regulating valve device (3). The regulating valve slide (8) and the shifting valve slide (6) are coaxially aligned with one another and move in opposite longitudinal directions within a common boring (24) of a housing (25). Each of the slides has a control surface (5, 14) which faces toward one another and can be pressurized with a pressure signal (p_VS) via a common pressure chamber (26).

Abstract: An integrated control shift lever device according to an exemplary embodiment provides M mode of +/? to feel a dynamic shift manipulation feeling together with automatic mode of P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), and D (driving) as a basic function and further provides integrated mode 6 to provide to engine control unit the electrical signal generated by positional change of automatic lever to control the engine, suspension device, or the steering device in addition to the transmission by driver's simple manipulation, thereby significantly improving convenience and in particular, further improving performance, quality, and merchantability of an automobile when the integrated control shift lever device may be applied to a vehicle.

Abstract: An shift lever device provides M mode of +/? to feel a dynamic shift manipulation feeling together with automatic mode of P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), and D (driving) as a basic function and further provides integrated mode to provide to engine control unit the electrical signal generated by positional change of automatic lever to control the engine, suspension device, or the steering device in addition to the transmission by driver's simple manipulation, thereby significantly improving convenience and in particular, further improving performance, quality, and merchantability of an automobile when the shift lever device is applied to a vehicle.

Abstract: A robot according to an aspect of an embodiment includes: an articulated arm; and a speed reducer that is provided in a joint of the articulated arm. The articulated arm performs a multi-axis operation. The speed reducer has rigidity for which an acquisition value obtained by acquiring a deflection amount of a predetermined representative position at the articulated arm for each dimension of a three-dimensional coordinate system is not more than a threshold corresponding to a target precision of the articulated arm.

Abstract: A robot for virtual reality experience, in which a settling body for a user is moved in multidirectional according to operation states of first and second moving units and first and second crank motors. The settling body creates various moving directions according to the operation states of the first and second moving units and the first and second crank motors, and each magnitude of forces applied to each moving direction is changed, thereby forming the various waveforms.

Abstract: An adapter for a steering handle of a camera dolly includes a first part and a second part attached to the first part in a way that allows for angular adjustment between them. This allows the steering handle to be aligned or squared up relative to the dolly chassis. The first part may be an adapter base and the second part may be a riser. The adapter base may have a flange with slotted holes alignable with holes in the riser. When installed on a camera dolly, the adapter allows the steering handle to align as desired. The adapter also raises the steering handle up, to allow for ergonomic use by a taller dolly operator.

Abstract: An assembled structure of brake release knob that assures a predetermined anchoring force, and reliable anchoring with no damage being caused in assembling. A cap (80) is fixed in a brake lever distal end part (11); a brake release knob (20) is inserted into the cap (80); a flange part (23) formed on a leg part (22) extending from a head part (21) of the brake release knob is engaged with an innermost end (85) of the cap; in the brake lever distal end part (11), a distal end part taperedly extending from a shoulder part (72) of a release rod (70) is inserted closer to the center of the cap (80) than the leg part (22) of the brake release knob; and between the shoulder part (72) and the innermost end (85) of the cap, the flange part (23) of the brake release knob is sandwiched under pressure.

Abstract: A camshaft assembly for extending duration of a valve event including a hollow outer shaft, an inner shaft received within the hollow outer shaft, a plurality of cam lobes, and a phaser located between the plurality of cam lobes approximately in the middle of the inner and outer shaft.

Abstract: A bicycle pedal comprises a pedal axle, a main pedal body, a coupling mechanism and a cleat movement restricting member. The main pedal body is rotatably supported on the pedal axle. The coupling mechanism includes a first cleat securing member and a second cleat securing member. The first cleat securing member is configured to be coupled to a front portion of a cleat. The second cleat securing member is configured to be coupled a rear portion of the cleat. The cleat movement restricting member is configured to restrict movement of the cleat in at least one direction between a frontward direction and a rearward direction. The cleat movement restricting member is further configured and arranged relative to the coupling mechanism such that the cleat movement restricting member guides the cleat during a cleat disengagement operation in which the cleat detaches from the coupling mechanism.

Abstract: A gear train lubricating device configured to supply lubricating oil OL to a gear included in a gear train is provided. The gear train lubricating device includes: a shroud covering, among components constituting the gear, at least teeth of the gear; and a lubricating oil supply port through which the lubricating oil OL is supplied to a meshing position of the gear. The shroud has an outlet port formed therein, through which the supplied lubricating oil OL is discharged. The outlet port is formed in a portion of the shroud that is positioned radially outward from the gear, such that the outlet port is disposed at an angular position that is 90°±15° forward from the meshing position in a rotation direction R1 of the gear.

Abstract: An example mechanical transmission assembly receives an input rotating at a first rotational speed and provides an output rotating at a second rotational speed. The mechanical transmission selectively adjusts the second rotational speed. The input is provided by a prime mover. The output is provided to a hydraulic pump assembly that rotatably drives a motor-generator.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switch is disclosed as having an electromagnetic switch, operative to open or close a main contact of a motor circuit, and a solenoid having a function to push a pinion gear to a position away from a motor. The electromagnetic switch and the solenoid are placed in series in a unitary structure such that the electromagnetic switch and the solenoid have a switch case and a solenoid case both of which are integrally formed with each other to be contiguous in an axial direction. Further, a stationary core for the electromagnet and a stationary core for the solenoid are integrally folioed and an operational direction of a plunger for the electromagnet and an operational direction of a plunger for the solenoid are set to be opposite in direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for indexing a turret of a multi-spindle machine tool. The system includes: a turret designed to rotate about an axis; and a turret drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is designed to index the turret in order to position the turret angularly in a free manner while rotating about said axis, and the drive mechanism is designed to lock the turret in this position.

Abstract: A powder metal compact is disclosed. The powder compact includes a substantially elongated cellular nanomatrix comprising a nanomatrix material. The powder compact also includes a plurality of substantially elongated dispersed particles comprising a particle core material that comprises Mg, Al, Zn or Mn, or a combination thereof, dispersed in the cellular nanomatrix. The powder compact further includes a bond layer extending throughout the cellular nanomatrix between the dispersed particles, wherein the cellular nanomatrix and the dispersed particles are substantially elongated in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: The present invention involves a multifunctional frothing agent with collector and frothing functions for frothing flotation processes to recover valuable metals from minerals, based on organic residues selected from biosolids from wastewater treatment plants, organic sludge from biogas production systems, compost hydrosoluble organic matter or other similar biologically treated or stabilized organic in aerobic or anaerobic conditions, industrial sludge from industrial organic liquid waste treatments, hydrosoluble organic matter from vegetal peat, manure, dung or a combination of two or more of these, or a fraction of them, representing between 35% and 98% organic matter, apparent density between 0.2 and 0.8 g/mL, a pH between 6.0 and 8.5, an electrical conductivity between 4.0 and 15 mS/cm.

Abstract: A process for converting organic wastes into a reducing agent-coke substitute (“RACS”). More specifically, a process for producing a reducing agent-coke substitute from a mixed waste material containing economically recoverable metals and organic based materials is described. In accordance with one aspect, the process comprises blending mixed waste material with a metal-containing smelter by-product, processing the blend of mixed waste material and smelter by-product through a heated mixing device to convert the blend into reducing agent-coke substitute.

Abstract: A method for leaching zinc from a zinc-bearing carbonate ore, the method comprising the steps of: subjecting the zinc-bearing carbonate ore to elevated temperatures of between about 300° C. and about 900° C. thereby producing a roasted ore; subjecting the roasted ore to an aqueous acid or alkali leach thereby producing an aqueous zinc solution; and subjecting the aqueous zinc solution to a zinc recovery step.

Abstract: Chrome-containing molten iron and slag are to be obtained in an electric furnace operation using CaF2-free slag. In order to reduce and collect chrome from the slag while simultaneously promoting desulfurization of molten iron, a chrome-containing molten iron produced in an electric furnace and having a Cr content of from 8.0 to 35.0% by mass, and a CaF2-free electric furnace slag formed during the molten iron production, including Cr2O3, SiO2 and CaO as the constituent components and having a basicity CaO/SiO2 of from 0.7 to 1.7, are mechanically stirred with an impeller in a refining vessel. A metal Al-containing substance and CaO are put into the vessel before the end of stirring to thereby control the basicity of the slag after the end of stirring to at least 1.

Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for melting an aluminum powder, which are capable of melting the aluminum powder with a high yield and allow the melted aluminum to be reused for a variety of applications. The method for melting the aluminum powder includes the steps of: preparing a mixture (M) including an aluminum powder (A) and a fluoride-based flux (F) by previously mixing the aluminum powder (A) and the fluoride-based flux (F); and melting the mixture (M) in molten aluminum (L).