Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine system (1), particularly in a motor vehicle, comprising an internal combustion engine (2), a fresh gas system (3) for supplying fresh gas to the internal combustion engine (2), an exhaust gas system (4) for discharging exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine (2), and an exhaust gas recirculation system (5) for removing exhaust gas from the exhaust gas system (4) at a removal point (11) and introducing the removed exhaust gas into the fresh gas system (3) at an introduction point (12). In order to improve exhaust gas recirculation, the exhaust gas system (4) is equipped with an exhaust gas valve (14) downstream of the removal point (11) in order to control the penetrable cross-section of the exhaust gas system (4).

Abstract: A two-stage supercharging exhaust turbocharger includes: a high-pressure-stage supercharger having a high-pressure turbine driven by exhaust gas discharged from an exhaust manifold of an engine; a low-pressure-stage supercharger having a low-pressure turbine driven by the exhaust gas used to drive the high-pressure-stage supercharger, the high-pressure-stage supercharger and the low-pressure-stage supercharger being arranged in series in an exhaust gas passageway; and an exhaust gas control valve configured to selectively change flow rates of the exhaust gas passageways of the high-pressure-stage supercharger and the low-pressure-stage supercharger, wherein an exhaust manifold incorporating casing is configured by integrally forming the exhaust manifold, a high-pressure turbine housing of the high-pressure-stage supercharger, and a valve casing accommodating the exhaust gas control valve.

Abstract: An air cleaner includes a case in which an inner cylindrical filter and an outer cylindrical filter are housed, the case having a case body that defines an opening end surface closed by a cover member. The case includes an air inlet provided to an outer circumference of the case body for supplying outside air and an exhaust outlet provided to a bottom of the case body at a downstream side in an air-flowing direction for discharging the air supplied through the air inlet and filtered through the inner cylindrical filter and the outer cylindrical filter. A mass flow rate sensor is provided in the exhaust outlet to measure the flow rate of the air. A flow straightening grid is provided at the upstream side of the mass flow rate sensor to straighten the flow of the air.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at the thermodynamic property amplification of a given thermal supply, provided by hydrocarbon combustion or in the preferred application heat provided by low-grade geothermal energy from the earth, for a vapor power cycle. The present invention achieves the desired objectives by segregating the compressible supercritical energy stream from the heat exchanger (boiler) into hot and cool fractions using a vortex tube, where the hot temperature is elevated above the heat exchanger temperature; and adding back heat (enthalpy) to the cool stream increasing the cool temperature to that of the geothermal heat exchanger.

Abstract: A steam turbine facility is provided which is capable of appropriately sealing a gap between members made of cast material of Ni-based alloy even under the steam-temperature condition of 650° C. or higher, and which includes a first member and a second member whose base material is formed of cast material composed of at least one of Ni-based alloy, austenite steel, or high-chrome steel, form a space where the steam of 650° C. or higher flows. Between the first member and the second member, a metal gasket is provided which has a plurality of portions in line contact with the first member and the second member. On the first member and the second member, a first high-hardness layer which is harder than the base material, is provided at least in a portion where each of the first member and the second member is in line contact with the metal gasket.

Abstract: A method of cooling a turbine having internal moving components to a predetermined temperature is disclosed. The method comprises taking the turbine offline. While the turbine is offline, nitrogen is flowed through the turbine until the turbine reaches the predetermined temperature while controlling the flow of nitrogen from at least one injection point to prevent damage to the moving components of the turbine by achieving uniform cooling of the internal moving components. Then the flow of nitrogen is stopped. A method and assembly for cleaning a turbine having a deposit formed on an internal surface of the turbine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A steam engine and an electric motor are arranged, which respectively drives an air compressor. The compressed air from the air compressor is supplied to a compressed air using device through a common air tank. The steam is supplied to the steam engine through a steam supply path, and the steam used in the steam engine is supplied to a steam using device through a steam exhaust path. The steam pressure is monitored by a pressure sensor arranged in a steam header ahead of the steam exhaust path. The air pressure is monitored by a pressure sensor arranged in an air tank. A steam supply valve is controlled based on the steam pressure and the air pressure, and the electric motor is controlled based on the air pressure. The steam engine is preferentially driven over the electric motor by shifting the target value of the air pressure.

Abstract: A universal heat engine is disclosed for converting energy from an input heat source to an output. The universal heat engine comprises a heat engine section and an output section. The heat engine section includes a heat engine bore receiving a heat engine piston. A heat engine valve assembly communicates with the heat engine bore for effecting reciprocal motion of the heat engine piston. The output section includes an output bore receiving an output piston. A piston rod interconnects the heat engine piston to the output piston. A control controls the heat engine valve assemblies to operate the heat engine section in accordance with a desired output from the output section. The heat source may comprise the burning of a petroleum product, a solar heat source, geothermal heat source or a byproduct heat source. The output may comprise a static or mobile air conditioning system or an electrical generator.

Abstract: A method for purging fuel from a fuel system of a gas turbine engine on shutdown of the engine comprises, in one aspect, terminating a fuel supply to the fuel system and using the residual compressed air to create a reversed pressure differential in the fuel system relative to a forward pressure differential of the fuel system used to maintain fuel supply for engine operation, and under the reversed pressure differential substantially purging the fuel remaining in the system therefrom to a fuel source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating fuel in an aircraft gas turbine engine, for example to provide fuel anti-icing to the fuel, comprises directing a fuel flow through a heat exchanger associated with a generator power conditioning unit as a sole means for providing anti-icing heating to fuel supplied for engine combustion. The method and apparatus permits the heat exchanger to heat the fuel sufficiently so that other dedicated heating means may be unnecessary.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a nacelle assembly that includes an inlet lip section and an inlet internal diffuser section downstream of the inlet lip section. A variable area fan nozzle is positioned near an aft segment of the nacelle assembly, the variable area fan nozzle adaptable to move between a first position having a first discharge airflow area and a second position having a second discharge airflow area greater than the first discharge airflow area. At least one boundary layer control device is positioned near one of the inlet lip section and the inlet internal diffuser section. A controller is configured to move the variable area fan nozzle from the first position to the second position and to actuate the at least one boundary layer control device to introduce an airflow in response to an operability condition.

Abstract: A method of delivering a purge flow through a gas turbomachine includes generating a purge flow, guiding the purge flow through at least one of a combustor assembly and a turbine portion of the gas turbomachine, determining a cumulative purge volume passing through the one of the combustor assembly and the turbine portion of the gas turbomachine to determine a predetermined purge volume, and discontinuing the purge flow once the predetermined purge volume has passed through the one of the combustor assembly and the turbine portion of the gas turbomachine.

Abstract: An air conditioning system in an aircraft is provided. The system comprises at least one air cycle air-conditioning pack with a compressor comprising a bleed air outlet and with a compressed-air line connected to the bleed air connection, which compressed-air line is connectable to a starter turbine for a main engine. With the use of air from a compressor of an air conditioning pack it is not necessary to switch off the air conditioning pack; bleed air removal from the auxiliary power units becomes obsolete; and, since there is no unnecessary discharge of compressed air from a bleed air system, noise pollution on the ground is reduced.

Abstract: A gas turbine includes a gas turbine body in which a rotor is rotated with the energy of combustion gas produced by combustion of fuel to take out rotational energy from the rotor, an inlet casing that is attached to the gas turbine body and that guides the air to a compressor section compressing the air, an air intake chamber that is connected to the inlet casing and that guides the air taken in from the atmosphere to the gas turbine body, and a notch so formed in the air intake chamber as to cover the entire range where the rotor passes or exists when the rotor is moved.

Abstract: A sample mounting apparatus for a cryo-cooler is provided having a housing with an outer wall surface for connecting to the cryo-cooler, and an inner wall surface. An inert gas is sealed inside the housing for thermal transfer, and a delicate mount is attached to the inner wall surface of the housing for supporting the sample and substantially preventing vibrations from being transferred to the sample from the cryo-cooler.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for water collection from atmospheric moisture in large quantities in uncontrolled outdoor environments where the temperature may be cold and humidity levels low. To extract water from air when the dew point is low, a heat exchanger cools to a point where water vapor is deposited on its surface as ice. The heat exchanger then cycles through a heating phase to melt the ice and generate liquid water. The accumulation of frost is advantageous. Frost accumulation enables water collection when the dew point is low. Disclosed variations enhance efficiency and environmental tolerance.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that makes it possible to reduce the amount of refrigerant used and shorten the amount of time over which the new air conditioner must be run in a refrigerant pipe washing mode when an air conditioner that used a mineral-oil-based refrigerant oil is updated to or replaced with an air conditioner using an HFC refrigerant as the working refrigerant and the existing refrigerant piping is reused as is. Thus, the existing refrigerant piping of the air conditioner that used a mineral-oil-based refrigerant oil is reused in the air conditioner that uses an HFC refrigerant as the working refrigerant, the by washing the refrigerant piping using a cleaning agent comprising an HFC refrigerant containing at least 40 wt % of R32 to remove residual refrigerant oil in the refrigerant piping.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat medium relay unit accommodating heat exchangers for exchanging heat between a flammable refrigerant and a heat medium different from the refrigerant. The heat medium relay unit is disposed in a space in a structure that is not an air conditioned space. One or more outdoor units are connected to the heat medium relay unit to circulate the refrigerant therein. The outdoor units are disposed in a space outside the structure or a space inside the structure that is not isolated completely from the space outside the structure. One or more indoor units are connected to the heat medium relay unit by a different system than that of the outdoor units. The indoor units circulate the heat medium therein to exchange heat with air related to the indoor space.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus has at least one intermediate heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant changing in two phases or a refrigerant in a supercritical state and a heat medium such as water and anti-freezing fluid different from the refrigerant, a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a heat-source side heat exchanger, at least one expansion valve, and a refrigerant-side channel of the intermediate heat exchanger are connected via a pipeline through which the refrigerant flows, and a heat-medium circulation circuit in which a heat-medium side channel of the intermediate heat exchanger, a pump, and a use-side heat exchanger are connected via a pipeline through which the heat medium flows, in which in the heat-medium circulation circuit, a fourth temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the heat-medium flowing out of the use-side heat exchanger is provided, and leakage of the heat medium from the heat-medium circulation circuit is detected on the basis of a change amount of

Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigeration circuit having a mono- or multi-component refrigerant circulating therein, said refrigeration circuit comprising, in the direction of flow, a condenser, a collecting container, a relief device connected upstream of an evaporator, an evaporator and a compressor unit with single-stage compression. According to the invention, there is an intermediate relief device (a) arranged between the condenser (1) and the collecting container (3). Furthermore, there is disclosed a method of operating a refrigeration device in which pressure relief of the refrigerant to an (intermediate) pressure of 5 to 40 bar is effected in the intermediate relief device (a) arranged between the condenser (1) and the collecting container (3).

Abstract: A pool heating system is disclosed. The pool heating system includes, in some embodiments, an immersed condenser coil. In some embodiments, the immersed condenser coil is immersed in a pool of water receiving hot refrigerant gas at high pressure from an outdoor unit, transferring heat to water in the pool, condensing the gas and transmitting condensed refrigerant to the outdoor unit. The system also includes an outdoor unit. In some embodiments, the outdoor unit includes a compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a fan.

Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument cabinet comprising: a wall structure with vertical studs, a fan for cooling electric components to be installed in the instrument cabinet with an airflow produced by the fan, and a cooling element arranged in the airflow and having a flow channel for feeding cooling fluid through the cooling element for cooling the airflow that cools the electric components. To achieve a lower than before instrument cabinet that has fewer risks of leakage, the cooling element is arranged upright and at least partly in the space between the vertical studs.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system having a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a multichannel heat exchanger connected in a closed refrigerant loop. The HVAC&R system may also have a base, a retainer and/or a grommet for providing support to the multichannel heat exchanger and/or substantially isolating the multichannel heat exchanger from the base.

Abstract: An appliance includes a main body, and a door movably attached to the main body. The door includes a front, a back, a side surface extending from the front to the back, and a recess formed on the side surface. The appliance further includes a water filtration system including a filter that is disposed in the recess.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a first portion having a primary loop and a secondary loop operably coupled by a first chiller, The primary loop circulates a refrigerant through the first chiller to provide cooling to a coolant in the secondary loop. The secondary loop has a supply portion and a return portion, the supply portion circulates the coolant to one or more temperature-controlled storage devices operating at a first temperature. A second portion has a primary loop and at least one secondary loop operably coupled by the second chiller. The primary loop circulates a refrigerant through the second chiller to provide cooling to coolant in the secondary loop. The secondary loop has a supply portion and a return portion, the supply portion circulates the coolant to one or more temperature-controlled storage devices operating at a second temperature. The return portion of the secondary loop of the first portion and the return portion of the secondary loop of the second portion share a common return header.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fast ice making device for quickly producing ice cubes. The fast ice making device includes a mold body having a plurality of ice forming cavities adapted to hold fluid. In an ice making cycle, a vacuum system evacuates air from the cavities, thereby depressurizing the cavities. Then, a liquid delivery system delivers liquid to the depressurized cavities, whereby an initial portion of the liquid bubbles up within the respective cavities. Overall, a cooler fluid is established at the beginning of an ice making cycle, thus accelerating the rate at which ice cubes are formed within the fast ice making device. Once ice cubes have been formed within the cavities, a heat transfer system is utilized to heat the cavities, thereby slightly melting the ice cubes and aiding in the expulsion of ice cubes from the cavities.

Abstract: A refrigerator including a cabinet having a cabinet door pivotally connected thereto. A primary ice bin is disposed on one of the cabinet and the cabinet door and includes a primary gate operable between a closed position and an open position. A secondary ice bin is disposed on the other of the cabinet and the cabinet door. The secondary ice bin includes a secondary gate operable between a closed position and an open position. The secondary gate operably engages with the primary gate to form an ice overflow route when the primary gate and the secondary gate are in the open position. An ice maker is disposed inside the cabinet and adapted to dispense ice into the primary ice storage bin.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.

Abstract: A method of operating an ice making machine efficiently provides clean ice blocks. A special water-discharge operation which is performed when an ice storage switch (TS) provided at an ice storage chamber (16) storing ice blocks (M) separated in a deicing operation detects that the ice storage chamber (16) is full of ice discharges the ice-making water from the ice-making water tank (20) via water discharge means (44) by releasing a water discharge valve (DV) provided at the water discharge means (44). Then, the special water-discharge operation is terminated by closing the water discharge valve (DV) when a preset duration time (T) passes after a float switch (FS) provided at the ice-making water tank (20) detects an ice-making completion water level (LWL) of the ice-making water in the ice-making water tank (20) after discharge of the ice-making water to outside is started.

Abstract: An ice making assembly includes an ice maker including a mold body defining a one or more compartments for forming ice cubes therein, a harvesting assembly removes an ice cube from the compartment, and one or more bimetallic elements. Each bimetallic element is configured with a respective one of the compartments so that when energized the bimetallic element deforms with a portion moving in a direction so as to assist in removing an ice cube from the compartment. Related refrigeration appliances are also disclosed.

Abstract: A clear ice making system and method utilizes an ice tray including a plurality of ice forming cavities extending into a fluid supply cavity. Fluid supplied to the fluid supply cavity flows into each of the plurality of ice forming cavities and out through respective fluid outlets located in a bottom portion of the ice forming cavities to a fluid outlet chamber below. Cooled ice forming members extend into respective ice forming cavities. Fluid is continuously cycled through the ice forming cavities and around the ice forming members during an ice making event such that clear ice pieces gradually form on each of the ice forming members. During an ice harvest event, ice forming members are heated to release formed ice pieces, and the ice pieces are transferred from a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator to an ice storage bucket located in a freezer compartment of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A cryogenic freezer includes a plurality of conveyor rail supports that rest upon side walls of a lower housing of the freezer. The conveyor rail supports include upper and lower bars that support upper and lower conveyor support rails extending perpendicular to the bars.

Abstract: A dual chamber drink container system for chilling and containing quid in at least one chamber features a side wall interior surface having a first groove and a second groove located from a container top to a container bottom. A first liquid level window and a second liquid level window are located in the side wall. The system features a circular lid with a first pop up straw located in a first straw aperture and a second pop up straw located in a second straw aperture. The system features a planar divider adapted to be inserted into the first groove via a first tongue and the second groove via a second tongue. The divider is adapted to provide a chilling source for the system. The system features a cylindrical powder tube located on an exterior side wall adapted to store powdered drink mix.

Abstract: Disclosed are a compressor and a refrigerating machine having the same, wherein a bearing member (ball bearing) is installed between both thrust bearing surfaces and an elastic member is disposed between the bearing member and at least one of the thrust bearing surfaces so as to allow a rolling contact between the ball bearing and the thrust bearing surface or a washer, thereby reducing a frictional loss at the thrust bearing surface and enhancing the performance of the compressor.

Abstract: A coaxial economizer for use in a chiller system comprising an inner housing and an outer housing having a common longitudinal axis. The outer housing has an inlet for receiving a fluid from a upstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor and an outlet for conveying a fluid to a downstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor. A flow chamber forms a fluid flow path about the inner housing. A flash chamber is coterminous with the flow chamber and flashes fluid in a liquid state to a gas state. A flow passage between said flash chamber and the flow chamber for conveying a flashed gas from the flash chamber to the flow chamber; wherein the flashed gas conveyed from the flash chamber and the fluid received from the inlet of the outer housing mix along the fluid flow path toward the outlet of the outer housing.

Abstract: A gemstone cut with a table facet, where the gemstone receives existing light from around the viewer and the facets on the bottom of the diamond effectively reflect the existing light back into the eyes of the beholder in such a manner as to maximize light performance, and to produce a unique and distinct look of light in the form of a flower with eight rounded pedals under the table facet which can be observed in natural ambient light.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a sheet glass material for magnetic disk, the method includes, dropping process for dropping a lump of molten glass; pressing process for sandwiching simultaneously the lump from both sides of the dropping path of the lump with surfaces of a pair of dies facing together, and performing press forming to the lump to obtain a sheet glass material, wherein at least one of the pair of dies has a concave shape with respect to the dropping path of the lump.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a vitreous silica crucible, which enable accurate measurement of a fume generation amount, prevention of deterioration of an inner surface property, and real-time control of a raw material melting state. Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing a vitreous silica crucible 50 by supplying silica powder into a mold 10 to form a silica powder layer 11, and heating and melting the silica powder layer 11 by arc discharge. The apparatus includes the mold 10 for defining an outer shape of a vitreous silica crucible, an arc discharge unit having a plurality of carbon electrodes 13 and a power-supply unit 40, and a fume-amount measurement unit 30 for detecting an amount of fumes 80 generated in the mold 10.

Abstract: An optical device including an active core layer of silica glass doped with ions which serve as optical emitters, the active core layer being on a silica glass substrate and having a layer thickness of at least 5 ?m, and wherein the layer is sintered at a temperature range of 1500-1600 C. and subsequently heat treated by a laser.

Abstract: A glass preform manufacturing method, includes: preparing a glass element having a rough surface; turning a raw material of an alkali metal compound or a raw material of an alkaline earth metal compound into particles; depositing particles of the alkali metal compound or the alkaline earth metal compound on the rough surface of the glass element; oxidizing the particles of the alkali metal compound or the alkaline earth metal compound while diffusing alkali metal oxide or alkaline earth metal oxide in the glass element; and manufacturing a glass preform into which the alkali metal oxide or the alkaline earth metal oxide is doped.

Abstract: The inventive washing machine is capable of advantageously rinsing laundry with clean water by performing a rinsing operation while cleaning water being used for the rinsing operation in a rinsing step. The washing machine includes a water circulation passage (42, 43, 44, 45, 15, 55, 25, 57, 26, 58, 59) for circulating laundry water to a washing tub (3). Rinsing water retained in the washing tub (3) can be circulated through the water circulation passage. Ozone generated by an ozone generator (19) is mixed with the circulated water, whereby the rinsing water is cleaned. This water cleaning operation is performed only in the rinsing step. Where the ozone is supplied only in the rinsing step, the ozone is effective to decompose dirt and odorant of the laundry. Thus, the rinsing operation is advantageously performed.

Abstract: A liquid additive dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid additive into a washing machine having a tub accommodating a fluid and a basket rotatably disposed in the tub. A storage container is provided for storing the liquid additive. A tube is used to implement a fluid communication between the storage container and the tub. The tube has an inlet coupled to the storage container and an outlet coupled to the tub. The apparatus further has a venturi member arranged in the tub and in fluid communication with the outlet of the tube. The venturi member creates a venturi effect at the outlet of the tube when the wash basket rotates in the tub to send water or air into the venturi member, so that a reduced pressure is created at the outlet to suck the liquid additive from the storage container to the tub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a dispensing device (10, 110) for releasing an agent from the dispensing device (10, 110) in defined manner into a surrounding environment (15) of the dispensing device (10, 110), the dispensing device (10, 110) comprising: a reservoir unit (16, 116) for accommodating an agent to be dispensed and a valve unit (17, 117) for defined opening and closing of a valve passage (26, 29, 34, 126, 129, 134) from the reservoir unit (16, 116) into the surrounding environment (15) of the dispensing device (10, 110), opening and closing of the valve passage (26, 29, 34, 126, 129, 134) proceeding as a function of an ambient temperature profile of the dispensing device (10, 110) and the valve passage (26, 29, 34, 126, 129, 134) being opened when the ambient temperature falls and the ambient temperature is above a first and/or second defined minimum temperature.

Abstract: A laundry machine and a control method thereof are provided in which laundering ability may be improved while also improving efficiency and noise/vibration. The laundry machine employs a plurality of drum motions by varying drum rotational speed, drum rotational direction, and drum starting and stopping point, to provide different motion of laundry items in the drum.

Abstract: An improvement in the door of a household electrical appliance which comprises a bipartite rotary door containing an outer door (10), an intermediary door (20) disposed behind the outer door (10), and an inner rotary door (30). In the second embodiment, the improvement in the door of a household electrical appliance comprises a bipartite tilt door containing an outer door (10), an intermediary tilt door (60) disposed between the outer door (10) and am inner door (70).

Abstract: A locking cable device which inhibits the theft of computer equipment. The security device combines a scissor clip designed to connect to the built-in security slot in computer equipment, a cable, and a lock. They are combined by way of a dual-action lock, with the first action capable of engaging and disengaging the scissor clip from the computer equipment, and the second action capable of separately disengaging the security cable to allow it to pass through other equipment or fasteners to allow the device to secure multiple pieces of computer equipment.

Abstract: A cylindrical lockset comprises a multiple-compartment lock cage subassembly. A retractor is housed within a middle lock cage compartment. Spindle return torsion springs, for biasing corresponding handle-carrying spindles to their default positions, are housed within axially adjacent lock cage compartments. A torque plate transfers torque from the lock cage subassembly to relatively radially distal trim posts. A knob catch assembly seated in each handle-carrying spindle comprises a generally elliptically-shaped wrap around catch spring and a knob catch backup washer to resist axial loads produced by efforts to pull a handle off of the spindle. A key spindle provides a dog travel window defined by a closed, continuous edge of the key spindle, which window is positioned opposite of an axially-extending seam of the key spindle.

Abstract: A system for electro-hydraulically forming a sheet metal part in an electro-hydraulic forming (EHF) machine. The part in a first shape is placed in the EHF machine between a one-sided forming die and a chamber that is filled with a liquid. An electrode is discharged in the chamber to form the part toward the forming die. The electrode is advanced within the chamber toward the part and a subsequent discharge is provided in the chamber to form the part. A gap discharge EHF machine and a wire discharge EHF machine may be used in the system.

Abstract: A device for the superplastic forming of a blank, in a mould with a lower and an upper mould, into a component. The blank in the mould can be subjected to pressure and temperature, and the blank has perforations, at least in some regions. The lower mould is formed at least partly with a permeable, in particular a gas permeable, drainage layer. As a consequence of the drainage layer, a blank with perforations can be formed directly, i.e., without further aids such as, e.g., a means of sealing, etc. and/or supplementary production operations, in the course of a superplastic forming process into a component, in particular into a suction component for an active aerodynamic surface of an aircraft, with a complex three-dimensional spatial shape. A simple, cost-effective and reliable process is enabled suitable for large production runs of components, which may be spherically curved in at least some regions.

Abstract: A forming machine for forming a longitudinal margin of a strip of material into a desired profile and methods encompassing the steps inherent in the described mechanical structures and operation thereof. The forming machine includes a frame, a drive mechanism, a plurality of forming elements, and an edge guide mechanism. The edge guide mechanism applies pressure along the edge margin in a lateral direction, thereby following the edge margin as the strip is advanced through the machine. The edge guide includes a carriage assembly attached to the frame that comprises a carriage support frame and a carriage movably disposed thereon. The edge guide mechanism includes an actuator connected to the carriage that is operative to urge the carriage toward edge margin. At least one guide roller is mounted to the carriage and adapted to receive the edge margin of the strip.