Abstract: Provided is a humidification and air cleaning apparatus. The humidification and air cleaning apparatus includes: a base body including an intake flow passage formed at a lower side thereof, including a clean connection flow passage formed at an upper side thereof, and discharging air entered through the intake flow passage into the clean connection flow passage; a water tank storing water, disposed at an upper side of the base body, and separable from the base body; and a humidification connection flow passage formed outside the water tank and guiding external air of the water tank to the inside of the water tank. Here, when the water tank is placed on the base body, the humidification connection flow passage and the clean connection flow passage communicate with each other.

Abstract: Provided is a central cooling system including: a ventilation fan unit configured to provide air to a predetermined space; a chiller unit configured to provide heat exchange medium to lower temperature of the air; a cooling tower unit configured to provide a coolant to the chiller unit to lower temperature of the heat exchange medium, and configured to lower temperature of the coolant through heat exchange between the coolant and ambient air; a sensor unit configured to measure the temperatures of the air, the heat exchange medium, and the coolant, and temperature and humidity of the ambient air; and a control unit configured to monitor energy consumption of the central cooling system and configured to calculate at least one of a control temperature of the heat exchange medium, a control temperature of the coolant, and a control temperature of the air which minimizes the energy consumption.

Abstract: A discrete air conditioner controller for controlling a discrete air conditioner unit servicing a building may receive an IR code, in some cases in a raw waveform format, from a handheld remote control that is associated with the discrete air conditioner unit during a programming process. The discrete air conditioner controller may associate the IR code with the discrete air conditioner unit and store the IR code and its association in memory. In some cases, the discrete air conditioner controller may transmit the IR code and its association to a central coordinator, where the IR code may be stored in the memory of the central coordinator. The IR code may be subsequently retrieved from the memory of the central coordinator and transmitted to selected discrete air conditioner controller units for use in controlling appropriate discrete air conditioner units.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may be programmed to initiate a delta T test in response to a request received from a user. The user may initiate the delta T test at the HVAC controller or via a remote device. In some cases, the HVAC controller may be configured to automatically execute a delta T test for each valid equipment stage combination of the HVAC system without receiving further input from the user and to determine both a run time and a stabilized delta T parameter value for each equipment stage combination. The HVAC controller may also record the delta T parameter value and run time for each test in the memory of the HVAC controller. The HVAC controller may be further configured to notify the user when testing for each/all equipment stage combination is complete.

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature in a thermal zone within a building, comprising: using a processor, receiving a desired temperature range for the thermal zone; determining a forecast ambient temperature value for an external surface of the building proximate the thermal zone; using a predictive model for the building, determining set points for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system associated with the thermal zone that minimize energy use by the building; the desired temperature range and the forecast ambient temperature value being inputs to the predictive model; the predictive model being trained using respective historical measured value data for at least one of the inputs; and, controlling the HVAC system with the set points to maintain an actual temperature value of the thermal zone within the desired temperature range for the thermal zone.

Abstract: A heat-exchange ventilation device includes: a heater connection terminal to which an external connection heater is connected; a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of a supply air flow passing through an air supply passage; and a control unit that controls operations of an air supply fan and an air exhaust fan and turning-on and turning-off of the external connection heater based on a measurement result of the temperature sensor. The external connection heater is installed in an outdoor air-supply duct and heats a supply air flow flowing through the air supply passage into a heat exchanger. The air supply fan is operable at a plurality of intensities, and the control unit prohibits a state in which the air supply fan is operated at an intensity lower than an intensity set in advance and the external connection heater is turned on.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an apparatus for heating, ventilation and/or cooling of an interior space of a structure, a control interface device for receiving local instructions to control the apparatus and monitoring the interior space to generate monitoring data, and a processor coupled to the apparatus and the control interface device. The apparatus can include a sensor for monitoring the apparatus and generating apparatus data. The local instructions can include a first temperature setting. The monitoring data can include a monitored temperature of the interior space. The processor can be configured for receiving the local instructions, the monitoring data, the apparatus data, and remote instructions including a second temperature setting to control the apparatus from a client device, and generating commands to operate the apparatus based on at least one of the first temperature setting, the second temperature setting, the monitored temperature, and the apparatus data.

Abstract: A fin-and-tube type heat exchanger includes: a plurality of plate fins arranged in a case side by side in a fore-and-aft direction of the case; and a heat transfer tube including a plurality of straight-type tubular bodies each passing through these plurality of plate fins. First and second plate fins arranged side by side in the right-and-left width direction of the case are provided as a plurality of plate fins. The heat transfer tube has a connection tubular body connecting the straight-type tubular bodies passing through the first and second plate fins. The heat transfer tube passes through areas in which the first and second plate fins are arranged.

Abstract: A heat gun includes a head portion. The head portion defines a flow passage having an inlet end at one end and an outlet end at another opposite end, and includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a flow guiding portion disposed between the inlet and outlet ends. The outlet portion is formed with two long sides and two short sides. The flow guiding portion is disposed between the inlet and outlet portions. The flow passage includes two flow guiding protrusions disposed at the flow guiding portion. The two flow guiding protrusions are disposed oppositely and extend oppositely along the long sides.

Abstract: A method for operating a furnace system includes initiating a start sequence comprising starting an inducer fan operative to induce an air flow through a burner assembly, a heat exchanger portion and a collector portion, determining whether an air pressure in the collector portion is above a first threshold value, starting a furnace ignition sequence including providing fuel to the burner assembly, igniting a fuel and air mixture and starting an ignition timer responsive to determining that the air pressure in the collector portion is above the first threshold value, determining whether the ignition timer has expired, determining whether the air pressure in the collector portion is above a second threshold value responsive to determining that the ignition timer has expired, and stopping the provision of fuel to the burner assembly responsive to determining that the air pressure in the collector portion is not above the second threshold value.

Abstract: A water heater including a thermal break in the form of an air pocket that moves into an air trap segment of the cold water pipe to reduce heat loss during standby. The air pocket is pushed back into the tank by incoming cold water during a hot water and reforms at the top of the tank. During standby, the air pocket moves into the air trap via an anti-siphon hole communicating with the cold water inlet. The anti-siphon hole can be, for example, in the top of the dip tube.

Abstract: A furnace includes a combustion blower and one or more pressure switches. In some cases, the one or more pressure switches may be used to calculate one or more operating points for the combustion blower. Additional operating points may be calculated by interpolation and/or extrapolation, as appropriate. The furnace may temporarily alter these operating points as necessary to keep the furnace safely operating in response to minor and/or transient changes in the operating conditions of the furnace.

Abstract: A Salinity Gradient Solar Pond has saturated salt water in the bottom of the pond and nearly fresh water at the top, with a gradient zone between the top and bottom. Due to this salinity stratification the upward diffusion of salt is a natural consequence in SGSP's. This upward diffusion of salt has been found to range 60-80 gr/m2/day (Tabor, H.; Solar Ponds, Solar Energy, v. 27 (3), pp. 181-194, 1981 and v. 30 (1), pp. 85-86, 1983). Controlling the salinity gradient in SGSP systems is vital to their reliable operation. One proposed method for controlling the salinity gradient is the so called “Falling Pond” method, where water is extracted from the saturated bottom layer by some means and returned to the nearly fresh upper layer. This action creates a downward velocity in the pond's layers which can be matched to counter the upward diffusion of salt, thereby maintaining the pond's gradient stationary in space.

Abstract: A simple and portable solar heat collector has a sheet of solar reflectors, each of the solar reflectors having a focal point, and tubing for routing heat absorbing fluid through the focal point of at least some of the solar reflectors. The tubing has an input tube for receiving heat absorbing fluid and an output tube for outputting heated heat absorbing fluid. The sheet of solar reflectors may have a sun-facing side and a non-sun-facing side. A first part of the tubing is adjacent to the non-sun-facing side of the sheet of solar reflectors, and a second part of the tubing extends from the first part of the tubing through holes in the sheet of solar reflectors to the focal point of at least some of the solar reflectors.

Abstract: Racking assemblies for solar panel installations are provided. The racking assemblies may include a series of posts arranged in two parallel rows and anchored to the ground or other suitable surface. Purlins may be coupled to and may span the posts of each row. Specialized clamps may be used to attach the purlins to a series of mounting rails. The mounting rails, in turn, may support an array of solar modules.

Abstract: Example field instrument temperature apparatus and methods for affecting or regulating a temperature of a field instrument are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vortex tube having an inlet to receive a fluid, a first outlet to dispense a first portion of the fluid at a first temperature and a second outlet to dispense a second portion of the fluid at a second temperature, the second temperature being greater than the first temperature. The example apparatus also includes a first passageway fluidly coupled to the first outlet to direct the first portion of the fluid to an electronic device in a process control system to affect a temperature of the device.

Abstract: A system controls a multi-zone vapor compression system (MZ-VCS). The system includes a controller to control a vapor compression cycle of the MZ-VCS using a set of control inputs determined by optimizing a cost function including a set of control parameters. The optimizing is subject to constraints, and wherein the cost function is optimized over a prediction horizon. The system also includes a memory to store an optimization function parameterized by a configuration of the MZ-VCS defining active or inactive modes of each heat exchanger, the optimization function modifies, according to a current configuration, values of the control parameters of the cost function determined for a full configuration that includes all heat exchangers in the active mode. The system also includes a processor to determine the current configuration of the MZ-VCS and to update the cost function by submitting the current configuration to the optimization function.

Abstract: An oil return method for multi-split air conditioner in heating comprises steps of: S1, adjusting operation frequency f0 of a compressor (11) to a first preset oil return frequency f1, and simultaneously, adjusting open degree S0 of each indoor throttling element (22) to a preset oil return open degree; S2, measuring operation parameters of the air conditioner; S3, judging whether the air conditioner operates abnormally, jumping to Step S4 if so, or jumping to Step S5 if not; S4, exiting from oil return process, adjusting the operation frequency f0 of the compressor (11) to a second preset oil return frequency f2, judging whether the air conditioner operates abnormally, existing from the oil return process if so, or jumping to Step S5 if not; S5, ending the oil return process when oil return time reaches the oil return time t2.

Abstract: A compressor may include a shell assembly, a compression mechanism and a conduit. The shell assembly may include a fitting through which fluid is received from outside of the compressor. The compression mechanism may be disposed within a chamber defined by the shell assembly. The conduit may extend through the chamber between the fitting and a suction inlet of the compression mechanism and transmit at least a portion of the fluid from the fitting to the suction inlet. The conduit may include an inlet that may be spaced apart from the fitting and an outlet that may engage the compression mechanism.

Abstract: An inlet member having a refrigerant inflow passage which is open at opposite ends is joined to a condensation section inlet header of a condenser. An opening at one end of the refrigerant inflow passage serves as an inflow opening into which externally supplied refrigerant flows, and an opening at the other end serves as an outflow opening from which refrigerant flows out to the condensation section inlet header. The condensation section inlet header has an opening at a position offset from the longitudinal center toward the one end thereof. The inlet member has an insert portion which is inserted into the condensation section inlet header through the opening. The outflow opening of the refrigerant inflow passage is open to a single upward facing flat surface of the insert portion, and is oriented such that the refrigerant flows toward the longitudinal center of the condensation section inlet header.

Abstract: A condenser includes a condensation section, a super-cooling section, and a liquid receiving section. Refrigerant from heat exchange tubes of a first heat exchange path of the condensation section flows into those of a second heat exchange path through the liquid receiving section. The liquid receiving section includes a first space for receiving refrigerant from the heat exchange tubes of the first heat exchange path, a second space which is located above the first space and in which refrigerant from the first space is separated into gaseous and liquid phases, and a third space which is located below the first space, which receives refrigerant from the second space, and from which refrigerant flows to the heat exchange tubes of the second heat exchange path. A first partition member between the first space and the second space has a throttle for refrigerant flowing from the first space into the second space.

Abstract: A system and method for retrofitting a refrigeration system containing an HCFC refrigerant and a compatible lubricant, with an HFC refrigerant, comprising providing a transport container containing a mixture of about 5-15% by weight of a miscible lubricant and the HFC refrigerant, removing the HCFC refrigerant from the refrigeration system while maintaining at least a portion of a lubricant immiscible with the HFC refrigerant, and charging the refrigeration system with the mixture.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus cools and heats a first heat transfer medium at the same time in a relay unit, and the cooled first heat transfer medium and the heated first heat transfer medium are separately distributed to a plurality of indoor units.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate refrigerant, a heat exchanger unit accommodating a heat exchanger of the refrigerant circuit, and a controller configured to control the heat exchanger unit, in which the heat exchanger unit includes an air-sending fan, and an electric refrigerant detection unit, the controller is configured to operate the air-sending fan when the controller detects leakage of the refrigerant on the basis of a detection signal from the electric refrigerant detection unit, and the controller is configured to stop electric supply to the electric refrigerant detection unit when a rotation speed of the air-sending fan becomes equal to or larger than a first threshold value under a state in which the electric refrigerant detection unit is supplied with electricity.

Abstract: To continue operating a compression refrigerant system even while the system's brazed plate heat exchanger contains, in localized areas, water at or below its atmospheric subfreezing water temperature, a penetrating temperature probe senses the water temperature at a strategic intermediate point between the heat exchanger's water inlet and outlet. The brazed plate heat exchanger comprises a series of corrugated plates stacked and brazed together to create an alternating arrangement of water and refrigerant passages in heat transfer relationship with each other. In some examples, the idea is to take advantage of the principle that water has a lower freezing temperature at relatively high pressure and that the relatively small micro-channel passages of intermediate water passages within the brazed plate heat exchanger can withstand appreciably higher pressure than other areas within the heat exchanger, such as the areas at the heat exchanger's water inlet and water outlet.

Abstract: A sump for use in an ice maker, the sump adapted to hold a mass of water, wherein the ice maker freezes some or all of the mass of water into ice. The sump includes a recirculation area and one or more additional areas separated from the recirculation area. The recirculation area and the one or more additional areas are in fluid communication via one or more passageways. The recirculation area is adapted to hold and receive a first portion of the mass of water having a first mass. The one or more additional areas are adapted to hold a second portion of the mass of water having a second mass. Thus, if the first portion of water forms into slush, the second portion of water can be recirculated to melt the slush.

Abstract: The bagless event ice system is composed of a housing and a method of shipping and storing large quantities of ice to large events. Since ice bags are not used in the process, the system requires less manpower and no waste disposal issues. The housing is a specialty container on a pallet size format designed to hold and make easily available up to 1500 lbs. of ice at an event. The container serves not only as a shipping container, but an ice dispensing unit as well.

Abstract: A refrigerant pack is provided with a refrigerant substance containing water, a precipitating component, a non-precipitating component, and a pH indicator, and is configured such that the precipitating component precipitates when the refrigerant substance freezes and is a component not corresponding to the pH indicator, the non-precipitating component does not precipitate when the refrigerant substance freezes and is a component not corresponding to the pH indicator, a change or the presence/absence of coloring in the pH indicator is reflected before and after freezing, and the refrigerant substance changes in color.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage compartment and a door movably coupled to the cabinet for providing selective access to at least a portion of the storage compartment. The refrigerator includes an evaporator unit and an air duct providing fluid communication between the evaporator unit and the storage compartment. The refrigerator includes a partition member coupled to the cabinet that divides the storage compartment into a first compartment having a first volume and a second compartment having a second volume. The partition member is movable between a first position and a second position to adjust the first and second volumes. The partition member can include an air channel extending through the partition member that is in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second compartments. The partition member can include a baffle member that is adjustable to adjustably direct air passing through the air channel.

Abstract: Provided is a heat medium circulation device with a simple structure, capable of reducing power consumption in performing an anti-freezing treatment. A first heat medium circuit 2 and a second heat medium circuit 3 are connected via a connector 5. An anti-freezing control unit 42 activates the first pump 22 with the second pump 32 in a stopped state, when preventing the heat medium in the first heat medium circuit 2 from freezing.

Abstract: A coat drying device dries a wet-coated film that is coated on a continuously transported coating object having first and second parts, where the second part has a greater heat capacity than the first part. The coat drying device includes a heat source and a heat source moving device. The heat source provides thermal energy primarily to a coating surface of a second part. The heat source moving device moves the heat source to the second part such that a spacing between the second part and the heat source is maintained within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An ultraviolet curing module includes a first light source and a second light source. The first light source is configured to emit ultraviolet with a first spectrum. The first spectrum has a first peak wavelength. The second light source is configured to emit ultraviolet with a second spectrum. The second spectrum has a second peak wavelength. Wherein, a difference between the first peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength is greater than 35 nm, and an irradiation range of ultraviolet of the first light source on an irradiated object at least partially overlaps an irradiation range of ultraviolet of the second light source on the irradiated object.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of forming an acoustical panel base mat, including providing a green board including an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, wherein the green board includes from about 10 to about 40 wt. % solids, and dewatering the green board slurry to form a dewatered green board, wherein the dewatering comprises supplying hot air and applying a vacuum to the green board.

Abstract: A bin and method of use for containment and delivery of particulate materials has: a) a housing; b) a particulate materials support plate within the housing, the support plate having a porous structure allowing air flow therethrough; c) the support plate having a central area elevated away from the bottom of the housing and surrounding sides; d) an air flow area between the bottom of the housing and the support plate; e) a particle drop region surrounding the sides of the support plate; and f) a sealing and opening component within the particle drop region that seals and opens a particle drop path between the support plate and the side walls of the housing. The sealing and opening component has an expanded position when sealing the particle drop region and is in a retracted position when opening the particle drop region to particulate material passage.

Abstract: This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of high moisture waste materials to dry or low moisture products for recycle or reuse. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final product. Optionally, the systems and methods further provide for processing ventilation air from manufacturing facilities to reduce emissions therefrom.

Abstract: Contact plate for placing in contact with the wall of an electrode of an electro-metallurgical furnace. The contact plate includes an internal channel having an inlet and at least one outlet. The inlet and outlet are respectively linked to an external intake duct and to at least one external duct for discharging a fluid. An elongate hole (16) has an elongate partition (35) which has opposing elongate edges (39) adjacent to opposing elongate zones (33) of the elongate hole so as to define, in the hole, elongate spaces (16a-16b) on either side of the elongate partition. The elongate partition defines a connecting passage (41) between the elongate spaces and link holes (29) communicating with the elongate spaces being formed at a distance from the connecting passage. The elongate spaces form portions of the internal channel (59).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for annealing semiconductor substrates is disclosed. The apparatus has an annealing energy source and a substrate support, with a shield member disposed between the annealing energy source and the substrate support. The shield member is a substantially flat member having a dimension larger than a substrate processed on the substrate support, with a window covering a central opening in the substantially flat member. The central opening has a gas inlet portal and a gas outlet portal, each in fluid communication with a gas inlet plenum and gas outlet plenum, respectively. A connection member is disposed around the central opening and holds the window over the central opening. Connection openings in the connection member are in fluid communication with the gas inlet plenum and gas outlet plenum, respectively, through a gas inlet conduit and a gas outlet conduit formed through the connection member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger that has an internal air flow pattern such as a helical pattern. The heat exchanger includes a shell that encompasses an inner series of heat exchange tubes and an outer series of heat exchange tubes. A baffle sheet is juxtaposed next to the outer series of heat exchange tubes. And the baffle sheet is configured to direct air flow within the heat exchanger in a configuration, such as a helical configuration, from a center of the shell toward an outer region of the shell.

Abstract: A stacked-plate heat exchanger may include a high-temperature (HT) coolant circuit, a low-temperature (NT) coolant circuit, heat exchanger plates stacked upon one another and through which two coolants and a medium to be cooled may flow, and an obstruction configured to force a deflection of one of the coolants in the low-temperature coolant circuit. The two coolants may have different temperature levels in the high-temperature and low-temperature coolant circuits. The heat exchanger plates may include a partition wall separating the high-temperature and low-temperature coolant circuits from each other. The high-temperature and low-temperature coolant circuits may include a central HT coolant inlet and a central NT coolant outlet, respectively, adjacent to the partition wall and together forming a teardrop shape separated by the partition wall. The HT coolant inlet may have a part-circle-like shape and the NT coolant outlet may have a triangular shape, each having one side formed by the partition wall.

Abstract: Spiral or helical counterflow heat exchanger (9, 9?) consisting of two adjoining chambers (10,11), in which a fluid at a high temperature flows in one chamber in one direction, and in which a fluid at a low temperature flows in the opposite direction in the other chamber, characterized in that both chambers are separated by one separating plate (6?) of flat monolithic double-sided enamelled steel annealed at temperatures above 500° C., and whereby the separating plate (6?) is held by its edges in a corrosion-resistant spacer (8,8?) that imposes a fixed distance to two other flat monolithic double-sided enamelled steel plates that each define one chamber at the side that is opposite the separating plate (6?), and which prevents corrosion of the edges of the separating plate and of the two other enamelled steel plates.

Abstract: A method for forming a crystal nucleus in a latent heat storage material contains a solvent and a dissolved substance. The solvent contains water as the main ingredient. The latent heat storage material retains latent heat in a supercooled state. The method includes: (a) separating out an anhydride of the dissolved substance by heating or cooling part of the latent heat storage material in the supercooled state; and (b) supplying a droplet comprising water to the anhydride, to terminate the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material, and make the latent heat storage material dissipate heat.

Abstract: Arrangement comprising a sealing element and a heat exchanger, in an air channel, wherein the heat exchanger has a plurality of pipes which carry a first fluid and are defined in their end regions by collection vessels and can have a second fluid flowing around them. The arrangement is characterized in that the air channel has a first guide groove on an inner surface, which guide groove is formed by a first web and a second web, and a second guide groove which is formed by a third web and a fourth web, the third web and the fourth web being disposed between the first web and the second web and the sealing element enveloping the heat exchanger along the collecting vessels and its short sides.

Abstract: A fin for a heat exchanger includes a member and a first row formed in the member. The first row having a plurality of valley sections alternating with a plurality of crest sections. A plurality of walls is interposed between and integrally joins the plurality of valley sections and the plurality of crest sections. At least one of the plurality of walls of the first row is angled with respect to a lateral axis of the member. A second row is formed in the member, the second row having a plurality of valley sections alternating with a plurality of crest sections and a plurality of walls interposed between and integrally joining the plurality of valley sections to the plurality of crest sections.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube with a tube axis, a tube wall and with ribs extending around on the tube outer side. The ribs have a rib foot, rib flanks and a rib tip, wherein the rib foot projects substantially radially from the tube wall. The rib flanks are provided with additional structural elements which are arranged laterally on the rib flank. First material projections, which extend substantially in the axial and radial direction, adjoin second material projections which extend substantially in the axial and circumferential direction of the tube, wherein the first and second material projections have a common boundary line. The axial extent of the first material projections along this boundary line is less than the axial extent of the second material projections.

Abstract: A heat transfer sheet for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger includes a plurality of rows of heat transfer surfaces each being aligned with a longitudinal axis extending between first and second ends thereof. The heat transfer surfaces have a height relative to a central plane of the heat transfer sheet. The heat transfer sheet includes one or more notch configurations for spacing the heat transfer sheets apart from one another. Each of the notch configurations are positioned between adjacent rows of heat transfer surfaces. The notch configurations include one or more lobes connected to one another, positioned in a common flow channel and extending away from the central plane and one or more lobes extending away from the central plane in an opposite direction and being coaxial. The lobes have height a relative to the central plane that is greater than the height of the heat transfer surfaces.

Abstract: A tube sheet having a circumferential edge region for connection to a lid of a collecting tank and having a base region with openings for receiving tube ends, the base region having webs provided between adjacent openings, the webs connecting the portions of the edge regions situated on the opposite longitudinal sides, at least one bead being provided which extends along the edge region and/or from the edge region with a limited extension only into a portion of a web.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component susceptible to multiple failure modes includes generating a stereolithography file including a geometry of the component. The geometry of the stereolithography file is divided into a plurality of layers. Each of the layers includes a first portion and a second portion of the component. Energy from an energy source is applied to a powdered material such that the powdered material fuses to form the first portion and the second portion of each of the plurality of layers. Applying energy from the energy source to form the first portion of the plurality of layers includes operating the energy source with a first set of parameters and applying energy from the energy source to form the second portion of the plurality of layers includes operating the energy source with a second set of parameters. The first set and second set of parameters are different.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy clad material includes a core material, an inner cladding material, and a sacrificial anode material, one side of the core material being clad with the inner cladding material, the other side of the core material being clad with the sacrificial anode material, the core material being formed of an Al—Mn alloy that includes 0.6 to 2.0 mass % of Mn and 0.4 mass % or less of Cu, with the balance being aluminum and unavoidable impurities, the inner cladding material being formed of an Al—Mn—Cu alloy that includes 0.6 to 2.0 mass % of Mn and 0.2 to 1.5 mass % of Cu, with the balance being aluminum and unavoidable impurities, and the sacrificial anode material being formed of an Al—Zn alloy that includes 0.5 to 10.0 mass % of Zn, with the balance being aluminum and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: Aspects of a magazine for use with a repeating firearm are described. One unique aspect is that the magazine is fabricated completely from a translucent polymer that is highly resistant to mechanical, chemical, and thermal failures commonly affecting magazines. Another aspect of the magazine is the inclusion of a coupling system fully integrated into the housing that allows magazines to be securely joined together without the use of tools or additional components. A further aspect of the magazine is the easy release button design allowing the magazine to be disassembled by large or gloved fingers without need for a tool to depress the release button.

Abstract: This invention provides a system, method and algorithm for automatic electronic communication between a firearm formed with a location tracking system and a signal emitting arrangement. A data processing system is provided at a restricted firearm-free-zone established around key public sites (schools, mass gathering places etc.). The safety and security system for tracking firearms of the invention is arranged, so that upon approaching the restricted firearm-free-zone an unauthorized firearm activates a security protocol, so as to trigger an automatic alarm, dispatch of police and EMS etc.