Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming laminate composite structures. At least two laminae, each containing electrically conductive reinforcing fibers, are placed upon each other in contacting relationship to form a generally layered structure. The layered structure may be subjected to heat to conductively transfer heat through the layered structure and thereby improve the surface contact between the two laminae. The layered structure is volumetrically heated by inductively transferring energy to the electrically conductive reinforcing fibers. The heated, layered structure is consolidated, such as by applying pressure and reducing the temperature of the layered structure. The consolidated structure is then quenched by rapidly cooling the consolidated structure in a directionally controlled manner about a midplane thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nano-precision sintering system 1 for sintering a nano-sized powder of a material in the pulse energization and pressure sintering process to obtain a highly purified sintered compact having a nano-sized grain structure, said nano-precision sintering system 1 comprising: at least one pre-process chamber 20 defined by at least one sealed housing 21 having at least one glove and designed to be controlled into a predetermined atmosphere; a sintering process chamber 30 defined by a sealed housing 31 having at least one glove and designed to be controlled into a predetermined atmosphere; a shut-off system 26 disposed in a passage providing communication between the pre-process chamber and the sintering process chamber so as to block the communication between the two chambers selectively while keeping it in an air tight condition; and a pulse energization and pressure sintering machine 50 having a vacuum chamber “C” allowing for the sintering process to be carried out under a vacuum

Abstract: A system is capable of making a metallic product with robust mechanical and electrical properties. The system includes a pressing stage configured to compress powder (e.g., MMC material) to form a green compact from the powder, a sintering stage configured to sinter the green compact to form a sintered structure from the green compact, and a consolidation stage configured to apply electric current to the sintered structure to form the metallic product from the sintered structure. The electric current is in the form of high density, short electric AC or DC pulses and results in consolidation of the sintered structure at grain boundaries to correct defects in the boundaries (e.g., areas of high electrical resistance) without melting the bulk metal to produce the metallic product. Such a system alleviates the need for coining process, which could fracture bonds and thus weaken the structure, following the sintering process.

Abstract: Elevated temperature electrospinning apparatus comprises a pump upstream of or containing a resistance heater, means to shield applied electrostatic field from the resistance heater, and a temperature modulator for modulating temperature in the spinning region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a matrix suitable for use in the replication of a plastic element having a positive microstructure, comprising a first wear-resistant layer that is supported by a carrier element, wherein the matrix comprises a heating means for supplying electrical heat energy through the wear-resistant layer or carrier element. The invention further relates to a plastic element producing machine and a method for the manufacture of a plastic element having a surface with a positive microstructure.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus including a spinning dope main tank, a metering pump, a nozzle block, a collector positioned at the lower end of the nozzle block for collecting spun fibers, a voltage generator, a plurality of units for transmitting a voltage generated by the voltage generator to the nozzle block and the collector, said electrospinning apparatus containing a spinning dope drop device positioned between the metering pump and the nozzle block, the spinning dope drove device having (i) a sealed cylindrical shape, (ii) a spinning dope inducing tube and a gas inletting tube for receiving gas through its lower end and having its gas inletting part connected to a filter aligned side-by-side at the upper portion of the spinning dope drop device, (iii) a spinning dope discharge tube extending from the lower portion of the spinning dope drop device and (iv) a hollow unit for dropping the spinning dope from the spinning dope inducing tube formed at the middle portion of the spinning dope drop device.

Abstract: A process and plant for laying a pipe in a trench comprising placing a flattened tubular preform in the trench, the perform having a reinforcement surrounding an inner seal, the reinforcement being impregnated with a resin, and inflating the perform in the trench.

Abstract: The invention relates to a matrix suitable for use in the replication of a plastic element having a positive microstructure, comprising a first wear-resistant layer that is supported by a carrier element, wherein the matrix comprises a heating means for supplying electrical heat energy through the wear-resistant layer or carrier element. The invention further relates to a plastic element producing machine and a method for the manufacture of a plastic element having a surface with a positive microstructure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for simultaneously coating and forming a body (11), comprising the following steps:

Abstract: A semiconductor chip molding apparatus includes an upper platen including an upper mold, a lower platen including a lower mold having a molding block configured to receive a lead frame, a controller, and an electrical detector for forming an electrical circuit between the controller and the lead frame when the lead frame is oriented improperly on the lower mold. A low-level test voltage is imparted to at least the lower mold. As a result, an electrical signal will flow from the detecting block when the lead frame rests on the detecting block. When such a signal is detected, therefore, the lead frame is determined as having been improperly set on the molding block. The signal generated is detected by a controller and used thereby to interrupt the operation of the molding apparatus.

Abstract: A process and a device for producing a three-dimensional object is provided, with which process or device the object is produced by layer-wise solidification of a pulverulent material by sintering of the material at the points corresponding to the cross-section of the object by means of the action of radiation energy. The process comprises the application of a layer of the pulverulent material onto a substrate or a previously sintered layer, pre-heating of the pulverulent material to a working temperature below the temperature at which the powder is sintered and sintering of the material at the points corresponding to the cross-section of the object in the layer, wherein a step of controlled heating of an applied powder layer and of determining the quantity of heat taken up by the powder per (FIG. 3) temperature interval for at least two temperature intervals is carried out.

Abstract: A structure that includes a plurality of cells of a cured resinous material. Each cell is joined to at least one other cell.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mold for transforming plastic and/or composite materials, such as thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers and vulcanizable compounds, comprising a mold body (3, 3a, 3b) provided with an impression (4, 4a, 4b). The invention is characterized in that it comprises heating means which directly heat the material to be transformed or an intermediate surface impression adjacent to the material without using heat conductivity of the mold body (3a, 3b) and/or of the impression (4, 4a, 4b) to heat the material to be transformed.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a polymer fiber shell from liquefied polymer is provided. The apparatus includes: (a) a precipitation electrode being for generating the polymer fiber shell thereupon; (b) a dispenser, being at a first potential relative to the precipitation electrode so as to generate an electric field between the precipitation electrode and the dispenser, the dispenser being for: (i) charging the liquefied polymer thereby providing a charged liquefied polymer; and (ii) dispensing the charged liquefied polymer in a direction of the precipitation electrode; and (c) a subsidiary electrode being at a second potential relative to the precipitation electrode, the subsidiary electrode being for modifying the electric field between the precipitation electrode and the dispenser.

Abstract: A mixture of carbon-containing fibers, such as mesophase or isotropic pitch fibers, and a suitable matrix material, such as a milled pitch, is compressed while resistively heating the mixture to form a carbonized composite material having a density of about 1.5 g/cm3, or higher. The composite material is formed in under ten minutes. This is a significantly shorter time than for conventional processes, which typically take several days and achieve a lower density material. Consequently, carbon/carbon composite materials having final densities of about 1.6-1.8 g/cm3, or higher are readily achieved with one or two infiltration cycles using a pitch or other carbonaceous material to fill voids in the composite and rebaking.

Abstract: A microlens of the present invention may include a liquid droplet whose position and/or surface curvature may be changed (tuned), e.g., by selectively biasing one or more electrodes configured to said droplet. The droplet may then be solidified to fix a desired configuration (e.g., focal length) of the microlens. In one embodiment, the droplet has an optically curable liquid adhesive that is polymerized under exposure to UV light. Microlenses of the present invention may be used, for example, in optical devices to obtain and then maintain optimal coupling between various optical components.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for consolidating particulate material, such as particulate material, in order to achieve at least ninety-five percent (95%) or even ninety-eight percent (98%) of its maximum theoretical density using a relatively long duration, relatively low current density current flow through the material. In one embodiment, the consolidation system includes a feedback control for monitoring various characteristics associated with the particulate material being consolidated and providing feedback information to a power supply which controls the amount of current supplied to the particulate material in order to achieve the desired density. The consolidation system and method is characterized in that the duration of the current is greater than 0.1 second, but typically less than about 1 second, while the current is less than about 10KA/cm2.

Abstract: A device for producing a porous fiber structure. One or more points of high surface curvature is produced in a liquefied polymer, such as a polymer solution or a polymer melt. The points of high surface curvature may be produced by forcing the liquefied polymer through narrow nozzles, or by wetting sharp protrusions with the liquefied polymer. The liquefied polymer is charged to a high negative electrical potential relative to a grounded moving belt. Thin jets of liquefied polymer emerge from the points of high surface curvature to impinge as fibers on the moving belt, thereby forming a nonwoven fiber structure of relatively uniform porosity. A powdered aerosol is charged to a high positive electrical potential relative to the moving belt. As the belt moves past the aerosol, the aerosol particles are attracted to fill interstices in the fiber structure, thereby creating a composite filtering material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a matrix suitable for use in a plastic element-producing machine, a matrix produced in accordance with the method and use of such a matrix to form a plastic element. One side of the matrix is provided with a negative microstructure which is replicated in plastic material to form a positive microstructure on a plastic element, wherewith the matrix can be produced by applying a layer of material to the positive microstructure side of a master. The positive microstructure side of the master has a thin wear-resistant layer which serves as a first wear surface, wherewith said layer will present irregularities which correspond essentially to the microstructure, and wherein at least said irregularities are filled-in with a plastic composite so as to form a carrier element for supporting the first wear layer. The layer can further be provided with means for supplying heat energy to said matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus of polymer web by electrospinning process and manufacturing method thereof, which can manufacture porous polymer web using an electrospinning method. The method for manufacturing porous polymer web by electrospinning process includes the steps of: forming, pressurizing and supplying at least one or more kinds of polymer materials in a liquid state; and discharging and piling the polymer materials to a collector through one or more charged nozzles, the collector being located under the nozzles and charged to have a polarity opposed to the polarity of the charged nozzles, the collector moving in a prescribed speed.

Abstract: A system for fluid processing is provided to control shear, point velocity and pressure in either a Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluid which includes creation of three fields, namely a dynamic microshear field, a dynamic velocity field and a dynamic pressure field, with the fields being created by the injection of energy between 1 KHz and 10 MHz into the fluid. Control is achieved by control of the angle at which mechanical energy is delivered, steering and/or focusing of the energy, control of the amplitude of the energy waveform, of the energy, and control of the frequency of the energy in one embodiment to eliminate standing waves. By controlling the three fields, the system is able to control overall fluid behavior. In one embodiment, energy is injected into a fluid at any angle to the direction of flow assuming the fluid is flowing, with the injected energy providing a predetermined controllable zone of energy in the fluid at the region of energy injection.

Abstract: A reduced mass unitary cartridge with internal fluid intensification for an ultra-high pressure, high-temperature, fluid driven press apparatus capable of reaching pressures in excess of 35 kilobars and temperatures above 1000 degrees centigrade, useful in the production of such high-pressure products as diamond, polycrystalline diamond, cubic boron nitride, and like superhard materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing pharmaceutical capsules use an aqueous solution of a thermogelling cellulose ether composition and use capsule body pins and capsule cap pins as molds. The method involves heating the pins, dipping the pins into the solution to cause the solution to gelatinize on the surface of the pins, removing the pins and drying the gelatinized solution on the surface of the pins to form capsule bodies and capsule caps. Pins are heated pre-dip and post-dip to facilitate gelating. Counterflow air is applied to provide drying from the inside. Capsule parts are removed by gripping. Capsule parts may have a thick wall and a stiffening ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming polycrystalline particles by gas phase condensation employing arc plasma evaporation. The disclosed method and apparatus may be employed to form polycrystalline particles from high-melting temperature, low evaporation pressure materials such as transition metals. Arc discharge is sustained by the evaporated species, therefore, there is no need for a plasma sustaining gas. Evaporation may be sustained from either the cathode or anode. A reaction gas may be provided to form products with the evaporated species.

Abstract: A coating process for the fabrication of organic photoreceptors employs an electrically conductive single slot die biased to allow an electric field between the die and the ground plane on the photoreceptor substrate. The homogenous coating dispersion is fed through the die at a predetermined gap and rate to control coating thickness at the same time that an electric field is applied. The formulation, rheology, particle mobility, coating speed, electric field and the like are controlled so that the photogenerator particles migrate to the substrate in the dwell time defined by the coating die region.