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Diesel oxidation catalyst comprising palladium, gold and ceria

The present invention relates to a diesel oxidation catalyst comprising a carrier substrate, and a first washcoat layer disposed on the substrate, the first washcoat layer comprising palladium supported on a support material comprising a metal oxide, gold supported on a support material comprising a metal oxide, and a ceria comprising compound, as well as a process for the preparation of such catalyst.




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Catalyst compositions for conversion of vegetable oils to hydrocarbon products in the diesel boiling range and process of preparation thereof

The present invention relates to a catalyst composition for conversion of vegetable oils to hydrocarbon products in the diesel boiling range, comprising a porous support; Group III A or VA element in the range of 1-10 wt %; Group VI B elements in the range of 1 to 20 wt %; Group VIII B elements in range of 0.01 to 10 wt %. The present invention further provides the process for preparing the catalyst composition for conversion of vegetable oils to hydrocarbon products in the diesel boiling range. The present invention also provides the process for conversion of vegetable oils to hydrocarbon products in the diesel boiling range using the catalyst composition or discarded refinery spent hydro-treating catalyst.




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Selective hydrogenation catalyst and methods of making and using same

A composition comprising an extruded inorganic support comprising an oxide of a metal or metalloid, and at least one catalytically active metal, wherein the extruded inorganic support has pores, a total pore volume, and a pore size distribution, wherein the pore size distribution displays at least two peaks of pore diameters, each peak having a maximum, wherein a first peak has a first maximum of pore diameters of equal to or greater than about 120 nm and a second peak has a second maximum of pore diameters of less than about 120 nm, and wherein greater than or equal to about 5% of a total pore volume of the extruded inorganic support is contained within the first peak of pore diameters.




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Cyclodextrin-based polymers for therapeutics delivery

The present invention relates to novel compositions of therapeutic cyclodextrin containing polymeric compounds designed as a carrier for small molecule therapeutics delivery and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. These cyclodextrin-containing polymers improve drug stability and solubility, and reduce toxicity of the small molecule therapeutic when used in vivo. Furthermore, by selecting from a variety of linker groups and targeting ligands the polymers present methods for controlled delivery of the therapeutic agents. The invention also relates to methods of treating subjects with the therapeutic compositions described herein. The invention further relates to methods for conducting pharmaceutical business comprising manufacturing, licensing, or distributing kits containing or relating to the polymeric compounds described herein.




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Cyclodextrin-based polymers for therapeutics delivery

The present invention relates to novel compositions of therapeutic cyclodextrin containing polymeric compounds designed as a carrier for small molecule therapeutics delivery and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. These cyclodextrin-containing polymers improve drug stability and solubility, and reduce toxicity of the small molecule therapeutic when used in vivo. Furthermore, by selecting from a variety of linker groups and targeting ligands the polymers present methods for controlled delivery of the therapeutic agents. The invention also relates to methods of treating subjects with the therapeutic compositions described herein. The invention further relates to methods for conducting pharmaceutical business comprising manufacturing, licensing, or distributing kits containing or relating to the polymeric compounds described herein.




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Photosensitizer based on polymer derivatives-photosensitizer conjugates for photodynamic therapy

Disclosed is a novel photosensitizer based on polymer derivatives-photosensitizer conjugates for photodynamic therapy capable of being selectively accumulated in cancerous tissues and producing singlet oxygen or free radical by laser irradiation. The polymer derivatives-photosensitizer conjugates for photodynamic therapy are prepared as nano-sized particles, and have excellent selection and accumulation ratio for cancerous tissues. The photosensitizer conjugates can produce singlet oxygen or free radical by a specific laser wavelength. Owing to the excellent selection and accumulation ratio for cancerous tissues, the conjugates minimizes photo-cytotoxicity of the conventional photosensitizer having a low molecular amount. Accordingly, the conjugates are very useful as a photosensitizes for photodynamic therapy with reduced side effects and excellent therapeutic effectiveness.




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Bio-based roofing adhesive compositions

An adhesive composition for use in adhering insulation panels to roofing substrates and roofing membranes to the insulation panels include two components that are mixed prior to application on the roofing substrate. The first component may include a renewable polyol and catalyst. The renewable polyol is selected from any non-petroleum based polyol that is derived from a renewable source. The second component includes isocyanate, and may also include a polyol and a catalyst. The isocyanate and the polyol may each be any non-petroleum based isocyanate or polyol that is derived from a renewable source.




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Hyaluronic acid based copolymers

Hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugates or crosslinked HAs compositions for coating an implantable device are provided. The implantable device can be used for treating a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, high cholesterol, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, and combinations thereof.




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Stable reactive thermosetting formulations of reducing sugars and amines

The present invention provides stable aqueous thermosetting binder compositions having a total solids content of 15 wt. % or higher, preferably, 20 wt. % or higher, and having extended shelf life comprising one or more reducing sugar, one or more primary amine compound, and one or more stabilizer acid or salt having a pKa of 8.5 or less. The total amount of stabilizer used may range from 5 to 200 mole %, based on the total moles of primary amine present in the binder. The stabilizer may be an organic stabilizer chosen from a monocarboxylic acid, a dicarboxylic acid, a fatty acid, an acid functional fatty acid ester, an acid functional fatty acid ether, or an inorganic stabilizer chosen from a mineral acid, a mineral acid amine or ammonia salt, and a Lewis acid, and mixtures thereof. The compositions can be used to provide binders for substrate materials including, for example, glass fiber.




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Hydrogel tissue adhesive for medical use

A hydrogel tissue adhesive formed by reacting an aldehyde-functionalized polysaccharide containing pendant aldehyde groups with a water-dispersible, multi-arm amine is described. The hydrogel may be useful as a tissue adhesive or sealant for medical applications that require a more rapid degradation time, such as the prevention of undesired tissue-to tissue adhesions resulting from trauma or surgery.




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Bi-functional co-polymer use for opthalmic and other topical and local applications

The invention contemplates a copolymer which is a graft or block copolymer useful to change wettability and surface characteristics of biological surfaces. Methods for use of these formulations and coatings to change wettability and sterically stabilize, and lubricate biological surfaces in a subject, for example, in the treatment of dry eye syndrome, and to prevent adherence of unwanted proteins, for example in the treatment of contact lens intolerance, are provided.




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Synthesis of abietic acid-based macromer for polyester resin process

An improved polycondensation method for bio-based polyesters synthesized from pre-formed macromers and the corresponding compositions, which are useful for producing binder polymers for imaging applications such as emulsion-aggregation (EA) toner.




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Use of oils with high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plastics and surface coatings

Oil compositions having a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids are described for use in various applications including use as drying oils, in ink compositions and coating compositions. Oil compositions wherein the double bonds of the fatty acids are substantially epoxidized are described and used as plasticizers and thermal stabilizers for various halogenated polymer compositions.




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Hydrogel tissue adhesive having decreased gelation time and decreased degradation time

A hydrogel tissue adhesive having decreased gelation time and decreased degradation time is described. The hydrogel tissue adhesive is formed by reacting an oxidized polysaccharide containing aldehyde groups with a water-dispersible, multi-arm amine in the presence of a thiol additive. The thiol additive accelerates the process to form the hydrogel and accelerates the degradation of the hydrogel formed. The hydrogel may be useful as a tissue adhesive or sealant for medical applications, such as a hemostat sealant or to prevent undesired tissue-to-tissue adhesions resulting from trauma or surgery.




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Method for synthesizing calixarene and/or cyclodextrin copolymers, terpolymers and tetrapolymers, and uses thereof

The present invention relates to a novel method for synthesizing a composition of polymers, copolymers, terpolymers and tetrapolymers, and to the use thereof, said composition being made from: cyclodextrins, in particular α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, the derivatives or corresponding mixtures thereof, and/or calix[n]arene(s) and/or of calix[n]arene derivative(s) and/or a mixture of two or more different calix[n]arenes selected from calix[n]arenes (n=4-20) and/or the derivatives thereof, and to the uses thereof. A method was developed on the basis of direct-melt polycondensation. The invention can be used in the pharmaceutical, human medicine, veterinary medicine, chemistry, separation chemistry, environmental, electronics, biological, diagnostics, phytosanitation, medicinal food, agri-food, and cosmetics fields, and in the nutraceutical field and in the field of molecular imprints (MIP).




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Cellulose materials with novel properties

A molecule possessing a primary or secondary amino group and an additional functionality capable of providing a novel or improved property to a cellulose material has been permanently attached to the cellulose material in aqueous media using a water-soluble carbodiimide as the coupling agent/activator. One such molecule is 5-aminofluorescein (abbreviated as “A-fluo”) and one such cellulose material is a papermaking pulp. Papers made from a pulp furnish containing, for example, 0.01 wt. % of the “A-fluo”-attached pulp show an embedded marker feature authenticable upon UV or visible light excitation. The “A-fluo”-attached pulp can also be used for the marking and identification of a pulp furnish.




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Soil hydrophilization agent and methods for use

Disclosed are soil additives capable of hydrophilizing soil particles and/or increase available water capacity in soil. The soil additive are capable of increasing the available water content/capacity (AWC) in soils, the additive in one embodiment comprising a polymer composition having a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion, wherein the hydrophobic portion of the copolymer binds with the soil particle surface and the hydrophilic portion of the copolymer can bind with water. This results in the prevention, arrest or decelerated loss of water from the targeted area, for example the plant root zone, which allows for improved water usage efficiency by plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.




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Molasses binder

A binder based predominantly on molasses which incorporates both polymeric and monomeric polycarboxylic acid components to form a composite including both melanoidin and polyester polymeric structures. The binder incorporates the chemical profile of molasses with a mixture of polycarboxylic acids which combines to form a strong and weatherable binder composition which may be used to bind loosely or non-assembled matter.




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Hyaluronic acid based copolymers

Hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugates or crosslinked HAs compositions for coating an implantable device are provided. The implantable device can be used for treating a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, high cholesterol, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, and combinations thereof.




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Protein-containing adhesives, and manufacture and use thereof

The invention provides protein adhesives and methods of making and using such adhesives. The protein adhesives contain ground plant meal or an isolated polypeptide composition obtained from plant biomass.




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Adhesives and methods for their manufacture and use

Adhesive copolymers and methods for preparing them are disclosed. An adhesive copolymer may be prepared from a reaction mixture containing monosaccharide monomers and dicarboxylic monomers. The monosaccharide monomers may include any of a number of C5 and/or C6 monosaccharides.




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Cellulose resin and method for producing the same

A cellulose resin produced by binding cardanol or a derivative thereof and abietic acid or a derivative thereof to cellulose or a derivative thereof.




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Water based lignin epoxy resins, methods of using and making the same

Water based lignoepoxy resins, and methods for their preparation and use are provided. Methods of making lignoepoxy resins without the use of volatile organic compounds are also provided.




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Photo-crosslinked gellan gum-based hydrogels: preparation methods and uses thereof

This invention refers to photo-crosslinked hydrogel materials based in gellan gum suitable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications or as drug delivery systems. Formulations of gellan gum with different degrees of acylation serve as precursor material for insertion of a polymerizable moiety. The materials are capable of free radical polymerization with a photo-initiator at mild temperatures and exposure to ultraviolet light, enabling control of reticulation and withstanding the encapsulation of human and animal cells and/or drugs, and any combination thereof. The physicochemical and biological properties can be adjusted by combining different formulations of gellan gum and reaction conditions. The matrix can be used either as an acellular or cellular system, dispensed manually or automatically by injection and crosslinked directly at the site of application, and can be processed using manual or automated systems in different types of scaffolds, such as hydrogels, fibers, 3D structures and micro- or nanoparticles.




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Method of securing a medical device onto a balloon and system thereof

A method for securing an implantable medical device onto a balloon which includes applying a coating, which includes a film-forming polymer and at least one solvent, to the outer surface of the balloon. The solvents can include alcohol, water, ether and combinations thereof. The film-forming polymer can include a zwitterionic polymer, such as, for example a phosphorylcholine polymer. The coating can be applied to the entire balloon surface or a portion of the surface. The implantable medical device is then positioned on the outer surface of the balloon and secured. The film-forming polymer is then allowed to cure in order to define an adhesive layer between an inner surface of the implantable medical device and the outer surface of the balloon. This method prevents or reduces the leaching or redistribution of any therapeutic agents dispersed within or on the surface of the implantable medical device.




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Pre-stressed haptic for accommodating intraocular lens

An intraocular lens is disclosed with an optic that changes shape in response to forces exerted by the zonules of the eye. A haptic with an inner and outer ring couples the optic to the capsular bag of the eye. The haptic stresses the optic when the intraocular lens is in a natural state such that the internal stress is present throughout the accommodation range in order to prevent ripples and/or waves in the optic.




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Ocular implant delivery assemblies with distal caps

Ocular implant delivery assemblies are provided which include a cannula having a lumen extending therethrough, a proximal end, a proximal end opening, a distal end, a distal end opening, and a lumen extending through the cannula. A cap is provided having a closed distal end, being in contact with the outer wall of the cannula, and covering the distal end and the distal end opening of the cannula, the cap being structured to allow the distal end and the distal end opening of the cannula to pass through the cap as the cannula is passed into an eye. An ocular implant is located in the lumen. The implant may be sealed in the cannula without the addition of a liquid carrier or it may be contained in a liquid carrier medium in the cannula. The implant may be made up of a number of microparticles having different compositions or different forms. The assembly also includes a sleeve located on the proximal end of the cannula and suitable for coupling the assembly to a syringe containing a pushing gel.




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Accommodating intraocular lens using trapezoidal phase shift

An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) includes an optic adapted to produce a trapezoidal phase shift and a plurality of haptics. Each haptic extends from a haptic-optic junction to at least one transverse arm contacting a capsular bag of the eye, and each haptic has sufficient length and rigidity to stretch a capsular bag of the eye to contact ciliary muscles of the eye. The haptic-optic junctions vault the optic forward relative to the haptics and compression of the haptics by the ciliary muscles moves the anterior optic forward. A combined accommodative power produced by the motion of the anterior optic and the trapezoidal phase shift is at least 0.5 Diopters.




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Intervertebral nucleus and annulus implants and method of use thereof

The invention encompasses devices and methods for treating one or more damaged, diseased, or traumatized intervertebral discs to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Specifically, the invention encompasses intervertebral nucleus and annulus implants that are resistant to migration in and/or expulsion from an intervertebral disc space. The invention further encompasses kits including the implantable devices of the invention and associated delivery tools to treat annular and nuclear tissue.




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Image-based patient-specific medical spinal surgery method and spinal prosthesis

The present invention relates to an image-based, patient-specific medical spinal surgery technique and to a spinal prosthesis used in the surgery, and particularly, to an image-based, patient-specific medical spinal surgery technique and to a spinal prosthesis which are intended to solve a problem of damage to a spine caused by installing a spinal prosthesis used in spinal surgery, by introducing an image of a patient to manufacture an insertable spinal prosthesis that is customized for a shape of a spine of an individual patient in a polymer-based material.




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Modular junction seal of an orthopedic implant

A method of forming an orthopedic implant, the method comprising the steps of providing a first implant component and a second implant component, the first implant component having a stem and a second implant component including a head defining a female taper sized to receive the stem; coupling the stem to the female taper of the head; forming a modular injunction between the stem and head; applying a seal to the modular injunction to limit bodily fluid from contacting the modular injunction; and forming the orthopedic implant.




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Quick and sensitive method of quantifying mycolic acid to develop anti-microbial agents and a diagnostic kit thereof

The present invention relates to a rapid, sensitive, simple, and cost-effective spectrophotometric method of detecting and quantifying mycolic acid in a mycolic acid-fuschin dye complex with absorbance maxima ranging between 490-500 nm in the presence of various test compounds, for screening mycolic acid biosynthesis inhibitors useful as anti-microbial agents and a diagnostic kit thereof comprising basic fuschin dye in the concentration ranging between 0.1-1.0 gm/100 ml, phenol and 95% ethanol in the ratio ranging between 1:4 to 2:1 (v/v), and phenol and distilled water in the ratio ranging between 1:14 to 1:25.




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Thermoplastic articles for packaging UV sensitive materials, processes for the articles production and use and novel UV absorbers

Thermoplastic composition and articles containing UV absorbers that protect the articles contents from harmful UV radiation are disclosed as well as methods for making the thermoplastic articles and methods for using the articles to contain and protect materials sensitive to UV radiation. The UV absorbers contain oxazolone and/or azine functional groups that absorb UV radiation and prevent its transmission into the article. Many of the compounds are novel compositions of matter. The generally clear thermoplastic articles of this disclosure are particularly useful for containing a variety of UV sensitive consumer products that would otherwise have to be packaged in opaque containers.




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Universal linker compositions for the release or transfer of chemical agents from a polynucleotide

A universal linker structure is provided, in which a functional group and activating leaving group are placed on a tether, allowing the placement of an electrophile at the end of any nucleic acid sequence. The electrophile on the tether can react with a second nucleic acid carrying a nucleophile when the two nucleic acids are hybridized near one another, resulting in release of the leaving group, and creation of a functional change. The linker can be designed to destabilize the ligation product without slowing the rate of reaction. This lowers product inhibition, and the target DNA or RNA can become a catalyst for isothermally generating multiple signals for detection. This enhanced signal is demonstrated in solution experiments and in solid supported assays. The universal linkers of the present invention are simple and inexpensive to prepare, and can be appended to any polynucleotide in automated steps on a standard DNA synthesizer.




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Temperature resistant pH buffers for use at low temperatures

A method for preparing a composition that includes selecting a pH of the composition; selecting a first buffer with a negative temperature coefficient; selecting a second buffer with a positive temperature coefficient; and forming the composition comprising the first buffer and the second buffer. The composition has an average temperature coefficient, ΔpH/ΔT(Ta,Tb)≦1×10−3 pH-unit/K and a ΔpH(Ta,Tb)≦0.31 pH-unit for Ta=4 K and Tb=313 K.




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Method for eliminating carbon dioxide from waste gases

A method for the elimination of carbon dioxide from waste gases includes the following steps. First, waste gases, which include carbon dioxide, are provided from a source for waste gases. Next, the waste gases are contacted with an absorbent composition that includes perfluorodecalin solution. The waste gases, especially the carbon dioxide, are then absorbed by the absorbent composition. The absorbent composition thereby absorbs the waste gases to eliminate the carbon dioxide.




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Metal (III) complex of biuret-amide based macrocyclic ligand as green oxidation catalyst

The present invention discloses metal (III) complex of a biuret-amide based macrocyclic ligand as green catalysts that exhibit both excellent reactivity for the activation of H2O2 and high stability at low pH and high ionic strength. The invention also provides macrocyclic biuret amide based ligand for designing of functional peroxidase mimics. Further, the present invention discloses synthesis of said metal (III) complex of a biuret-amide based macrocyclic ligand.




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Sensor system for bottom electrodes of an electric arc furnace

A sensor system for monitoring and controlling the performance of the bottom electrode and the deflection of an electric arc in an electric steel making furnace includes an organized matrix of anode pins interspersed with refractory material and extending toward an electrically conductive plate secured to distal ends of the anode pins. A sensing device includes two temperature sensors at spaced apart locations along each of a distributed select group of anode pins for providing corresponding electrical signals and a current sensor responsive to electrical current flowing through the anode pins of the distributed select group of anode pins for providing a corresponding electrical signal. A controller responsive to the electrical signals derived at the anode pins of the select group operates the power supply and a display for monitoring the electrical performance of the elongated anode pins for heating by the electric arc in the furnace.




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Electric induction heating and stirring of an electrically conductive material in a containment vessel

Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating and/or stirring of a molten electrically conductive composition in a containment vessel with the apparatus being removably insertable in the molten composition. An induction coil embedded in refractory or a coating is submerged in the composition and used to heat and/or stir the molten composition either externally or internally to the refractory or coating.




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Low temperature melting furnace and metal sector using an external cooling passage

A low temperature melting furnace using an external cooling passage includes a wall including a plurality of metal sectors, each metal sector including a cooling passage formed along a longitudinal direction thereof, and an extension tube provided outwardly from the wall and connected to the cooling passage.




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Resonant power supply for use with high inductive loads and method of providing same

A resonant power supply (900) for use with high inductive loads includes an input rectifier (903) and a switching inverter formed using a plurality of parallel connected half bridge networks for switching the voltage provided from the input rectifier (903). A transformer (927) is used whose primary is connected to the switching inverter and whose secondary is connected to load such as a crucible (931). A capacitor (929) is used in series with the primary of the transformer (927) for resonating the inductance in the secondary circuit at the frequency of the switching inverter to provide maximum power transfer to the crucible (931).




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Sealing device

A sealing device is arranged around a rod electrode extending vertically through an aperture made in the ceiling of an arc furnace and being vertically movable inside the furnace to prevent the access of gases from the furnace through the aperture to the atmosphere, and on the other hand to prevent air from flowing from the atmosphere into the furnace. The sealing device comprises a gas distribution chamber provided with an inlet channel for feeding essentially passive gas, such as nitrogen or air, into the gas distribution chamber. The sealing device also includes a slit nozzle encasing the electrode, through which nozzle a gas jet is arranged to be discharged from the gas distribution chamber towards the electrode in a direction that is at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane and has a slightly upwards inclined orientation, and that is, with respect to the furnace interior, pointed outwardly, so that the sealing is carried out owing to the effect of the created stagnation pressure.




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Channel electric inductor assembly

The present invention relates to an electric channel inductor assembly and method of forming an electric channel inductor assembly. A nonremovable, hollow, nonmagnetic channel mold is used to form the one or more flow channels of the assembly. A heated fluid medium is circulated in the hollow interior of the mold after the mold is situated in the assembly to heat treat the refractory surrounding the exterior walls of the mold. After heat treatment a liquid is supplied to the hollow interior of the mold to chemically dissolve the mold.




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Electric power system for electric induction heating and melting of materials in a susceptor vessel

Apparatus and process for heating and melting a material in a susceptor vessel are provided wherein phase synchronized ac voltage is supplied from a separate power source to each one of at least two induction coils in separate zones around the vessel. Power magnitude from each source to an induction coil is controlled by pulse width control of the source's output voltage. Output frequency from each source is either fixed or variable based upon the electrically conductive state of the material. Optional electromagnetic stirring is achieved by establishing a phase shift between the voltage outputs of the power supplies after the material in the susceptor vessel has melted.




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Method of manufacturing fused silica crucible

Method of manufacturing a fused silica crucible, including manufacturing a plurality of carbon electrodes for melting a vitreous silica object to be melted by arc discharge by rubbing the surface of a carbon electrode of the electrodes with a vitreous silica of the same type as the vitreous silica object to be melted, by at least one of: inserting a front end of the carbon electrode into a storage tank storing powdered vitreous silica, by at least one of rotating and reciprocating in an axial direction the storage tank and the carbon electrode relative to each other; rubbing the surface of the carbon electrode by ejecting powdered vitreous silica from a nozzle onto the surface of the electrode; rubbing the surface of the electrode with a vitreous silica grinder; and rubbing the surface of the electrode against a rotating surface of a portion of a fused vitreous silica crucible.




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Heating electrode assembly for crystal growth furnace

A heating electrode assembly for a crystal growth furnace includes: a heat insulation board unit that is disposed between a furnace wall and a heater, that includes a first surface facing the furnace wall and a second surface facing the heater, and that is formed with a hole extending through the first surface and the second surface; an electrode unit that includes an electricity input portion mounted to the furnace wall, a post portion disposed in the hole, and an abutment flange connecting the post portion and the heater; and an electrical insulating unit including a tubular sleeve that is disposed in the hole and that surrounds the post portion, and a pad that is clamped between the abutment flange and the second surface.




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Sealing device

In a sealing device (1) for sealing the through hole of an electrode, the pressurizing medium that generates the pressure of mechanical sealings against a rod electrode structure is an inert gas, such as nitrogen. The means for pressing the created sealing ring (6) against the rod electrode structure (4) include a gas distribution chamber (8) surrounding the sealing ring (6); a first channel (9) that is arranged to provide a flow path for the inert gas in between the hose (14) and the gas distribution chamber (8); an annular groove (10) in the sealing surface (7) of the sealing ring (6); and a second channel (11), which is placed in the sealing ring (6) and is arranged to provide a flow path for the gas from the gas distribution chamber to the groove (10) for extruding the gas in between the sealing surface (7) and the rod electrode structure (4).




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Decoupler assembly with sliding interface between hub and pulley

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a decoupler assembly for between an endless drive element and a shaft. The endless drive element may be, for example, an accessory drive belt from a vehicular engine. The shaft may be, for example, the input shaft of a belt-driven accessory, such as an alternator or a compressor. The decoupler assembly includes a hub that mounts to the shaft, a pulley that is rotatable with respect to the hub, a dampening spring and a clutch member. A part of the pulley is supported on a pulley support surface on the hub. There is a gap between the pulley and the pulley support surface. The gap has lubricant therein to facilitate sliding between the pulley and the pulley support surface. By eliminating the use of a polymeric bushing between pulley and the hub, there are several advantages that are provided.




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Shaft assembly including a contained shaft spring load

An input shaft assembly is movable along an axis to absorb external impact loads. A biasing member exerts an axial load in a direction counter to potential impact loads. A stop is provided to control the application of biasing loads to control application of such axial load.




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Driveline shield assembly

A driveline shield system having a cap disposed to releasably engage a bearing mounted adjacent a drive shaft. The cap supports a tubular guard or shield in a coaxial position relative to the drive shaft. One or more lugs on the bearing are disposed to seat in corresponding slots formed in the cap. When the lugs are seated in the slots, rotation of the cap relative to the bearing causes the bearing and the cap to engage one another. A U-shaped clip is pivotally mounted to the cap and rotatable between a first position in which the clip extends into the slot and secures the lugs in engagement with the cap and a second release position in which the clip is retracted from the slot, thereby permitting relative rotation between the cap and bearing.