| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20090126194 | NOISE ATTENUATORS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING NOISE ATTENUATORS AND BLEED VALVE ASSEMBLIES - Methods of manufacturing a noise attenuator are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, the method includes shaping a plate to have a three-dimensional contour, and forming a plurality of openings through the shaped plate with an abrasive fluid jet to thereby form the bleed valve noise attenuator. In another embodiment, a bleed valve assembly is provided. By way of example only, the assembly includes a plate having a three-dimensional contour including a rim section surrounding a dome section and a plurality of openings formed in at least one of the rim section and the dome section, the plate comprising a material having no recast material thereon. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20100096035 | NEGATIVE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE ASSEMBLY - A negative pressure valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly comprises a valve port assembly comprising a port and a flange substantially surrounding the port, a valve comprising a plate adapted to substantially cover the port, the plate comprising a minor edge, a major edge having a major edge length, and a plate biasing assembly stop located at a first position along the major edge, the first position more than 50% of the major edge length as measured from the minor edge. The valve assembly further comprises a hinge coupled to the plate, the hinge adapted to couple the plate to the flange, and first plate biasing assembly adapted to couple to the valve port assembly and to bias the plate towards the valve port assembly, the first plate biasing assembly comprising a resilient member adapted to contact the stop plate. | 04-22-2010 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20090086942 | LEASE MODEL FOR AVOIDING PERMANENT CARD LOCKING - Methods relating to prepaid services include determining an unlocked status of an account configured to track usage of prepaid services. The methods further include locking the account for a length of time after the determining step. The methods further include providing, for a service period, a service to a user associated with the account subsequent to the locking step, and continuously extending the locking for an additional length of time throughout the service period. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090088127 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING MULTIPLE SIMULTANEOUS CALLS FROM THE SAME PREPAID ACCOUNT - Prepaid services include associating a plurality of users with a prepaid services account. The account is configured to track a prepaid balance associated with the account as well as to allow at least a subset of the plurality of users associated with the account to draw down the prepaid balance at least generally at the same time. Drawing down the prepaid balance includes allocating a portion of the prepaid balance to each respective user, monitoring a provision of service, and repeating, selectively, the allocating and monitoring. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090088128 | PREPAID SERVICES ACCOUNTS WITH MULTI-USER CUSTOMERS AND INDIVIDUALIZED QUOTAS - Prepaid services include a multi-user prepaid services account as well as a prepaid balance associated with the account. A plurality of user records associated with the account each includes a quota. A service monitoring component may be configured to repeatedly draw down the prepaid balance by providing one or more allocations of the prepaid balance during a service period to a user associated with a respective user record. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090089207 | PREPAID BUDGET CALLING ACCOUNTS WITH OVERRUNS BILLED TO A CREDIT CARD - Prepaid services include offering a plurality of services. An account is configured to track usages of the plurality of services as well as associating a plurality of recurring balances with the account, wherein each balance is associated with a respective service of the plurality of services. It is possible to deduct an amount associated with providing a particular service for a period of time from the recurring balance associated therewith. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20110206194 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING MULTIPLE SIMULTANEOUS CALLS FROM THE SAME PREPAID ACCOUNT - Prepaid services include associating a plurality of users with a prepaid services account. The account is configured to track a prepaid balance associated with the account as well as to allow at least a subset of the plurality of users associated with the account to draw down the prepaid balance at least generally at the same time. Drawing down the prepaid balance includes allocating a portion of the prepaid balance to each respective user, monitoring a provision of service, and repeating, selectively, the allocating and monitoring. | 08-25-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20080213617 | Coated articles - This invention relates to articles coated with a thermally sprayed coating of a high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powder, said high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powder comprising from about 0 to about 0.15 weight percent impurity oxides, from about 0 to about 2 weight percent hafnium oxide (hafnia), from about 6 to about 25 weight percent yttrium oxide (yttria) or from about 10 to about 36 weight percent ytterbium oxide (ytterbia), and the balance zirconium oxide (zirconia). The articles include, for example, blades, vanes and seal surfaces of gas turbine engines coated with a thermal barrier coating. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080220209 | Thermally sprayed coatings - This invention relates to thermally sprayed coatings of a high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powder, said high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powder comprising from about 0 to about 0.15 weight percent impurity oxides, from about 0 to about 2 weight percent hafnium oxide (hafnia), from about 6 to about 25 weight percent yttrium oxide (yttria) or from about 10 to about 36 weight percent ytterbium oxide (ytterbia), and the balance zirconium oxide (zirconia). Thermal barrier coatings for protecting a component such as blades, vanes and seal surfaces of gas turbine engines, made from the high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powders, have a density greater than 88% of the theoretical density with a plurality of vertical macrocracks homogeneously dispersed throughout the coating to improve its thermal fatigue resistance. | 09-11-2008 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20100036852 | METHOD FOR DATA MANAGEMENT - Methods according to the present invention may be used to convey information to enhance customer service for a wide variety of industries. Among other things, methods of the present invention allow a service provider to supply customers with information on services provided for the customer using one or more methods of distribution and in a manner that is fast, efficient, and easy for the customer to access. The information provided to customers can be distributed in a variety of formats and stored permanently for retrieval by the customer at any time. The present invention also allows service providers to gather metrics on communications to customers, as well as to facilitate targeted marketing efforts to help build customer loyalty. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100036868 | SYSTEM FOR DATA MANAGEMENT - Systems according to the present invention may be used to convey information to enhance customer service for a wide variety of industries. Among other things, systems of the present invention allow a service provider to supply customers with information on services provided for the customer using one or more methods of distribution and in a manner that is fast, efficient, and easy for the customer to access. The information provided to customers can be distributed in a variety of formats and stored permanently for retrieval by the customer at any time. The present invention also allows service providers to gather metrics on communications to customers, as well as to facilitate targeted marketing efforts to help build customer loyalty. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100036876 | METHODS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED CUSTOMER SERVICE - Methods according to the present invention may be used to convey information to enhance customer service for a wide variety of industries. Among other things, methods of the present invention allow a service provider to supply customers with information on services provided for the customer using one or more methods of distribution and in a manner that is fast, efficient, and easy for the customer to access. The information provided to customers can be distributed in a variety of formats and stored permanently for retrieval by the customer at any time. The present invention also allows service providers to gather metrics on communications to customers, as well as to facilitate targeted marketing efforts to help build customer loyalty. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100036877 | SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED CUSTOMER SERVICE - Systems according to the present invention may be used to convey information to enhance customer service for a wide variety of industries. Among other things, systems of the present invention allow a service provider to supply customers with information on services provided for the customer using one or more methods of distribution and in a manner that is fast, efficient, and easy for the customer to access. The information provided to customers can be distributed in a variety of formats and stored permanently for retrieval by the customer at any time. The present invention also allows service providers to gather metrics on communications to customers, as well as to facilitate targeted marketing efforts to help build customer loyalty. | 02-11-2010 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20080246180 | Methods for Manufacturing Three-Dimensional Devices and Devices Created Thereby - In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b). | 10-09-2008 |
| 20090084933 | Methods for Manufacturing Three-Dimensional Devices and Devices Created Thereby - In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090272874 | Methods for Manufacturing Three-Dimensional Devices and Devices Created Thereby - In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20100096777 | Methods for Manufacturing Three-Dimensional Devices and Devices Created Thereby - In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100096778 | Methods for Manufacturing Three-Dimensional Devices and Devices Created Thereby - In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20110132562 | WAXLESS PRECISION CASTING PROCESS - Alloy products are produced with a waxless casting process. A model of a ceramic casting vessel ( | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110132563 | INVESTMENT CASTING PROCESS FOR HOLLOW COMPONENTS - An investment casting process for a hollow component such as a gas turbine blade utilizing a ceramic core ( | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110204205 | CASTING CORE FOR TURBINE ENGINE COMPONENTS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A turbine engine component, such as a turbine blade or vane, with complex internal features can be cast using a core having a first region with normal resolution features and a second region with high resolution features. The core can be formed from a single structure. Alternatively, the first region can be defined by a first ceramic core piece, which can be formed by any conventional process, such as by injection molding or transfer molding. The second region can be defined by a second ceramic core piece formed separately by a method effective to produce high resolution features, such as tomo lithographic molding. The first core piece and the second core piece can be joined by interlocking engagement, such as by male and female dovetails. The high resolution features can be effective to produce high efficiency internal cooling features in the cast component. | 08-25-2011 |