The invention relates to a bogie frame (1) for rail vehicles having at least two wheelsets, the bogie frame comprising two longitudinal members (3), which extend parallel to each other above the axle bearings, one or more cross-members (2) connected to the longitudinal members (3), and a receiving region (5) for functional elements, the bogie frame (1) being produced completely as a single casting of an aluminum alloy in a sand casting process, said casting having a hollow profile, which has cavities (10) in the interior and is stabilized by means of ribbings (8, 9). The invention further relates to a method for producing a bogie frame of this type and to a rail vehicle equipped with a bogie frame of this type.

The invention relates to a bogie frame (1) for rail vehicles having at least two wheelsets, the bogie frame comprising two longitudinal members (3), which extend parallel to each other above the axle bearings, one or more cross-members (2) connected to the longitudinal members (3), and a receiving region (5) for functional elements, the bogie frame (1) being produced completely as a single casting of an aluminum alloy in a sand casting process, said casting having a hollow profile, which has cavities (10) in the interior and is stabilized by means of ribbings (8, 9). The invention further relates to a method for producing a bogie frame of this type and to a rail vehicle equipped with a bogie frame of this type.

A surgical retractor for illuminating a surgical field includes an ergonomic handle, a retractor blade coupled with the handle, a quick release mechanism, and an illuminator blade. The retractor blade is adapted to engage and retract tissue, and the quick release mechanism is adapted to couple the handle with the retractor blade. The illuminator blade acts as a waveguide to transmit light by total internal reflection. Light is extracted from the illuminator to illuminate the surgical field. The retractor blade is releasable from the handle without requiring uncoupling of the illuminator blade from the handle and also without requiring optical uncoupling of the illuminator blade from a light source. The retractor may also be adapted to evacuate smoke from the surgical field.

A surgical retractor for illuminating a surgical field includes an ergonomic handle, a retractor blade coupled with the handle, a quick release mechanism, and an illuminator blade. The retractor blade is adapted to engage and retract tissue, and the quick release mechanism is adapted to couple the handle with the retractor blade. The illuminator blade acts as a waveguide to transmit light by total internal reflection. Light is extracted from the illuminator to illuminate the surgical field. The retractor blade is releasable from the handle without requiring uncoupling of the illuminator blade from the handle and also without requiring optical uncoupling of the illuminator blade from a light source. The retractor may also be adapted to evacuate smoke from the surgical field.

A manufacturing method is provided that includes forming a radial flow turbine blade of a radial flow turbine rotor for a gas turbine engine. The radial flow turbine blade includes an internal cooling passage. At least a portion of the internal cooling passage has a passage thickness of less than 20 mils.

A manufacturing method is provided that includes forming a radial flow turbine blade of a radial flow turbine rotor for a gas turbine engine. The radial flow turbine blade includes an internal cooling passage. At least a portion of the internal cooling passage has a passage thickness of less than 20 mils.

Vitriforming is a method for forming material into complex geometries within a vitreous substance. Liquid material is formed inside the vitreous substance through external forces applied to the vitreous forming medium. This technique can be broken down into four categories of operations: encasement, setup, forming, and extraction. All operations involve a forming medium, and a workpiece. The workpiece can be composed of any material so long as the forming medium is temperature, viscosity, and chemically compatible. The vitreous forming medium translates outside forces into the workpiece to create various geometries. This forming medium can remain a part of the final assembly or get extracted after forming takes place. Workpiece geometry is affected by forming tool geometry, initial setup, heat, and material properties. This process can be used as a fast, efficient means of forming metal or other materials with unique abilities to control material combinations, surface chemistry, texture, and overall geometry.

Vitriforming is a method for forming material into complex geometries within a vitreous substance. Liquid material is formed inside the vitreous substance through external forces applied to the vitreous forming medium. This technique can be broken down into four categories of operations: encasement, setup, forming, and extraction. All operations involve a forming medium, and a workpiece. The workpiece can be composed of any material so long as the forming medium is temperature, viscosity, and chemically compatible. The vitreous forming medium translates outside forces into the workpiece to create various geometries. This forming medium can remain a part of the final assembly or get extracted after forming takes place. Workpiece geometry is affected by forming tool geometry, initial setup, heat, and material properties. This process can be used as a fast, efficient means of forming metal or other materials with unique abilities to control material combinations, surface chemistry, texture, and overall geometry.

A turbine blade for a gas turbine engine. The turbine blade includes an airfoil having a tip cavity. The tip cavity has a floor bounded by a wall. A pocket opening is formed in the wall proximate a trailing edge of the turbine blade. A passageway communicates cooling medium from an internal cooling circuit to a cooling hole formed in part through the floor and in part through the trailing edge.

A turbine blade for a gas turbine engine. The turbine blade includes an airfoil having a tip cavity. The tip cavity has a floor bounded by a wall. A pocket opening is formed in the wall proximate a trailing edge of the turbine blade. A passageway communicates cooling medium from an internal cooling circuit to a cooling hole formed in part through the floor and in part through the trailing edge.