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A/N: This is a fic I wrote for the Chrismukkah Fest over at the Puckurt comm on livejournal. Enjoy!
I. This ex-hookup of mine
"Listen, Porcelain…"Santana purred over the line, making Kurt roll his eyes as he brought his coffee to his lips and hummed to signal that he was indeed listening. He knew that tone of voice, knew exactly where this conversation was going.
"You remember Puck?"
"Should I?" He drawled flatly, gracefully sliding sideways to make way for an elderly lady walking in the opposite direction.
"He's this ex-hookup of mine…"
"Who isn't an ex-hookup of yours?" He replied, eyes travelling across the busy street in hopes of seeing something more interesting than the conversation he was currently having.
"Shut it, prude. Anyway, he's a total sex bomb and apparently he had this huge epiphany and sucks dick now."
"However fascinating that is, I…"
It was the eyes which caught his attention first. They met by mere coincidence; a deep hazel color burying themselves in Kurt's bright pools and after that first second he was unable to look away. A single eyebrow quirked upwards, reaching towards his shaved head and Kurt could feel his steps slowing down. Plump lips stretched and turned into a sly grin while Kurt's mouth ungracefully dropped open. With his cellphone pressed to his ear and his coffee cup against his heavily pounding heart, that annoying organ currently trying to break free from within his ribcage, out through several layers of clothing which shielded him from the rough winter winds. The stranger's pink tongue caressed his lips briefly, a lazy movement, and arousal hit Kurt with the force of an out of control freight train; this burning warmth pooled in his abdomen, spread like wildfire down his thighs and up his torso.
His cheeks heated when the stranger passed him, eyes never wavering from his, a cheeky grin firmly in place. Unable to restrain himself, Kurt turned his head after him, his body giving away a shiver when he noticed how the stranger did so himself. In unison, they broke their gaze and let each other's eyes ravish their bodies and then… the stranger was swallowed by the throng and Kurt stood absolutely still where he had been left.
"…urt? Kurt! KURT!"
A breath he had not been aware of holding escaped him and he deflated visibly.
"You know your cock can fall off if you don't use it, right?"
Kurt rolled his eyes so hard it physically hurt him.
"Yes, of course," he answered her dryly, slowly coming into motion again.
"So, whaddaya say?"
"What do I say about what?"
"Puck, you idiot. Wanna give him a ride? I swear, he gives the best oral…"
"Santana, first of all… Ew. As much as I enjoy listening to your sexual endeavors, that really is TMI. Secondly… No offence, but I'm not interested in your leftovers."
"You're missing out, lady. He's the finest piece of ass you'll ever see. Seriously, I'm not even kidding. You just want to pinch those cheeks. And eat whipped cream from them."
"Sorry, I need to hang up now…"
"Kurt, one day you'll regret how awfully PG-13 your life is and…"
Whatever deep, primal need that the handsome stranger had evoked had now been brutally squashed by Santana's words. Kurt sighed softly, pocketed his cellphone and brought his coffee cup back to his lips as he walked the last block home.
II. You're doing it again
Puck's cheeks were sort of sore from grinning like a fool all the way back to the dorms. There was just something about seeing a really attractive person that did stuff to him, you know? Especially if that really attractive person totally undressed him with his eyes. He pushed his door open, his eyes giving his roommate a quick once-over. The overly-tall Finn Hudson laid upon his bed with a book on musical theory in his hands, his face crumpled up in a frown of concentration.
"Hi," Finn blinked and lowered the book, as if he had not even noticed him come through the door. "You bring any food?"
"Damn. I'm starving."
"Musical theory does that to you, man."
"Uh, yeah. No mercy whatsoever."
Puck dumped his bag next to his desk and shrugged out of his jacket. That tingling desire was still itching beneath his skin and without him even noticing, the smile was back in place.
"Dude… what are you grinning about?" Finn asked curiously.
"Nothing, I swear. Can't a guy just be happy?"
Finn shrugged and turned back to his book.
"Yeah, I guess. Wanna order in?"
The attractive young man from earlier lingered in Puck's mind while he tried to occupy himself with homework until the pizzas arrived. Those piercing eyes, the pink lips, porcelain skin hiding beneath an uncountable number of layers… Yeah, he definitely stored away that memory in the wank box.
"Dude, you're doing it again," Finn commented suddenly around a mouthful of pepperoni pizza, causing Puck to blink in confusion.
"Grinning. Like a fool. You're doing it."
"No, I'm not."
"Uh, yeah you are."
"No. Wanna tell me what got you so happy?"
Puck contemplated shrugging it off again, but Finn was pretty much a dog: not only in the way he devoured pizza, or how he tilted his head when confused, but in the sense that if he caught a whiff of something, he rarely let it go.
And Puck trusted Finn. They had only been rooming for a month or so, but he had proven to be a pretty solid guy in that time. This was just another part of Puck that he needed to get used to, just like the Super Mario obsession and the loitering around in Star Wars undies, so Puck went for it.
"Just this hot guy checking me out on the way home."
"Oh yeah? Did you get his number?"
"No, I… what?"
Finn raised his eyebrows, looking as confused as Puck felt. That was not the reaction he had expected.
"Did you get his number?"
"You're cool with this?" Puck replied, ignoring his question.
"With what?" Finn dog-tilted his head to the side.
"Uhm… me. Looking at dudes. Liking dudes."
"Yeah? Shouldn't I be?"
"Well, yeah, but…"
Finn chose another slice of pizza and shrugged slightly.
"My stepbrother is gay. We lived with each other for two years before college. Guess he sorta rubbed off on me. Not in thatway, but, like… opinions and stuff."
"So you're bi, right? All that talk about 'the ladies', I mean…"
"Uh, yeah, that was real. I mean, I'm bi. Equal opportunity and all that."
"That's cool. As long as you don't steal my girlfriends."
Finn grinned and Puck could not help but grin back.
"Wouldn't dream of it, dude."
Silence fell for a couple of minutes, while they ate the rest of the pizzas. Finn stole whatever he could from Puck's once his was finished, ignoring the muffled sounds of protest and the lazy pushes. It felt as if a weight had been lifted from Puck's chest. It was nice.
"So, my stepbrother," Finn began. "I bet you'd like him. He's kinda pretty, I guess, for a dude, y'know?"
"Hmm… Lemme guess, he's single?"
"Are you trying to set me up?"
III. Sliding doors
"Oh, hold the door!"
Kurt rarely ran. Mostly because he detested a lot of physically straining activities (dancing and sex were amongst the exceptions), but also because of the natural side-effects of such activities: heavy breathing and sweating. Though, when it came to missing the subway train when he was already late to Santana and Brittany, he ran. He could always use their bathroom for freshening up. He received a few curses and more than a few glares when he pushed himself through the crowd. To his great relief, a hand had shot out to hold the door open for him.
The train was crammed, but he fit snugly into the small space right on the other side of the door, which closed swiftly behind him. He adjusted his satchel on his shoulder and looked up to thank whoever had come to his aid when the train came into motion.
Kurt remembered those eyes.
He remembered those eyes attached to that face.
It was Hot Stranger from the other day. Kurt felt his cheeks heat with the state he was in, practically panting in Hot Stranger's face with sweaty armpits. He both blessed and cursed his thick coat and woolen scarf. Clearing his throat, he finally managed a slight smile.
"Thanks," he said. "For holding the door."
Hot Stranger's eyebrow quirked upwards the way it had done the other day and a grin overcame his face. It lit up his eyes with a (ridiculously attractive) mischievous glint.
"No problem," he replied and the corners of Kurt's mouth twitched with a smile of its own. "Missing the train is a bitch."
"It really is," Kurt concurred softly.
He averted his gaze to watch the darkness outside the window. He was going for the nonchalant, I-have-boys-falling-all-over-me-all-the-time-so-you're-really-not-that-big-of-a-deal kind of vibe, but he was pretty sure that it failed miserably with the way he kept stealing glances. Judging by Hot Stranger's still solid grin, he saw straight through his bluff.
Would it be awfully blunt of him to introduce himself? He could practically hear Santana's voice telling him that yes it would, but he better do it anyway because that hot piece of ass would not fuck itself. Oh god, his mind really had been contaminated by her wicked ways.
What if he had misjudged this situation entirely? What if it was not mutual attraction? What if any attempt of getting… friendly would earn him a beating?
"Excuse me, sir…"
Kurt blinked. He had been so consumed by his own thoughts that he had not noticed the train slowing down and stopping at the next station. An annoyed looking man in his forties stood tapping his foot right next to him.
"I'm getting off here, do you mind?"
Icy indifference slipped easily onto his face as he stepped aside, giving the guy a glare as he hurried off. Several accompanied him, but the space was quickly filled once again. The doors closed and a chuckle reverberated through Hot Stranger's chest and throat. It made a jolt of pleasure surge through Kurt's body and he looked up to seek out his amused eyes. Hazel.
"I'm surprised he didn't freeze to death," Hot Stranger said, surprising a laugh out of Kurt. "How long did it take you to perfect that?"
"Oh, a couple of years. Though there is always room for improvement."
"It's just an on-going process."
They shared a look and Kurt had to bite down on his lower lip so he would not dissolve into giggles.
They stood closer than before the stop. Kurt had not even noticed how he had gravitated towards him, how they held onto the same pole to keep their balance. He could feel Hot Stranger's warmth, and if he turned his head, he would feel his moist breath against his cheek. Hot Stranger's eyes lingered on him, as if assessing him, before reaching his free hand towards him.
The proximity between them really was too prominent to make a real handshake out of it all, but Kurt was pretty sure that Hot Stranger, no, Noahknew that and just did not give a fuck. Kurt raised his hand and so what if he did make a show out of pulling his glove off every finger? Sue him. The feeling of taking Noah's bare hand in his own, to feel his hot skin was totally worth it.
"You're kinda hot," Noah admitted, drenched in cocky bravado and the smuggest smirk he ever had laid eyes on.
Two could play that game.
"I know," Kurt replied, fully aware of how their hands still held onto each other between their chests. "You don't look too bad yourself."
"I know," Noah parroted, licked his lips, drawing the attention of Kurt's eyes.
"Next stop is mine."
"Can I have my hand back?"
Their hands dropped and he put on his glove again, right in time for the doors to open once more. Noah swayed forwards slightly, that glint of mischief still visible. Kurt held his breath.
"See you around, Kurt."
"You wish," he replied teasingly.
"Yeah, I do."
Kurt turned around and walked off the train before Noah could notice the ridiculous grin he was sporting. When he reached the street and cold air embraced him, he still felt warmth lingering around him. His cheeks hurt from smiling too hard.
IV. Grande Non-Fat Mocha
The New Directions Café lay right between campus and home, so Puck passed it pretty much every day, but he had never actually gone in. He knew that Finn sometimes took his midget girlfriend there for dates, since they apparently knew someone who worked there. It looked like a decent enough place, however, not really Puck's scene.
Or, at least it was not his kind of place until he spotted one sexy-ass Kurt while walking home in the evening. He stood behind the counter, a polite smile in place as he served a red-headed lady a cup of coffee, apron and all. This was just too good to be true.
The door chimed when he stepped through it, but the café was busy enough that he went in unnoticed. There was a small line in front of the counter and while he waited for his turn, he unbuttoned his winter coat to feel the heat of the room slowly engulf his chilly skin.
Kurt was a fast and professional worker. His soft sing-song voice was audible over the murmurs of the customers, Journeydrifting from the jukebox in the corner, and the occasional laughter filling the comfortable atmosphere of the café. By the time he reached the counter, his body was tingling with excitement and desire.
"So, what's any good here?"
Kurt's eyes widened comically at the sight of him, though he recovered quickly. There was a vague blush covering his pale cheeks. Puck's fingers twitched at the prospect of being able to touch. He shoved them into the pockets of his coat, hoping that they could behave.
"Are you hungry or just looking for something to drink?" Kurt replied in the same tone of voice which he had used with his other customers. However, Puck spotted a dimple in his cheek and knew that a different kind of smile was not far away.
"A hot drink sounds good. What would you recommend?"
"If I were you, I'd choose the grande non-fat mocha."
"That's your favorite?"
"Then I'll take two. One for me and one for you."
"For me?" Kurt's eyebrows shot towards his hairline, eyes sparkling with something Puck could not quite put his finger on.
"Yeah. For when you join me."
"I'm working!" Kurt exclaimed, eyes wide and lips parted with surprised amusement.
"So?" Puck grinned.
"So I can't exactly sit down for a chat! Now, do you mind? There's a line!"
Kurt made a grand gesture to the growing line of customers behind Puck. Puck simply leaned further across the counter and raised a seductive eyebrow.
"Fine. When do you get off work?"
"In two hours."
"Cool. I'll just sit in the corner and make you all hot and bothered with my seductive gaze," Puck shrugged.
"Make me uncomfortable while you're staring creepily, you mean," Kurt insisted, but he was losing the battle against his smile, so things did not look so bad for Puck after all.
"Kurt, you really should focus on your job. Can't you see there's a line?"
Kurt gave him a glare which lacked heat and carried on with Puck's order. He worked quickly and seemingly effortlessly and Puck enjoyed the movements of his hands far too much. They looked skilled and he could easily let his mind wander with that information.
"There," Kurt said and pushed a cup across the counter towards him. "Onegrande non-fat mocha. That will be $4.30, thank you."
Puck fished his wallet out of his pocket and paid with the most charming smile he could muster.
"No, thank you," he said and with a wink, he took his coffee and backed away towards a seat in the corner. "I'll be over here, eye-sexing you."
Kurt snorted loudly and Puck could not help his laughter.
Noah had not even reached a table before the vultures surrounded Kurt. He adopted an innocent look and looked at his two co-workers, Tina and Mercedes, with mock surprise.
"Kurt. Is there something you would like to tell us?" Mercedes said in an overly sweet tone, which never evermeant any good.
"Tell you? I don't think so," he replied airily while taking care of the next customer's order.
"Really?" Tina interjected with disbelief. "Because…"
"Cut the crap, Kurt. Who's the hottie?"
"The one currently undressing you with his eyes from the corner over there."
Kurt threw a glance over his shoulder, immediately spotting Noah who licked his lips and gave him an exaggerated wink. He rolled his eyes at both the other man and himself, due to the lame butterflies currently residing in his stomach.
"Oh, you mean Noah?"
"Noah, is it?"
"And how did you two meet?"
"We shared a subway ride. Nothing happened."
"Nothing happened, he says!" Mercedes exclaimed loudly, earning herself a glare. "Boy, that man is fiiine."
"And I'm pretty sure he wants to sleep with you," Tina mused, handing back change to an elderly customer whose eyes grew wide at her words.
"You think? Course he wants into those gorgeous no doubt ridiculously expensive pants. Where did you get those anyway?"
"I'll send you a link when I get home, sweetie."
"You better, they're divine! And your ass, hot damn!"
"I know, right?" Kurt twirled to show his assets (awful pun intended), a smile spreading on his face again.
"We're not the only ones admiring your ass, Kurt," Tina giggled with a less than subtle gesture towards a certain man still sitting in the corner.
Mercedes forgot all about the pants and levelled him with a stern glare.
"He's practically drooling. When was the last time you got a little something-something anyway?"
"Why is everyone so concerned about me getting laid anyway?" Kurt groaned. "Don't you have your own love lives to worry about?"
"I have nothing to worry about," Tina smiled sweetly. "Mike is perfect."
"Boo, why aren't you over there already?"
"I'm working," Kurt repeated, and really? Did he have to explain that to his co-workers as well? "I have an obligation to keep working if I want to get paid. You know, money, kind of important?"
"We'll cover for you! Schue won't know a thing."
"I can't do that. Besides... I told Noah that I'm working for two more hours. He said he would wait."
"Ooooh," a grin spread across Mercedes' face. "Testing him already, are we? Babe, I like the way you think."
VI. Screw PG-13
Noah kept his word. He stayed put in the corner for two hours, making an exception for a toilet visit and to buy a refill, which Mercedes handled (with a giggling Tina beside her), because Noah kept staring right over their shoulders to watch Kurt.
Kurt supposed that he should feel creeped out, because that was exactly what Noah did during those two hours: watch Kurt. He could feel Noah's eyes upon him, following his every move, but instead of feeling uncomfortable like he had suggested earlier, his cheeks were hot from the attention. That tingling sensation that Noah had given him that day on the street had returned, an itch beneath his skin in desperate need of scratching.
Mercedes was right, wasn't she? Just like Santana. His dick really was going to fall off if he did not get busy. Kurt's eyes wandered to Noah, who was taking a sip of his refill. He was attractive enough, that was for sure. Charming too, if he could just drop the overly cocky smugness that he probably thought was sexy. Because it wasn't. At all. Just a little bit.
Oh well. Time was up. He needed to at least talk to him... after he had grabbed his coat. He snuck into the back room through the kitchen, stealing one of the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies on his way. He tried to keep the nervousness at bay, but it was difficult when he had buttoned up his coat, put his scarf around his neck and slung his bag over his shoulder, because it meant that he had to walk over to the table in the corner.
For fuck's sake. Man up, Hummel. With forced determination, he stepped out into the shop again and gave both Mercedes and Tina a kiss on the cheek.
"Ladies, I'm off. See you on Monday, okay?"
"Go get him, tiger!"
Tina gave him the last push in Noah's direction, an actual physical push, and he made his way towards him with an increasingly speeding heartbeat.
"So," he began, trying hard not to be affected by Noah's growing smile. "Did you enjoy your grande non-fat mocha?"
He shifted his weight from foot to foot, readjusted his bag on his shoulder and met Noah's eyes again. Oh, screw PG-13.
"Want to get out of here?"
Noah was out of his seat and putting on his jacket in record time.
"Your place or mine?" Kurt blurted out and he received a grin in reply.
"Mine is pretty close."
"In a hurry?" He teased.
Then he promptly grabbed Kurt by the hand, accompanied by the excited yells of encouragement from the two girls behind the counter, and steered them towards the door. With his free hand he raised a victory fist into the air. Mercedes' and Tina's squeals were cut short when the door swung shut behind them.
VII. Smiles, hands, and conditions
It started raining on their way to Puck's place, a soft drizzle that without doubt would escalate to a steady downpour soon. Kurt looked up at the grey sky and crinkled his nose, but said nothing. Kurt's hand was warm, almost a bit clammy in his. Puck figured that Kurt was nervous. So was he. He squeezed his hand with fake confidence. There was a moment's hesitation and then Kurt squeezed back. Warmth spread throughout Puck's entire body and his smile matched Kurt's.
As Puck had predicted, the drizzle developed into a heavy rain before they had reached his place and they had to run the last fifty yards. The soles of their shoes squelched against the concrete, water splashed up upon their legs, and Puck thought he heard a muttered curse from Kurt, but he could have imagined it. When they almost ran past the right door, he pulled Kurt to him, standing where the rain could not reach them. Kurt leaned against his body, his eyes wide and bright and he wanted to kiss him, he was going to kiss him...
Kurt inhaled hesitantly.
"I... I have a few conditions," he said matter-of-factly, his eyes not wavering from Puck's lips.
"I don't do things half-heartedly. I don't do one night stands. I usually don't sleep with people before actually getting to know them, but I figured that we might want to try this the other way around. Fuck first, be polite later, yes?"
"Good. So, we're going to go upstairs and have... sexual relations and we're going to enjoy it and in the morning, because yes, I will be staying the night, you won't kick me out. Then we'll have breakfast and talk. Do we have a deal?"
Puck must admit that he was impressed. Also more than a little turned on. He could do nothing but nod.
"We've got a deal."
Kurt exhaled and wrapped his arms around Puck's neck. The hand he had not been holding was cold against his cheek, the same with the fingers pressing against his scalp. Puck leaned forwards and brought his arms around Kurt's slender waist, pulling him closer. He nudged his nose with his and the last thing he saw before kissing him was Kurt's smile.
It was a hassle getting up the stairs, what with the constant lip-lock and hands holding onto everything and anything they could find. Puck fumbled with the keys, the tips of his fingers wet and numb from the walk, and Kurt groaned in needy frustration more than one time when he had to pull away to get the key into the lock. They stumbled across the threshold in a mess of wet clothes and entangled limbs.
Puck struggled with the buttons of Kurt's coat until Kurt slapped away his hands and did it himself, leaving Puck to get out of his own clothes, which he dumped on the floor. He was quicker than Kurt, who to his defense probably wore a lot more complicated layers than Puck.
There was a moment then, when Puck laid bare upon the sheets, waiting and watching, and Kurt looked up. His eyes roamed over him in silence and the rush went out of them both. Kurt unbuttoned his pants and underwear, let them drop to the floor before he climbed on top of the bed, on top of Puck's body and placed his chilly hands on his chest. He put his arms around him, pressed him tightly to him when he rolled them over and pulled the duvet over their naked bodies. He stroked wet strands of hair from Kurt's forehead and kissed him again.
IX. Good morning
It was still raining when Puck woke up the following morning. A heavy downfall thundering against the windows, the room grey with the cold lights from the outside world. His eyelids were heavy, his muscles stiff and movements slow. It was warm beneath the duvet.
Kurt was on his stomach and had his face buried in the crook of Puck's neck. His damp, peaceful breaths stroked his skin. The corners of Puck's mouth twitched. Warmth grew in his chest as he moved—carefully, so he would not wake him immediately—and he placed a gentle kiss upon his pale shoulder. Kurt did not react, so he did it again. And again.
Puck used his right elbow to prop himself up as he brushed his slightly parted lips to Kurt's naked skin, along his spine. The duvet made little to no sound when he gently pushed it downwards, trailing its touch with his open mouth. Down, down, down, to his perfectly rounded butt. Kurt shifted slightly when Puck pressed his cheeks apart and brought his lips to his entrance, but did not wake until he used his tongue. He caught a glimpse of eyes dark with arousal before the room filled with moans, sighs and desperate pleas.
Kurt's fingers gripped the sheets, his voice muffled by the pillow and his hips moved in a slow circles against the mattress, trying to gain friction. Puck pressed his tongue inside of him and reached for his hardness, stroking him, squeezing, running his thumb over the head...
Then it was only Kurt's harsh breaths and the smattering rain against the windows, the cold light and Puck grinned.
Kurt's out of breath laughter brightened the room.
They had fallen asleep again, Kurt enveloped by Noah's large arms, listening to his light snoring that he actually did not really mind. Though, by the time he woke up, it was silent in the apartment. It was still warm beneath the duvet, but Noah was nowhere to be seen. Kurt rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and called out his name hoarsely. There was no reply.
Kurt was startled by a sudden sharp noise coming from the floor, a melody he soon recognized as his ringtone.
"Fuck," he hissed as he practically rolled out of bed, wrapped in the duvet, and went cellphone searching through his pants, shirts and coat. He finally found the vibrating device in his inner coat pocket and pressed it to his ear.
"Well, hello Porcelain," Santana drawled. "How nice of you to pick up your phone."
"What?" He groaned, pulling a hand through his hair. She sounded annoyed.
"I'm pretty sure that we had a date this morning, Hummel, and I'm not used to being stood up."
"I'm so sorry, Santana!"
"You better grovel, bitch.
A key turned in the lock and Kurt looked up in time for the door to be pushed open, expecting to see Noah coming back. Instead there stood an abnormally tall man in the door opening that Kurt knew far too well, tilting his head to the side in confusion.
"Kurt, what are you doing here? Are you naked?"
"No! I'm wearing a duvet."
"You fucked Puck? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't fuck Puck! I don't even know who Puck is!"
"Dude, he told me he wasn't interested in you!"
"Excuse me, but who the hell is Puck?"
"My roommate! The guy whose duvet you're wearing!"
"You have a roommate?"
"Yeah, I told you, didn't I?"
"No, you didn't!"
"Frankenteen is rooming with Puck?
"Sorry, Kurt, I was going to tell you."
"Santana, who's Puck?"
"Don't you remember? I told you about him like, last week or something. My ex with the crazy tongue skills and sexy ass?"
"How did you meet Puck?" Finn asked, still standing in the door opening.
"I'm sorry, I came here with Noah, not Puck."
"Noah is Puck's name, dude. Noah Puckerman?"
"You didn't even know his entire name before you fucked?"
He blinked again.
"Slutty, Porcelain! I approve."
Then Noah appeared in the door opening, holding a grocery bag in his right hand and an umbrella in the other. He stopped dead at the sight of Kurt on the floor and Finn staring at him.
"Is that him?"
Then everyone spoke at once.
"Dude, you fucked my brother!"
"You're Santana's ex?"
"This is soo good."
A/N2: If you've got time, please leave a review and let me know what you think.
Hugs and kisses,


text:
Air Force begins rebuilding process
One thing’s for certain: Air Force Academy head coach Frank Serratore tells it like it is.
After the Falcons finished 16-21-4 last season – their first losing campaign since 2005-06 – Serratore labeled the disappointment “the end of an era.”
“There weren’t a lot of positives to take out of last season,” said Serratore, who’s been at the helm of the Falcons since the 1997-98 season. “Our seniors that graduated were the last players to win championship rings (from the 2011-12 Atlantic Hockey regular-season and playoff tournament championships) and, going into next year, we’re turning a page, starting a new chapter, beginning a new era at Air Force.
“I’m not excited about that, but we’re excited to turn the page.”
From 2006-12, Air Force won a pair of regular-season Atlantic Hockey titles and five playoff crowns, which earned the Falcons an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Serratore said moving forward, he’s hopeful the large freshmen and sophomore classes can run with the opportunities they’ll be afforded and bring Air Force back to the top of the heap in its conference.
“We’ve never had to rebuild like this; we’ve simply reloaded for the past eight years,” Serratore said. “We’ve had down recruiting classes the past two years for whatever reason, but now I hope we can start to see the depth within our roster and make next season what I like to call a foundation year.
“We only have a couple juniors and a couple seniors and two freshmen goalies, so it’ll be up to the players if we want to win.”
Gone from last season’s squad are the team’s top three scorers in Cole Gunner, Chad Demers and Scott Holm. Junior A.J. Reid and sophomore Erik Baskin each potted 10 goals last season and both return. Forwards Ben Carey and Max Hartner will be the lone seniors back in Colorado Springs next fall and will captain the team.
In net, sophomore Chris Truehl and freshmen Connor Girard and Austin Priebe have all left the Academy, leaving two incoming freshmen (Shane Starrett and Billy Christopoulous) to battle for time between the pipes.
“You can win with a freshman goaltender,” said Serratore. “Andrew Volkening took us to the NCAA Tournament in 2007 and Jason Torf did it in 2011, so it can be done. On paper, we’ll have a young team next season and we won’t have a pile of older players.”
Still, even with the Falcons’ lack of experience, Serratore isn’t trying to “paint a gloom-and-doom picture.”
“On the ice, we’ll be expecting a lot from our freshmen and sophomores and that’ll be fun in terms of the building process,” said Serratore. “Like always seems to be the case, I think we’ll be a better team in the second half, but when you look at next season, it’ll be one where we start to lay the groundwork, to establish ourselves once again as a championship contender.”
With Air Force not presenting the typical college experience, both on and off the ice, school starts for the cadets in early August. Then, the hockey season kicks off in October and runs into the spring.
“I think the rigors of the Academy itself far outweigh the rigors of the hockey here,” Serratore noted.
Overall, Serratore is optimistic about the Falcons’ chances in 2015-16.
“Once the freshmen fill in and identify their roles, we’ll hopefully all be on the same page,” he said. “I don’t have a crystal ball, but right now we have one eye on the present and one eye on the future.”
– Matt Mackinder

domain: news


text:
We stayed at the Palais Sebban early September and had a fantastic time.
We arrived late at night, which was a little bit daunting as the Palais is down a few winding roads where the transfer driver can't take you. But someone did meet us and guide us to the hotel.
We were upgraded free of charge to the Menzeh Suite which was absolutely incredible and had its own private roof terrace.
The food in the Riad is excellent. It is more expensive than outside the hotel but the quality is far superior. We also ate out at Pepe Nero and Gastro MK. The Riad is on par with these restaurants and a little cheaper. At the end of the day, its £10 for a main meal at most restaurants in the UK and the food is not half as fresh or tasty as what we ate at the Palais Sebban. You have to try the Tangia Marrakech! So delicious! It needs to be ordered with 24 hours notice.
The staff are fantastic. So friendly! Not all of them speak a lot of English but if you know a bit of French you will be fine.
The Riad is located close to the souks and the main square. However is is so quiet and tranquil inside, you totally forget about all the madness going on outside.
To top it all off it is totally stunning and I can't recommend it enough. We will be back!

domain: travel


Basic Static Assignment to Transportation Networks
Traffic assignment models simulate the interaction of demand and supply on a transportation network. These models allow calculation of performance measures and user flows for each supply element (network link), resulting from origin–destination (O-D) demand flows, path choice behavior, and the mutual interactions between supply and demand.
KeywordsAssignment Model User Equilibrium Link Cost Short Path Tree Stochastic User Equilibrium
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Northrup Grumman and Shield AI to provide US Army with a VTOL solution for aerial reconnaissance
Key Insights and Signals in Aerospace and Defense
Deals Raytheon bags USD 1.2 Bn foreign military sales contract from the US Army Raytheon has secured the contract to supply advanced air-to-air missiles and other munitions to several countries. The contract also includes providing technical support, spares, and logistics. The sales will boost the company’s revenue as it seeks to expand its presence in the global defense market. Read More>> Elbit Systems bags USD 280 Mn contract to supply precision munitions and defense electronics systems Under the contract, the company will provide advanced technologies, including air-to-ground precision-guided munitions and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The deal will strengthen Elbit’s position as a leading global defense supplier. Read More>> India’s Defense ministry inks contracts worth INR 3,700 Cr (USD 451.1 Mn) to enhance Indian Air Force’s radar operations The deal will help the country enhance its military capabilities, including detecting and counter radar threats. BEL will manufacture and supply the systems to the Indian Armed Forces over five years. Read More>>Partnerships BAE Systems inks electric aircraft deal with Heart Aerospace BAE Systems has signed a collaboration agreement with Heart Aerospace to develop an electric aircraft that could be used for regional air transport. The project aims to develop an aircraft with 19 passenger capacity and a range of up to 400km. Read More>> US Army selects Northrop Grumman, teamed with Shield AI, for future tactical unmanned aircraft system prototype Northrop Grumman has been selected by the US Army to develop a tactical unmanned aircraft system prototype in partnership with Shield AI. The unmanned aircraft system will be capable of operating in contested environments and will include autonomous and artificial intelligence capabilities. Read More>> Spirit AeroSystems to work with Skyworks on VertiJet VTOL design Spirit AeroSystems and Skyworks Global will design and develop the VertiJet, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft for civil and military customers. The VertiJet is expected to have a range of up to 750 miles and a top speed of 400 mph. Read More>>Centre Setup and Expansion Hensoldt builds a new plant in Oberkochen Hensoldt is building a new plant in Oberkochen, Germany, to produce electronic components and systems for civil and military applications. The plant will be equipped with the latest manufacturing technology. Read More>>Executive Movement Aersale Corp: Change in Directors or Principal Officers, financial statements, and exhibits AerSale has appointed Mr. Jones as the Division President for Airframe and Materials. Mr. Jones brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as the President and CEO of Qwest Air Parts before its acquisition by AerSale in 2019. Read More>>Product Launch AeroVironment introduces the latest Switchblade 300 suicide drone The drone is a compact, precision-guided missile capable of loitering in the air for extended periods before engaging a target. The drone is designed for military and civilian applications, including border security and counter-terrorism operations. Read More>> Boeing unveils revolutionary new fuel-efficient jet for commercial airlines The new aircraft is designed to be the most fuel-efficient commercial aircraft ever built, with a range of up to 10,000 miles and the ability to carry up to 500 passengers. The aircraft is expected to significantly reduce airline operating costs while offering passengers improved comfort and safety features. Read More>>Financial and Market Activity Elbit Systems reports the fourth quarter and full year 2022 results Elbit reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2022, showing a slight increase in revenues to USD 1,506.4 Mn compared to the same period in the previous year. The company’s GAAP gross profit also increased to USD 380.6 Mn, representing 25.3% of revenues. Read More>>
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Latest Industry Insights from Draup Braindesk
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The importation of drone components will not require approvals. Imports are also allowed as completely built-up, completely knocked down, or semi-knocked-down units for R&D purposes by entities such as the central or state government, government-recognized R&D institutions, and indigenous manufacturers.
Indigenization and Manufacturing
The Indian captive companies are engrossing in policy-based initiatives to boost indigenous defense production, technology upgradation, and defense export capabilities technology development in India’s defense and aerospace sectors by engaging with entities such as MSMEs, startups, and R&D institutions.
This makes a strong case for global OEMs and their suppliers to examine India as a destination to play a vital role in the worldwide supply chain for aerospace components and parts. There could be several advantages to the low costs in India, along with the technical and engineering expertise/skills available for high-precision and high-quality components.
Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)
The Indian government has revised its MRO policy to increase the ease of business and make India a global leader in the MRO sector. Approximately 90% of India’s MRO activity occurs outside India, predominantly in Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia. Local capabilities are at a nascent stage but with the potential to grow quickly.
Company – Gravitics Total Funding– USD 20 Mn About: Gravitics is an aerospace company that designs and manufactures large space structures for human life in low-Earth orbit. The StarMax module will provide up to 400 cubic meters of habitable volume. Multiple StarMax modules could be linked together in orbit. Read more>>
Latest Reports Published in Draup
Raytheon Intelligence & Space Account Intelligence Report
Raytheon Intelligence & Space equips Aero & Def company employees with cloud-based tools, technologies, and platforms to enhance collaboration, optimize operations, and unlock intelligent insights that drive greater customer value. Read More>>
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Watch: “The Unit” Previews Big Surprise And Emotional Eliminations In Next Episode
With a new mission, a ranking update, and another round of eliminations coming up, “The Unit” has shared a dramatic preview for the next episode!
In the newly released preview for the January 6 episode of the KBS idol rebooting show, San E announces that the contestants’ next mission will be to make their own “Best Unit,” which surprises the idols.
The idols are then shown trying to persuade their fellow contestants to choose them, and others are seen announcing the members they’ve chosen.
“The Unit” also shares a glimpse of the reveal of the latest rankings, with the contestants yelling in total shock when Rain announces the name of an idol who made an incredible leap in the rankings by rising 33 spots.
We then see a preview of the emotional and tearful eliminations, in which the show will be saying goodbye to another 26 idols.
Get caught up with “The Unit” by watching the latest episode below!

domain: entertainment


More than 250 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed in Staffordshire - a rise of more than 20 per cent in just 24 hours.
New figures are released daily by Public Health England, with the latest numbers, released on Monday, March 30, with 256 confirmed cases in the county.
The figures refer to the area covered by Staffordshire County Council, which includes East Staffordshire.
They show 44 more cases than the figures released 24 hours earlier.
According to today's data, 225 cases have now been confirmed in Derbyshire - up 15 from yesterday - and 146 in Leicestershire - a rise of five.
The actual number of cases in each area is likely to be far higher as many people are not tested for the virus as they self-isolate at home.
Due to patient confidentiality, there is no further precise location on where each of these cases have been confirmed, other than the counties where they live.
Nationally, as of Monday, March 30, a total of 22,141 people have tested positive in the UK.
A total of 1,408 patients who tested positive have died across the country, including a consultant who worked at Burton's Queen's Hospital.
Amged El-Hawrani, 55, an associate clinical director and ear, nose and throat consultant at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, died at the weekend at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester.


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Last Man Standing - Dir: Walter Hill, Starring Bruce Willis
There has undeniably been a trend in recent motion pictures to feature violence with a certain sheen and glamour that it comes off as being more akin to an Ashton
ballet than street brawl or blood ridden battle. The Matrix is a prime example of this, as was Desperado. And both films drew criticism for giving savagery such a pristine finish in post-Columbine American culture, for embellishing brutality with the glossy sparkle of a Nagel painting and draining it of its blood spurting, bone shattering, flesh charring reality. Perhaps that is why we need more films like Last Man Standing. It manages to merge elements of art/violence and gritty gore in such a perfect way that you can marvel at the fireworks as you watch Bruce Willis lob off several rounds from a 45 and still feel the agony as said bullets scrape their way into bullish thugs who grunt and fall over into the unholy contortions of a villainís death.
Last Man Standingís plot is almost a straight retelling of Akira Kuwasawa's Yojimbo, though Bruce Willis in the lead role makes the character a bit more morally vacant than Mifune's protagonist. A stranger comes to a town of warring factions (In this instance, Irish and Italian mobsters in prohibition era Texas.), plays both sides against each other and the obligatory violence and death ensue. Of course there really is never any doubt how this will end. John Smith (Willis' nom de guer) will kill everyone, not because he is noble, not because he is righteous, but simply because he is better at killing than they are. Sure the bad guys ('bad guy' being somewhat of a relative term in this film) get their shots in (at one point torturing Willis with uncomfortable realism) but ultimately, the film makes no pretense about disguising the obvious ending (really, one needs look no further than the title.). With no reason to pursue plot originality, director Walter Hill funnels his energy into creating some of the most artistic and satisfying scenes of action/violence in recent years. The gunshots donít have the weak snap of a 38 fired in an old Starsky and Hutch episode but the thunderous applause of a Napalm blast in Apocalypse Now. When thugs are shot they don't slump over dead but fly across the room as the force of the slug sends them through a window and out into the dusty Texas night. And their pained cries are not the "Arghs" and "Uhhhs" of a campy Bat-Man episode, but rather desperate pleas to a forsaken lord, begging for rectification of their misspent lives. This is violence at its best: primal, real, but glowing with something beyond real, an almost holy glaze that the Pope himself would have to appreciate.
The film also fermented in my mind Willis' place as the king of schlep heroes. Balding and lumpy, he's no athletic Van Damme
or handsome Will Smith. He doesn't win the day because he's a highly trained fighter or commands James Bondian gadgets, but because he knows how to draw strength from hatred. Willis doesn't reject the urge to return to man's animalistic tendencies in the heat of battle. And he simply has more willpower than the guy he's facing. (Beneath almost all of Willis' recent films, be it 12 Monkeys or the Die Hard series is an epitaph that could fill a Hallmark card - "Never Give Up!") Though, I found his character on Moonlighting annoying and his early film roles lacking, I have to admit, he's come along way towards building a film characterization that owes more to Edward G. Robinson than Cary Grant.
Though Last Man Standing will undeniably become a cult favorite among the Tarentino crowd, it must be given credit for creating its own distinctive mood and balance. You could probably count the spectrum of colors used in the movie on one hand (all of them being a shade of brown) and find precursors to every character in the movie in earlier cinema epics (some might even accuse the roles of simply being stereotypes.) but Last Man Standing does grasp at some originality. While you could argue that every Western is a samurai flick in disguise, not every Western draws from the iconography of Chicago era gangsters. (I say Chicago era assuming that the readers will not dispute that Chicago's heyday was the thirties.) And considering how bloody each of those genres - Samurai, Western and Gangbusters - are on their own, it's quite easy to see that the results of a combination would prove wonderfully lethal.

domain: artistic


About Oscar Traynor Forum
- To provide a forum for the mutual exchange of information between stakeholders associated with the Oscar Traynor Road Site. (City Council, Area Committee, Area Office, Local Community, Local Residents, developer, etc). This Forum will be consulted by those drawing up the master plan.
- Consult, co-operate and liaise with all interested parties including the local community and any relevant statutory bodies.
- To define and agree communication processes with Dublin City Council, Developers and other relevant Stakeholders.
- To provide a platform for local and stakeholder concerns to be discussed and resolved throughout all stages of the development.
- Consultative Forum Terms of Reference
- Governance with appendix 040717


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New car sales in January were down by 11.5% year-on-year, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The decline in new car sales is being related to low consumer confidence and the loss of the Scrappage Incentive Scheme, which was running for the first three months of 2010.
According to the SMMT, just 128,811 new cars were registered in January this year – that’s 16,667 short of the same month in 2010.
Despite the substantial fall, the numbers were slightly ahead of the SMMT’s forecast for the month, which factored in the loss of the scrappage scheme causing a downturn in sales. In January 2010, the scheme accounted for 18% of sales.
Other contributory factors to this year’s drop could be the VAT rise to 20% in January and the growing cost of fuel.
Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, said the decline marks the start of a difficult year for the motor industry, and the government should act to ease costs for motorists.
He said: ‘Consumer confidence is low and it is important that government uses the March Budget to help relieve some of the financial pressure on motorists by freezing fuel duty, while providing stability and certainty on motoring taxes.’
Low-CO2 car sales up
Although the new car market is down overall, sales of cars with CO2 emissions under 100g/km are on the increase. And emissions from new cars are down too.
The average new car CO2 emissions figure is 141.5kg compared with 144.2g/kg in January 2010.
There was little change in the models at the top of the sales charts, though, with the soon-to-be replaced Ford Focus taking the number one slot in January. The new Mk3 Focus goes on sale this month.
Get advice on buying a car
If you’re thinking about buying a new car, especially with the new 2011 number plate due soon, why not ask one of the Which? Car team for some expert advice?
Which? members will be able to call us or take part in a live online Q&A.
The phone-in takes place tomorrow (Tuesday 8 February), when we’ll be available to answer you car buying queries from 10am to 3pm – just call 01992 822 877.
If you’re not a Which? member, you can try Which? today for £1.
Get more from Which? Car
Magazine: Which? Car magazine is the UK’s only independent car guide (we don’t take ads, so our reviews are totally impartial). The Winter 2011 issue is the first of the new look Which? Car, packed with more new and used car reviews than ever before. We’ve dedicated more pages to in-depth reviews of all the major cars on sale today, helping you to make the most educated decision about buying a new or used car. It’s on sale now, priced at £4.99, available from Sainsbury’s, Tesco, WH Smith, Martin McColl and good independent newsagents.
Email: Stay in touch with all the up-to-date car news, hot deals, latest first drives and reviews posted on our website each week. Sign up to the Which? weekly email to receive our free Friday bulletin.

domain: economics


Russian envoy sees prospect of terrorist state in Syria and Iraq
Vitaly Churkin said there is a real prospect of a terrorist state springing up from Syria to Iraq
Russia's U.N. ambassador said Thursday there is a real prospect of a terrorist state springing up from Syria's second-largest city Aleppo to Iraq's capital Baghdad.
Vitaly Churkin pointed to the rapid advance of al-Qaeda-inspired terrorists from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria who are active in Syria and have crossed the border and captured a large swath of Iraqi territory.
Churkin, the current president of the U.N. Security Council, said he told the 14 other council members that a terrorist state “is a very, very serious prospect” that the council needs to address “because really we are lagging behind ... in our responses.”
He told a news conference that one reason Russia is supporting the Syrian government is Moscow's belief that if President Bashar al-Assad's government was to fall apart right now “it's the terrorists who are going to take over.”
“We are trying to make sure that (ISIS) is not going to take over Damascus, which could be a real prospect under some circumstances,” Churkin said.
He said one of the sources of financing for terrorists is the illegal sale of oil and there are many reports that ISIS is selling oil from captured fields which various companies are buying through intermediaries.
Russia wants the Security Council to address this issue and Churkin said he will soon circulate a draft presidential statement to council members aimed at preventing terrorists from selling Iraqi and Syrian oil to finance their illegal activities.
He noted that in March, the Security Council condemned the illicit export of crude oil from Libya and authorized U.N. member states to board suspect vessels and return illegally seized oil to the Libyan government.
The council acted three days after U.S. Navy SEAL commandos seized a tanker off Cyprus containing Libyan oil that a militia controlling the country's oil terminals was trying to export in defiance of the central government.
Churkin said that in hindsight the Syrian opposition may have made a mistake in not accepting the Syrian government's offer to tackle terrorism first at talks in Geneva earlier this year and then discuss a transitional government. If the government and opposition had agreed to set up a joint committee to fight terrorism, “that could have become a nucleus of this transitional body,” he said.
Churkin said the United States and Russia, which spearheaded the Geneva talks, should press for new political negotiations to end the Syrian conflict, “keeping in mind the new dimension of terrorist threat.”


Natural gas compression and conditioning station for PP12 CCPP – 2,000 MW
IDOM has developed the basic and detailed engineering for a natural gas compression and conditioning station, as part of the overall 2,000 MW PP12 combined cycle plant project for the joint venture of Arabian Bemco Contracting Co., Ltd. and GS E&C.
The project included the station itself as well as the auxiliary facilities for the process, from the regulation and measurement station of Aramco to the supply to the gas turbines. The scope of the services involved several different disciplines (civil works, architecture, mechanical installations, piping, electrical, fire and instrumentation and control).
The compression and conditioning station is composed of the following sections:
- Emergency shutdown valves section
- KO drums section
- Waterbath heaters section
- Pressure reducing station
- Compressor station
- Cyclone coalescer section
- Condensate tanks and condensate disposal stations
- Chromatograph and dew point analyzer
- Odorant tanks
- GT final run coalescers


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Dobby - cassis
This knit fabric is soft with a 4 way stretch, more so on the length. It barely creases but any will stretch right out. It has a beautiful, subtle pattern made up of lots of little holes stitched with a metalic yarn, giving an amazing effect in the images without over powering.
machine wash 30 degrees
tumble dry safe on low
wash the sets together in case of any colour fade through multiple washes.
the edges are unfinished but will not effect the product in any way.
All efforts have been made to represent the colour of the fabric as close as possible. However, colours may appear different due to many factors such as computer collaboration, lighting, device its being viewed on etc
If you want an exact match i would reccomend ordering a sample, thank you.


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Here’s a video of Miley Cyrus aka “Hannah Montana” performing her new single, “Party In the USA,” at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards. This performance apparently caused a lot of hoopla due to her allegedly “pole dancing” during the song. We hadn’t watched the performance until just now but we didn’t notice any pole dancing.
At one point, she did a couple of dance moves on top of an ice cream stand, which happened to have a pole on top of it … but pole dancing? C’mon people. If you seriously thought she was pole dancing like a stripper, you should definitely get your arms checked. They might be a bit too long if you’re able to reach THAT far.
Continue reading to check out the video for yourself.

domain: celebrity


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1. Avebury is the largest known stone circle anywhere, with a surrounding ditch and bank a mile in circumference
2. The centre of Avebury is placed 4/7ths of the distance between equator and pole, at latitude 360/7*
3. A very detailed and accurate seven station closed traverse survey was undertaken by Professor Alexander Thom in 1978.
4. Thom reported that the perimeter of the outer stone ring was 1302.5 Megalithic yards (MY) of 2.722 feet, which is 3545.4 feet or 520 Megalithic rods ( 1 MR = 2.5 MY).
5. The geometry of the ring is based on a circle 200MY in radius (544 feet/ 1.66m) with centre at point D, exactly 60 MY from C (see diagram above).
6. A 3-4-5 pythagorean triangle ABC of side lengths 30-40-50 MR (75, 100 and 125 MY) defined much of the geometry. From the corners of this triangle (the stones/markers have long gone) three of the various arcs that make up the outer ring were struck. Their radii and arc lengths are as follows:
From A, B and C, each radius 260 MY, define arc FG, from A, arc HG, from B, and arc ML, from C.
In addition, there were two longer arcs struck from outside of the ring, of length 750 MY, from points W and Z (not shown on diagram). The remaining part of the perimeter is based on the forming circle perimeter, whose diameter is 200 MY..
7. The two inner circles are each 125 MY in radius and are therefore as big as any other true circle known in Britain, and the same size as the massive Ring of Brogar in the Orkneys.
8. Avebury, unlike nearly all other stone rings, has CORNERS, which demarcate the arc lengths. Thom
showed that all the arc lengths are integral in Megalithic rods, and total 1302.5 MY (521 MR)
9. Avebury is a MESS. The ring was heavily vandalised in history, has a village built within and
without it, and a major road system has quartered it (see piccy below). Most of the stones were fallen
or missing in 1930. Only nine still stood. Despite this, Alexander Keiller and other archaeologists were able to locate the majority of the remaining stone holes in the chalk and restore much of the original monument, The geometry of the original ring has since been discovered by AlexanderThom.
10. When built, the outer stone ring contained either 98 or 99 stones, some weighing over 50 tons.
AVEBURY TOUR (compressed) 2017 PDF file of full report.
Below is a review of Temple in the Hills, given a five star rating by the reviewer. It’s better than any Easter egg. Half the print run has gone after five months and the book section lets you know how you may acquire a copy. An early chapter from this book is blogged earlier on this site.
I am currently working on a second site in southern Britain, and it appears that the ground rules given in Temple in the Hills concerning the relationship between Stonehenge and the (earlier) ritual landscape of the Preseli Hills (bluestones, remember?) are applicable elsewhere within the major megalithic sites of Britain and Brittany.
To slightly adapt the quote from Mike P-P, “There has never been a better time to be an archaeoastronomer.”
Three yonking great stones that mark to the Equinoctial (west – 270*)) sunset, part of a section of the Dinas Cross to Pontfaen road in the Preselis, near Russia (’tis true!), where the road markedly changes direction and follows the alignment for about 470ft (170m). Two of remaining three upright stones are those stand in front of the sun’s disc in the distance. All other stones are now recumbent, and lie buried in the bank, just as one finds at the minor standstill moonset ‘detector’ (301.4*) at Parc y Meirw (Field of the Dead) on the Llanychaer road, about a mile away. Prehistoric precision astronomy at its best in Preseli!
For nearly ten years I have had to wait in order to capture the sun’s disc located at the end of this alignment during its setting moments on the day of the spring equinox. For more details, avail yourself of a copy of Bluestone Magic, a Guide to the Prehistoric Monuments of West Wales – as these sheep clearly did – page 56 and elsewhere, which contains colour photos and explanatory text about these two robust alignment sites.
Thunderbirds are go! I have recently been invited to give a presentation on my work in the Preseli Hills at the first of the above events.
This first event is being held at the Memorial Hall in Newport, Pembs, which is located on the right as one leaves the village travelling on the A487 towards Fishguard. Please note that parking can be the devil’s own business there, so the Carpark down the hill may be a wise decision, travelling towards Fishguard, and before you get to the Memorial Hall, it’s on the left at the main crossroads in the town, and just a short walk gets you to the hall.
I am informed that fizzy stuff and canapes are going to be available, and I’m told by Paul Sanday, a geologist and the organiser of the event, also one of the speakers, that he wants to “get things moving on the debate about Stonehenge’s connections with the bluestone sites within the Preselis”. I wonder how much stirring of these dark and well muddied waters might he be looking for!? Usual photos, storyline and new research from me, plus question time and jolly books for sale with some humour. Could be a lot of fun.
The second event is hosted by the long standing, successfully managed and well informed West Wales Dowsers, associated with the BSD. The venue is Bronydd Village Hall, about two or three miles from Carmarthen on the main Newcastle Emlyn road to Cardigan. The post code is SA33 6BE for all you non-dowsers. And for those who eschew the sat-nav, one turns at the sign for the steam railway, following the road past the station, then, after about a quarter mile the village hall is on the left. The clue is that it looks just like a village hall, and is sited opposite Timberman and before the charming bridge over the river. Huge free carpark.
Doors open at 1:45 for a 2pm start. I’ll be presenting lots of stuff about my research, and my latest book, Temple in the Hills, plus a Q&A session, and you’ll also get the chance to mingle and chat with loads of nice folks into all manner of interesting aspects of the earth mystery genre. The secretary is Jennifer Forrest. Certainly better than watching an old black and white ‘B’ movie on the telly! All done by 4:30pm, in time to get home for Countryfile.
Here is a tarted up version of the first geodetic survey around Pentre Ifan and Carningli, in spring 2009. This first saw the light of cyberspace on the skyandlandscape (SL) website. The survey was undertaken with a Wild T16 theodolite, pegs, GPS device and tapes, and it revealed a complex isometric (equal lengths) megalithic structure across the eastern flank of Carningli mountain. The corner ‘points’ of two back-to back equilateral triangles were each marked with significant and large well known prehistoric monuments.
Read on! The PDF is free to go for students, megalithomaniacs, and even archaeologists (for non-commercial use only and the source must be credited). The whole story of this survey is told in a fully illustrated colour book Bluestone Magic – a Guide to the Megalithic Monuments of West Wales, available from this website (see books section for details as to how this book can be rapidly be found landing on your doormat).
Photograph One (the header photograph shown above).
Surveying, north of the Preseli Hills, near Moylegrove, with Llech y Drybedd (the dolmen on the left), and the extinct volcanic cone of Carningli summit (on the right).
The first review of my recent book, Temple of the Hills has been received from author and researcher Dr Thomas K Dietrich, whose most recent book, Temple of Heaven and Earth – Guide to Earth Energy & Inspiration at Sacred Sites was published by Save our Sacred Sites Society, San Bruno, California. It is a thorough and coherent account of the ancient roots of human encounters with what John Michell (in The View Over Atlantis) called ‘Spiritual Engineering’ and which has since come to be re-categorised as ‘earth energies’. A professional stone-image carver, once a student of the late Professor Rodney Smith during the 1960s, Dietrich has spent a lifetime reading ancient history, mythology and science, living in Ireland for thirteen years and travelling widely, investigating ancient sites throughout Europe, Corsica, Sardinia, Tenerife, Malta, Rhodes, Crete, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, the Red Sea, Israel, Jordan, in addition to the American Southwest, Mexico, Yucatan, Belize, Guatemala and South America, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.
An active researcher, Dr Dietrich has written The Earth Holder (1983), The Origin of Culture and Civilisation (2005), The Culture of Astronomy (2011) and Temple of Heaven and Earth (2016).
Dr Dietrich is therefore among the rather too few people who are amply experienced and qualified enough to be able to write a critical review of my own work, for which I warmly thank him.
For more details of his research, visit his website cosmomyth.com
Photograph Two. Castell Mawr Henge. Larger than Stonehenge Over 500 feet ‘diameter’, this site sits perched on the flat summit of a rounded hill near Eglwyswrw, north of the Main Preseli ridge and off to the left of the dolmen in the previous photograph (Image via the wonderful Google Earth).
I thoroughly enjoyed Temple in the Hills, and many others will enjoy it also. Your excellent surveys are really the key to convincing archaeologists of the broad scope of ancient science and knowledge. I have attached a short review and do firmly believe that we should encourage students to follow your footsteps in metrological surveys so that more people may convince themselves of these essential sciences.
Best Regards and Thank you again for your inspirational book!
Thomas Karl Dietrich is the author of Temple of Heaven & Earth, Culture of Astronomy, and Origin of Culture. websites: cosmomyth.com and donohoememorials.com
Here is his review:
TEMPLE IN THE HILLS, The Discovery of the Original Stonehenge by Robin Heath
The introduction to Temple in the Hills by Robin Heath traces olden traditions and modern movements concerning the bluestone circle at Stonehenge, Zodiac hunters, New Age celebrities such as John Michell and Alexander Thom. The main corpus is dedicated to a review of astronomical phenomena and especially Heath’s discovery of the ‘Lunation Triangle’ within the context of ’the 30-segment, marked rope & peg’ configuration producing the 5-12-13 triangle which numerically defines the Moon’s relationship with Sun and Earth. Heath also gives a basic primer upon how to construct an accurate Equilateral Triangle on the landscape; again by simple rope & peg implements, showing that detailed, large-scale surveys may be achieved with very simple tools –proving that complex constructs were well within the abilities of our Stone-Age ancestors.
Robin Heath brings a solid case of evidence in favor of Neolithic metrology into the courtroom of archaeology. The evidence turns upon his measurements and discovery of ‘the Preseli Wheel’, centered upon the 500 foot diameter henge at Castell Mawr. Heath delineates five spokes of this wheel: Llech Drybedd, Carningli Summit, Foel Feddan, Carn Menyn, and Foel Drygarn which each average 18,630 feet (3.52 miles) upon the Preseli circle. The evidence of this wonderful precision is an indictment of modern archaeology’s continuing neglect to embrace and acknowledge metrological data and refined astronomical alignments. Heath returns to one of his 2010 investigations of his survey of the Preseli Vesica showing the distances between five locations upon a diamond pattern of two base-to-base equilateral triangles. The length of the common base and the sides of these two equilateral triangles show a nearly equal length and a mean distance of 11,759.0 feet demonstrating; in the author’s own words, “An accuracy that showed it to be a surveyed structure.”
Heath’s detailed demonstration of these irrefutable similar dimensions at the Preseli Wheel and Preseli Vesica represents no small contribution to science –because every well-documented opus elevates and substantiates the case for large-scale Neolithic metrology, precision alignments, as well as the broad based canons and traditions involving cycles, numbers, and geometry. It is absolutely important to celebrate this achievement for what it has and will accomplish. But, rather than bemoan the slow acceptance of new scientific data, I am quite sure that colleges and universities would take up such an interesting project for their students to gain valuable expertise in metrology; namely, to confirm Robin Heath’s survey measurements. This would once and for all guarantee the acceptance of accurate large-scale metrology in the Neolithic period and ignite a fire under the dragging feet and torsos of the archaeologists.
In his conclusion, Robin Heath presents the initial stages of his paramount discovery that the Aubrey Circle and the Sarsen Circle of Stonehenge bear the same relationship to one another as do the Preseli Wheel and its central circle around Pentre Ifan and Eglwyswrw. This correspondence shows that Stonehenge was based upon the template of the Preseli Wheel in Wales dated between 3200-3800 BC. Heath notices that genetic biologists conclude that the brain capacity of humankind has been more or less the same for almost 200,000 years. TKD
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Books by Robin Heath
Bluestone Press was founded in 1993. All our titles are locally printed by Gomer Press, perhaps the best known publisher/printer in Wales. Our titles are traditionally designed books, printed onto high quality paper and sewn covers, and bound into soft back format. They last, and some. In addition to books by Robin Heath, Bluestone Press has also published specialist astronomy and astrology textbooks, audio books, soli-lunar calendars and leaflets on musical instrument restoration and megalithic site tour guides, in addition to postcards and gift cards.
Bluestone Press Titles
A Key to Stonehenge (1993), rev. 2nd edition 2005, Out of print.
Sun, Moon & Stonehenge (1998) Out of print.
The Measure of Albion (2004) (with John Michell) Out of print.
Alexander Thom : Cracking the Stone Age Code* (2008)
Bluestone Magic : A Guide to the Prehistoric monuments of West Wales* (2010) Full colour.
Proto-Stonehenge in Wales*(2014)
Temple in the Hills: Discovering the Origins of Stonehenge (2016) Full colour.
Stone Circles : A Beginner’s Guide (1999)
Sun, Moon and Earth (1999 etc), various editions and available in 10 languages
Stonehenge (2000 etc), various editions and available in 4 languages
Adventures Unlimited Press (AUP)
The Lost Science of Measuring the World (with John Michell)(2006) A facsimile US edition of The Measure of Albion.
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domain: geography


|Publication number||US2725353 A|
|Publication date||Nov 29, 1955|
|Filing date||Jul 21, 1950|
|Priority date||Jul 21, 1950|
|Publication number||US 2725353 A, US 2725353A, US-A-2725353, US2725353 A, US2725353A|
|Inventors||Strobel Herman R|
|Original Assignee||Western Electric Co|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (5), Referenced by (6), Classifications (11)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
Nov. 29, 1955 H. STRQBEL 2,725,353
ELECTROPOLISHING METALLIC ARTICLES Filed July 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 T 1 o E i I I 3 5 |E I1 2 i 9 (SIM E9 2} EQ I d I 2 9 2 5 N 3 z 3' k k I 0: ll I l 2 i i i S 72 I g Q g N\ a I 3 5 i :1 lNl/ENTOR --hiRSTROBEL ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1955 H. R. STROBEL ELECTROPOLISHING METALLIC ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 21, 1950 O O O O O- o o o lNl/ENTOR H. R. S TROBEL A T TORNEV NOV. 29, 1955 STROBEL 2,725,353
ELECTROPOLISHING METALLIC ARTICLES Filed July 21, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 4
INVEN 70R hf R. STROBEL A TTORNEV 1955 H. R. STROBEL ELECTROPOLISHING METALLIC ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 21, 1950 uws/v TOR H. R. S TROML ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1955 H. R. STROBEL 2,725,353
ELECTROPOLISHING METALLIC ARTICLES Filed July 21, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet s nl- W: H l
INVENTOR /-I. R. STROBEL AT'I'URNEV United States Patent ELECTROPOLISHING METALLIC ARTICLES Herman R. Strobel, Fullerton, Md., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 21, 1950, Serial No. 175,124
6 Claims. (Cl. 204-32) This invention relates to electropolishing metallic articles, and more particularly to electropolishing metallic filaments, such as tapes, wires and the like.
Certain types of communication systems employ coaxial cable units of the type in which an outer tubular conductor made from a metallic tape is supported concentrically on a central, wire-like, conductor by spaced insulating discs, or the like. In the manufacture of such a coaxial unit, it is important that the inner surface of the tape and the surface of the central conductor used in making it be free of ridges, splinters, bumps, flakes and other projections in order for the electrical characteristics of the unit to be uniform throughout the length of the unit. In the past, this result has been difiicult to achieve. Other industries also require metallic articles having smooth, polished surfaces.
An object of the invention is to provide new and improved methods of electropolishing metallic articles.
A further object of the invention is to provide new and improved methods of electropolishing metallic filaments, such as tapes, wires and the like.
Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved methods of removing splinters, metallic flakes, ridges and other projections from the copper wires and tapes used in making coaxial cable units.
A method illustrating certain features of the invention may include immersing a copper article to be polished in an aqueous electrolyte including copper nitrate and sulphuric acid, and making the article an anode, whereby projections on the surface of the article are dissolved and the surface of the article is passivated.
A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description of methods forming specific embodiments thereof, when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of an apparatus for effecting one method embodying the invention;
Fig. 2 is a corresponding view of another portion of the apparatus continued from the right hand end of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged, partially sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; I
Fig. 4 is an enlarged, vertical section taken along line 44 of Fig. 3; v
Fig. 5 is a front elevation .of a portion of another apparatus for effecting a method forming one embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 6 is a corresponding view of another portion of the apparatus continued from the right hand end of Fig. 5
Fig. 7 is an enlarged, top plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken along line 88 of Fig. 7, and
Fig. 9 is a view of a portion of one type of tape which may be treated by methods and baths embodying the invention.
-Referring now in detail to the drawings, a capstan 8 (Fig. 1) advances a filamentary copper conductor 10 of substantial length to be polished continuously through a 2,725,353 Patented Nov. 29, 1955 cleaning bath 12, rinsing bath 14, a cathode device 16 immersed in an electropolishing bath 18, a rinsing bath 20, an alkaline neutralizing bath 22 and a rinsing bath 24. The conductor 16) is advanced by the capstan 8 from a suitable supply reel (not shown) to a takeup reel 25. A rotary contact sheave 34 contacts the conductor 10 at a point in advance of the entrance thereof into the electropolishing bath 18, and the sheave 34 is connected to the positive side of a source of D. C. potential (not shown), the negative side of which is connected to the cathode device 16. The bath 12 is an alkaline bath, and removes grease and foreign substances from the surface of the conductor as it is advanced therethrough. The rinsing bath 14 is water, which rinses any alkali on the conductor therefrom.
The cathode device 16 includes hollow, plastic cylinders 39 and 40 (Figs. 3 and 4), around which smooth,
endless, stainless steel or copper sheet cathodes 42-42 are guided and continuously advanced. The cylinders are composed of insulating material, such as, for example, the phenol-formaldehyde condensation product Bakelite, and are provided with a series of perforations 4141 and extending therethrough. Cathode rolls 4444 advance and contact the sheet cathodes 4242, and guide rolls 46-46 guide the cathodes around the cylinders, The cathodes 42-42 are advanced continuously and scrapers 48-48 scrape copper deposited on the cathodes from the smooth surfaces thereof.
The area of the perforations in the cylinder 39 with respect to the surface area of the portion of the conductor 10 coextensive therewith is sufficiently small to limit the flow of current between the conductor and the sheet cathode on the cylinder 39 to an amount less than that at which passivation of the surface of the conductor occurs. The area of the perforations per unit of length of the cylinders 39 and 40 gradually increases from the entrance of the cylinder 39 to a point on the cylinder 40 may be termed the projection dissolving portion.
The composition of the electropolishing bath 18 should be from about 18% to about 30% by weight copper nitrate, from-about 6% to about 2% by weight sulphuric acid, and the balance water. The sulphuric acid increases the conductivity of the electropolishing bath, but the concentration thereof is sufiiciently low to prevent precipitating copper sulphate out of the solution, and the concentration of the sulphuric acid within the above-listed range is inverse with respect to the copper nitrate in thesolution. The high concentration of copper nitrate supplies the necessary copper ions to the electrolytic solution, and the nitrate radical serves to minimize etching. The addition to the bath of a small amount of chromic acid in' amounts up to 2% by weight of the total electrolyte tends to minimize pitting of the article being electropolished. The presence of small amounts of one or more water soluble wetting agents, such as, for example, a sodium salt of an alkyl naphthalene sulphonic acid or an ester of a sulphonated bicarboxylic acid commonly sold under the trade name Aerosol also reduces pitting action. Another strong, stable acid, such as, for example, fluoboric acid, fluosilicic acid, phosphoric acid or a sulfonic acid, may be used in place of the sulphuric acid in an amount which would give the electrolyte substantially the same conductivity as the abovementioned electrolyte.
The latter portion of the bath may be termed the. passivating portion thereof and the preceding portion The temperature of the bath should not be greater than around 110 F. to promote rapid passivation of the surfaceofthe conductor 10'," and should not be below about 65 F. to prevent precipitation of copper sulphate from the bath. The optimum ternperature range is from ab o ut.
755.132 to abouti'90i. The bathfis cooled to a tempera; ture withinQ'this range by suitable cooling un t. (not h wn).
Operation of embodiment shownjn Figs. 1 to 4 The, conductor 10v is advanced continuously through the apparatus, and the cleaning bath. l2 cleansgrease and.- foreign'matter fr'orn'the surface oftheconductor. Thew wateririnsing bath 14,rihses anyalkaliron.theconductor 10. therefrom, and the conductor 10 is .ad.vanced-there-.v
from through. the electropolishingbath. 18; and 'the, cath-. ode device 16 immersed inthe' bath18a The. perforations 4141,in.the cylinder 39; expose only a sufficient area of the sheet .cathode l42 therearound tocause'projections on the surfaceof the conductor to dissolve without passivating the surface .of theconductor,
thecu'r'rentIdensity on the conductor :Withinl the cylinder.
39. being. below 3,000amperes perflsquarevfootb The exposed area of the sheet cathodes 42.42 becomes pro.-.
gressively and uniformly greater from the entrance end.
of .thecylinde'r 39 to a point on the. cylinder 40-.about one-third of its length from the. entranceend thereof, and the'current density on the conductor from .that point to the exit end of the cylinder 40,:a'verages at least13,000.
amperes 'per. square foot.
After the larger projections on the surface of the conductor have been dissolved into the electrolyteinthe projection-dissolving portion of the bath, theincreased current density electropolishes and passivates the surface of the conductor. As the electropolishing proceeds under the high current density, the portion of the. solution immediately surrounding the conductor is broken-downv sufri cientlyl to make oxygen abundantly available. at the .sur-
face of the conductor,and copper oxides build up on the conductor sufiicientlyto. passivate the surfaceIof. the con-w ductor after the surface has received a high ipo'lish. Thepassivating oxidellayer substantiallyrpi'events.further ero-t sion.. The electrolyte is recirculated slowly toprevent agi tation,--and the conductor 10 is' advanced through .thebath 16'sufiiciently. slowly to insure substantially no agita.
tion of the electrolyte around the surface of the conductorlwhich facilitates passivation.
In one specific example, the electropolishing bath :18-
consisted of 19% copper nitrate, 4.5 %sulphuric acid and the balance water, andwas maintained ata temperature of from about,80- F. to about 85- Sulphuric acid was added to the bath-in dilute solution at intervals to the extentnecessary to maintain the correct concentration thereof in th'ebath. In that example, the width of each i of the cathodes 42- -42 was about eightinches, and .thetime of the passage of the conductor through the electrode device 16 wasbetween five' and-ten seconds. "The diameter of the'conductor was 0.1009 1 inch, the spacing between the-cathodes 42-42 and the conductorwas /6 inch and the voltage between the 16volts.' I V The. ratio of thelexposed area of the sheet cathodes to the surface area of the portion of the conductor. coextensive therewith varied gradually fromabout 2m 3 at the entrance end of the cylinder 39 to about 4 to l at the exitend of the projection-dissolving portionof the bath,- and remained at a 4 to l ratio'throughout the passivatin g portion of thebath; In. this example, there was'substan tially no agitation of. the electrolyte aroundthe conductor, and passivation proceeded rapidly. The average current density on the portion of the conductor in the bath 18. was 2,400. amperes per square foot. The conductor isadvanced from the electropolishing bath 18 into and through the rinsing ba th 20 and the alkaline neutralizing bath 22, whichremoves the sur.
conductor and the cathodes was Embodiment shown-. in. Figs.- 5 to 8 This apparatus serves to electropolish-one face-of-a copper tape having serrated-edges 11111*1(Fig. 9). Thetape 110;. is. advanced continuously, by rolls 103108 through a suitable alkaline cleaning bath 112, a water rinsing bath 114, an electropolishing bath 118 having an electrolyte therein of the same composition as that of the electrolyte in the bath 18, a water rinsing bath 120,.analkaline.neutralizingbath 122 and a water rinsing bath 124., The,. tape,1 10, i,drawn from a supply stand (not shown) and is wound ,on a. suitab1e. takeupevi Z Arotarycontact sheave 134contacts the tape 110 at a point priorto theentrance of the tape into .the bath. 118, and "is connected to .the. positive side of a-source.
of :C. potential (not, shown), the negative, side of 1 which is connected ,to a .rotarycontactsheave 140.,(Fig, 7). Feed rolls 142 -1142 advancesa cathode tape 144,
through the bath 118 inthe same general direction as that, in vvhich the, tape, 110 ,is advanced therethrough,land guide rolls 145 -145, guide the. tape. 144in a direction converging toward the tape -11Qfrorn theentrance end of the,electropolishing bath,118,. to. the exit end.there The cathode tape 144 engages the,contact sheave 149, and thereby acquires a negative potential.
As the tape 11Q,,pes ses1througl1 the bath 118, the voltage between the tape 11 0 ,and-thecathode tape 144,
the spaeing betweenthetwo tapes, and the conductivity of thebath are such that any projectionson the. surface of the tape ,110 are ,firstdissolved therefrornby electrolytic action under an anode current density thatis high but below 3,000 amperesper square foot. Theanodev current density isincreased asthe tape 110 approaches the exit end of the cell to. over 3,000 amperesper square foot to form a layer ofcopper oxides on the face of ape-110 nearer th e,ca th ode tap e.,144, and to polish;
and passivate thatface by the time the tape 110 leaves the bath,118.'
'The bath 1 18. is.con tai ned,in a tank 146, supported by .a frame 147; A pair of spaced apertures 148, -148 are provided 'at the entrance end ,of the tank 146-for the passage therethrough fof the tapes 110 and 144. The distance between these ,ta'pes gradually decreases as they approach theexit end of the tank and emerge through a single aperture 149; Amask 150 composedof a nonconductive material, such,as wood or plastic, extends along-the bath 11 8, Iandfcoyers. the back of the tape 110, an d the edges 111- 111 thereof to; prevent dissolving away the serrated edge portions thereof. The
mask 150 includes a back 152 having a groove 154' therein, and this mask is supported.at opposite ends.
of the tank 146 by a pair of braekets 155-155. A scraper lGtL scrape s the cathode tape 144 to remove metal plated on that tape by the electropolishing process. ,Operationpfithe,embodimerrttshown in,Figs. 5 to 8 The tape 110' isadvanced continuously through ;the baths 112, 114; 118',- 1205,1122; and -124M The bath 112 cleans grease and other foreign matter from the tape,'and
the water rinsing bath-114= rinses the alkali from the tape The cathode tape 144 is advanced through the bath 118' along thetape 110' at the same rate of speedas that of the-. tape-110. During the initialportion of the passage of the tape 110 through the bath 118, the resistancebetween the-tapes- 110rand 144 is sufiicientlyhighto prevent rapid passivation of' the fronnface of the-tape-110, but
. v is sufficiently low to cause all larger projections. on the front face of the tape 110 to be electrolytically dissolved rapidly.
The current density on the front face of the tape: 116 increases as it moves from the entrance end of the bath 118 toward the exit end thereof because of the continuous shortening of the path between the two tapes. As the current density increases, the portion of the electrolyte immediately adjacent to the front face of the tape 110 is broken down to provide oxygen, which reacts with the copper coming'from the tape to form oxides on the front face of the tape 110. This face of the tape below the oxides is polished highly by the time the oxides build up to a passivating condition. Slightly before the tape 110 leaves the bath 118, this passivating condition is reached which reduces current flow to a small amount. Thus, the passivation acts as a control to stop substantially further dissolution of copper from the tape 110.
After passivation, the front of the tape 110 has an oxide layer having a lustrous, straw color thereon. This oxide layer is removed from the conductor by the alkaline neutralizing bath 122, which dissolves it and leaves a smooth, golden surface on the front face of the tape.
The movement of the tape 110 through the electropolishing bath 118 is sufficiently slow to prevent agitation around the front face of the portion of the tape in the bath 118. As a result, the breakdown of electrolyte produced along the front face of the tape by the electrolytic action is such that there is sufficient oxygen available at the front face of the tape to form the passivating layer of copper oxides, which limits polishing of this surface when it has become smooth.
in one successful example, the tape 110 was 1% inches in width, each portion of the front face of a tape, except the serrated edge portions, was subjected to electrolytic polishing in an electropolishing bath for a period of from to seconds, and the bath was about four feet long. The cathode tape 144 also was 1 /8 inches in width, the spacing between the tapes 110 and 144 varied from 1% inches at the entrance end of the bath to inch at the exit end thereof, and the potential difference between the tapes was 18 volts. The current density on the face of the tape being polished increased gradually and uniformly from the entrance end of the bath to the exit end thereof, near which the anode current density was over 3,000 amperes per square foot. The average current density on that face of the tape was 1,600 amperes per square foot. The electropolishing bath employed was identical with that used in the previous embodiment of the invention, and it was maintained at about 85 F.
Certain features of the above-described methods and apparatus are disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 175,125, filed July 21, 1950, for Methods of and Apparatus for Electropolishing Metallic Articles, and in copending application Serial No. 175,189, filed July 21, 1950, by A. N. Gray for Methods of and Apparatus for Electropolishing Metallic Articles.
Copper articles of a nonfilamentary type may be held stationary in the several baths described hereinabove, and stationary cathodes may be used to successfully polish the articles. Such articles may also be advanced continuously through the baths with or without moving electrodes. Such stationary articles may be polished satisfactorily without continuously increasing the current density thereon in the electropolishing bath, while keeping an average anode polishing current density of the order of 3,000 amperes per square foot.
The above-described methods rapidly form lustrous, highly polished surfaces on copper articles originally having minute projections on the surfaces thereof, and the polished surfaces have no pits therein. While the conductor 10 and the tape 110 described hereinabove were made of copper, composite metallic articles having a core composed of one metal, such as, for example, steel and a covering of copper may be successfully electropolished by means of the above-described methods. These methods also may be used in conjunction with suitable electrolytes to successfully electropolish other metals, such as steel, brass, zinc, nickel, stainless steel, etc.
In the use of terms, such as filament and filamentary article, and the like, in the specification and claims, it is intended to include rods, wires, tapes, bands, and the like.
What is claimed is:
l. The method of electropolishing copper articles, which comprises making a copper article an anode in an electrolytic cell including an aqueous bath consisting essentially of from about 18% to about 30% copper nitrate, from about 6% to about 2% sulphuric acid and the balance water, and impressing a D. C. potential upon the cell of suificient magnitude to maintain an average anode current density of at least 3,000 amperes per square foot and to simultaneously release suificient oxygen from the bath around the article to passivate the surface thereof with copper oxides and highly polish the surface of the article beneath the oxides.
2. The method of electropolishing copper filaments, which comprises advancing a copper filament as an anode through an electrolytic cell including an aqueous bath consisting essentially of from about 18% to about 30% copper nitrate, from about 6% to about 2% sulphuric acid and the balance water without agitating the bath materially, impressing a D. C. potential upon the cell of sufiicient magnitude to create an average current density on the filament of at least 3,000 amperes per square foot, maintaining a current density on the portion of the filament in that portion of the bath near the entrance end thereof sufficiently low not to cause passivation of the surface of that portion of the filament but sufficiently high to remove projections from the surface of the filament, and maintaining a current density on the filament between said portion and the exit end of the bath suificiently high to release suflicient oxygen from the bath around the filament to passivate the surface thereof with copper oxides.
3. The method of electropolishing copper articles, which comprises electrolyzing a copper article to be polished as an anode in an electrolyte consisting of copper nitrate about 19% by weight, sulphuric acid about 4.5% by weight and the balance water, maintaining the electrolyte at a temperature of from about F. to about F., impressing a D. C. potential upon the cell to create an anode current density adequate to polish the article, and continuing the electrolysis until the surface of the article is passivated.
4. The method of electropolishing copper articles, which comprises immersing a copper article in an electrolytic cell containing an aqueous electrolyte consisting essentially of from about 18% to about 30% copper nitrate, from about 6% to about 2% sulphuric acid and the balance water, impressing a D. C. potential upon the cell of sufiicient magnitude to create an anode current density on the article adequate to polish the article, and maintaining such potential until eventually sufficient oxygen is released from the electrolyte to passivate the surface of the article by forming an oxide coating thereon.
5. The method of electropolishing copper filaments, which comprises advancing a copper filament as an anode through an electrolytic cell containing an aqueous electrolyte consisting essentially of from about 18% to about 30% copper nitrate, from about 6% to about 2% sulphuric acid and the balance water, impressing a D. C. potential upon the cell of suificient magnitude to create an anode current density on the filament adequate to polish the filament, and gradually increasing the current density until eventually sufficient oxygen is released from the electrolyte to passivate the surface of the filament by forming an oxide coating thereon.
6. The method of electropolishing copper filaments,
which comprises advancing a copper filament as an anode through-an electrolytic-cellcontaining an aqueons electroa lyte=consisting essentially of from about 18% to aboutn 3O-% -copper- :nitrate, from about-6% to about 2% sui'- phuric acidand the-balance 'water, maintainingthe term perature -of the electrolyteat from-about75v F: to about" 90 F., impressing a DT-C; potentiabuponthe'cell of suffi cient magnitude'to create 1 ananodevcurrent density-on the filament adequate to polish the filament, "and gradually increasing the currentidensity sufiicie'ntly to release oxygen. from the electrolyte and eventually tocause the surface of the filament to become= passivated: rapidly -by forming an oxide coating :thereon.
References Cited in the filei of :vthis'patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,773,160 Anderson et a1 Aug..19, 1930 8 Fustier Dec. 10, 1935 Manuel's. SeptrZl, 1943 Drumm'ond et alJ a .June :12, 1945' Neill Feb. 20,1951
OTHER REFERENCES Hackhs Chemical Dictionaryf? second edition (1937),
pages 162, .163, definition of -buffer.
Transactions: of The American Electrochemical -So-
|Cited Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US1773160 *||Oct 28, 1927||Aug 19, 1930||Hanovia Chemical & Mfg Co||Process for cupric-oxide removal|
|US2023998 *||Jan 19, 1933||Dec 10, 1935||J Bocuze & Cie Sa||Copper wire treatment for enamelling|
|US2330170 *||Sep 8, 1939||Sep 21, 1943||Crane Co||Electrolytic polishing of metal|
|US2378002 *||Dec 13, 1941||Jun 12, 1945||Himmel Brothers Company||Electrolytic apparatus|
|US2542779 *||Jan 7, 1948||Feb 20, 1951||Columbus Metal Products Inc||Electropolishing composition and process|
|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US3046214 *||Sep 8, 1958||Jul 24, 1962||Chain Anodizers Inc||Apparatus for continuously electrolytically treating flexible articles|
|US3070873 *||Nov 1, 1956||Jan 1, 1963||Applied Radiation Corp||Waveguide construction|
|US3539490 *||Nov 28, 1967||Nov 10, 1970||Sylvania Electric Prod||Plating of stripes on longitudinal electrically conductive material|
|US3719567 *||Dec 31, 1970||Mar 6, 1973||Hitachi Ltd||Method for producing a contact reed|
|US4019877 *||Oct 21, 1975||Apr 26, 1977||Westinghouse Electric Corporation||Method for coating of polyimide by electrodeposition|
|US6176995 *||Jan 30, 1995||Jan 23, 2001||Atotech Deutschland Gmbh||Method and apparatus for electrolytically metallizing or etching material|
|U.S. Classification||205/138, 205/333, 205/215, 204/207|
|International Classification||C25F3/22, C25F7/00, C25F3/00|
|Cooperative Classification||C25F3/22, C25F7/00|
|European Classification||C25F7/00, C25F3/22|