text:
A touch probe has a stylus holder 16 which is supported on a radially extending flange 14 in a kinematic seat comprising pairs of balls 20 supporting rollers 24. To avoid the use of glue to fix the balls in position, the balls are located and clamped in recesses 22 on flange 14. Clamping pressure is provided by a plug 30 which is forced towards the flange by rolling a lip 54 over the protruding end of the plug. Other alternative constructions for providing the clamping force are described. An electrical circuit through the balls for producing a trigger signal includes a flexible member 40 on which electrical conducting elements 44 are formed. The member is positioned on the flange to overlie the recesses so that it is deformed into the recesses when the clamping force is applied. By making use of the clamping force in this way good electrical connections between the balls and the conducting elements is ensured and the need to connect wires to the balls is avoided.
1. A touch probe including:
a stylus holder to which a workpiece-contacting stylus is connectable,
seating elements within the probe,
support elements on the stylus holder which co-operate with the seating elements to locate the stylus holder within the probe,
an electrical circuit which includes the seating elements, which is completed when the support elements are in electrical contact with all of the seating elements, and which is broken when one of the support elements loses electrical contact with one of the seating elements,
the probe further comprising at least one flexible electrical conducting strip forming part of the electrical circuit and positioned in contact with the seating elements, and a clamp which applies clamping force to clamp the seating elements in position and to urge the seating elements and the at least one electrical conducting strip into electrical contact with each other.
2. A touch probe according to claim 1 wherein the probe has a housing and a flange extending inwardly therefrom, the seating elements and support elements co-operating to locate the stylus holder on the flange, the clamp comprising a plug which is forced towards the flange.
3. A touch probe according to claim 2 wherein the flange has an electrically conducting surface, and each electrically conducting strip comprises a part-annular metallic strip formed on an insulating backing layer positioned on the flange with the backing layer in contact with the electrically conducting surface of the flange.
4. A touch probe according to claim 2 wherein the flange has an electrically non-conducting surface and each electrically conducting strip comprises a part-annular metallic strip applied to the electrically non-conducting surface of the flange.
5. A touch probe according to claim 3 wherein the seating elements are made from an electrically conducting material, the electrically conducting surface of the flange is provided with recesses for locating the seating elements, each electrically conducting strip is positioned to overlie the recesses and is deformed by the seating elements into the recesses when the clamping force is applied by the clamp.
6. A touch probe according to claim 4 wherein the seating elements are made from an electrically conducting material, and the electrically non-conducting surface of the flange is formed with recesses for locating the seating elements, each electrically conducting strip comprises a part annular metallic strip formed in sections joined by non-conducting connectors and positioned so that they at least partially overlie the seating elements.
7. A touch probe according to claim 2, wherein the seating elements are made from an electrically conducting material, the plug is made from an electrically non-conducting material and is provided with recesses for locating the seating elements, the flange has an electrically non-conducting surface, and the electrically conducting strip comprises a part-annular metallic strip applied to the surface of the flange.
8. A touch probe according to claim 2 wherein the clamping pressure on the plug is provided by a lip on the end of the housing which is rolled over to force the plug towards the flange.
The present invention relates to touch probes of the type having a stylus which is mounted in a seat within the probe and is biased into the seat by a spring. The probe is mountable on the arm of a machine and movable towards a workpiece in order to drive the stylus into contact with the workpiece. Upon contact with the workpiece the stylus is deflected from its seat against the action of the bias means and this movement generates a signal which is passed to the machine so that the machine can record the instantaneous position of the arm of the machine on which the probe is mounted at the moment that the signal arrives.
One form of such touch probe is known from our U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,998, which describes, inter alia, a probe in which the stylus is screwed into a stylus holder, and the stylus holder is supported in a kinematic seat by three radially extending arms spaced at 120° around the axis of the stylus. The kinematic seat is provided by the vee notches defined between a pair of closely spaced balls which are glued into sockets on the housing of the probe in such a way that the glue forms an insulating barrier between the balls and the housing. The balls are wired in series in an electrical circuit which is only completed when all three arms are seated in the vee notches defined by the balls, thus bridging the gaps between the balls.
The gluing of the balls into the sockets and the wiring of the individual balls in the electrical circuit are time consuming operations which add to the cost of the probe, and can give rise to other problems. For example, the presence of the glue can give rise to inaccuracies during operation of the probe if there are any significant temperature changes. Also the wiring can be a source of failure of the probe as individual wires can become broken or dislodged from the balls in use.
The present invention seeks to remedy one or more of these defects in a probe.
Examples of probes according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation through one embodiment of a probe in accordance with the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a cross-section on the line II—II of FIG. 1, of an assembled probe,
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a flexible conducting element for use within the probe,
FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternative form of conducting element,
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a probe incorporating an alternative form of flexible conducting element,
FIG. 6 is a part-sectional elevation of a probe featuring a further embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 7 is a view on the line A—A of FIG. 6,
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a probe of the present invention assembled in a tool setting arm, and
FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the probe shown in FIG. 6.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the probe has an outer housing 12, preferably made of steel, and which has a radially inwardly directed annular flange 14. Mounted within the housing is a stylus holder 16 to which is connected an elongate stylus 18 having an axis 18A which is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the housing.
The stylus and part of the stylus holder protrude from the housing in the direction of the axis 18A though an opening 19 at one end of the housing, so as to be able to contact or be contacted by a workpiece or tool when relative movement takes place between the probe and the workpiece or tool.
Six recesses 22 are formed in the flange 14 and are open in the direction facing away from the opening 19. The recesses are arranged in pairs, and the pairs are spaced apart at 120° around the axis 18A. The recesses are adapted to receive seating elements shown in this example as balls 20, and may be of any convenient shape for example conical or triangular, whereby when the ball is received in the recess it remains in a stable position and is kinematically supported. The spacing of the balls within each pair is such that they may be bridged by, and form a stable seating for, a roller 24 carried by the stylus holder 16.
The rollers 24 are fitted in holes 26 in the stylus holder spaced at 120° around the axis 18A, and the holes are initially lined with a plastic insert 28, which may be split along its length, and into which the rollers are pressed.
The balls are both located and clamped into their respective recesses by means of an open-ended cylindrical plug 30 made out of hard plastic. In the annular surface at its open end, the plug has six appropriately spaced recesses 32, which in the assembled probe, fit over the balls. Also, at its open end, the plug 30 is formed with three elongate slots 34 which act as guides for the rollers 24 as the stylus holder tilts and is moved vertically by forces acting on the end of the stylus.
The stylus holder is biased into a neutral position, when no force is applied to the stylus, by means of a spring 36 which produces a force in the direction of the axis 18A to urge the rollers into the seats formed between the balls 20.
In order to enable the probe to produce a signal when the stylus is deflected either by tilting or vertical movement, the balls are electrically connected in series to form a circuit which is completed by the rollers making contact with both balls in each pair.
The balls are made from a hard electrically conducting material, for example steel or tungsten carbide, and they must therefore be insulated from the steel body where they make contact with the steel body in the recesses 22.
The insulation of the balls from the body, and the serial interconnection of the balls into an electrical circuit are achieved in a novel way in accordance with one embodiment of the invention by the use of a thin flexible electrically conductive element 40 made in two layers. One of the layers 42 is formed from an insulating material, and the other layer 44 is part-annular and is formed from an electrically conductive material. Many combinations of material would be suitable for the flexible element but in the preferred embodiment described herein, the element is made of thin plastic 42 with a thin coating 44 of copper on one side to form the part-annular electrically conducting areas, as shown in FIG. 3.
During assembly of the probe, the annular thin element is positioned on the annular flange 14 with its insulating side in contact with the flange, and with the conducting areas positioned over the recesses 22. The balls are received in the recesses 32 in the plug, and the plug is then pressed into position by exerting a clamping force on the opposite end of the plug.
The clamping force on the balls deforms the areas of the flexible member 40 which lie under the balls into the recesses 22 and provides for good electrical contact at the balls as well as a stable seating of the balls. To assist the stability of the seating of the balls on the member 40 in the recesses, the flexible member may be provided with six shaped cut-outs 46 which provide three flaps 49 (shown in FIG. 4) which fold into the recesses under the clamping pressure, ensuring that each ball rests on three points within each recess.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In another embodiment the body part 12 or at least the flange 14 thereof, is made from aluminium which is then anodised to form an insulating layer on which a thin sheet made of any suitable electrically conducting material can rest or be deposited directly. Alternatively, the body part 12, or at least the flange 14 thereof, may be made from a relatively rigid, non-conducting plastic or ceramic material. With these alternatives it is also possible to arrange that the thin part-annular conducting member lies on top of the balls, the stable positioning of the balls and the required electrical contact force being maintained by the clamping force. In such an embodiment sufficient areas of the balls will need to be exposed so that the rollers 24 can make electrical contact therewith.
An example of this arrangement is shown in FIG. 5 in which, using the same reference numerals for parts identical with those of earlier figures, the flexible metal element 50 is shown in four main pieces 50 a,50 b,50 c and 50 d joined by four insulating connectors 52 a,52 b,52 c,52 d, which by-pass the ends of the rollers 24. The metal element 50 is positioned on top of the balls 22 and is pressed into good electrical contact with them by the clamping plug 30.
The clamping force may be exerted in various ways but in the preferred embodiment a lip 54 on the end of the housing is rolled over to a position shown at 54A in contact with the top perimeter of the plug 30 to force the plug downwardly into the probe housing.
The clamping force may, alternatively be provided, for example, by a threaded end cap, which screws onto the body to exert pressure on the plug 30, by a spring force supplied by a spring between the plug and an end wall of the housing, or by mounting an end plate onto the housing by means of screws to compress the plug.
In order to complete the electrical circuit to the outside of the probe, two contact pins 56 are pressed through the hard plastic plug 30 and their conducting ends are pressed into contact with opposite ends of the metallic conducting element.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the invention in which the accurate location of the balls 20 achieved by shaping the recesses 32 in the member 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the recesses may be conical whereby when the clamping force is applied each ball becomes accurately and repeatably located.
Part of each ball surface protrudes into the slot 34 in member 30 in which the rollers 24 are loosely guided, whereby the rollers are movable during operation of the probe to seat on, and unseat from, the surfaces of the balls. In this embodiment the electrically conductive element needs only to be sufficiently deformable under the clamping pressure to ensure good electrical contact with the balls, and the surface of the flange to which it is applied is non-conducting.
Once again therefore the clamping force provides for the accurate location of the balls, without gluing and for good electrical contact between the conducting element and the balls without requiring wires.
The conductive element may take many forms and need not be required to deform as is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. For example, in the FIG. 5 embodiment and the FIG. 6 embodiment there is no requirement for the conductive element to deform into ball-recesses, and it can thus be made thicker and less flexible. Other forms of conducting element may therefore include a simple metallic strip, with cut-outs to prevent shorting between the balls 22 and with or without an insulating layer, depending on whether or not it is in contact with an insulated part of the probe assembly.
Although the seating elements and support elements are shown respectively as balls 20 and rollers 24, other known combinations of balls or rollers could be used instead.
Although the assembly method described above can be used to construct probes for any purpose, the present preferred embodiment is particularly concerned with a toolsetting probe. In such a probe as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 the stylus has a square tip 58 screwed into the free end thereof. The probe is adapted to be mounted into a toolsetting arm 60.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7. The probe is pressed into a bore 62 in the end of the arm, and abuts against an end flange 64 in the bore. The bore 62 is shaped to provide two surfaces 66,68 on opposite sides of a diametral line 70, which are contacted by the probe body to provide a lateral support. The surfaces may be formed in any convenient manner and may be flat surfaces formed as sides of a vee-groove, or, as shown in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 6, are edges formed as a result of cutting out a profiled section 65 from the wall of the bore. The surfaces 66,68 extend substantially the full length of the bore to prevent tipping of the probe during adjustment of the probe tip as will be described below.
The external surface of the probe is provided with two vee-notches 72,74 which have side surfaces 76,78,80 and 82 approximately at right angles. The vee-notches are provided symmetrically on opposite sides of the diametral line 70 and each has one of its surfaces, 76 and 82 respectively, aligned in a plane normal to the diametral line 70.
A pair of flat ended grub screws 84,86 are provided which screw into threaded holes 88,90 in the body of the arm 60 such that their flat ends can be brought into contact with the surfaces 76 and 82 of the vee-notches 72,74.
When the probe is assembled with the arm on a machine, it is initially positioned with the sides of the square tip 58 of the stylus aligned as nearly at possible with the x and y axes of the machine, by aligning marks on the probe body with marks on the arm. A fine adjustment is then made using a dial gauge indicator attached to the machine, by screwing the grub screws 84,86 onto one or other of the flat faces 76 and 82 which will rotate the probe about its longitudinal axis 18A in either direction to align the stylus tip with the machine axes. During this rotation the probe body slides on the surfaces 66,68 without tipping.
When the dial gauge shows that the alignment of the stylus tip is correct, both of the grub screws are tightened down to lock the probe in position against the surfaces 66,68.
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text:
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2004 A translator for coalition forces in northern Iraq was killed and two family members were injured today in an attack in Mosul, Iraq.
The translator and the family members were in their vehicle when it was struck by small-arms fire. They were taken to an Iraqi hospital in Mosul.
Iraqi police are investigating this attack.
"These deliberate attacks show a total disregard for innocent human life," said Brig. Gen. Carter F. Ham, the Task Force Olympia commander in Mosul. "Killing and injuring innocent Iraqi citizens shows the murderous and cynical intent of terrorists to undermine freedom and progress in Iraq." The general expressed condolences to the victims' family and friends.
CJTF 7 officials also reported on military operations that took place March 15 and today in northern Iraq with 1st Infantry Division and Task Force Danger as they take over for Task Force Ironhorse.
Soldiers conducted 15 patrols. Six were joint operations conducted with the Iraqi police, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and the Department of Border Enforcement.
Weapons and equipment confiscated in raids and patrols throughout the Task Force Ironhorse area of operations include 100 antipersonnel mines, seven rocket-launching tubes, 300 pounds of C-4 plastic explosive, 25 tubes of artillery propellant, 25 155 mm artillery rounds, 100 Sabot tank rounds, two anti-aircraft guns, 468 rounds of 12.7 mm anti-aircraft ammunition, 84 boxes of other anti-aircraft ammunition and three improvised explosive devices.
A patrol of Task Force Danger soldiers from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, found a cache of anti-aircraft weapons near Kirkuk today. The cache was transported to the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, for destruction.
Tipped off by an Iraqi citizen, 1st Infantry Division soldiers from 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, discovered a cache of ammunition March 15 while on patrol northwest of Samarra. The cache contained 100 Sabot tank rounds, 25 tubes of 155 mm artillery propellant, various small-arms ammunition and 84 boxes of 12.7 mm anti-aircraft ammunition. An explosive-ordnance team destroyed the cache.
Soldiers from 1st Squadron also discovered an IED while on patrol March 15 near Tikrit. The soldiers found three holes, about 200 feet of wire and pictures of U.S. tanks and humvees. The holes were filled and the materials removed.
The Iraqi police reported that one person was killed and four others were wounded when someone was attempting to make a bomb March 15 inside a house near Baqubah. The wounded were transported to a Baqubah hospital for treatment and will be questioned later by the police. No coalition forces were involved in the incident.
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 7 news releases.)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I just don't understand the attraction
Believe me, I love Apple and many of their products. They've been very good at staying on the leading edge of tech. But this product just seems like a step back, limited feature product with a bloated pricetage.
The big draw is video content, because you can just get Airtunes for music. I just wouldn't want to pay for anything that doesn't provide HD content. My iTunes TV shows look bad enough on my 22" LCD, I can't imagine how bad they would be on a 50" Plasma. I was quietly hoping/expecting Apple to make some big announcement of a secret to start selling HD content on iTunes with the release of Apple TV, but I suppose that hope is gone. Personally, I would rather purchase a decent used Mac Mini and connect that to my TV. It's not much more money and you have so many more viewing options and capabilities.
Microsoft doesn't have much on Apple, but in the case of media content, they blow Apple away. Media Center has a lot of great features and combined with an Xbox 360, it can do all of Apple TV and more. Plus, you can actually purchase HD content and, when IPTV finally makes its big break (someday) Windows will be ready and Apple will be left behind.
I just don't understand this product. I love Apple, but this does nothing for me, and I'm a bit tired of being on iTunes lockdown. I chuckled a an article that said Apple makes Microsoft look like open source in comparison.
Just my 2 cents.
Stirring up a little flame bait on a boring Friday afternoon or something?
First being, not everything is made to please every person. Personally, I don't understand the need for the iPhone. Apple made it anyway. I will never find any use for that product and have no intention of ever buying one. To each his own.
The second thing is a little deeper. I think you are starting to realize that Apple is not the holiest of holies that many people make it out to be.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Macs and I have for many, many years. In the end, they are just computers. They aren't the best thing for everyone and sometimes there are better things out there on the market. Apple does make great products but they do release a few goose eggs now and then. They always have, this is nothing new. Their grand ideas for new things do backfire every once in a while and end up with something not so great. I believe that Apple TV and the iPhone could very well end up in that list. Just because it has an Apple logo on it and it comes in a shiny, white box ... does not make it the greatest invention since the wheel.
I think you are finally starting to see past the shiny haze of the smoke and mirrors show that Steve Jobs uses in his keynotes.:black:
Oooh that smell. Can you smell that smell?
It smells like a TROLL.
Everybody stirs up dust now and then. :)
He is merely pointing out a simple fact of reality.
Apple TV isn't made for everyone. He is part of that group.
I really wasn't trying to stirr up trouble or be a troll (my $2000 MBP begs to differ), I just feel this product doesn't meet up to Apple standards. I think the product has great potential, but the the media (HD content) has to catch up with the hardware. I'm sure Apple will eventually come out with HD content, then the Apple TV will be great. Until then, I'll just view my iTunes content on the old monitor.
I guess I just had a lot of stock in my prediction that HD content would be announced, and the lack of that announcement made me a little depressed and required a little post-venting.
Thanks Devilboy.
I totally agree with you. The lack of HD content along with the fact that I can't stream my video files in their native format is a big turn off. I don't want to have my computer converting gigabytes worth of videos just so that I can stream it to my plasma in the living room.
Another problem I have with the thing is that you practically need the new Airport Extreme base to stream videos properly. 802.11g just doesn't have the sort of bandwidth that can allow you to stream good quality videos without any hiccups.
Like you said, I wouldn't mind plopping down a bit more for a Mac Mini and connecting that to my TV. It's not like I'm missing out on quality since I can use the DVI cable for video and the optical cable for audio. Plus, you can do so much more like add an external hard drive to expand capacity and use the thing like an actual computer, which is great if I ever wanted to show a bunch of people a video on youtube (sure, quality isn't great, but it's much better than 6 people crowding around a laptop screen).
For ME after checking it out, I would rather just do what I am now doing and use my Core Duo Mini on my TV. It's plays 1080i perfectally and everything else, whether from iTunes or not and I can access it from any computer in the house and it can access any computer in the house and all the movies and music. Works great for ME and does all I need and more. I do not need to spend $$$ on another box that does not do all I can do right now.
I am sure Apple will sell a lot of them though for people who don't need all I do. It does it's job well, I just prefer a full computer for my use's.
Agreed with Kash on the 802.11g also. It's not really that fast and might get in the way with some formats.
Also well said DB.
fleurya a troll? please. the guy with 10 posts not contributing to the discussion? hmmm.
dude, i'm with you, i don't get it either. i guess there might be a niche market for it, but the level of interest even here seems a bit high to me.
I know that it definitely appeals to the "I love Apple more than my life" category. Those die-hard fans who just swallow everything Steve Jobs gives them without asking questions.
My cousin is like this. He pre-ordered his AppleTV and thought I was stupid for not doing the same :rolleyes:
IF it did a few more things, for the price I would buy it.
I used a 1st gen Macintosh at work, as in, this was 1984. No joke.
Apple made it known that everyone who worked on the Mac had their signature embossed in the case. HOWEVER, to get inside you had to have this tool that looked not unlike a bit brace. They figured you had no reason whatsoever to be inside their machine. I'm amazed that the culture is such that I can switch my hard drive and RAM and not violate my warranty.
Apple wants you to buy from them and not know what's going on inside the pretty boxes. The comparison you mentioned makes sense.
At the same time, the machine works well. I come from the Windows/Unix/Linux world. There's value here, at least in my MacBook. I'll take a little hubris if justified.
Just my two bits...
A sad fact is that Apple TV has a ridiculously small target market.
1) Only US-Residents can really make use of it.
2) Only someone who doesn't care much for HD content
3) Only someone who has the appropriate TV setup to make it worthwile that
4) it costs this much.
I think Apple TV is more of a symbolic product than anything else. It's just trying to say "hey, where all over the place now", and Apple should finally strap together and start doing something about the Macs, it's high time we see some software.
They're doing pathetic things right now and their focus is swerving out of hand. The KISS principle that brought them back up in 1998 is beginning to fall apart.
Let other companies worry about making an "Apple TV" type device. Work with a third party and let that company release and sell the product. Co-brand it if neccessary, but Apple shouldn't try to be everything to everyone like they are heading towards.
Apple started with computers and did extremely well. That is their strong point. They let the success of the iPod go to their heads and now they think they can conquer other markets outside of the realm of computers. That simply isn't the case.
Apple needs to center itself as a company again and get back to doing what they do best... making computers and software.
hmm, apple set top box with a narrow audience that apple probably should have outsourced or stayed away from in the first place?
sounds familiar.
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text:
- Farooq A. Kperogi
- March 27, 2009
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Farooq Kperogi
I read Mr. Idang Alibi's response to my article entitled "What's my Tribe? None" with both amusement and bemusement. I was amused by what seems to me Alibi's now all-too-predictable predilection to invoke new alibis (no pun intended) to think the worst of Africans and bemused by his cherry-picking and distortion of my arguments to make his case.
Yet I know Mr. Alibi well enough to know that he is a good-natured, well-intentioned and clear-headed reservoir of great intellectual strength who would not deliberately set out to misrepresent my views. So what happened? Well, he was probably undergoing that familiar instinctive reaction that people evince when their settled certainties have been rudely ruptured. They go from disbelief, to denial, to anger, to introspection and possibly to acceptance.
For the benefit of people who have not had the benefit to read my original essay, my basic arguments are these: the word "tribe" is a pejorative label that Europeans reserve to describe non-Western ethnicities. The word is never used to describe Europeans and their descendants, except to advert to their dim and distant past. I argued that the subliminal import of this is: the past of the West is the present of the rest.
I therefore made the case, which has been made for several decades by countless scholars, that we should abandon the use of the word "tribe" to describe our cultural and linguistic formations in preference for more dignifying alternatives like "ethnic group," "community," "ethnic nationality," "nation," etc.
Now, although my argument encompasses the vast gamut of non-Western peoples who are held prisoner by this odious "naming practice," Mr. Alibi chose to understand my argument as being limited to Africa. He then proceeded on the basis of this faulty premise to theatrically avow his pride in belonging to some "tribe" in southern Nigeria, although I never argued anywhere in my piece that we should not be proud of who we are. Nor did I argue that we should erase our primordial identities.
So, in a grotesque simplification, he conflated my denunciation of the racist underpinnings of the word "tribe" with a lack of pride in our primordial identities. He failed to realize that it is the word I am rejecting, not the identity that the word incompetently describes at best and denigrates at worst.
If Alibi had read my article carefully, he would have realized that I made my case by first defining my terms. It was the French philosopher Francois Voltaire who once said, "If you want to converse with me, first define your terms."
I pointed out that even the Oxford dictionary admits that the word "tribe" is "sometimes offensive" and that it is used exclusively to describe peoples of "developing countries." I also pointed out that other English dictionaries define a "tribe" as a "social division of preliterate people."
So, even the English who "own" their language and codified it in their dictionaries concede that "tribe" is pejorative and discriminatory. Again, I cited one of several (white) scholars who take issue with the use of the word "tribe" to describe the people of Africa, Latin America, American Indians, etc.
Alibi didn't contest the accuracy of the dictionary definitions of "tribe," or engage with my interpretations of the dictionary definitions, or even confront the arguments of scholars who said the word should be trashed.
All Alibi did was to proceed, on the basis of the predetermined self-hating frames of reference he has sadly internalized, to commit what people who make a living by esoteric erudition call "vulgar empiricism" or "naĂŻve pragmatism." These phrases are often used to describe the predisposition by some people to mistake symptoms for causes, or to "unproblematically" inaugurate surface impressions as substitutes for or representations of the deep structures that underlie these surface impressions.
For instance, when you dip a pen in a bucket of water, it usually looks bent. That is the impression that our sense of sight registers. But the pen is not really bent; its contorted appearance is an optical illusion, in much the same way as the mirage creates an illusion in which atmospheric refraction by a layer of hot air distorts or inverts reflections of distant objects. A vulgar empiricist or a naĂŻve pragmatist would argue that the pen is a bent object or that because he can see a mirage, it must truly exist.
How did Mr. Alibi apply these notions in his analysis? In a variety of ways. He said, for instance, that if we are ashamed of the word "tribe," we should change our ways. This argument is faulty on many levels. First, it's not a question of shame or pride. It's simply a question of laying bare the power dimensions in a "naming practice" that unfairly ridicules a broad swath of humanity.
Second, the deployment of the word "tribe" to describe non-Western peoples is not a function of their state of development; it's a function of the notion of their "difference." (The normative descriptors Westerners use to encapsulate notions of slow or inferior "development" are "Third World," "developing countries," etc with which I have no problems whatsoever).
That is precisely why the word "detribalize" (or its inflection "detribalization"), which Nigerians misuse to denote freedom from compulsive or irrational ethnic loyalties, means "the act of causing tribal people to abandon their customs and adopt urban ways of living." In other words, it means Westernization or cultural annihilation.
Third, it's not only Africans who are pigeonholed as "tribes" by the Western media. Other non-Western peoples who feel violated by the nomenclatural despotism of the word are also resisting it. For instance, it has become customary these days for the Western media to refer to community leaders in Pakistan and the Arab word as "tribal leaders." Middle East intellectuals now protest these labels too. Similarly, the Native American populations whom white Americans habitually call "tribes," refer to themselves as "nations."
But if we go by Mr. Alibi's logic, more than half of the human family who are invidiously stereotyped as "tribes" by the white power structure should just go and examine themselves and change their ways so that they may some day "evolve" to "nations" or "ethnic groups" like Westerners.
Well, given Mr. Alibi's well-known fondness for racial self-hatred (recall his notoriously offensive support for James Watson who said Africans are intellectually inferior?), he would probably argue that since Africans occupy the lowest point in the "civilizational" totem pole, only they deserve to be stereotyped as "tribes." Until we put our house in order, Alibi says, we should learn to be content with being condemned to the worst forms of denigration. It amounts to inferiority complex for us to complain, he says. Hmm. Some logic!
Alibi rightly bemoans the endemic violence in our polity but wrongly invokes it as a reason we deserve to be called "tribes." Violence is not exclusive to Africa. Yugoslavia was gripped by a long-drawn fratricidal murdering spree. Northern Ireland is also still held hostage by episodic fits of communal violence. They were/are not called "tribes" on account of these facts. Belgium is still torn by the kind of primordial animosities that the West associates with African polities. Yet they are not called "tribes." Conversely, many parts of the developing world that are catching up "developmentally" with the West and that are not wracked by ethnic violence are still stereotyped as "tribal" societies. How does Alibi reconcile these facts?
This is a fight against the linguistic manifestation of or justification for oppression - and nothing more. By accepting the label "tribe" we legitimize the Western hegemonic consensus that reproduces narratives of our alterity and we therefore unwittingly participate in our own marginalization. As the Italian scholar Alberto Melucci argues, the real domination in contemporary society is the "exclusion from the power of naming."
My pleasure is that my intervention has already yielded modest results. A week after my initial article was posted on the Internet I got an email from the Chief Copy Editor of CNN International, James Schiffman, informing me that he would ban the use of the word "tribe" from CNN scripts. I am reproducing the full email below:
"Hi Farooq: I've been meaning to write-- I really enjoyed your piece on the word 'tribe.' We've actually puzzled about that with regard to Kenya and were assured by our people there that tribe was the appropriate word. But based on your piece, I'm going to ban the word and have our scripts talk about ethnic groups and not tribes.
"By the way, it may interest you to know that Jews, when speaking among themselves, use the word in the same way American blacks use the 'N' word. As in, you run into somebody and ask 'Are you a member of the tribe?' It would be highly offensive for a non-Jew to say that to a Jew. Language is funny, huh?"
So there you have it. While an African is straining very hard to defend and authorize his lingual denigration and dehumanization, a white American has already been persuaded by my modest efforts to draw attention to the semiotic oppression that inheres in the word "tribe."
But people who are familiar with Alibi's antecedents are not the least bit surprised. This is a man who once wrote that he is "so ashamed of" of his blackness that he "sometimes" feels that "I ought to have belonged to another race." Yet he talks about his pride in his "tribe." Some pride indeed!
Visit my blog at www.farooqkperogi.blogspot.com
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Re: Of Tribe And Pride: Deconstructing Alibi`s Alibis For Racial Self-Hatred
PAPIG posted on 03-28-2009, 20:49:41 PM
What can one say?
You would have thought that a patently superior argument would carry the day at least among people who profess to have above average cerebral abilities. But the world can be a very strange place.
May be this explains the confusion (or is it depravity?) of a black African academic of social studies, who chooses to lighten his/her skin colour using a caustic bleaching cream, he/she is well aware predisposes him/her to skin cancer.
An innate inferiority complex may not be mitigated by academic or intellectual excellence. Be very wary of people who have stopped learning.
Thanks for the enlightenment.
Re: Of Tribe And Pride: Deconstructing Alibi`s Alibis For Racial Self-Hatred
Pius72 posted on 03-28-2009, 20:54:29 PM
Idang Alibi needs to research this thing. He should look at the first chapter of Ngugi wa Thiong'o's new book, Something Torn and New. That should, hopefully, help him understand what Farooq and Moses Ochonu are trying to say about the politics of naming. He should also look up the history of the academic discipline called Anthropolgy - especially in Britain and France. He should pay attention to why that discipline was urgently invented by academe in those two countries at the onset of the colonial adventure. He should focus on why the said discipline needed to invent "tribes" and "dialects". Mr Alibi will not like the first chapter of Ngugi's new book. He'll see himself in it. I've learnt something from this back and forth between Farooq and Mr Alibi. So many things we take for granted in academia hardly get beyond that bubble. "Tribe" is in such bad taste in academia that one assumes that everyone understands that it's a horrible word. I didn't think it would take Farooq two articles - and possibly more - to get such an obvious fact across. Overall: nice exchanges between Alibi and Farooq!
Pius Adesanmi
Re: Of Tribe And Pride: Deconstructing Alibi`s Alibis For Racial Self-Hatred
Farooqkperogi posted on 03-28-2009, 22:16:33 PM
Thanks, Pius. You made a very important observation: that there is a HUGE disconnect between taken-for-granted assumptions in the academe and the reality of the "real-world." That's precisely the motivation for my intervention. While no respectable scholar uses the word "tribe" to describe Africans and other non-Western peoples any longer, many Africans use the word to describe their ethnicities so freely it makes me cringe in embarrassment.
It may be too late to get Alibi and his ilk to abandon their personal investment in that odious word, but we can at least educate younger people to understand the power of symbols and naming and perhaps persuade them to discontinue, even resist, use of terms that denigrate our people.
Re: Of Tribe And Pride: Deconstructing Alibi`s Alibis For Racial Self-Hatred
Ebe posted on 03-28-2009, 23:00:00 PM
You're absolutely right about the chasm between academe and the wider world. In some ways, the conversations of academe are incestuous ivory tower chatter and their relevant quotidian implications are lost to the world outside. Unfortunately, that's the world that needs the enlightenment.
That said, I am not entirely sure that in the case of Alibi, this is the culprit. I am not sure that his affliction is ignorance of the discredited trajectory of "tribe." His case seems more like that of a man steeped in self-hate. For him, tribe functions as a signifier of how he perceives himself (and by extension his and other African groups) vis a vis the Euro-American caucasian zone. It is clear that in this simplistic, self-violating cultural imagination of his, tribe is the great demarcator, which underlines present inadequacy (of Africans), the pragmatic acceptance of which may point the way to evolution towards "ethnic nationhood" and its supposed civilizational attributes.
He seems to be arguing that African ethnic collectivities deserve the label of tribe because of their inadequacy, backwardness, and inferiority, and that until they prove themselves worthy and measure up to some idyllic civilizational standard exemplified by Euro-America, they ought to remain "tribes" while Europeans remain ethnicities and nations.
It seems to me that, to make such a bizarre argument, you have to be at least aware of what tribe signifies in modern usage and its history in Orientalizing, colonial-anthropological, and hegemonic enterprises.
Sorry, but I am not inclined to cut Alibi any slack as I suspect that his obsession with "tribal" identity comes from a much deeper personal place. If you read his outrageous donation of "native" authenticity and credibility to Dr. Watson's racist outburst (referenced by Farooq), perhaps you'll agree with me on this point.
Re: Of Tribe And Pride: Deconstructing Alibi`s Alibis For Racial Self-Hatred
Austin posted on 03-28-2009, 23:11:19 PM
Thank you for a job very well done. Yours is by far more convincing, even to those of us who do not need convincing.
Re: Of Tribe And Pride: Deconstructing Alibi`s Alibis For Racial Self-Hatred
Farooqkperogi posted on 03-28-2009, 23:25:48 PM
That's an insightful perspective. However, I think Alibi's problem is the consequence both of (innocent) ignorance (initially, that is) and an internalization of the notion of his inferiority vis-a-vis white people. These two strains in his thoughts are in dialectical tension.
From his responses, it is obvious he had never been aware that "tribe" is a contested category; that scholars have expended stupendous scholarly energies to call attention to its racist significations over several decades. It was my essay obviously that jolted him to that reality, although this is a dead debate in the academe.
At the same time, because he has so thoroughly come to terms with, and even celebrates, his marginality as an African he is unwilling to be persuaded of the propriety of abandoning the racist signifier that "tribe" is. So ignorance and inferiority have become mutually reinforcing forces that animate his comical, intellectually bankrupt responses.
Re: Of Tribe And Pride: Deconstructing Alibi`s Alibis For Racial Self-Hatred
DeepThought posted on 03-29-2009, 02:55:00 AM
Calling a monkey a monkey is not offensive.
Calling a man a monkey is.
There are societies clearly still stuck at the tribal stage of evolution and calling those tribes, to my way of thinking is not being condescending.
The problem as I see it is when we erronously call highly evolved ethnic nationalities or ethnic groups, clearly at the post tribal stage of development, "tribes" simply on grounds of race.
Are there still tribes in Africa?
Definitely, though vanishing. There are very few African societies still at this stage of evolution
Are there post tribal societies in Africa?
Definitely and mostly so. Most societies in Nigeria that I know of are very much beyond the tribal state. Perhaps few like the recently "discovered" Koma people may still be correctly refered to as tribal. But to refer to as "tribal" highly organized and functional ancient empires which possibly predated many European societies, but which were toppled by barbaric means such as war, is clearly ignorant.
The European typically doesn't make that distinction, to them, we're all tribal.
This is not a problem for a person like me, I don't really care that much or expect much from the typical European, but this attitude is a big problem when members of those same post tribal ethnic groups that are being denigrated actually agree that they are "tribal" and begin to think like Europeans about themselves.
Now lets look at the tribal situation as applies to Europe.
Are there tribal groups in Europe?
By many standards, YES!
There is a matrix of metrics that can be used to define a tribal society and the use of technology is an important benchmark in the evolution of societies and a milestone which helps in seperating the tribal from the non tribal; but that is not the only benchmark.
Things like language, size, geography e.t.c help to define a tribal society.
Clearly, when we apply these metrics to some European societies, even with access to all the technology in the world, we know they are tribes.
Re: Of Tribe And Pride: Deconstructing Alibi`s Alibis For Racial Self-Hatred
Eire posted on 03-29-2009, 11:50:22 AM
Mr. Kperogi,
I think Idang Alibi saw through you like me and many other Nigerians did, especially after some articles you wrote a while ago in Ireland and in the US about 419 and Nigerians. Those were the most unbalanced, myopic and ill-informed case of inferiority aimed at appeasing the western medial cabal and its people.
Those articles did not have enough balance for example like David Mark's comments recently to the Irish delegation visiting Nigeria...Mark said "Nigeria has no apology for 419 victims" because they are themselves fraudsters with the original intention of defrauding their victims who are black Africans they think are stupid. These victims are protected by their home governments even if there actually committed crimes like attempted fraud and money laundry.
People like you are an example of what a nigerian should not be, you certainly do not represent a Nigerian nationalistic cause, you are the sort that the CIA or MI6 might recruit to spy for them in Nigeria.
You have written more negative and stereotypical articles about Nigeria than CNN and BBC have, you had the pleasure because you are a Nigerian.
I don't know what drives you but using the stamp of "calling a spade a spade" is a bit stale right now, you need new materials as the more your drivels get out of hand the more people see clearer about your real intentions.
I will like to hear what you actually say about Nigeria and Nigerians when you are in the company of non-Nigerians. uncle TOM comes to mind.
Re: Of Tribe And Pride: Deconstructing Alibi`s Alibis For Racial Self-Hatred
Farooqkperogi posted on 03-29-2009, 17:22:01 PM
What has what you wrote above got to do with anything? Yes, I wrote about 419 several times--both bemoaning how the participation of a minority of Nigerians in the scam has tarnished our image and pointing out also that it is not the most prevalent form of Internet scam; that Americans, in fact, perpetuate over 70 percent of Internet scams.
But what has this got to do with my discussion on "tribe"? Do you have any refutations of my take on "tribe"? What are they? Or are you saying because I had condemned scams committed by Nigerians in the past I have lost the moral authority to protest the linguistic manifestation of the oppression of non-Western peoples? Na wa for how some of my compatriots reason.
Re: Of Tribe And Pride: Deconstructing Alibi`s Alibis For Racial Self-Hatred
Pius72 posted on 03-29-2009, 17:36:07 PM
I just wrote in another thread about the depressing degree of ignorance that sometimes passes for commentary here. It's scary. And this Eire was in that thread, condemning a genre of writing that s/he doesn't even appear to understand. I guess dealing with some of these appalling, pseudonymous 'commentaries' comes with the territory in a forum of this nature. Look at some "comments" Moses Ochonu had to contend with in his own piece! The consolation is you do come across some that inform and enrich you even while disagreeing with you in substance.
Pius Adesanmi
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text:
A buried pipe replacement system incorporating an elongated tapered grinding head having a helical cutter element disposed about the periphery and extending substantially along the length thereof. The grinding head is also provided with fluid ejection ports, enabling drilling fluid/lubricant material to be ejected therefrom as the drilling head is rotated and moved linearly against the buried existing pipe. The pipe grinding operation reduces the buried existing pipe to a pulverant form wherein the particulate resulting from grinding away the existing pipe forms a bedding composition lining at least the side and bottom portions of the resulting bore and thereby providing for optimum support of a replacement pipe which is towed into position within the bore simultaneously with the pipe grinding operation. A swivel connection allows rotation of the grinding head without inducing rotation to the replacement pipe following the grinding head. The grinding head is driven rotatably by the gear train of a power unit which imparts rotation to drill pipe extending from the power unit to the grinding head. Linear movement of the grinding head is induced by one or more hydraulic cylinders that impart linear movement to the power unit relative to a guide and support track on which the power unit is movably located.
1. A method of replacing buried pipe with replacement pipe comprising:
(a) locating pipe grinding and replacement apparatus in axial registry with the center line of the buried pipe to be replaced;
(b) rotating and linearly moving a tapered pipe grinding head having a pipe cutting member thereon against the end of the buried pipe to be replaced, thereby completely grinding the pipe to be replaced to a pulverant character forming a pulverant bedding composition for the replacement pipe and forming a replacement pipe passage of a dimension exceeding the external dimension of the replacement pipe; and
(c) extending a replacement pipe endwise into the replacement pipe passage simultaneously with grinding away the buried pipe.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said method steps of paragraphs (b) and (c) are accomplished in a single pass of said tapered pipe grinding head through the earth bore occupied by said buried pipe.
3. The method recited in claim 1, wherein:
said tapered pipe grinding head is forcibly moved against the end of the buried existing pipe by simultaneous linear and rotational components of movement.
4. The method recited in claim 1, wherein:
said pipe grinding head is moved through said pipe by a pushing force.
5. The method recited in claim 1, wherein:
said pipe grinding head is moved against said existing pipe by a pulling force.
6. The method recited in claim 1, wherein:
said pipe grinding head is moved against said existing pipe by both pushing and pulling forces.
7. The method of claim 1, including:
injection of drilling fluid/lubricant material from said grinding head during rotation and linear movement of said grinding head against said existing pipe, thereby cooling said grinding head and reducing frictional movement of said replacement pipe into said passage.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein:
said tapered drilling head defines helical cutter means extending along the length of said grinding head, said helical cutter means being rotated against said existing pipe by said grinding head thus reducing said existing pipe to said pulverant form.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein:
said pulverant material resulting from grinding away said existing pipe includes particulate having a maximum dimension not substantially exceeding the dimension of aggregate in the composition of said existing pipe.
10. Apparatus for grinding existing buried pipe to a pulverant form and replacing the existing buried pipe with a replacement pipe having a dimension equaling or exceeding the dimension of the existing buried pipe, comprising:
(a) an elongated, tapered grinding head having spiral pipe cutter means along the length thereof for engaging and grinding said existing pipe to a pulverant form, said pipe grinding head having a small dimension at its leading extremity of smaller dimension than the internal dimension than said existing pipe and a large dimension at its trailing extremity being of a dimension exceeding that of said existing pipe;
(b) means for imparting linear and rotational movement to said pipe grinding head against the end of said buried existing pipe for grinding thereof by said spiral pipe cutter means; and
(c) connector means mounted at said trailing extremity of said pipe grinding head and adapted for connection with the leading end of said replacement pipe and being operative to tow said replacement pipe into position within the bore formed by said grinding head simultaneously with said grinding of said existing pipe.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
said means for moving said tapered pipe grinding head against said buried existing pipe comprises means for applying a pushing force to said pipe grinding head.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
said means for moving said tapered pipe grinding head against said buried existing pipe comprises means for applying a pulling force to said pipe grinding head.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
said means for moving said tapered pipe grinding head against said buried existing pipe induces simultaneous linear and rotary movement to said pipe grinding head.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
said tapered grinding head defines a tapered, substantially helical cutter element extending about the outer periphery thereof throughout substantially the entire length of said tapered grinding head, said helical cutter engaging the end surface of said pipe and grinding away said buried existing pipe upon rotation and linear movement thereof against said buried existing pipe.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
(a) said existing pipe is composed of material including aggregate; and
(b) a plurality of hardened projections extend from the outer periphery of said helical cutter element and assist in cutting and grinding activity for reduction of said buried existing pipe to a pulverant form having a particle dimension not substantially exceeding the dimension of aggregate in the composition of said existing pipe.
16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said connector means comprises:
(a) a swivel mount extending from said trailing extremity of said grinding head and adapted for establishment of a driven, non rotatable swivel connection with drill pipe forming a component of said means for moving said pipe grinding head against said buried existing pipe; and
(b) a swivel element being received by said swivel mount and having rotatable relation therewith, said swivel connection being adapted to receive said replacement pipe in towing relation therewith.
17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said means for moving said grinding head against said buried existing pipe comprises:
(a) elongated support track means adapted for location in substantial parallel relation with the grade of said buried existing pipe, said track means defining spaced abutment means;
(b) jacking means being movably supported by said track means and having force transmitting relation with said abutment means; and
(c) elongated rigid force transmitting means interconnecting said jacking means and said pipe grinding head.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said jacking means comprises:
(a) a power system driven by motor means, said power system imparting rotary movement to said rigid force transmitting means and said pipe grinding head;
(b) restraining means having abutment engagement means; and
(c) linear hydraulic motor means interconnecting said power system and said restraining means and, when energized, imparting linear movement to said power system relative to said track means and thus imparting linear movement to said rigid force transmitting means and said pipe grinding head.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said linear hydraulic motor means imparts a pushing movement to said restraining means to impart linear movement to said power system relative to said track means.
20. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
said tapered grinding head defines an internal passage receiving drilling fluid/lubricant composition from said means for moving said pipe grinding head against said buried existing pipe, said tapered grinding head further defining a plurality of ports extending from the outer surface of said grinding head to said passage means, whereby drilling fluid/lubricant material is ejected from said ports during rotation and linear movement of said tapered grinding head against said buried existing pipe.
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for replacement of buried pipe and more specifically concerns a method for grinding away existing buried pipe and reducing it to a finely granulated or pulverant, particulate form such that the granulated remains of the existing pipe descend for the most part to the lower and side portions of the earth pipe bore originally occupied by the existing pipe. Grinding or cutting away the existing pipe is conducted simultaneously with replacement of the buried pipe with a replacement pipe of the same or larger internal diameter as compared to the buried pipe being replaced. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus that may be pushed, pulled or both pushed and pulled through the earth bore occupied by the existing pipe and at the same time is rotated to accomplish grinding or cutting away the existing pipe. Simultaneously, the apparatus moves a replacement pipe into the void or passage that is established by grinding away the existing pipe, which replacement pipe may have an internal bore as great or greater of the existing pipe.
Although the present invention is related to pipe replacement in general, for purposes of simplicity, the invention is discussed herein particularly as it applies to replacement of conventional sewer pipe of the type employed in typical municipalities. The apparatus described herein is capable of grinding away or commutating most types of vitrious pipe, clay tile pipe, concrete pipe, and cast iron pipe.
Typically, sewer pipe is composed of interconnected joints of pipe composed of concrete, clay tile or metal, including cast iron, steel or ductile iron. Sections of utility pipe are typically provided with an enlarged bell at one end and a straight joining portion at the opposite end. Sections of utility pipe are placed in end-to-end relation with the straight portions thereof entering the enlarged bell of the adjacent pipe section. In the past it has been considered unnecessary to establish absolutely sealed joints when utility pipes are layed. Thus, a small amount of leakage is typical. Moreover, utility pipes, such as sewer pipes, are seldom maintained under any pressure and therefore leakage is restricted to a small amount of seepage at the pipe connections.
It has been found that utility pipes become deteriorated after having been buried for several years. It is now known that sewer gases cause deterioration of concrete material and also have an adverse effect on clay tile material and metal pipes. Upon deterioration of the pipe materials the pipes can become fractured due to shifting or settling of the earth and in some cases the joints are pulled apart, thereby allowing substantial leakage to occur at the pipe joints. It is desirable, therefore, to provide means for accomplishing replacement of utility pipes and to thereby restore the utility piping system to a substantially new condition.
In urban environments replacements of pipes such as water pipes, sewer pipes, etc. can be extremely difficult and expensive due to the presence of overlying structural features such as concrete sidewalks and driveways, tree roots, etc. In some cases, building structures may overly a buried pipe intended for replacement. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a procedure and apparatus for accomplishing efficient replacement of existing pipe such that structural features at the surface are not disturbed to any significant extent.
In many cases, the utility piping system of a municipality may have been initially established with relatively small diameter utility pipes. Additional fluid flow capacity may now be desired, such as to accommodate increased water usage or to provide for conversion of residential municipal areas for compact residential use or to provide for conversion of such areas to a large capacity commercial environment such as when large building structures or other commercialization is developed. To provide additional flow capacity needed for commercial sewer systems, it is frequently necessary to replace the entire piping system with larger pipe or to install pipes in parallel relation to the existing sewer systems. In such case excavation is usually required. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a process and apparatus for replacing existing pipes with pipes of larger dimension without significantly disturbing surface features.
Another disadvantage of conventional municipal utility systems is that the various pipe sections that are employed interfere with the efficiency of liquid flow. Each of the joints of the utility pipe in many cases constitute voids for deposit of sediment and create turbulence that interferes with efficient fluid flow. It is therefore desirable to provide a system for utility pipe replacement wherein the inside surface of the replacement pipe will be substantially free from surface discontinuities such as typically occurs in jointed utility pipe.
It has also been determined that leakage of sewage including liquid and gaseous materials into the surface earth formation can constitute severe health hazards such as pollution of surface water and shallow underground water. Leaked sewer gases can penetrate through the surface soil and collect in the residences and building structure to such extent that a health hazard becomes present. It is also desirable to provide a utility pipe replacement system wherein leak free replacement pipe is installed.
It is known that utility pipe can be fractured in situ by forcing a mandrel through existing pipe to fracture the existing pipe into multiple pipe fragments and to force the pipe fragments radially into the surrounding earth formation. In many cases the pipe fragments will be turned to present a sharp edge to the replacement pipe. Since the replacement pipe typically has a polymer composition, being formed of polyethylene, polypropylene or any one of a number of suitable polymer materials, it can be punctured or severely damaged by the sharp edges of the pipe fragments that occur as the result of a pipe fracturing operation. It is desirable, therefor, to provide a pipe replacement system wherein the existing pipe is ground to a finely comminuted form that becomes bedding material for the replacement pipe and which has no tendency to puncture or otherwise damage the replacement pipe.
Utility line replacement has long been a problem for municipalities. When a sewer line is in need of replacement or repair to prevent leakage of gas and liquid constituents, one convenient method for end-placed type rehabilitation has been a process typically known as "slip lining". Slip lining is typically accomplished simply by pushing or pulling a plastic pipe through an existing sewer line. In the even the sewer line is fractured or deviates from its normal grade, slip lining becomes a difficult task. Further, since plastic pipe is inserted into existing sewer line, the logical consequence is a reduction of the inside diameter of the pipe. Under circumstances where expansion of sewer line capacity is desired, the process of slip lining is ineffective. Existing pipe is also fractured in place by forcing an expansion mandrel through it with the pipe fragments there formed being forced into the surrounding soil. These pipe fragments can form sharp edges which can cut, puncture or otherwise damage the replacement pipe.
It is a primary feature of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus and method for utility pipe rehabilitation wherein existing utility pipe is ground in place by means of a rotatable tapered and fluted grinding head wherein the existing pipe is reduced to a finely comminuted form which functions as bedding material for replacement pipe.
It is also a feature of the present invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for utility pipe rehabilitation which permits replacement of existing pipe by means of a pipe having larger internal diameter than that of the pipe being replaced.
It is another feature of this invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for efficient pipe replacement wherein pipe grinding and pipe replacement occurs in a single pass as pipe replacement apparatus traverses the pipe being replaced.
It is an even further feature of this invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for pipe rehabilitation wherein line replacement operations may occur under road beds, sidewalks, and other surface features without damaging them in any way.
It is another feature of this invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for pipe replacement activities wherein long spans of existing pipe in the range of from about 800 feet to about 1200 feet may be replaced in a single pass of pipe removal and replacement apparatus along the length thereof.
It is also a feature of this invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for pipe rehabilitation wherein pipe replacement is achieved with minimum labor and low cost.
Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of this entire disclosure. The form of the invention which will now be described in detail illustrates the general principals of the invention but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention.
Briefly, the novel aspects of the present invention are achieved by means of a jacking, boring or grinding and pipe replacement operation that occurs all in a single integral process. To accomplish utility line replacement, all sewer services are located and excavated. A pit is dug so that a pipe expanding and jacking machine can be positioned at the flow line grade of the existing utility pipe. A tapered fluted grinding head is provided for attachment to drill pipe such as 4 inch drill pipe similar to that utilized during drilling operations for oil wells. One end of the drill pipe is connected to apparatus for imparting rotary and linear movement to the drill pipe. At the opposite end of the pipe a tapered, fluted and lubricated grinding head is attached. As the drill pipe is moved linearly and rotated, the grinding head grinds the existing pipe to a finely comminuted form. Attached to the rear of the grinding head is a replacement pipe which is typically formed of any one of a number of plastic or polymer materials and is generally in the range of about 1 1/4 inches smaller than the grinding head. The replacement pipe is fixed in any suitable fashion to a swivel device that is provided on the grinding head. Accordingly, the replacement pipe does not rotate but is merely moved linearly as the grinding head is both rotated and moved linearly for grinding away the existing pipe. For efficiency of operations, the drill pipe and replacement pipe is provided in long sections (for example 20 foot sections) to thus minimize labor requirements as the replacement pipe is installed.
An engine powered hydraulic pipe rotating and jacking machine is employed which rotates the grinding head while simultaneously moving it linearly through the existing pipe. As the grinding head is thus moved linearly and rotatably through the existing pipe, the material from which the existing pipe is composed is ground to a finely comminuted form. The resulting particulate formed by this pipe grinding operation typically settles to the lower sides and bottom of the earth bore that results when the pipe grinding operation has been completed and forms a bedding composition for efficient support of the replacement pipe.
The tapered, fluted pipe grinding head defines at least one and preferably a plurality of lubricant ports. As the grinding head is rotated a liquid lubricant composition is pumped through the drill pipe to the grinding head and thence to the grinding interface between the grinding head and the pipe being replaced. This lubricant composition provides the grinding head with cooling and also serves to deposit a quantity of lubricant in the pipe replacement bore to thereby provide for lubrication of the replacement pipe. The replacement pipe will thus move readily through the lubricated bore as the grinding head traverses its course along the pipe being replaced.
An engine-powered hydraulic jacking machine is employed which rotates the grinding head while simultaneously moving it linearly through the existing pipe. As the grinding head is thus moved linearly and rotatably through the existing pipe, an earthen bore is provided which is bedded with the finely ground particulate that results as the existing pipe is ground away. Thus, the pipe grinding activity forms a lined bore with particulate lining or bedding material providing protection for the replacement pipe.
The jacking machine is mounted on a track that is located in the pit in generally parallel relation with the grade of the existing pipe. The track forms a plurality of spaced anchor abutments which receive anchor devices that are extended from a pusher block of the jacking machine. The jacking machine is capable of being anchored at various positions along the length of the track by the anchor means and functions to force the grinding head through the pipe being replaced by several increments of jacking movement. The cooperative relationship of the jacking machine and the track on which it moves enables long lengths of pipe to be inserted through the bore formed by grinding away the existing pipe. This is accomplished by several short increments of jacking movement with the jacking machine being moved relative to the track structure after each increment of jacking movement has been accomplished. After a replacement pipe has been fully inserted, the jacking machine is released from the track, moved rearwardly to the initial jacking position thereof and new joints of drill pipe and replacement pipe are attached to again facilitate further jacking, rotation and pipe grinding operations. In this manner, long lengths up to 1200 feet of replacement pipe may be installed depending upon the characteristics of the soil in which the line being rehabilitated is buried. Depending upon soil conditions and the presence of obstacles in the line, there is a possibility of sewer line rehabilitation in the order of 100 feet per hour through the use of the method and apparatus of this invention.
As mentioned above, the pipe grinding head may be forced through the earth formation by pushing operations, pulling operations or by both pushing and pulling. It is convenient to provide a swiveled connector at the leading portion of the pipe grinding head to which a towing cable may be attached. The towing cable may be connected to the power apparatus of a winch truck or the like to thus apply a pulling force on the pipe grinding head as it traverses the pipe being ground away and replaced. This pulling force may be provided simply for the purpose of guiding the pipe grinding grade along the existing head so that the replacement pipe is located at the same grade as the pipe being replaced. The towing force thereby provides a guiding function to prevent the grinding head from deviating from the proper grade or direction as it traverses the existing pipe.
After replacement line installation has been completed in one direction, the jacking machine may be reversed on the track to thereby accomplish pipe replacement or rehabilitation in the opposite direction. Thus, extremely long lengths of replacement pipe may be installed from a single excavated pit. This feature also minimizes labor and expense during pipe replacement operations.
Pipe formed of various existing line materials such as concrete, clay tile and cast iron may be replaced in accordance with the principles set forth herein. In fact, any pipe material may be effectively replaced so long as the material is capable of being ground away by the grinding head as it traverses the line being replaced. There is no need to clear the pipeline easement of fences, trees and other surface features that have been located there during the span of years. In addition, where trench support is necessary for pipe replacement activities, the expense of trench support structure is held to a minimum with only a few points of excavation needed for this work. Where the lines are under pavement, the cost of the line rehabilitation will be maintained at a minimum since the surface features will not be disturbed.
So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of the pipe replacement apparatus of this invention being located for replacement of buried existing pipe.
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of pipe replacement apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and having a portion thereof broken away and shown in section.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the tapered rotary grinding head of the apparatus of FIG. 2 with a part thereof broken away to show the swivel of the grinding head in detail.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a partial isometric illustration of guide and support track structure of the apparatus of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the pipe replacement apparatus and its hydraulic power unit by way of an end view.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of installed replacement pipe illustrating bedding of the replacement pipe by the pulverant material resulting from grinding away the existing pipe.
Referring now to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional pictoral representation illustrating a section of the surface formation S of the earth having a pipe P buried several feet below the surface. FIG. 1 also illustrates a pit or trench T which extends from the surface of the earth to a level below that of the grade of the pipe P for which replacement is desired. Within the trench T is located pipe replacement apparatus illustrated generally at 10 and being constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. The pipe replacement apparatus 10 incorporates a power unit receiving its power in the form of hydraulic energy from a surface based power source H which incorporates an engine driven hydraulic pumping system and suitable reservoirs for hydraulic fluid and drilling fluid/lubricant material. The hydraulic power source H is in power transmitting communication with the pipe replacement apparatus 10 by means of flexible hydraulic lines 12. The apparatus 10 imparts rotation to a drive shaft or stem 14 to which is connected one or more sections of drill pipe 16. At the free end of the drill pipe 16 is connected a tapered, fluted grinding head 18 which is rotated against the pipe being replaced in order to grind the pipe into a pulverant form. The pipe grinding head incorporates a swivel 20 to which is connected one or more sections of replacement pipe 22 which is pulled into the void or bore that remains after the existing pipe has been ground away. The swivel prevents the replacement pipe 22 from being rotated as the tapered grinding head is forced linearly and rotatably into the existing pipe.
The pipe replacement machine is supported in the trench T by means of an elongated track 24 which defines guide ways for movable components of the machine and also defines locking members which are selectively engaged by a force resisting stop device 26. The apparatus 10 also incorporates a movable slide structure which is mounted in guided relation with the track 24 and which is moved linearly relative to the stop member 26 by means of one or more hydraulic cylinders 30. As the slide 28 is moved linearly by the hydraulic cylinder pipe rotating apparatus, discussed in detail hereinbelow, is also moved linearly. Thus, the drill pipe 16 and the rotatable pipe grinding head 18 is moved both linearly and rotatably for grinding away the existing pipe.
As shown in FIG. 5, the support track which is illustrated generally at 24 incorporates a pair of opposed side channels 32 and 34 with the upper and lower flanges thereof facing inwardly toward one another. The channel members 32 and 34 are secured in parallel relation by means of a plurality of transverse structural members 36 which are also in the form of C-shaped structural channels which are welded or otherwise secured to the guide channels 32 and 34. The structural interconnection between the guide channels 32 and 34 and the transverse structural channels 36 is enhanced by means of a plurality of gusset plates 38 and 40 which are welded both to the respective guide channels and to the transverse channels as is evident particularly in FIGS. 6 and 7. Intermediate the upper and lower flanges of each of the guide channels is located a plurality of locking members 42 and 44 that are in the form of a plurality of force transmitting and restraining blocks which are arranged to define locking spaces 46 therebetween. The restraining device 26 incorporates a plurality of opposed locking dogs 48 and 50 which are typically actuated hydraulically between a locking position as shown in FIG. 6 where the locking dogs are inserted into the spaces 46 between the locking members and a release position where the locking dogs are retracted from their locking engagement with the blocks 44. In this position the restraint device 26 is capable of establishing any one of a plurality of locked positions along the length of the track structure. The restraint device 26 also incorporates a winch 54 containing a length of wire rope having its free end secured to an end member 56 of the track structure 24. With the locking dogs of the restraining device released, the winch 54 is actuated for movement of the restraining device toward one end of the track structure. The restraining device is movable in the opposite direction by means of the hydraulic cylinders 30 or by any other suitable means. The restraining device 26 includes a guide body 58 disposed between the guide channels of the track structure 24. A pair of rollers or wheels 60 and 62 are mounted on the guide body and are received by the upper flanges of the parallel track members 32 and 34. The restraining device also incorporates appropriate hydraulic connections 64 having connected thereto hydraulic lines 66 to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders 30. The hydraulic lines 66 are supported by means of a support post 68 which is pivotally mounted to the guide body 58. As the slide member 28 of the pipe replacement apparatus is moved linearly by the hydraulic cylinders the support post 68 will pivot while maintaining its support of the hydraulic lines 66. When the slide member has been moved to its full extent as determined by the stroke of the hydraulic cylinders 30, the hydraulic lines 66 will extend substantially straight from the restraining device to the connections of the slide member for the hydraulic cylinders.
The slide member 28 incorporates a structural framework having a plurality of vertical structural members such as shown at 70 and 72 to which are connected horizontal structural members 74. This structural framework provides support for an operational console 76 having a plurality of hydraulic valves 78 for operation thereof, which valves are controlled by means of a plurality of control levers 80. The structural framework also provides a protective enclosure for rotary drive apparatus located therein.
The rotary drive apparatus incorporates a pair of journals 82 and 84 which are supported by structural members 86 and 88 respectively which are in turn welded or otherwise fixed to the deck structure of the slide member 28. The journals 82 and 84 provide rotatable bearing support for the output drive shaft 14 of a suitable gear train located within a gear box 90. The gear train receives its power induced input by means of a hydraulic motor 92 that is supported on or adjacent to the gear box 90.
To provide for movement of the slide member 28 in a direction away from the restraining device 26 a second winch 94 is supported by the structural framework and is positioned such that its wireline may be connected to one extremity of the guide track. As the winch 94 is activated, its wireline causes the slide 28 to move to the right as shown in FIG. 2. The winches 54 and 94 may be utilized in conjunction with one another to accomplish incremental positioning of the restraining device and the slide structure of the pipe replacement apparatus relative to the track structure.
As shown at the right hand portion of FIG. 2 the track structure 24 is provided with a sealing station which is defined by a butt welding mechanism 96 having a plurality of releasable clamps 98. The butt welding mechanism is adapted to secure abutting ends of polymer pipe in abutting assembly. When the butt welding device 96 is activated, it first machines the end surfaces of the polymer pipe and positions the end surfaces in accurately abutting relation. The machine is then operative to supply sufficient heat for bringing the polymer material to its fusible state, whereupon fusion of the polymer pipe takes place, thereby establishing an efficient butt welded joint. This joint of the polymer pipe efficiently resists leakage, maintains efficient structural integrity to prevent separation of polymer pipe sections at the joint. The butt welded joints thus formed are substantially free of fluid turbulence, thereby allowing the pipeline formed thereby to have a greater flowing capacity as compared with typical jointed utility pipes.
The butt welding device 96 is commercially available; however, it is not heretofore been employed as a polymer pipe joining device in conjunction with a machine for accomplishing pipe replacement.
With reference particularly to the illustration of FIG. 3, the drill pipe 16 establishes driving connection at its free extremity with a conical fluted grinding head illustrated generally at 18 and having a body structure 100 having its largest dimension 102 at a location adjacent the driving connection between the drill pipe 16 and the body structure 100. The body of the drilling head 18 is tapered gradually from its large dimension 102 to a terminal extremity 104. A helical pipe grinding or cutting element 106 is welded or otherwise fixed to the tapered outer periphery of the body structure 100 and defines a sharp helical cutting edge 108 that enables efficient cutting or grinding of the pipe to be replaced. The helical grinder or cutter element 106 is composed of a very hard cutting material, typically metal or metal composite material such as tungsten carbide which will have efficient service life during pipe grinding operations. The helical cutter element may also be provided with a number of hardened buttons 110 which may be embedded in the outer periphery thereof and which function to enhance the pipe grinding operation.
The tapered body structure 100 of the grinding head forms an internal fluid passage 112 which receives lubricant fluid from the drill pipe 16. The passage 112 is intersected by a plurality of lubricant ports 114 which extend to the outer surface of the tapered grinding head. As shown in FIG. 4, the ports 114 are arranged to direct jets of lubricant material in a manner that is inclined with respect to the centerline of the grinding head. This feature enables lubricant fluid to be directed in a manner that is substantially tangential to the circular cross-section of the grinding head. This liquid lubricant composition is typically a combination of water and a detergent and it is provided for the purpose of cooling the grinding head and for insuring optimum grinding away of the pipe being replaced. Also, the lubricant material provides a lubricant coating in the bore formed by the grinding head and thus permits the replacement pipe to slide readily into place without significant friction.
The grinding head 100 is provided with a towing connection 116 at its small extremity which is adapted to receive a towing cable 118 to thus enable towing force to be applied to the grinding head as it is rotated and moved linearly by the drill pipe 16. The towing connection 116 is swivel mounted and thus does not rotate as the grinding head is rotated.
A replacement pipe connector 120 is swivel mounted on the grinding head and functions to provide for connection of one end of a replacement pipe 122 to the grinding head. Being swivel mounted, the connector 120 prevents rotation of the replacement pipe 122 while the grinding head is rotated and moved linearly by the drill pipe 16. Thus, the replacement pipe 122 is simply towed to the proper position within the bore that remains after the grinding head has ground away the existing pipe.
The remote power source H of the apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, will incorporate a drilling fluid/lubricant reservoir 124 containing a volume of fluid material. Within the reservoir 124 is provided a distribution plenum 126 having a plurality of openings 128 from which air and water is injected into the reservoir 124. The air and water or other fluid is obtained from appropriate air and water sources 130 and 132. As the mixture of air and water or other fluid is injected into the reservoir 124, it causes the reservoir to be maintained in a state of turbulence, thereby insuring that the drilling fluid is properly mixed at all times. A detergent or any other fluid composition that assists in the reduction of friction may be introduced along with the water from the source 132. One or more fluid distribution lines 134 extend from the hydraulic power source 134 to the apparatus 10 and are communicated with appropriate valve controlled flow conduit means for controlled introduction of the drilling fluid into the drill pipe 16. The operator of the pipe replacement apparatus will have the capability at the control console of controlling the volume of drilling fluid that is injected through the drill pipe 16 to the grinding head 18.
The pipe replacement apparatus 10, as mentioned above, is located within the trench T at such grade that the grinding head 18 is located at the grade of the pipe to be replaced. The operator will then cause the restraining device 26 to become locked with respect to the track structure and thereafter will energize the hydraulic cylinder means 30, thereby causing the linear movement to be imparted to the slide 28. Simultaneously, the hydraulic motor 92 is energized, thereby driving the gear train 90 and thus causing the output shaft 14 to rotate the drill pipe to thus rotate the grinding head against the pipe to be replaced. The grinding head 18 will thus grind away the existing pipe and will leave a void or bore in its place which receives the replacement pipe 122 which is towed into place by the grinding head 18 by means of its swivel connection 120. As the grinding head 18 is rotated the helical cutter elements of the grinding head will cut or grind the existing pipe to a pulverant or particulate form whether the pipe to be replaced is in the form of concrete, clay tile, cast iron or any other material composition that is capable of being ground away by the grinding head. The pulverant or particulate material resulting from the grinding operation will settle to the bottom and side portions of the bore formed by the grinding head in the manner shown in FIG. 8. This pulverant material shown at 140 in FIG. 8 functions as a bedding composition insuring accurate positioning of the replacement pipe 122 relevant to the grade of the existing pipe. Further, the pulverant bedding composition 140 will have particulate of sufficiently small dimension that it will not tend to puncture or otherwise damage the replacement pipe. In fact, where the pipe to be replaced is of concrete composition, the pulverant bedding material 140 will have particulate of a dimension that does not substantially exceed the dimension of the largest aggregate material from which the concrete pipe is composed. During the pipe grinding operation the particulate bedding composition 140 will become saturated with the drilling fluid/lubricant material that is ejected from the grinding head. This activity will tend to wash the bedding material downwardly in the bore to thus cause it to fill virtually all of the space between the replacement pipe and the bore and to form an efficient bed for the replacement pipe.
In view of the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention is one well adapted to obtain all of the objects and features hereinabove set forth together with other objects and features that are inherent from the method and apparatus described hereinabove.
While the foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment, the scope thereof is determined by the claims which follow.
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text: Prev | Next Volunteers hoist up the U.S. flag at the starting line before the start of the 44th running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race at Lenox Square Thursday morning in Atlanta, Ga., July 4, 2013. The 10K race is a Fourth of July tradition in Atlanta that's billed as the largest road race in the U.S. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution,Jason Getz ) MARIETTA DAILY OUT; GWINNETT DAILY POST OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; WXIA-TV OUT; WGCL-TV OUT Gallery: Fourth of July across the U.S. Jul. 04, 2013 @ 04:08 PM From Revolutionary War re-enactments to fireworks and parades, communities across the country found dozens of ways to celebrate Independence Day. (u'nobuy',)


text:
Review By Clay Angelly - January 16, 2006
Micro-Star International (MSI) is a
well known leader when it comes to offering the very
latest computing hardware. An example of this is illustrated by MSI being one of
the first vendors to offer an NVIDIA 7800GTX with 512MB (NX7800GTX-VT2D512E) of onboard memory. The
standard high end of 256MB has been surpassed and there is no looking
As you can see from the photo above, the
MSI NX7800GTX-VT2D512E will take up
two PCIe slots in your system. MSI did not stray from the NVIDIA board
specifications just as other vendors when dealing with initial runs. NVIDIA did a nice job,
though, of coming up with a clean and appealing design overall.
There are some other substantial differences than just the doubling of
onboard memory compared to the NVIDIA 7800GTX (256MB) card as shown below. The
increases in the core and memory speeds (MHz) is impressive. However, this was
the ceiling for my particular card with gains from overclocking attempts being
very minor.
Next Page: Testing Configuration
Last Updated on January 16, 2006


text:
From: AP
Even a poorly executed milkshake still is probably pretty good. But to elevate the classic cool treat to a higher level of indulgence, tips from a milkshake master can help.
For that, we turn to Spike Mendelsohn, veteran of season four of Bravo's "Top Chef" and creator of Washington's Good Stuff Eatery, as famous for its milkshakes — including a to-die-for toasted marshmallow variety — as for its burgers.
To help usher in summer, Mendelsohn created a shake especially for The Associated Press. Inspired by s'mores, that classic campfire treat of toasted marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate, Mendelsohn picked flavors he hoped would appeal to people all across the country.
"It's a shake that everyone can relate to," he said during a shake-making session at his new Good Stuff location in Crystal City, Va. "S'mores are something everyone had growing up. It's the kind of shake that puts a smile on people's faces."
To capture the thick, creamy, malt-shop quality of a great shake no matter what the variety, Mendelsohn offered the following tips.
— Start with frozen custard. Super-thick and richer than ice cream with more butterfat, custard will give your shake a silky texture and stuck-in-the-straw consistency. "To me, it's the ultimate ingredient," Mendelsohn says. Frozen custard is available in many grocers, and can be shipped overnight from online creameries. If all else fails, Mendelsohn says, use the highest butterfat ice cream you can find.
— The right stuff. "What ruins a milkshake is the equipment," he says. Blenders infuse too much heat and friction where the blade spins, and that will melt your custard, resulting in a watery consistency. Instead, invest in an old-fashioned shake mixer — the kind with the single prong and metal cup — available online for about $30. The metal cup is key, he says, because it keeps all the ingredients cold while they're being churned.
— Use a plain vanilla base. "Like with art, you start with a blank, white canvas," Mendelsohn says. "Use plain vanilla custard and you can add elements that pop." Toasted marshmallows, malted milk balls, candy, cookies and fruit purees are a good start. The only exception is for chocolate shakes, he says, which should start with chocolate custard.
— Texture makes your mouth happy. For smooth shakes, such as banana or plain chocolate, you want a super smooth consistency. For cookie shakes, or something with elements like malt balls or coconut, give it a little crunch throughout. "People like chunks," he says.
— Garnish with panache. The garnish is the shake's come on, broadcasting what it's about and what you can expect from it. For a shake flavored with toasted marshmallows, stick one on top. Strawberry shake? Put a gorgeous piece of fruit on the rim, and maybe drizzle the top with glistening coulis. And every shake needs homemade, hand-whipped, super-thick whipped cream. "Just put a big bazonker on top," Mendelsohn says.
Besides the famous toasted marshmallow shake, diners at Mendelsohn's Good Stuff Eatery can choose from an imaginative variety: Vietnamese coffee, Milky Way malt ball, salty caramel kiss, and of course, the AP s'mores shake. But the chef's favorite?
"I still just like chocolate shakes actually," he says.
Tue, July 10, 2012 @ 3:35 PM
Mon, July 23, 2012 @ 2:09 AM
Mon, January 7, 2013 @ 7:47 AM
Tue, January 8, 2013 @ 4:46 AM
Mon, March 4, 2013 @ 2:55 AM
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text:
Samsung Galaxy Premier
Last Updated: Sep 4th,2012
The Samsung Galaxy Premier is very close to being a high-end device. It sports a 1.5 GHz dual-core TI OMAP 4470 processor, 1 GB of RAM, an 8 MP camera with a 1.9 MP front shooter and a well-sized 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED display. Not bad, especially considering it should not be as expensive as its higher-end brothers (like the Galaxy S3 or Galaxy Note 2).
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News & UpdatesSamsung announces Galaxy Premier with 4.65-inch HD display
Once rumored to be a followup to the Galaxy Nexus, Samsung has made the Galaxy Premier official for release in the Ukraine. The phone does share some elements in common, including a 4.65-inch Super AMOLED HD display and dual-core TI OMAP processor, though it has been bumped up to a 1.5GHz 4470 rather than the […]Samsung Galaxy Premier pictured, not a Nexus device
There had been rumors that a device running around under the name Galaxy Premier would be Samsung's followup to last year's Galaxy Nexus, mostly due to the closeness in model numbers of the two devices. The Galaxy Nexus launched as the GT-i9250, and the Premier has been assigned a designation of GT-i9260. It seems like […]Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini, Galaxy S2 Plus, and Galaxy Premier tipped
According to new rumors, Samsung will continue to plan its Galaxy line of Android smartphones with the introduction of the Galaxy S3 Mini, Galaxy S2 Plus, and Galaxy Premier. All three handsets fall into the lower tiers of the smartphone spectrum, with the GS3 Mini sporting a 4-inch display, dual-core CPU and 5MP camera. The […]