Abstract: A method of transmitting data over a power line of a switch mode power supply system includes encoding a switch frequency of the switch mode power supply with the data. A ripple voltage is generated at the encoded switch frequency relative to a voltage generated by the switch mode power supply. The ripple voltage is conducted over the power line of the system. The ripple voltage is de-coupled from the power line and the data is decoded from the encoded switch frequency of the coupled ripple voltage.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, it is contemplated that a valve includes a passage. A first sealing element is biased to restrict flow of a fluid in a first direction through the passage when an upstream volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the first direction is less than a first predetermined threshold. A second sealing element is biased to unrestrict flow of the fluid to a baseline unrestricted flow rate in a second direction through the passage when an upstream volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the second direction is less than a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake system that includes at least one pneumatic latching valve; a single device, such as a solenoid, for providing momentary pilot signals to pneumatic latching valve; a source of pressurized supply air in communication with the pneumatic latching valve; a spring brake or other pneumatic device in communication with the pneumatic latching valve; and, optionally, an indicator device for monitoring and displaying the state of the pneumatic latching valve. Upon receiving a first momentary pilot signal the pneumatic latching valve changes from closed to open and delivers pressurized air to the spring brake. Upon receiving a second momentary pilot signal, the pneumatic latching valve changes from open to closed and exhausts pressurized air from the spring brake to the external environment. The valve remains “latched” in its current state until the signaling device is energized and the next momentary pilot signal is received.

Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving the operational performance of a moving cement mixer vehicle with a rotatable mixing drum by automatically stopping the rotation of the mixing drum at select moments. The system may include a sensor adapted to deliver a signal indicative of an operational parameter, such as steering angle of the vehicle, and a processing unit adapted to receive the signal from the sensor and deliver a control signal based on the signal for stopping rotation of the mixing drum.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle braking system, for delivering pressurized air to a brake chamber to achieve a desired braking response, includes an air-pressure controlled relay valve for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber. A solenoid receives a variable control input pressure and delivers the control input pressure to the relay valve as a function of a state of the solenoid. An ECU controls the solenoid according to a control model for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber and achieving the desired braking response.

Abstract: An oil-less/oil-free air brake compressor comprising a bore, a piston positioned for reciprocating in the bore, the piston having an annular recess and a rigid polymeric piston ring received within the annular recess, the piston ring having a predetermined non-circular profile in the free state.

Abstract: A valve for use in a pneumatic fluid system, such as an air brake system, is disclosed. The valve provides for fast release of pneumatic fluid from the delivery cavity through the exhaust port upon cessation of flow from the pneumatic fluid reservoir through the supply cavity. The valve includes a flow diverter that restricts fluid flow from the delivery cavity to the supply cavity when pneumatic fluid pressure in the supply cavity is less than that in the delivery cavity with minimal restriction of flow from the supply cavity to the delivery cavity when pressure in the supply cavity is greater than in the delivery cavity.

Abstract: An oil-free/oil-less air compressor with a piston positioned for reciprocating in a bore, the piston having a first piston ring assembly made from a rigid, high temperature polymer, and a second piston ring assembly comprising a first portion that engages the bore, the first portion made from a relatively soft, self-lubricating polymer, and a second portion that biases the first portion against the bore.

Abstract: A serviceable filtering oil removal cartridge for use in a compressed air assembly of a vehicle air brake system includes a housing having a first end and a second end. A filtering element is disposed within the housing for agglomerating and removing oil from compressed air entering the oil removal cartridge. A load plate is disposed within the housing for supporting the filtering element. The load plate includes a connecting portion dimensioned to allow the oil removal cartridge to be removed and installed as a single unit. The connecting portion is preferably a threaded annulus. A thermal vent can be included, wherein pressure is released from the oil removal cartridge upon reaching a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A gamma camera system is described in which multiple simultaneous acquisitions are performed based upon different characteristics for event data acquired by a common gantry behavior. The event data from a detector is selected for different images based upon characteristics such as gating, ungated, energy windows, or zooming.

Abstract: A radiation treatment apparatus (10) includes a diagnostic imaging scanner (12) that acquires a diagnostic image of a subject. A contouring processor (54) computes a radiation treatment objective based thereon. A radiation delivery apparatus (60) delivers radiation to the subject. An inverse planning processor (80) computes radiation beamlet parameters conforming with the radiation treatment objective by: grouping the beamlet parameters; assigning a weight to each group (82, 84, 86); optimizing a first group (82) to produce an intermediate dosage objective corresponding to the treatment objective weighted by a weight of the first group (82); and optimizing successive groups (84) to produce with the previously optimized groups (82) an increasing intermediate dosage objective corresponding to the treatment objective weighted by the combined weights of the previous and current groups (82, 84).

Abstract: A gamma camera system is described having a user interface by which protocols can be set up for the simultaneous acquisition of different views. Pull-down menus prevent the selection of incompatible simultaneous views for acquisition. The protocol being assembled, including its sequential steps and multiple simultaneous views, are displayed to the user.

Abstract: A gamma camera is provided in which the study protocol can be modified after the study has commenced and while event data is being acquired. In such a camera, study parameters such as the duration of the study, the number of image frames acquired, or the count criterion required to produce an image may be changed dynamically as the study proceeds. Thus, a nuclear study which is seen to be leading to unsatisfactory or less than optimal results may be altered during acquisition to increase the likelihood that diagnostically useful results will be produced.

Abstract: In order to determine the necessary operating parameters of a power supply system with a converter for supplying a resonant arrangement having a transformer, a system having a measuring device is proposed, which activates the converter so that with components of the power supply system initially unenergized a predetermined output voltage is generated, one or more parameters characteristic of the resonant arrangement being determined from the measurement of the resonant current appearing on the primary side of the transformer. In this, after a preferably brief excitation interval, the resonant frequency, the impedance of the resonant arrangement, the capacitance value of the resonant capacitance and the leakage inductance are determined on the basis of the current path.

Abstract: A gamma camera system and method are described which use multiple point sources to detect inaccuracies in detector translational and rotational alignment. In practice of the method of the preferred embodiment, three capillary tubes, each containing a drop of an isotope, are located in different planes and locations with respect to the axis of rotation of the detectors. A SPECT acquisition is performed and the point source projection data is processed to calculate the point source coordinates, from which center-of-rotation correction factors may be calculated. These correction factors are applied by mechanical and software adjustments to the gantry and acquisition systems of the camera to correct for both translational and rotational inaccuracies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for adapting a radiation dose of an X-ray source (1). The X-ray source (1) irradiates an object to be examined, for example, a patient (4), so as to form an X-ray image (7) on an X-ray detector (5). The X-ray image (7) is subdivided into image regions (A-I) and each time the brightest image region is successively separated from the remaining image regions in an iterative method if its mean grey value forms an indication of the presence of direct radiation (2b) in the relevant image region. The image regions still remaining at the end of the iteration operation correspond to an image region of interest which can be taken into account by a control unit (6) so as to calculate the optimum radiation dose.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for generating X-rays upon incidence of electrons (4), which arrangement includes a liquid metal zone (7) in which a liquid metal (9) is provided as an X-ray target in such a manner that it can flow past a zone of electron incidence (8). In order to allow a pump of reduced capacity to be employed in such a device in order to provide the movement of the liquid metal, in accordance with the invention it is proposed to realize a pressure zone (10) which is separate from the liquid metal zone (7) and is provided with a pressure medium (11) in such a manner that the pressure medium (11) can exert a pressure on the liquid metal (9) present in the liquid metal zone (7) in order to force the liquid metal (9) past the zone of electron incidence (8), the pressure zone (10) being provided with a pressure accumulator (R3) which can be replenished in order to apply the pressure.

Abstract: A nuclear camera system is provided in which the energy spectrum peaks identified by a camera detector head are automatically adjusted to account for drift and other sources of inaccuracy. Histograms of events detected by the photomultiplier tubes of the detector head are acquired continuously and updated periodically. A system operator initiates the adjustment with an autopeaking command which causes the system to ascertain the validity of the histogram data and, if it is valid, to determine a peak energy level. The determined level is compared to a theoretical value for an isotope present and the comparison is used to adjust the gain applied to energy data of the detector head.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for setting a filament (22) on an electrode (24) comprises a body (52) having a central member (54) with a longitudinal axis (A—A), a first end member (56) and a second end member (58). The first and second end members (56, 58) are located at opposite ends of the central member (54) and each extends away from the longitudinal axis (A—A) thereby forming a recess (59). Each end member (56, 58) includes a surface generally facing the recess (61, 63) and an outer surface (74, 76). A bore (68) in the body is adapted to receive a retaining member (not shown) for mounting the body (52) to the electrode (24). A cavity (70) extends through the first end member (56) from its outer surface (74) to its recess facing surface (61). A cavity (80) in the second end member (58) opens toward the recess (59). The cavities (70, 80) in the first end member (56) and second end member (58) are located opposite one another across the recess (59).