Abstract: A method for monitoring the surface treatment of substrates is disclosed. The surface treatment, preferably, is shot peening. The surface treatment is monitored through the use of a selective spectral analysis of the 3-D information relating to the 3-D profilometry of the surface treatment on the substrate.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly design and a method for making the nozzle assembly, as well as a method for controlling a continuous skull nozzle process employing the nozzle assembly are provided wherein the cooling heat transfer coefficient at the nozzle is increased to maintain a steady-state solidified layer of a noncontaminating liner material, the cooling heat transfer coefficient being increased by reducing the contact resistance between a nozzle outer wall member and an inner liner made of the noncontaminating material, the reduction in contact resistance being achieved by shrink-fitting the nozzle outer wall member around the inner liner to increase the contact pressure between those members.

Abstract: The present monitoring system for monitoring operation of a laser system includes, in one embodiment, respective optical sensors coupled to respective, selected optical components. Each optical sensor, in operation, generates signals indicative of optical signal radial leakage of a respective optical component. When the radial leakage of a respective optical component. When the radial leakage-indicative signal from an optical sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, operation of the laser system is interrupted.

Abstract: In order to determine the temperature of a weld produced by a friction welding process, an electrical signal having a low voltage and a low current is passed through the weld. The weld acts as a resistor due to its high temperature as compared to the surrounding material such that the current in the electrical signal changes after its interacts with the weld. The change in current can be measured and the temperature of the weld can be determined.

Abstract: In an open MRI magnet, the magnet is capable of being rotated such that a patient can be imaged while either lying down or standing up. The open MRI magnet is rotated about a pivot located upon a pedestal.

Abstract: This invention relates to soldering systems of the type that provide localized soldering through the use of lasers. Such structures of this type generally allow flexible printed circuit boards to be locally soldered to metallized ceramic substrates. These structures have applications in such areas as ultrasound equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for evaluating the superconducting quality of superconducting materials. The materials are wound on a bifilar spool and tested in a cryogenic atmosphere to determine when the material quenches. During the testing procedure, the electro-magnetic field, current and temperature imposed on the material are varied and the test results are compared with known results to determine if the material is superconductive. In this way, large samples can be tested in a non-destructive manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a composite object, the method comprising the steps of providing a composite object, aligning a laser source with a portion of the composite object to be processed, operating the laser source to generate laser beam pulses, and forming composite object elements by applying the pluses of beams from the source to the composite object portion to be processed.

Abstract: This invention describes the preparation and use of metal oxide catalysts supported on titanium dioxide, hydrophobic or polymeric substrates for the removal of NO.sub.x and SO.sub.x from gas streams such as flue gases and combustion exhaust gases.

Abstract: Materials for cryogenic refrigerator regenerators are formed by a high yield spark erosion cell. The materials are made of erbium or dysprosium and are spherical shaped. The spheres have a diameter range of 150 .mu.m to 400 .mu.m with a packing factor of at least 50%. The materials are made by disposing chunks of a starting material into a liquid dielectric in a spark chamber, agitating the chunks, impressing a spark voltage in order to cause melting of the chunks and formation of spherical particles, and collecting the particles at the bottom of the spark chamber. The particles may then be gathered, dried, and separated.

Abstract: In order to improve image resolution and magnetic field uniformity in a magnetic resonance imaging device, the vibrations and loads produced by the cryocooler are isolated from the superconducting magnet and cryostat. The vibrations and loads are isolated through the use of flexible, laminated copper connectors and rubber mounts.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a tape superconductor of a compound superconductor type wherein the apparatus includes a first wire constructed of the superconducting compound material which is melted to form a bead. The bead is then wiped on a tape substrate to form a layer as the substrate is fed by the bead. Finally, the layer is cooled and a tape superconductor is formed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for performing a joining operation to couple a first component to a second component. One embodiment of the present method includes the steps of aligning the first component and the second component so that a first portion of the first component is aligned with a first portion of the second component, heating the first component so that a melt is formed at the first portion of the first component, and forcing the first portion of the second component into the melt so that when the melt solidifies, the first component and the second component are bonded.

Abstract: A cryorefrigerator mount for a refrigerated superconductive magnet is disclosed. In particular, a cryorefrigerator system has two separate cryorefrigerators such that one of the cryorefrigertors contacts and cools the magnet while the other cryorefrigerator is held in a raised, standby position. If the first cryorefrigerator malfunctions and can no longer cool the magnet, the second cryorefrigerator is lowered to contact and cool the magnet. The first cryorefrigerator is then raised so it can be repaired, serviced or replaced.

Abstract: A superconductive magnet having at least one superconductive coil is provided. A thermal radiation shield is situated inside a vacuum vessel and the thermal radiation shield encloses the superconductive coil. A thermal diode is provided for thermally linking the superconductive coil and the thermal radiation shield when the thermal radiation shield is colder than the superconductive coil.

Abstract: This invention discloses an optical fiber connect/disconnect for power lasers. The connect/disconnect should allow a laser/fiber user to quickly interface fiber injection input and fiber output couplers while providing electrical and optical alignment. The connect/disconnect also offers a fail safe connection in that the laser should not transmit any power unless and until electrical interlocks and optical alignments are completed.

Abstract: A demountable coil form for fabricating epoxy impregnated superconductive coils having a split ring and a collar clamp secured to the ring on either side of an axially extending opening for adjusting the size of the ring opening. The axially extending opening is widest at its inner diameter and tapers towards the outer diameter of the ring. Cap screws in contact with a wedge and connected to the ring are provided for securing the wedge in the opening in the ring. The wedge has a taper matching the taper of the opening in the ring and is positioned flush with the outer diameter of the ring. Annular side plates are secured to either axial side of the ring, with the side plates extending radially outwardly from the ring. The side plates define slots which create a passageway from the exterior of the side plates to the interior.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for forming an electrode-lead assembly. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of aligning the energy outlet of an energy source with an end portion of the lead, operating the energy source so that the emitted energy heats the end of the lead and so that a melt is formed at the end portion of the lead, and allowing the melt to solidify. The solified melt is bullet-shaped and serves as an electrode.

Abstract: A Gifford-McMahon cryorefrigerator is modified by using opposed sub-displacers which are sinusoidally reciprocated in opposite directions with respect to one another such that the force vectors of inertia created by the movement of the sub-displacers are cancelled out. The cancelling out of the force vectors should substantiallly reduce adverse affects associated with displacer banging.

Abstract: In a gas burner assembly, the gas burners are equipped with a device constructed of a thermostatic, bimetallic material which autoregulates the amount of primary air that can be entrained into the burner such that the likelihood of an occurrence of lifting or flashback is substantially reduced, and elevated CO emissions at reduced firing rates are eliminated.