Abstract: A method for controlling a power system of a hybrid vehicle includes determining, during a motoring mode of operation, a desired operating voltage of a direct current (DC) bus included in the power system at a given speed. The desired operating voltage is based on a minimum operating voltage at the given speed and a maximum operating voltage at the given speed, wherein an energy storage element parameter is used establishing the minimum operating voltage.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine includes a stator having teeth fabricated from a non-magnetic material and containing at least one embedded conductor. The teeth are unitary with a back portion that is mounted to a stator back iron. Permeance variations induced by a stator winding mounted on the non-magnetic stator teeth are low which facilitates a reduction of motor noise. Specifically, since the non-magnetic teeth reduce production of permeance variations, changes in air gap forces between the rotor and the stator are decreased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating x-ray beams are described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating x-ray beams are described. In one embodiment, the method includes operating a cathode to generate an electron beam, directing the electron beam from the cathode through an aperture in an accelerating electrode, and impinging the electron beam on an anode surface to form a focal spot on the anode surface.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring current comprises at least one electrically conductive slip ring; at least one electrically conductive brush for supplying current to the at least one slip ring; and an electric or pressure actuator driven vibration source for changing the position of the brush with respect to the slip ring. If desired, brush current can shared by using inductance variations or by selective coupling of rotor windings to the slip rings.

Abstract: A power system for a locomotive generally having an internal combustion engine coupled to drive a main alternator and an auxiliary alternator is provided. The main alternator is coupled to power one or more traction motors and the auxiliary alternator is coupled to power predetermined electrical equipment. The system includes a main power bus generally powered by the main alternator and an auxiliary power bus generally powered by the auxiliary alternator. A power interface unit is electrically coupled to the main power bus to capture and transfer electrical energy into the auxiliary power bus. The electrical energy may be generated during a predetermined mode of operation of the locomotive, such as during dynamic braking or self-load.

Abstract: An energy management system comprises: an energy storage system comprising flywheels and batteries; and an energy storage system controller adapted to cause the flywheels and batteries to store energy during load-supplying periods and to supply energy during load-receiving periods. The flywheels may be situated in respective ones of a plurality of compartments in a vehicle platform, and the batteries may be situated above the flywheels.

Abstract: An X-ray tube assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and an X-ray transparent window. The anode includes an X-ray-producing target having a surface. The cathode has an electron-beam axis which intersects the target surface at a focal point and which is oriented at a first angle, with respect to the target surface, wherein the first angle is generally twenty degrees. The window includes a surface having a center point. A line between the focal and center points makes a second angle, with respect to the target surface, wherein the second angle is generally seven degrees. A method for producing X-rays employs these angles.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine includes a stator having teeth fabricated from a non-magnetic material and containing at least one embedded conductor. The teeth are unitary with a back portion that is mounted to a stator back iron. Permeance variations induced by a stator winding mounted on the non-magnetic stator teeth are low which facilitates a reduction of motor noise. Specifically, since the non-magnetic teeth reduce production of permeance variations, changes in air gap forces between the rotor and the stator are decreased.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring current comprises at least one electrically conductive slip ring; at least one electrically conductive brush for supplying current to the at least one slip ring; and an electric or pressure actuator driven vibration source for changing the position of the brush with respect to the slip ring. If desired, brush current can shared by using inductance variations or by selective coupling of rotor windings to the slip rings.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring current comprises at least one electrically conductive slip ring; at least one electrically conductive brush for supplying current to the at least one slip ring; and an electric or pressure actuator driven vibration source for changing the position of the brush with respect to the slip ring. If desired, brush current can shared by using inductance variations or by selective coupling of rotor windings to the slip rings.

Abstract: An X-ray tube assembly having a cathode, an anode, and an electron collector surrounded by a vacuum-enclosing frame. Electrons from the cathode strike a focal point on the target surface of the anode. Some electrons produce X-rays which exit an X-ray-transparent window portion of the frame. Other electrons are backscattered and go on to strike and heat the frame. The electron collector preferably is positioned to intercept backscattered electrons which have the highest energy density trajectory of any electrons backscattered directly from the focal point that would otherwise strike the frame creating a thermal hot spot in the absence of the electron collector. Reducing or eliminating the thermal hot spot reduces or eliminates the heat that would otherwise be conducted to the window thereby minimizing tube failure.

Abstract: An X-ray tube assembly having a cathode, an anode, and an electrode surrounded by a vacuum-enclosing frame. Electrons from the cathode strike a target surface on the anode. Some electrons produce X-rays which exit an X-ray transparent window portion of the frame. Other electrons are backscattered and go on to strike and heat the frame including the window region. The non-electron-emifting electrode typically has a negative electrical potential and is positioned to deflect the backscattered electrons away from the window region which reduces heating thereto and hence minimizes tube failure.

Abstract: A method for making an electrical coil such as a superconductive switch or an energy dump resistor. The midportion of a coil wire, whose ends are wound around two supply spools, is looped around a radially-extending pin on a shaft. The shaft is turned in one direction and the coil wire is guided such that segments are paid out from the first supply spool and sections are paid out from the second supply spool, such segments and sections being wound from the middle to a corresponding end, then being wound from the corresponding end to the middle where they are crossed over, and then being wound from the middle to the other associated end. A stratum of electrical insulation is positioned, at the appropriate time, on the second segment and second section, and, in the case of the switch, an electrical heater is positioned, at the appropriate time, on the first segment and first section.

Abstract: A superconductive-magnet electrical circuit for protecting a superconductive magnet from damage during a quench in the superconductive magnet coil assemblage. A first circuit portion detects the quench. A pilot superconductive switch has its superconductive wire portion superconductively coupled in series with the coil assemblage and has its resistive heater portion, which is activated by the first circuit portion, located near the superconductive wire portion. A second circuit portion (such as a resistive heater or an energy dump resistor) quench protects the coil assemblage and is triggered by the superconductive wire portion switching from the superconductive to the resistive mode.

Abstract: A superconductive switch has a first layer of a superconductive coil wire wound around a shaft clockwise from the first end to the middle and counterclockwise from the middle to the second end. A second layer of the wire is wound around the first layer in identical fashion. A third layer of the wire is wound around the second layer counterclockwise from the first end to the middle and clockwise from the middle to the second end. An electrical heater is located between the first and second layers, and a stratum of electrical insulation, discrete from that of the coil wire, is located between the second and third layers.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a superconductive magnet for use in a magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy is provided. The magnet comprises a cylindrical coil form having a plurality of superconductive coils situated coaxially on the cylinder, spaced apart from one another. A plurality of pairs of thermal bridges each comprising a bar shaped section connecting a first and second end portion is also provided. The first end section has a greater surface are than the second end section. Each of the pairs of thermal bridges is situated between a respective pair of adjacent coils. The bar section of each of the thermal bridges extends axially between the adjacent coils. In each pair, the first end of one of the pair and the second end of the other of the pair are in thermal contact with one of the adjacent coils, the second end of one of the pair and the first end of the other of the pair are in thermal contact with the other coil of the adjacent pair.