Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A system configured to monitor the structural health of reactor vessel internals of a nuclear reactor is disclosed herein. The system includes a memory configured to store historical information associated with past performance of the nuclear reactor, and an anomaly detection subsystem including a control circuit configured to receive a signal from a sensor. The anomaly detection subsystem is configured to determine, via the control circuit, a characteristic of a vibrational response of the reactor vessel internals based, at least in part, on the signal; access, via the control circuit, the historical information stored in the memory; compare, via the control circuit, the determined characteristic to the historical information stored in the memory; and determine, via the control circuit, a condition of the reactor vessel internals based, at least in part, on the comparison of the determined characteristic and the historical information.

Abstract: A target structure for an electron linear accelerator converts energy in an electron beam to x-rays and provides for the monitoring and control of the effective energy of the electron beam by collecting and processing a residual current in the target structure.

Abstract: Electronic systems and methods for providing dispute management in a dispute management application are described.

Abstract: An optical gun sight system for an M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank supported in a lower housing which may be attached to the fixed internal upper housing in the turret of the tank. An adapter plate is provided which has two sets of openings, one to align with the openings in the upper housing and the other to align with openings in the lower housing. An alignment mechanism allows for fine adjustment of the lower housing relative to the upper housing. Operating buttons, knobs and filter wheel are conveniently located on or beneath the front face of the lower housing. A thermal imaging system includes an objective lens for receiving an image of a target object, an eyepiece lens for viewing the image of the object, and a compensator lens movably located between the objective and eyepiece lenses for providing a thermal image of the object.

Abstract: In a thermal imaging unit (12) including optics (16,18) for detecting a target scene (14), a detector array (26) responsive to target scene energy and a scanner (23) for scanning target scene energy from the target (14) onto the detector array (26), an imager lens assembly (120) for focusing the target scene energy onto the detector array. The imager lens assembly includes entrance means (126) for passing the target scene energy. The imager also includes both a first aspherical lens (122) for providing an intermediate focus of the target scene energy and a second aspherical lens (124) for receiving the intermediately focused scene energy and focusing the intermediately focused scene energy onto the detector array.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system (100) for a vehicle includes an objective lens (104) for receiving an image of the object, an eyepiece lens (102) for viewing the image of the object, and a compensator lens (106) movably located between the objective and eyepiece lenses (104, 102) for providing a thermal image of the object. The system (100) includes a servo motor control system (107, 109, 110, 112 and 114) for controlling the position of the compensator lens (106) based upon temperature, range and field of view to provide an accurate thermal image of the object.

Abstract: An infrared refractive reimaging afocal telescope (10) has an objective lens group (12), an eyepiece lens (14), and a switching lens group (16). The system (10) provides a plurality of magnification modes in a compact arrangement. Diffractive surfaces are provided on at least one of the objective lenses and the eyepiece lens. Also, the system (10) utilizes switching lenses (40, 42, 44, 46) to provide magnification changes. The diffractive surfaces provide chromatic aberration correction. The system provides for excellent image quality in all modes using a minimum number of lens elements.

Abstract: This invention discloses a rubber composition having a high modulus and excellent processability which is comprised of a blend of (1) at least one elastomer selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, synthetic polyisoprene rubber, natural rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene-styrene rubber, nitrile rubber, carboxylated nitrile rubber, and EPDM rubber, (2) at least one thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer containing an aliphatic spacer, wherein the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer exhibits no apparent crystalline to nematic transition, wherein the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer exhibits nematic order above its glass transition temperature, and wherein the glass transition temperature of the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer is within the range of 20.degree. C. to 180.degree. C., and (3) carbon black.

Abstract: It is often desirable to increase the modulus of rubbers which are utilized in manufacturing a wide variety of articles. For instance, carbon black is frequently added to rubbers to increase the modulus thereof. However, the incorporation of fillers, such as carbon black, into rubbers typically results in the rubber being more difficult to process. This invention discloses the incorporation of certain thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers into rubbers in order to improve the processability of the rubber and also to increase the modulus thereof. This invention specifically discloses a rubber composition having a high modulus and excellent processability which is comprised of a blend of (1) at least one elastomer, and (2) from about 2 phr to about 40 phr of at least one thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer containing an aliphatic spacer which has a crystalline to nematic transition at a temperature which is within the range of about 110.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic rubber tire having an integral innerliner characterized by a top layer and a rubber laminate having at least three additional layers. At least two of the three layers are barrier layers and comprise a sulfur cured rubber composition containing, based on 100 parts by weight of rubber, 100 parts of an acrylonitrile/diene copolymer rubber having an acrylonitrile content ranging from about 30 to about 45 percent and from about 25 to about 150 parts by weight of a platy filler selected from the group consisting of talc, clay, mica or mixtures thereof. The thickness of each acrylonitrile/diene barrier layer ranges from about 25 microns to 380 microns.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition which is particularly suitable for use in thermoforming thin walled articles, such as dual-ovenable trays. Articles which are made utilizing this thermoplastic resin composition have improved low temperature impact strength. These thermoplastic resin compositions are comprised of (a) from about 92 to about 99 weight percent polyethylene terephthalate having an intrinsic viscosity of from at least about 0.7 dl/g; (b) from about 1 to about 8 weight percent of a polyethylene ionomer; and (c) optionally an effective amount of a heat stabilizer. The subject invention also deals with thermoforming such thermoplastic resin compositions into thin walled articles having a crystallinity within the range of about 10% to about 40%.

Abstract: An ion plasma electron gun for the generation of electron beams which exhibits electron beam dose uniformity and which is capable of varying the dose received by a material to be irradiated. Positive ions generated by a wire in a plasma discharge chamber are accelerated through an extraction grid onto a second chamber containing a high voltage cold cathode. These positive ions bombard a surface of the cathode, causing the cathode to emit secondary electrons which form an electron beam. After passing through the extraction grid in the plasma discharge chamber, the electron beam exits from the gun by way of a second grid and a foil window supported on the second grid. The gun is constructed so that the electron beam passing through the foil window has a relatively large area and uniform electron distribution which is subsantially the same as the ion distribution of the ion beam impinging upon the cathode.

Abstract: Polyester articles, particularly bottles and cans, which have good oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability resistance are very useful for packaging foods and beverages. This invention discloses multi-layer articles which have excellent oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability resistance. These multi-layer articles have at least one layer which is made from a polyisophthalate, a polyisophthalate copolymer, a melt blend of polyethylene isophthalate with polyethylene terephthalate, or a high molecular weight polyester resin which is prepared by solid state polymerizing a polyethylene isophthalate prepolymer and a polyethylene terephthalate prepolymer simultaneously together. Such multi-layer articles also have at least one layer which is made from a polyterephthalate compound or a copolymer thereof.