Abstract: In overlapping reconstruction for multi-slide spiral CT, adjacent slices of an object typically only have small differences. Based on this property, a progressive updating approach for volumetric ct image reconstruction includes a method and apparatus to use the well-known ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) formula or other iterative algorithms for spiral CT overlapping reconstruction. The imaging geometry is assumed to be single-slice helical/spiral scanning. To start with, a complete set of projections is synthesized via linear interpolation of data associated with opposite rays for reconstruction of the first slice. Then, new data are incrementally utilized for reconstruction of subsequent slices by updating the previous slice using the OSEM approach. To overcome accumulative errors, traditional reconstruction from a complete set of projections is performed when it is necessary as is determined by dynamically monitoring the relevant errors.

Abstract: In a mechanical fuel pump control device for a diesel engine, air at intake manifold pressure is fed to an actuator that is used to control the amount of fuel being injected into the engine cylinders. The mechanism is designed such that an increase in air pressure reduces fuelling and a decrease in air pressure increases fuelling. By this means the engine's (rotational) speed is held substantially constant at a predetermined value, the variation in (rotational) speed with increasing load (speed droop) being controllable within the design by altering the effective rate of fuel increase for given pressure decrease.

Abstract: A protective garment (10) is provided for cushioning blows imparted upon the wearer's body. Preferably, the protective garment (10) is an upper body protection garment (10) that is intended to cushion blows imparted upon the upper body of a user. The upper body protective garment (10) includes a chest protector portion (12), a back protector portion, and a pair of shoulder protector portions (14). These protector portions (12,14) preferably form a single integral unit. An absorbing cap (18) is preferably located on each of the shoulder protector portions (14) and the chest protector portion (12). The absorbing cap (18) includes an inner shell (22) that is secured to the protector portion (12,14) and a resilient outer shell (20) that is secured to the protector portion (12,14) about its periphery (28) but has a portion that is spaced apart from and above the stiff inner member to form a cavity (24) therebetween.

Abstract: A differential phase shift keyed demodulator system uses a Michelson interferometer configuration in which polarization maintenance is accomplished by using a single 50:50 coupler coupled to a first Faraday rotator mirror and a second Faraday rotator mirror through a first fiber and a second fiber, respectively. In this way, system passively eliminates the polarization problem caused by using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

Abstract: A rivet gun system includes a rivet gun frame having two ends. A die is coupled to one end, and a force sensor coupled to the rivet gun frame. The force sensor detects force applied to the die and generates a force signal in response to the force. A holding coil defines a channel within the rivet gun frame and generates an electromagnetic force along the channel. The channel includes an end defined by an end stop and an end defined by the die. A main coil further defines the channel between the holding coil and the die. The main coil also generates an electromagnetic force along the channel. A plunger slides through the channel in response to the electromagnetic forces. A force sensor electronics controller receives the force signal from the force sensor and activates the holding coil and the main coil in response to the force signal above an activation threshold.

Abstract: A generally Y-shaped ferrite power divider for transferring an RF input from an input port to either one of two outlet ports or to both outlet ports in an equal or unequal fashion. The input port and the two output ports meet at a junction. An internal magnetic return is positioned in the junction and is in communication with an upper magnetic return and a lower magnetic return. An upper ferrite puck is positioned at the junction above the internal magnetic return and a lower ferrite puck is positioned at the junction below the internal magnetic return.

Abstract: A protective sports glove for the game of lacrosse having a cuff portion, a hand portion, a plurality of finger portions, and a thumb portion. The hand portion has a palm portion and a back portion. The back portion has a plurality of protective padded portions disposed thereon. A wrist guard is elastically coupled to the hand portion. A plurality of vent openings are formed in the back portion of the hand portion. A plurality of mesh portions are disposed on the palm portion in areas that are not intended to provide primary contact with a stick.

Abstract: A leveling system for a missile system includes a platform defining an xz-plane and a yz-plane. A first dual bridge sensor is coupled to the platform at an angle such that the first dual bridge sensor is sensitive to movement of the first dual bridge sensor in the xy-plane. The first dual bridge sensor includes a first flexure plate generating a first dual bridge sensor signal in response to movement of the first flexure plate. A second dual bridge sensor is coupled to the platform at an angle such that the second dual bridge sensor is sensitive to movement of the second dual bridge sensor in the xy-plane. The second dual bridge sensor includes a second flexure plate generating a second dual bridge sensor signal in response to movement of the second flexure plate. Third and fourth dual bridge sensors are arranged similarly to the first and second dual bridge sensors but with respect to the yz-plane.

Abstract: A phase correction method for MR devices includes collecting non-phase encoded reference data, calculating phase coefficients, and then phase correcting the regular phase-encoded image dataset based on these coefficients. The phase correction method can be used for two dimensional or three dimensional FSE imaging and variants thereof. As the method is conducted after signal acquisition, it is considered a retrospective phase correction.

Abstract: An HV insulator system for a mono-polar X-ray device includes a top of an insulator including a substantially cone-shaped central portion. A bottom of the insulator defines a flat surface on which the HV contacts are adapted to receive spring loaded pins from HV connectors. A flanged outer edge of the top and bottom is adapted for coupling to an HV connector. The top defines an inverse cone central channel coaxial with the cone-shaped central portion and adapted to receive the HV conductor. The substantially cone-shaped portion further defines the inverse cone channel such that a base of the inverse cone channel is defined at a tapered apex of the substantially cone-shaped central portion.

Abstract: A wheel suspension system for a vehicle includes a vehicle wheel having a wheel rim and a tire secured to the wheel rim. The wheel is secured to a frame portion of the vehicle by a spindle assembly. The spindle assembly includes a wheel carrier arm pivotally secured thereto at a pivot point, such that the wheel and the wheel carrier arm rotate together about an axis of rotation defined by pivot point. The wheel carrier arm is in communication with a shock absorption device. The shock absorption device is located within a space defined by the wheel, such that the shock absorption spring device is hidden when the vehicle wheel is viewed from a side direction. The shock absorption spring device compresses upon an impact force contacting the vehicle wheel. In the most compact form, the wheel carrier arm and the shock absorbing spring device is packaged within the wheel rim volume such that both are hidden when the vehicle wheel is viewed from a front direction.

Abstract: A compass system includes a platform defining an x-axis, a y-axis and an xy-plane, wherein a z-axis is orthogonal to the xz-plane. A beam is rotatably coupled to the platform such that the beam rotates about the y-axis. An accelerometer including a flexure plate perpendicular to the y-axis is coupled to the beam a distance from the y-axis. The accelerometer generates an accelerometer signal in response to movement of the flexure plate. An angular position sensor senses angular position of the beam relative to the x-axis and y-axis, the angular position sensor generating an angular position signal therefrom. A processor receives the accelerometer signal and the angular position signal and generates an East-West signal therefrom.

Abstract: A positive lock quick release pin for locking a plurality of objects together includes a handle portion which is in communication with a handle housing. The handle housing has an interior cavity within which a shaft member is disclosed. The pin also includes a ball retention mechanism located in the handle portion that is moveable between a locked position where the mechanism extends outwardly of an opening formed in the handle housing and an unlocked position where the ball mechanism extends no further than the outer edge of the opening. The ball retention mechanism is moved between the locked position and the unlocked position by reciprocation and rotation of the shaft member within the handle housing.

Abstract: A transient noise detection system includes an imaging system having a magnetic field coil and an imaging bore. The imaging system generates an imaging signal through a signal cable, wherein the imaging signal is corruptible by a noise event. A noise event detector is positioned outside of the imaging bore and proximate to the signal cable. This detector detects the noise event from the signal cable and generates a noise signal therefrom.

Abstract: A self-sealing drinking container includes a cup body having a hollow interior for holding and dispensing a liquid, and a lid assembly which fits sealingly on the cup body. The lid assembly has an inlet passage with an inlet value in communication with an outlet value in communication therewith, each of the values including a resilient flexible diaphragm member. Each of the inlet and outlet valves includes a cage having an open top and an open bottom to allow fluid passage therethrough, the cage having a seat formed therein for receiving a diaphragm member. The diaphragm member is located seatably into the seat so as to selectively seal thereagainst and thereby prevent fluid flow therepast. A locator post in each cage is secured to the diaphragm member thereof to ensure its sealing. A predetermined level of fluid pressure differential across each diaphragm member courses, respectively, the diaphragm members to concavely bend away from their respective seat and thereby allow fluid flow through the valves.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a support structure of a wheel having a forward rolling axis. The suspension system includes a first link rotatably secured at an inner end to the vehicle and in communication with the support structure of wheel at an outer end. The suspension system includes a second link rotatably secured at an inner end to the vehicle and in communication with the support structure of the wheel at an outer end. The system also includes a shock absorber having a first end in communication with one of the first link or the second link and a second end rotatably secured to the vehicle. The shock absorber is compressible to allow the support structure of the wheel to absorb impact forces imparted thereto during travel. The shock absorber is located along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bridge accelerometer system includes four capacitors, wherein two capacitors are formed on each side of a rigid member. The other two capacitors are similarly constructed, except that the rigid member is replaced by a flexured plate. The construction of the plates with respect to the flexured plate is substantially similar to the configuration formed by the rigid member and the other two capacitors, and the fixed capacitors and rigid plate are isolated from the flexured arrangement. The four capacitors are connected to form a bridge generating a bridge voltage signal. The bridge voltage signal is signal processed to generate a digital word. The digital word is linearized and filtered and received in computer for attitude adjustment and velocity control.

Abstract: A protective sport helmet, such as for lacrosse includes a hard shell portion. The hard shell portion is constructed so as to provide protection to a wearer's head. The inner side of the hard shell portion includes a lining portion that is secured thereto. A chin strap portion is includes for attachment to the hard shell portion at a plurality of attachment points. The hard shell portion includes a ledge portion that extends generally forwardly therefrom. A visor portion is secured to the hard shell portion and overlies the ledge portion. A facemask portion is secured to both the hard shell portion and the ledge portion in order to improve the structural integrity of the helmet.

Abstract: A temporal image processing system includes a temporal processing controller receiving at least two images temporally spaced apart, from a scanning unit. The temporal processing controller includes a registration module, which registers a region of interest within the images and generates therefrom a registration signal. The temporal processing controller further includes a confidence module receiving the registration signal and generating a confidence map therefrom. The confidence map enhances contrast of temporal changes in the object relative to a contrast due to misregistrations.

Abstract: A cathode system includes an impregnated pellet and a conductive cup, which has substantially cylindrical sides. The conductive cup has an open end sized to receive the impregnated pellet and a closed end. The closed end has an internal surface and an external surface. The cathode system also includes a second conductive cup. The second conductive cup also has substantially cylindrical sides, an open end and a closed end. The cathode system further includes a similar third conductive cup. The three conductive cups are electrically coupled together. For construction of the cathode, the first conductive cup receives the impregnated pellet following coupling of the three conductive cups.