Abstract: A radiation imager is disclosed that is resistant to degradation due to moisture by either contact pad corrosion, guard ring corrosion or by photodiode leakage. A contact pad of a large area imager is disclosed that is formed into three distinct and electrically connected regions. The resulting structure of the contact pad regions forms reliable contact that is resistant to corrosion damage. Also disclosed is a data line of an imager, or a display, the resistance of which is reduced by patterning an aluminum (Al) line on top of a transistor island structure, with the formed data line preferably being encapsulated. In addition, a guard ring having first and second regions and photosensitive element are disclosed. The second region comprises an electrical contact between ITO and underlying metal and a second tier which acts as a moisture barrier and is preferably disposed at the corner of the guard ring and separated from the contact pads of the imager in such a manner as to minimize corrosion.

Abstract: A turbine engine component includes a substrate and a wear coating on the substrate. The wear coating includes wear-resistant particles in a matrix phase, the wear-resistant particles being formed of chrome carbide or a cobalt alloy. Methods for forming a turbine engine component are also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-phase niobium-based silicide composite exhibits creep resistance at temperatures equal to or greater than 1150° C. The niobium-based silicide composite comprises at least silicon (Si) hafnium (Hf), titanium (Ti), and niobium (Nb). The concentration ratio of Nb:(Hf+Ti) is equal to or greater than about 1.4.

Abstract: An instantaneous trip power transformer includes a high current main outer winding wound to have one or more turns, for providing the main breaker contact current path and for serving as the transformer primary winding for providing power to the breaker electronic components. The transformer includes a secondary winding configured to provide power to trip circuit electronic components. The secondary winding is wound in a substantially cylindrical shape and has a bore therethrough. The main outer winding is wound around an outer surface of the secondary winding. The secondary winding supplies power to the trip circuitry. A third, or trip, winding is located within the secondary winding bore, and is configured to trip the breaker under electronic control by the trip circuitry. The third winding is wound in a substantially cylindrical shape and is energized by the trip circuitry.

Abstract: The adjoining edges of bucket covers are sealed one to the other. A brush seal projecting from a stationary shroud overlies the bucket covers. A joint at which the adjacent covers sealingly engage each other precludes radial outflow of high pressure fluid into bristles of the brush seal, preventing radial and axial deflection of the bristles and consequent failure of the bristles. The joints between the covers may comprise lap or tongue-and-groove joints.

Abstract: A self-shielded gradient coil assembly for an MR imaging system has inner and outer gradient coil windings disposed in coaxial relationship and defining a hollow annular space therebetween. Inner and outer helical cooling tubes are affixed to the outer and inner surfaces of the inner and outer gradient coil windings, respectively, by a thermally conductive epoxy, and a concrete filler material substantially fills the remaining hollow annular space. The concrete filler material may be poured into the hollow annular space to fill the space, or a pre-formed hollow concrete cylinder may be inserted coaxially into the space, defining remaining inner and outer annular volumes which are then filled with a thermally conductive epoxy bonding together the inner and outer gradient coil windings, the cooling tubes and the hollow concrete cylinder.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging device includes a borescope and an x-ray detector positioned at a distal end of the borescope. The x-ray detector can be configured to be movable into and out of an optical path and can include a scintillation screen. The movably configured x-ray detector can be moved into the optical path, when x-rays are impinging, and out of the optical path, when a visible image of a test object is desired, facilitating navigation of the x-ray detector through a test object. The x-ray imaging device can include an imager, for converting an image to an electronic format. The imager can be positioned at the proximal end of the borescope, with the borescope including a waveguide, for guiding light to a proximal end thereof. Alternatively, the imager can be positioned between the distal end of the borescope and the x-ray detector.

Abstract: A melt guide includes a base plate having internal cooling channels and a center aperture extending vertically therethrough. A unitary drain bushing is removably mounted in the aperture and is readily replaceable after wear thereof.

Abstract: An anti-scatter grid for radiography includes a plurality of generally radiation absorbing elements and a plurality of generally non-radiation absorbing elements in which the generally non-radiation absorbing elements include a plurality of voids. Desirably, the non-radiation absorbing elements include an epoxy or polymeric material and a plurality of hollow microspheres. Disclosed is also an apparatus for forming an anti-scatter grid in which the apparatus includes a pivoting arm and surface for use in aligning a plurality of spaced-apart generally radiation absorbing elements relative to a radiation source.

Abstract: A generator rotor includes a rotor body having defined pole regions with pole faces and parallel sides adjacent the pole faces. A winding module is fitted over the parallel sides of the rotor body, and a pair of spindles are secured to respective ends of the rotor body. The spindles secure opposite sides of the winding module to the rotor body. The spindles preferably include a notch that is shaped to receive one side, respectively, of the winding module. With this construction, flat windings can be used for the winding module, eliminating the need for a curved module to fit over the spindle.

Abstract: The positions of brush seal segments are positively adjusted relative to a housing carrying the brush seal segments and the opposing sealing component by employing members formed of thermally responsive material. The members are heated by heating elements receiving controlled power. By increasing or decreasing the power provided to the heating elements, the members are expanded or contracted to move the brush seal segments toward or away from the opposing sealing component.

Abstract: A method for designing, and optionally making, an article of manufacture. Customer requirement parameters are defined and related engineering parameters are chosen. A parametric geometrical representation (i.e., a master model) of the article is created in terms of geometric parameters using a computer program. A design analysis methodology is crated and programmed into a computer code and stored on a computer medium such that the engineering parameters and the customer requirement parameters are program inputs and the geometric parameters of the master model are program outputs. Specific values of the inputs are inputted into the computer code. The computer code is run on a digital computer and specific values of the geometric parameters of the master model are outputted.

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 self powered parallel bar current sensor for generating a signal which accurately represents current in a power line includes a power coil core having an opening extending therethrough, and a current sensing element including two substantially parallel sensing bars and a sensing coil. The sensing coil is disposed between the sensing bars, and the sensing bars and sensing coil extend through the power coil core opening. A reference coil may also be situated between the sensing bars. The current sensor is connected in series in the power line.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) receiver is provided with a sounder comprising a wideband transmitter and a plurality of wideband receivers having separately located receiving antennas, so that the sounder is, in effect, a bistatic radar system for any given channel, in order to characterize a significant nearby, indoor reflector. A microprocessor receives the timing information generated by the wideband transmitter impulses and the reflected impulse returns to each of the receiving antennas, and calculates a multipath model representing the three-dimensional location of a significant, nearby scatterer.

Abstract: An imaging system including a radiation spectral filter is provided for improving the quality of images obtained without increasing the dosage of radiation to the patient, and a method for improving image quality using such filtering are provided. The radiation filter is made of a material of a high atomic number, in order to filter out low energy and high energy x-rays from the beam of radiation prior to the beam being passed through the object to be imaged.

Abstract: A method for coating an internal surface of a substrate includes providing a substrate having an internal surface, coating a slurry on the internal surface, the slurry containing a metallic powder, and drying the slurry such that the slurry forms a metal-based coating on the substrate.

Abstract: A radiation imager includes a light sensitive imaging array, a barrier layer formed over the light sensitive imaging array, a continuous polymer layer formed over the barrier layer, and a scintillator formed directly on the continuous polymer layer. The continuous polymer layer improves the adherence of the scintillator by reducing delamination especially under adverse environmental conditions.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a non-contact range sensor comprises the steps of employing the range sensor to obtain a range image of an object to be inspected. The range image is registered with a reference image of the object thereby providing registered data. The reference image may be derived through computer assisted drawing (CAD) data. Normal deviations between the registered data and the reference image are computed. Noise is filtered from the normal deviations. A plurality of bias vectors and a covariance matrix are estimated based on the normal deviations, stored in memory as a lookup table comprising geometric correction factors for the sensor. Images of the object subsequently obtained by the sensor are compensated in accordance with the lookup table.

Abstract: A niobium-based silicide composite exhibiting creep resistance at temperatures equal to or greater than 1150° C. The niobium-based silicide composite comprises at least silicon (Si), hafnium (Hf), titanium (Ti), and niobium (Nb). A concentration ratio of Nb:(Hf+Ti) is equal to or greater than about 1.4. The niobium-based silicide composite exhibits a creep rate less than about 5×10−8s−1 at temperatures up to about 1200° C. and at a stress of about 200 MPa.