Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for obtaining x-ray tomosynthesis data desirable for mammography. The apparatus operates in conjunction with gravity to quickly and smoothly move an x-ray source through a plurality of positions relative to a stationary digital detector and a patient's breast to obtain a plurality x-ray images of the patient's breast which can then be processed for examination by a physician or radiologist. In one embodiment, an actuator such as a hydraulic system is operably connectable to the radiation source to controllably allow the radiation source to move under the influence of gravity from an elevated position to a lower position relative to the digital detector.

Abstract: A method for providing a protective coating on a metal-based substrate is disclosed. The method involves the application of an aluminum-rich mixture to the substrate to form a discontinuous layer of aluminum-rich particles, followed by the application of a second coating over the discontinuous layer of aluminum-rich particles. Aluminum diffuses from the aluminum-rich layer into the substrate, and into any bond coat layer which is subsequently applied. Related articles are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for adjusting a filament set height in a cathode of an x-ray tube. The method for adjusting a filament set height of a cathode comprises providing a cathode cup of an x-ray tube, the cathode cup comprising at least one bore extending therethrough; inserting a filament post through at least one bore such that the filament set height is below a desired filament set height; measuring an actual filament set height that results from the step of inserting; determining a filament set height adjustment distance in which the filament set height adjustment is generally equal to a difference between the actual filament set height and the desired filament set height; contacting an end of the filament lead with an adjustment tool; and moving the adjustment tool a distance substantially equal to the filament set height adjustment distance. Therefore, the filament is positioned at the predetermined filament set height.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having catalytic amounts of the following components: a Group VIII B metal source; a combination of inorganic co-catalysts including a copper source and at least one of a titanium source or a zirconium source; an onium chloride composition; and a base. Alternative embodiments include inorganic co-catalyst combinations of a lead source and at least one of a titanium source or a manganese source.

Abstract: A die for reducing the formation of flash on parts includes a first die section and a second die section defining therein a cavity. The first die section includes a pair of first surfaces and the second die section includes a pair of second surfaces which together define a pair of parting lines which extend from opposite sides of the cavity. Desirably, the first die section includes a pair of lands, each extending along the length of one of the parting lines. Each land defines a first surface portion of the first surface and is sized and configured so that the land is elastically loaded, e.g., substantially equal to and less than the elastic limit of the material forming land when forming a part.

Abstract: A cryostatic vessel 12 is radially interconnected inside a tubular thermal shield 18. A shield first endplate 20 includes a plurality of spacers 30 which are disposed in axial abutment with a corresponding first endplate 14 of the vessel during assembly. A shield second endplate 22 is disposed in axial abutment against an opposite end of the shield, and includes alignment holes 36 receiving corresponding alignment pins 32 extending from an opposite endplate 16 of the vessel. The spacers maintain a predetermined clearance between the endplates of the vessel and shield which clearance is precisely maintained upon fixedly joining both shield endplates to the shield.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for shaping current in an electronically commutated motor (ECM), the method comprising: acquiring a set of terminal voltage measurements; estimating an instantaneous rotor angle from the terminal voltage measurements; generating a set of phase current commands from the instantaneous rotor angle and from a torque reference signal, each of the phase current commands comprising at least one ripple compensation command segment and at least one zero current command segment; and converting the set of phase current commands to a set of current reference signals.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for a rotary machine, such as a turbine, includes a main seal segment such as a labyrinth seal segment, a brush seal segment disposed in a slot in the main seal segment and having a layer of bristles secured between upstream and downstream plates of the brush seal segment, and at least one passage radially formed through the main seal segment to communicate a balancing pressure from a pressure source located exteriorly of an outer periphery of the main seal segment to a cavity defined in the downstream plate of the brush seal segment at a downstream side of the layer of bristles of the brush seal segment.

Abstract: A collimator 100 for use in a radiation imaging system 10, and a method for making such collimators, are provided, wherein the collimator 100 is capable of collimating radiation in two orthogonal planes. The collimator in one embodiment includes a block 101 of radiation absorbing material having a plurality of focally aligned channels 102 extending therethrough; in a second embodiment, the collimator includes first and second collimation 204, 212 sections having a respective first plurality of focally aligned plate sets 201 and a respective second plurality of focally aligned plate sets 203 disposed orthogonally to the first plurality of plate sets. The method for making the collimator includes generating a CAD drawing, generating from the CAD drawing one or more stereo-lithographic files, and using the stereo-lithographic files to control an electro-deposition machining machine which creates the channels in the block.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having catalytic amounts of the following components: a Group VIII B metal source; an alkaline metal chloride; a polyether; and a base. Alternative embodiments substitute a catalytic amount of a nitrile promoter for the polyether.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling cooling holes through a wall of a hollow component is disclosed. First, a laser drill is used for drilling at least one rough blind hole within a component wall, for example a turbine airfoil, so as to retain a residual bottom plate portion. Next, an electro discharge machine (EDM), for example a rotating EDM or plunge EDM, is used for finishing at least one rough blind hole so as to create at least one finished hole and breaking through the bottom plate portion.

Abstract: A laminated composite shell assembly includes composite shells assembled together and having joint bonds connecting the assembly with an external structure and pinch rings assembled to the shells adjacent the joint bonds so as to reinforce the same. The composite shells and pinch rings are cylindrical in configuration and made of layers of graphite-epoxy material having fibers oriented in desired stacking sequences. The shells and pinch rings are concentrically assembled in a desired sequence with some of the shells being adapted to perform a structural load bearing function while others of the shells are adapted to perform a load transfer function and with the pinch rings adapted to perform additional stiffening as well as load redistributing and transfer functions in the regions of the joint bonds between the assembled shells and the external structure.

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 uniform stiffness laminated composite shell assembly includes a plurality of composite shells. The shells are made of layers of laminates of graphite-epoxy material having fibers oriented in various stacking sequences for performing different functions in the assembly. The shells are concentrically assembled in a desired sequence with some of the adjacent ones of the shells being at least equal to or greater in axial length than others thereof and with some of the shells being adapted to perform a structural load bearing function while others of the shells being adapted to perform a load transfer function. The desired sequence of shells of the composite shell assembly provides enhanced thermal insulating properties and efficient load distributing properties for enabling use of the assembly as a tube suspension in a superconductive magnet.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having an effective amount of an iron source in the absence of a Group VIII B metal source. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include at least one inorganic co-catalyst, as well as a halide composition and/or a base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a computed tomography (CT) system that collects CT radiograph data for every view of the CT gantry so that a data set corresponding to all views of the gantry is available for use in reconstructing an image of a patient's heart and coronary vasculature. For each view of the gantry, the CT radiograph data associated with the view is collected at different instants in time with respect to the period of the cardiac cycle in each revolution of the gantry. Prior to data acquisition, the patient's heart rate is measured and the period of the gantry is set such that data is acquired at a different time with respect to the period of the cardiac cycle for every view of the gantry and for each revolution of the gantry.

Abstract: An electrochemical stripping process is described that strips at least one metallic coating from a substrate. Due to the electrochemical selectivity of the disclosed process, the parent alloy is minimally affected by the electrochemical stripping process. The process comprises providing an electrolyte; disposing the coated articles and at least one electrode in the electrolyte; applying a current between the electrode and the coated articles, and removing the at least one coating from the coated articles without modifying the parent alloy. The system for the electrochemical stripping process comprises an electrolyte; a direct current source; and plurality of electrodes from which a direct current may be directed to the article being stripped. The direct current source is capable of being connected to the coated articles and the plurality of electrodes. The system permits removal of the at least one coating from the parent alloy.

Abstract: A method of developing a confidence level in reliability or producibility prediction scores that includes generating data for a set of factors, inserting the data into scorecards and dashboards, and calculating an overall Z score and Z confidence range. The scorecards and dashboards are used to calculate the confidence level in reliability scores. Each reliability or producibility factor may be weighted as to its importance to the overall confidence level. Factors included in the method include accuracy of the critical to quality flowdown; completeness of the critical to quality flowdown; percentage of the design analyzed; comprehensiveness of the design analysis; risk assessment analysis; percentage of component. subassembly or product reuse from other projects; percentage of the design complete; verification of the process capability; plant integration; order to remittance process integration; extent of pilot run; and effectiveness of a test plan.

Abstract: An imager includes a substrate, a light-sensitive imaging array on the substrate, a scintillator over the array, and a cover over the scintillator sealed to the substrate. An edge of the array is situated close to an edge of the substrate relative to other edges of the array and substrate. A U-shaped end cap is sealed to and covers an edge of the cover, the edge of the substrate and a portion of each of the cover and substrate inward from their respective edges.

Abstract: A grain starter capable of nucleating a multiplicity of grains in a casting is positioned within a mold. The mold is filled with molten metal and a solidification interface is caused to pass from the grain starter through the molten metal by immersing the mold in a cooling bath to form a casting that has a multiplicity of grains nucleated by the grain starter.