Abstract: Method for shading one of a first plurality of sensing elements of an optical sensor. High-reflectivity and low-reflectivity reference values of the output signal of each of a second plurality of sensing elements of the sensor are obtained. An average or nominal high-reflectivity value of the high-reflectivity reference values for each sensing element of the second plurality is calculated. An average or nominal low-reflectivity value of the low-reflectivity reference values for each sensing element of the second plurality is calculated. An offset value for one of the sensing elements of the first plurality is calculated using at least the average or nominal high-reflectivity values and the average or nominal low-reflectivity values. The one sensing element of the first plurality is calibrated using at least the calculated offset value. In one example, the first plurality and the second plurality are identical.

Abstract: A first inkjet printer spit cup assembly includes a spit cup having a mounting hole and inner teeth, includes a cylindrical post attached to a base portion and positioned in the mounting hole, and includes a wing. The wing and inner teeth are adapted to permit rotation, and to prevent counter-rotation, of the spit cup about the cylindrical post. A second inkjet printer spit cup assembly includes a spit cup having a mounting hole and bottom teeth, includes a cylindrical post attached to a base portion and positioned in the mounting hole, and includes a top tooth extending from the base portion. The top tooth and bottom teeth are adapted to permit rotation, and to prevent counter-rotation, of the spit cup about the cylindrical post.

Abstract: A method for determining ink drop velocity of a printhead located at a gap above a print medium. A first ink mark is printed at a first printhead velocity. A second ink mark is printed at a different (in magnitude and/or direction) second printhead velocity. The ink for the second ink mark is ejected from the printhead at the same print ejection position used for the first ink mark plus an offset distance (if any). An optical scan of at least a portion of the print medium is generated using a non-printhead-carrier-mounted optical scanner. The distance between the ink marks is measured using the optical scan. The ink drop velocity is calculated using the measured distance, the offset distance, the first and second printhead velocities, and the gap.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for hinged devices having an upper member and a lower member. The closure mechanism includes a track disposed on the upper member and at least one support arm pivotally attached to the lower member. A biasing element is adapted to urge the support arm to engage the upper member and urge it to pivot to an open configuration. The arm includes a contact element that engages the track such that an upper end of the arm moves along the track as the upper member pivots to an open position. The arm includes a hook that engages a positive stop to prevent over-rotation of the arm. In other embodiments of the closure mechanism, the arm is pivotally attached to the upper member and moves against the lower member, and the biasing element extends between the arm and either the upper member or the lower member.

Abstract: Method for printing an image on a print medium having an edge or an edge portion. A printer adapted to print the image by printing dots is obtained. Dots are printed beyond a preselected distance from the edge or edge portion at a first percent of print dot density. Dots are printed at and within the preselected distance from the edge or edge portion at a varying percent of print dot density, wherein the varying percent steps down and not up at least two times as the distance from the edge or edge portion of dots to be printed decreases. In one example, the printer is an inkjet printer.

Abstract: A method for determining a printhead misalignment of a printer. One step includes printing a printhead alignment test pattern including spaced-apart images at least partially aligned substantially along a printhead scan axis. A sensor is moved along the printhead scan axis at a known speed over the plurality of images. Sampled data points are obtained from the sensor at a known sampling rate. Another step includes determining the locations along the printhead scan axis of the edges of the images using the sampled data points, the known speed of the sensor, and the known sampling rate. An additional step includes calculating the printhead misalignment from the determined locations of the edges of the images.

Abstract: A magnet having an imaging volume, a pole piece with a laminated portion including a first surface hole, a non-magnetizable first insert with an internally-threaded hole, and a first shim with a shape of an externally-threaded bolt. The first insert is positioned in the first surface hole and is attached to the pole piece. The first shim is threaded into the hole of the first insert. Additional shims for additional inserts for additional surface holes are used to shim the magnet to reduce magnetic field inhomogeneities in the imaging volume.

Abstract: A turbine spline seal includes an elongated turbine seal member. The seal member has an elongated, imperforate, and manually-flexible first portion and a manually-rigid second portion lengthwise adjoining the first portion. The turbine assembly includes the turbine spline seal and also includes first and second turbine members. The first and second turbine members are spaced apart to define a fluid-path leakage gap therebetween, and the seal member is placed in the gap. Each lengthwise edge of the seal member engages a respective one of two opposing surface grooves of the first and second turbine members.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrochemically deburring a diesel injector nozzle workpiece having a gallery cavity and having a first fuel hole and an air hole intersecting the gallery cavity at a first location. A first electrode is inserted into the first fuel hole such that the electrode tip is near the first location. A post is inserted in the air hole into the gallery cavity. An electrolyte flow is directed through a first channel of the post to the gallery cavity and through a second channel of the post from the gallery cavity. A voltage potential is applied between the first electrode and the workpiece to remove burrs previously formed at the first location.

Abstract: An open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet having first and second spaced-apart superconductive coil assemblies each including a toroidal-shaped coil housing containing a superconductive main coil at least partially immersed in a cryogenic fluid such as liquid helium. A generally-non-permanently-magnetized ferromagnetic ring is associated with each coil assembly, being generally coaxially aligned with the associated coil assembly and being spaced radially inward and radially apart from the associated coil assembly's superconductive main coil. The ferromagnetic rings overcome the gross magnetic field distortions in the imaging volume of the superconductive main coils (created by the open space between the magnet's superconductive coil assemblies) to produce a magnetic field of high uniformity within the imaging volume.

Abstract: A steam turbine having a shaft and a first (e.g., high-pressure) turbine section. A first embodiment also includes a first bearing longitudinally spaced apart from the first turbine section and further includes a first brush-seal assembly, having bristles, longitudinally positioned between the first turbine section and the first bearing and radially positioned proximate the shaft. The steam turbine is devoid of any backup seal to the bristles. In a second embodiment, a second brush seal assembly is positioned between the first and second (e.g., intermediate-pressure) turbine sections which lack any intervening bearing.

Abstract: A hybrid seal segment and a rotary machine (such as a steam or gas turbine) containing such hybrid seal segment. The machine has a rotor, a stator casing, and the hybrid seal segment. The annular hybrid seal segment has a circumferentially-extending channel between axially-spaced-apart first and second labyrinth-seal segments which are attached to a radially-outwardly located mounting block which is circumferentially offset from the labyrinth-seal segments. A brush-seal segment is positioned in the channel.

Abstract: A method for laser shock peening a target surface generates laser pulses from a cavity dumping oscillator having an optically-pumped laser and directs the pulses against the target. A first technique uses pulses having rectangular cross section. A second technique passes each generated pulse two or more times through the same optical amplifier before directing the pulse against the target. A third technique drives the laser with a time pulse of electric current having a rectangular shape. A reflective laser beam homogenizer uses two abutting mirrors to split a laser beam into two equal halves and then uses an odd number of additional mirrors to reflect each half first behind and then to the opposite one of the two mirrors to be reflected back as a beam having interchanged halves.

Abstract: An open magnet useful in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. The magnet has two spaced-apart assemblies. Each assembly has a shielding coil located longitudinally outward from a main coil and a magnetizable pole piece spaced apart from and proximate the main and shielding coils. The method of the invention generates a magnetic field in a first area between the two assemblies while shielding a second area not between the two assemblies from a stray magnetic field by creating the previously-described open magnet.

Abstract: An open magnet useful in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. The magnet has two spaced-apart assemblies. Each assembly has a shielding coil located longitudinally outward from a main coil, a magnetizable member not carrying an electric current and spaced apart from and proximate the main and shielding coils, and a magnetizable pole piece spaced apart from the magnetizable member: The method of the invention generates a magnetic field in a first area between the two assemblies while shielding a second area not between the two assemblies from a stray magnetic field by creating the previously-described open magnet.

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 including a cathode having an electron emitting surface, a rotatable anode having an X-ray target surface, and a vacuum-enclosing rotatable frame surrounding, and spaced apart from, the electron emitting surface and the X-ray target surface. The frame is hermetically attached to the anode, and the frame includes a totally-annular and X-ray-transparent window ring. Load-carrying bearings are located outside the vacuum of the frame and rotatably support the frame and the anode.

Abstract: An X-ray tube bearing assembly has a first X-ray tube shaft with first and second ball-bearing raceway surfaces which are integral with (i.e., either monolithic portions of or fixedly attached to) the first shaft and has a second X-ray tube shaft with a third ball-bearing raceway surface which is integral with the second shaft. A ball-bearing race, which is non-integral with (i.e., neither a monolithic portion of nor fixedly attached to) the two shafts, has a fourth ball-bearing raceway surface. A first set of ball bearings is located between the first and third raceway surfaces, and a second set of ball bearings is located between the second and fourth raceway surfaces. Preferably, an anode target surface is attached to the first shaft, and a mechanism is provided to preload the ball-bearing race.

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 rotor and stator assembly having a rotor and a stator with opposing surfaces defining an air bearing and an air dam of an aspirating face seal. In a first embodiment, the air bearing and the air dam are axially offset. In a second embodiment, the rotor has an axially extending protuberance located radially between the air bearing and the air dam. The axial offset and the protuberance each act to divert the air flow (e.g., compressed gas or combustion gases in a gas turbine or steam in a steam turbine) in a direction transverse to the air flow direction through the air bearing and the air dam, thus isolating the air flows from the air bearing and the air dam which improves seal performance.