Abstract: A packer is disposed within a wellbore casing. The packer defines a first and a second zone of the wellbore. A submersible pumping system is used to displace liquid from the first zone of the wellbore via a first fluid flow path. A cable is used for supplying power to the submersible pumping system. The cable extends through tubing that extends from a surface location. A second fluid flow path extends from the first zone of the wellbore to a surface location. A portion of the second fluid flow path extends through the tubing.

Abstract: A technique for analyzing images for a feature of interest includes generating gradients for a characteristic of an image, such as pixel intensity value, initiating a candidate boundary, and evolving the candidate boundary to the feature boundary. The gradients may be calculated at the outset and referred to through iterative steps in expansion of the candidate boundary to improve the computational efficiency of the processing. The candidate boundary is evolved, either inwardly or outwardly, by reference to mean curvature-weighted normals, resulting in very rapid convergence on the feature. The evolution naturally stops at the feature. The gradients may be diffused or smoothed to improve tolerance to artifacts and noise, while preserving original image definition and resolution. In a cardiac application, the endocardial and myocardial boundaries are analyzed and used to generate composite images, calculate ejection fractions and so forth.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a memory device having a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell has a non-volatile resistive memory element with a small active area. A plurality of memory cells are formed at selected locations of at least a portion of a semiconductor wafer. To form the memory cells, a lower electrode layer and a memory material layer are deposited over at least a portion of the wafer. Patterns are formed over desired contact locations of the memory material layer and etching is used to remove portions of the memory material layer. The etching step undercuts the patterns and forms memory elements having a protruding contact portion with an apex contact area. The pattern is removed, and an upper electrode is formed and electrically coupled to the contact area. Corresponding access devices and word/bit line conductor grids are provided and coupled to the memory cells.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that utilizes a control system for improving operation of the engine under a variety of conditions. The control system includes a sensor that directly senses a combustion condition. The output of the sensor is utilized in adjusting the air-fuel mixture delivered to each cylinder to optimize engine operation.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an array of ultra-small pores for use in chalcogenide memory cells. A layer of a first material is applied onto a substrate. A portion of the layer of the first material is then removed to define an upper surface with vertical surfaces extending therefrom to a lower surface in the first layer of the first material. A fixed layer of a second material is then applied onto the vertical surfaces of the first layer of the first material. The fixed layer of the second material has a first thickness. A second layer of the first material is then applied onto the fixed layer of the second material. The fixed layer of the second material is then removed to define an array of pores in the first material layers. The pores thus defined have minimum lateral dimensions ranging from approximately 50 to 500 Angstroms and cross sectional areas greater than or equal to the first thickness of the second layer squared.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for down scaling performance of a multibus multiprocessor computer system. One or more busses associated with one or more failed processors or devices are disabled to allow operation from remaining busses. If errors or power failure are detected in a processor or bus device the computer system may reboot and, using the apparatus and method of the present invention, the bus associated with the defective processors or devices may be disabled upon reboot. The one or more affected busses may be disabled and the computer system may be brought back up in a single-bus operational mode or a multiple bus operational mode where an alternate bus is designated as the boot bus.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an ultra-small electrode or plug contact for use in chalcogenide memory cells specifically, and in semiconductor devices generally, in which disposable spacers are utilized to fabricate ultra-small pores into which the electrodes are formed. The electrodes thus defined have minimum lateral dimensions ranging from approximately 500 to 4000 Angstroms. The pores thus defined may then be used to fabricate a chalcogenide memory cell or other semiconductor devices.

Abstract: The present technique utilizes already existing components within a variable speed drive to provide harmonic filtering characteristics. Particularly, the present technique integrates transformers and inductors to provide a filter within the variable speed drive. Further, the present technique may also utilize a sine wave filter to provide additional filtering of unwanted frequencies.

Abstract: Potentially defective pixel regions of a discrete pixel detector are identified through analysis of a series of dark images and a series of exposed images. In the case of an x-ray system, the dark images are created with little or no radiation impacting the detector, while the exposed images are created with a uniform level of radiation over the detector surface. Output signals from the detector are averaged over the series of dark images, and over the series of exposed images. Analyses are performed on the average values to identify pixels producing inconsistent output signals, pixels producing output signals varying more than a desired amount from reference levels, and pixels producing output signals varying more than a desired amount from output signals of neighboring pixels. A mask is generated referencing the defective pixels for use in processing subsequent images.

Abstract: A technique is described for correcting phase errors in a bipolar readout gradient MRI imaging sequence, such as an EPI examination. The technique employs alternating sets of oscillating readout gradient pulses. Each readout pulse train has a polarity which is inverted with respect to an immediately preceding and an immediately succeeding readout sequence. The collected data then incorporates both image data and data which is used to correct for phase errors. Following data acquisition, correction factors may be determined from the k-space frames for correction of successive k-space data. K-space frames may be reformatted to inherently correct for phase errors, followed by combination of hybrid k-space data frames to obtain a corrected image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a plurality of uniformly sized solder balls utilize a stencil having a plurality of holes of uniform volume disposed on a substrate. Solder is disposed in the holes of the stencil on the substrate. Typically, the solder is in the form of solder paste which is distributed into the holes using a squeegee. While within the holes of the stencil on the substrate, the solder is melted to form solder balls. The stencil may then be removed to leave the solder balls on the substrate, or the solder balls may be removed while the stencil remains on the substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating cold starting of a direct injected, two-stroke engine. The engine utilizes a fuel injection system that is controlled to inject a fuel into a combustion chamber just before the piston reaches top dead center, at least during cold starting. This permits better atomization of a variety of fuels to promote dependable cold starting of the engine even when combusting a fuel type such as kerosene.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a plurality of uniformly sized solder balls utilize a stencil having a plurality of holes of uniform volume disposed on a substrate. Solder is disposed in the holes of the stencil on the substrate. Typically, the solder is in the form of solder paste which is distributed into the holes using a squeegee. While within the holes of the stencil on the substrate, the solder is melted to form solder balls. The stencil may then be removed to leave the solder balls on the substrate, or the solder balls may be removed while the stencil remains on the substrate.

Abstract: A method and device for providing a gate blocking material. Specifically, a method for molding a substrate having known good and bad sites thereon, by blocking the gate area of the bad sites during the molding process. A blocking material or an injection pin are used to interrupt the flow of molding compound through an injection molding system, and thereby prevent molding compound from flowing onto the known bad substrate sites.

Abstract: An RF shielding technique is provided for open MRI systems. The RF shield includes a first portion disposed over a gradient field generating set, and a skirt-like second portion that wraps around lateral structures, such as the primary magnet and support. The two portions are joined to one another to form an integral RF shield that limits loss of RF energy both through the gradient field elements and through the primary magnet and support structures.

Abstract: A technique for identifying multiple circuit components. More specifically, a technique for identifying the location of electrical components, such as memory cartridges which have been disposed on a substrate, is described.

Abstract: Sunlight can damage a conventional touch screen display and cause the display to be quite difficult to read. Furthermore, conventional touch screen displays are easily damaged, and, once damaged, the entire touch screen is replaced. To address these concerns, a touch panel includes anti-reflective coatings on the surfaces of the top plate and the base plate that are open to the air. These coatings substantially reduce reflections and make the touch screen easier to read in direct sunlight. In particular, the anti-reflective coating used on the upper surface of the base plate is dielectric in nature to reduce reflectivity even further. This dielectric coating includes openings to an underlying conductive layer so that an electrical contact is made when a user deflects the top plate into the base plate. Also, the top plate may be detachably coupled to the base plate, advantageously by double stick adhesive tape, so that only the top plate is replaced when damaged.

Abstract: A reinforcing nut plate (40) contacts one surface of an automotive vehicle body pillar (28) with hot-melt adhesive bodies (52) therebetween. A door hinge plate (15) is secured to the pillar (28) and nut plate (40) by one or more bolts (20,22) providing a predetermined mounting arrangement. On rust-proofing or other manufacturing treatment raising the door temperature a significant amount, the adhesive bodies affix the nut plate to the pillar. Now, the door may be removed from the pillar and transported to another work site for accessories to be mounted, following which the door can be readily reinstalled to the predetermined arrangement with the pillar and nut plate.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for providing problem and solution information, such as that relating to a particular application or protocol, to medical diagnostic institutions and systems. The information is created and stored on machine readable media. A user may enter a problem query at a user interface at the diagnostic institution or system and search a database of information located at a centralized service facility. A list of solutions to the query is displayed at the diagnostic institution. The user may then select and display a desired solution from the user interface. The particular solution may include textual and exemplary image descriptions of the solution. Moreover, additional links may be provided to access other related sources of information. The information stored on the machine readable media may be easily updated by adding new case problems and associated solutions as well as new solutions to existing case problems.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a stator is shown. An automated stator press is used to assemble a stator. The automated stator press includes a support frame, a control system, a sensor, and a hydraulic ram. Stator laminations are stacked onto a mandrel. The mandrel is placed in the support frame. A stator housing is placed over the mandrel. The hydraulic ram compresses the stator laminations in the stator housing. The control system receives compression information from the sensor, and operates the hydraulic ram based on stored process information and information received from the sensor. A stop is inserted in the stator housing to hold the stator laminations in a state of compression after removal of the hydraulic ram.